Attendance: 433

Team: Sidhu; Burgess, Gregory (Dix), Rowland, Crabtree; Timms, Mort (Curphy), Webb, Thompson; Agar (Sahal), Nicholls

Goal: o.g.

The first game under floodlights was another of mixed fortunes for the Brakes. Playing a "scratch" side of trialists they failed to get going until the second half.

Halesowen started brightly, grabbing two goals in the first 12 minutes of the match - thanks to two errors by Sidhu, who was probably still suffering a hangover from the previous game.

Thereafter, the Brakes dug-in and started to get back into the match. However, a 44th minute goal after another error from a cross, took the Yeltz into the half-time break three goals to the good.

Half-time was celebrated with a long list of dignitaries being announced to the crowd for a press photograph on the pitch. This was followed by fireworks as the floodlights were given their first official illumination.

The bright lights seemed to brighten the Leamington side up to. After an average - often sloppy - first half, Brakes tightened up at the back. Gregory was probably the pick of the defence, although débutants Crabtree and Rowland had good first games.

The closest Brakes came to scoring themselves was mid-way through the second half when a Webb header grazed the crossbar. The follow-up corner was narrowly headed over by the same player.

Overall a reasonable performance given that many of the "first-choice" players were unavailable for selection for whatever reason. This team was without Morris, Sidwell, Wickson and Blake. With Webb and Dix yet to be back to full fitness, the strangth of the squad looks to be in good shape.