Brakes score the decisive goal in time added on!

As the time ticked down at the New Windmill Ground today and the score against Staylbridge Celtic remained at 0-0, those around me feared that we would be struck down by another last minute 0-1 home defeat. But it was the visitors for whom the bell tolled. In time added on, Craig Owen scored to give Leamington all three points in front of a crowd of 676.

Stalybridge proclaimed themselves to be the 'Grand Old Team', as perhaps befits a side who date from the first decade of the 20th century and had a short stay in the Football League. More mysterious, they had a Millwall banner. It's a long way from New Cross to Stalybridge, but perhaps the relevance became clearer in the second half when there seemed to be some trouble on the North Bank which required the attention of the stewards. The scene was perhaps set early in the first half when a drunk schoolboy was helped away by his friends, with the stewards following at a respectful distance.

On nine minutes Chilton advanced well, after being set up by good work by Lee Moore, and put in a great cross but Johnson was unable to connect. Breeden had to make a great save on 16 minutes. Chilton received a yellow card with the referee, who was not on top of the match, pointing to various offences around the pitch. Dodd had to be taken off on 40 minutes to be replaced by Owen.

Brakes had a great spell early in the second half, but were unable to make it count. Celtic's keeper had to make a save on the line and Leamington maintained a spell of good pressure. Lee Moore was working particularly well. As the visitors came back into the game, Breeden had to make another great save from play following a corner.

Danger loomed with a one-on-one, but somehow we were able to clear. After we wasted a free kick, we gave one away, but the ball came off the wall. Visiting charm merchant Adam Pepper showed too much spice even for the referee and finally got the yellow card he had deserved much earlier in the game. With three minutes added on, Owen scored with a 20 yard curling shot after a lay off by Green. The goal was greeted by lightning and torrential rain.