Brakes beat league leaders

A crowd of 803 saw Leamington beat league leaders Hednesford Town 2-1 at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon. A thrilling match saw what must be goal of the season from Stefan Moore whose hand I went to shake at the end of the game.

Brakes had an early chance with a free kick on the edge of the 'D', but it came off the wall. Hednesford danger man Nathan Blissett managed to fall over the ball as he powered up the wing towards the goal. Breeden made a poor clearance, allowing the visitors to respond with a shot that was just wide. Brakes were just getting into the game a bit more when Blissett put the Pitmen ahead on 24 minutes.

After a period when the Leamington goal was under siege, Crane in the Hednesford goal had to make a good save and the subsequent corner was unproductive for the Brakes. Lee Moore put in a great ball to Stefan Moore, but he blasted it over.

Half time: Brakes 0, Pitmen 1

I don't know what Brakes had in their tea at half time, but Stefan Moore made a great run down the wing setting up Ricky Johnson to score the equaliser on 46 minutes. Then on 63 minutes Moore scored his super goal with a fierce blast from at least 30 yards out leaving the keeper with no chance.

Stefan Morley had failed a fitness test and David McNamee took his place. He received a yellow card for a foul which look suspiciously like a dive by the Hednesford player. The Pitmen made a double substitution, somewhat surprisingly taking off Blissett, although the hefty Marvin Robinson came on. Leamington brought on Jimmy Husband in place of Johnson and later Stefan Moore gave way to Will Green.

The referee evidently did not get a new watch for Christmas as he added five minutes on when there were only substitutions to take account of. Breeden had to make a great stop. Jimmy Husband won a corner for Leamington. Brakes tried to keep the ball in the corner and this led to an outbreak of handbags. It took some time for the referee to restore order and dish out yellow cards. But then at last the whistle was blown and Brakes had won a great victory.