Bay Watch

Talking to someone about the game earlier in the day, I said that Leamington should win. I should know better than to read results off the table at this time of the year, or indeed at any time of the year with the Brakes going down 0-3 at home to Colwyn Bay.

Reading the programme, they had the look of a makeshift side with a lot of references to players 'showing potential'. In fact, at the very least, as the Bloke Behind Me put it, 'They are better rubbish than we are.' They decided to make a go of it and seemed to want it more. They at least tried to play football. We did at times, but mostly it was hit and hope, with the hot line to air traffic control glowing red as the ball sailed into the air. Why not play the ball along the ground which makes it easier to control?

It was also a tale of two keepers. Josh Ollerenshaw for the Bay was outstanding, making a series of great saves to preserve a clean sheet. Breedon is a hard act to follow, but Collett is too inclined to rush out of his goal and seems to exhibit nervousness, although today's result will do nothing for his confidence.

There was danger when Collett rushed out of his goal early in the game. Dodd won a free kick on the edge of the area, but the scramble in front of goal was unproductive. Stefan Moore put in a curling shot which nearly found the back of the net. Aaron Ray scored for Colwyn Bay on 21 minutes, Collett getting a hand to the ball but just pushing it into the back of the net.'

Pierpoint could feel the noose tightening around the Brakes and urged his fellow players (in more vigorous language), 'We've all got to wake up.' However, the sleep walking continued and after an inadequate save by Collett, Ray was able to find the back of the net again to make it 0-2 on 31 minutes. Goddard put in a good ball from distance, but Stefan Moore's effort was ruled offside. Chris Noone put in a rugby tackle and received the only yellow card of the game.

Both teams assembled on the pitch after the break, but there was no sign of the officials. The referee may be a postman, but he is clearly often late with his deliveries. Eventually he ambled out to shouts of 'Have you had enough, ref?

Ollerenshaw made a great save to deny Leamington. Newton had been on the bench, presumably because he was not fully fit, but he was prepared to come on, then stayed on the bench for some time as those around me called for a change. Eventually he did come on to replace Batchelor. Following a Brakes corner, Ollerenshaw made a great save on the line. Lee Moore was taken off and replaced by Wint who did add something. However, on 77 minutes Colwyn Bay were awarded a penalty scored by Barbados international Moss. The game was then effectively over although Brakes huffed and puffed, although it was nearly 0-4.

I missed last week's game because I was catching a play to Beijing where I was performing the role of 'elderly foreign person'. I am sure it wasn't just jet lag that made this seem like a poor performance. In fact it's the worst home performance I can remember since the midweek defeat by Vauxhall Motors and Bay's Noone used to play for them.