Brakes end with ten men again

Brakes ended with ten men again as they went down 0-1 at home to Biggleswade Town at a very windy Phillips 66 Community Stadium. We played 4-5-1 until switching to 4-4-2 shortly after half time. We are now down to 7th with hopes of the play offs fading.

The Waders had some big players who put themselves about. We were being beaten to every 50-50 ball. Our defence was unravelled as the visitors broke away on 24 minutes and their big No.9 scored with a decisive strike.

Ben Mackey did manage to put in a strong shot on target just after the break. However, Will Green came on earlier than usual in a double substitution. Then James Mace got sent off for a crunching tackle.

I thought that we actually started to look more threatening after the sending off and we nearly got the ball across the line in a goalmouth scramble. However, it was difficult to complain about the result as the 'Green Army' went home happy. Biggleswade are the first team to do the double over us this season.

There were shouts of 'Holleran out' at the end of the game, but as someone said, he is fireproof.

Attendance was 403 plus one dog.

Fans vote with their feet

Leamington got three points this afternoon with a 2-1 win over Histon, but they made hard work of it and it was painful to watch much of the time. Admittedly, they weren't helped by a referee who was determined to give everything to the visitors.

It was a bitterly cold afternoon, but the attendance of 312 reflects what fans think of the current standard of football, even if we are in the play off positions.

The game was preceded by a minute's silence for the victims in France. In the latter part of this week, I was working in Brussels, using the Metro and everything seemed relatively normal. Today the city is in lockdown.

The Brakes had a few early half chances, but their efforts well off target. At times the game degenerated into a succession of throw ins for either side. The ball control by the Brakes was poor.

The young referee is obviously seen as a bright hope, but didn't have a clue. Tony Breeden won the ball with a tackle, but was shown a yellow card. The free kick came off the wall. Then Chilton was picked out well to score the opener with a tap in. All credit to Ben Mackey who pulled the ball back across the goal.

For reasons that were unclear, Histon withdrew captain Rogan McGeorge and brought on Lewis Clayton, one of only three subs on their bench. The referee gave Ogleby (or was it Magunda?) a yellow card for reasons that were unclear. The free kick deflected off the wall and was gathered by Breeden. Oulton then got a yellow card, allegedly for leading with his elbow.

After the break Chilton put in a couple of great balls across the front of the goal, but no one was able to connect. Histon were starting to get their act together, but fears of an equaliser were put to rest when Mackey scored (at least that's what it was announced as, but it may have been an own goal).

Luke Trotman replied almost immediately with a goal for Histon. The Luton Town loan player had been a real menace on the wing and he continued to be. He needed man marking, but was given acres of space in which to operate. Late on, he had a penalty claim.

A countdown had begun in the stands for the appearance of Will Green, but he came on as a very late substitution, Taundry having already been brought on in place of Mackey.

In the closing minutes, Chilton put the ball over the bar when he had an open goal in front of him. For a moment it looked as if the referee would book him for kicking the ball away.

Histon were there for the taking, but they nearly claimed a point. Given that we are second, this may all sound a bit negative, but I still think that we are hoofing the ball too much, although there was some good passing. Credit to Jamie Hood for some solid defensive work.

Brakes surge through

Leamington surged through to the next round of the Red Insure Cup with an emphatic 3-0 win over a youthful Bedwortb United side at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium tonight.

Brakes were soon slicing through the visitor's defence and were quicker to the ball. An own goal opened their account on 10 minutes.

Ogleby then took advantage of a mistake by the keeper and took the ball off him to make it 2-0. Will Green was unlucky not to make it 3-0 before half time.

The game went a bit dead in the second half, but then Ogleby scored again with a well-worked and well-struck goal on 66 minutes.

For the last quarter of an hour Edward Cavizei-Cox replaced Breeden in goal.

Attendance was 161 and Jack the Dog wearing his scarf.

Another page out of the book of excuses

Paul Holleran will need another page out of his book of excuses after Leamington suffered their second home league defeat in a week on a wet but mild night, going down 1-2 to Cambridge City at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium. The answer is actually quite simple: stop playing hoofball and start playing football.

Brakes did actually play quite a lot of football in the first half, getting the ball along the ground. Lee Chilton sparkled. Indeed, he was the best player throughout.

Jack Edwards put in a good effort, redeeming an earlier agricultural effort. It was rather against the run of play when Kay put the visitors ahead, blasting the ball into the net and giving Breeden no chance.

A call went out for a BMW with the lights on and the boot open. In fact, a mystery player hiding in the boot had escaped when he realised what the prevailing standard was.

Rob Ogleby equalised for Brakes on 39 minutes with a well-taken goal after a defensive error.

Ben Mackey had two chances to put Brakes ahead early in the second half. First, he had a free header from a Taundry free kick which he didn't know what to do with it. Then he did all the hard work, breaking through and rounding the keeper. He should have scored, but put the ball wide.

Brakes looked as if they were tiring. Possession was surrendered too easily and there was an increasing resort to the aimless long ball.

Leamington were outwitted at a corner in the closing minutes, City broke away and scored the winner.

Edwards seemed a bit out of sorts and told Breeden to Foxtrot Oscar after one of the keeper's assists was not utilised.

I saw a Danish friend at the end of the game and he said it was his second visit and he thought it was quite good!

The attendance wasn't announced, but was said to be 251, plus Jack the Dog.

Brakes play football to win 6-1

In a complete contrast with Tuesday night, Brakes played football this afternoon to beat Barwell 6-1 in the FA Trophy. A hot line had been set up with air traffic control, but it soon proved unnecessary as Leamington start to play the ball along the ground with neat passing movements. Admittedly, Barwell's defence was not up to the standard of Redditch but, as they say, you have to play whoever is in front of you.

Barwell looked threatening in the opening exchanges. They won an early corner and continued to apply pressure as they sought an early goal. Brakes were forced back and some resolute defending was called for. It was Ben Mackey who showed what Leamington were capable of with a run which put him one on one with the keeper, but Barwell's experienced Liam Castle was able to claim the ball.

Then a good pass set up my sponsored player Lee Chilton in the left and he was able to provide the cross for Jack Edwards who scored a good goal to make it 1-0. Some more defending was then called for from Leamington. Barwell suffered a setback when injured Eddie Niscevic had to be replaced by Liam Kay.

On 29 minutes the keeper punched the ball out under pressure but Lee Chilton was there to pounce and make it 2-0. Then on 35 minutes Big Ben made it 3-0 for the Brakes. One time Leamington player Jamie Towers got a yellow card for a foul on James Fry.

Immediately after half time Barwell withdrew Cameron Powell and brought on one time Sky Blues bright hope Iyseden Christie, who also played at Mansfield. Brakes took off the returning Connor Gudger and brought on Rob Ogleby.

In the second half Brakes seemed to step off the gas a little and calls for the 'old five' sounded a little forlorn. Barwell suffered another blow when Alex Tomlinson was injured and Brady Hickey had to be brought on.

Ben Mackey made it 4-0 with a brilliant goal from a tight angle. Joe Magunda came off and was replaced by Jamie Tank. This gave Barwell captain and charm merchant Richard Lavery to have a go at the linesman on the stand side who wore shades throughout.

On 75 minutes Barwell scored their consolation through Anthony Carney after good work on the wing. Ben Mackey was taken off to warm applause and chanting and replaced by Will Green. A good run by Jack Edwards then enabled Lee Chilton to score and provide the old five. Will Green burst through to make it 6-1. Let's hope we can continue to play football on Tuesday.

I was pleased to see two visiting dogs and a very witty interview from our very own Jack the Dog in the programme. Attendance was 291. For once, Leamington decided to play to win a cup.

Hoof and hope

Midweek games under the lights sometimes determine the outcome of a season. Tonight 471 fans plus a dog wearing a black and gold scarf saw Leamington go down 0-1 at home to a petulant but effective Redditch. The visitors played with ten men for much of the second half.

Redditch had pace, they were faster to the ball and they moved well off the ball. They created space for themselves. We were invariably second to the ball. Brakes relied hoof and hope football, the relentless long ball forward all evening. I don't know how many shots on goal we had exactly, but it wasn't more than five.

All evening Redditch where whingeing and surrounding the referee. A dive led to a concerted shout for a penalty. However, they were soon ahead with a well-taken goal on 17 minutes which involved playing the ball along the ground. Throughout the game they showed an ability to carve through our defence. Tony Breeden stopped it becoming 0-2 with a great save.

Redditch's No.2 was given a well deserved red card in the second half after bringing down Chilton, but Brakes were unable to take advantage of playing against ten men. We did hit the post and Redditch keeper Jose Veiga made a great save from Big Ben to prevent the equaliser.

Chilli con carne!

Brakes won a cup game at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium tonight, beating Bishops Cleeve 2-0. Lee Chilton was impressive, provoking a cry of 'Chilli Con Carne' from the crowd. (Another view was that his runs went nowhere, but I think that they unsettled the opposition). However, on a chilly evening, only 143 and one dog were there to witness the triumph.

The Villagers were no push over and were lively in attack, particularly down the wings from where some good crosses came. Right winger Ed Major, an acquisition from Winchcombe Town, was particularly impressive. Breeden, for his part, had to make some good saves.

Bishops Cleeve did not use keeper Matt Wieczorek with his experience of 1st division Polish football, but stand in Sam Gilder was well up to the job, having been the youth goalkeeper and then gone on to Cinderford Town.

However, after a spell of fluent football, Brakes went ahead on 19 minutes through Rob Ogleby.

The Villagers made a double substitution after the break. Three corners in succession seemed to offer the chance for Leamington to increase the score, but the third one was cleared. Tank came off and Reece Mitchell came on.

A concern was that the visitors might equalise, leading to extra time and even penalties. However, on 69 minutes, Welsh international Owen Goal came to Leamington's aid, although Hood can take much of the credit.

Will Green, who had required prolonged treatment earlier in the game, was replaced by Lee Moore. Bishops Cleeve didn't give up, but Brakes moved a step nearer a trophy that was once theirs. Some evidently thought that it was a dreary game, but I found it more entertaining than Merthyr Town on Saturday.

Bishops Cleeve

As a full programme was not published for this game, I am adding the notes I wrote on Bishops Cleeve:

Turning to tonight’s visitors, in 1903 a dinner was held at the Royal Oak in the village for the combined cricket and football club, although most of the emphasis seemed to be on the cricket. After a toast had been drunk to the ‘Imperial Forces’, Colonel Bennett was asked to address the assembled company on his experiences in the Boer War. However, he had not got long into his speech, before a heckler shouted, ‘What about the flogging in the Guards?’ Colonel Bennett was not put off his stride, however, and replied calmly, ‘I have no information on that matter.’

By 1935 the football club was well established as an independent entity. They had won the Cheltenham League Division 1 cup, the Winchcombe Hospital Cup and the Cheltenham Town Cup. The secretary reported a balance of just under £5. By 1937, when the annual meeting was held at the Old Elm Tree, there was a balance of £12 8s 1d. It was decided to run one team only and to apply for inclusion in the First Division of the Cheltenham League and all cup matches for which team might be eligible. It was also decided to ask Mrs Bellinger to place the ground in Gotherington Lane at the disposal of the club.

In a match against Cheltenham Town Reserves in 1934 in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior Amatuer Cup, they unsettled their opponents with some vigorous tactics. In the first half they were the better side. According to the Gloucestershire Echo, the village side gave their opponents no chance of settling down and ‘playing pretty football. They tackled and shouldered unceremoniously’ in a way that would probably not be allowed today. However, they could not penetrate the Town defence, when they did shoot it was inaccurate, and they got caught by the offside trap. Town went ahead 1-0 from a free kick just before half time and eventually won 3-0.

One is enough

Merthyr Town seemed to be aiming for the same score as the Welsh national team would be happy with in Bosnia tonight, and they nearly succeeded in returning to the principality with a share of the points. Although they were 19th in the table at the beginning of the match, they had only conceded fifteen goals and had a positive goal difference of four.

In the first half, and for much of the second, Brakes found it difficult to penetrate their in depth defence and resorted to long balls in 'hoof and hope' football. We also surrendered possession too easily.

Leamington did have a chance around the quarter hour mark when a free kick was tipped over by the keeper. Following the corner, the ball was cleared off the line.

Brakes did apply some pressure as the half hour mark approached, but to no avail. Tony Breeden then had to make a good save from their No.10. I don't have his name because the speakers sounded as if they were being operated by someone wearing a face mask in a deep sea diving bell. Whoever had got a lucky ticket for the half time crossbar competition wouldn't have found out from that source.

Breeden increasingly tried to provide assists in the second half, but in his frustration screamed 'midfield!' Leamington made a couple of substitutions, one being forced after Gudger was injured. Lee Chilton put in a good ball which was picked up by substitute Ross Oulton, but the ball just flashed across the front of goal.

The visitors were increasingly resorting to time wasting tactics, but the somewhat elderly referee was unwilling to do anything about it. No surprise then that there was an outbreak of handbags during a pause in the game with the referee and his assistants being unable or unwilling to identify any culprits, although I thought that their captain Ashley Evans had something to do with it.

Then on 86 minutes use was made of a throw in flicked on by a header by Jack Edwards allowing Ben Mackey to put the ball in the net. Merthyr now played with a new urgency, but great work by Lee Chilton secured a corner. Merthyr had a late corner but the confident Breeden claimed the ball with authority. Leamington are now top of the table.

Attendance was 623, but I didn't see the usual dog. However, I have now been told that it was there.

Come friendly balls, fall on Slough

I have missed quite a few games at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium because I have been away quite a lot. I may well have missed some poor games, and I certainly missed some controversy, but I was heartened by what I saw last night. The full moon rose over the stadium, initially tinged red. With Champions League matches, attendance was 411, plus the usual dog.

John Betjeman once wrote a famous poem before the Second World War 'Come, friendly bombs, fall on Slough.' Despite their lowly position in the table, Slough are not without talent and they showed plenty of effort and determination, never giving up. Their No.10 looked quite dangerous, although I was amused when their No.7 completely lost it over a disputed throw in.

We were 3-0 up by half time with some excellent goals with Jack Edwards scoring two, the other from Ben Mackey on top form. There was a moment of danger when they had a chance to score just after we had gone 1-0 ahead, but somehow the ball missed the open goal and hit the post. Fans were hoping for 'the old five', but we weren't able to find the back of the net in the second half despite a couple of chances.

The result saw us go top of the table after Chippenham drew at Frome. It's a long old season, but it's looking encouraging. Some fans who have been at more games than me thought we weren't at our best last night, but I was quite happy.

Part-time documentary

For those who missed the documentary about the Brakes shown on the Community Channel last night, there will be three chances to watch it later in the month. As well as seeing some familiar faces, it offered a good account of the atmosphere and challenges facing a non-league club.

Using their new online format, Windmill Wonderland has published an extensive interview with the documentary maker Nick Leek: Caught on Camera

Brakes fight for victory

In a highly competitive match at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium tonight Leamington fought for a 3-2 victory over Kettering Town in front of a crowd of 545 and one dog.

After good work on the left involving Taundry and Moore, the ball was played into Jack Edwards on four minutes who put the Brakes 1-0 ahead with a good strike. Breeden made a great save to keep Leamington in the game. He was then in trouble when he challenged an attacker outside the area, but he was not the last man and the referee, after consulting his linesman, gave a yellow card. Breeden then got into trouble with the referee for time wasting.

Ogleby then got a yellow card for a foul. Kettering were keeping up the pressure and the ball had to be cleared off the line. Then on 35 minutes Brakes advanced down the left, finding plenty of space and Richard Taundry made it 2-0 with an excellent goal from a curling free kick.

HT 2-0

Things then went wrong early in the second half when Saul Williams scored for Kettering with a ball along the ground which was difficult to save. Kettering were then awarded a penalty which was duly dispatched. Ben Mackey then made it 3-2 on 63 minutes, making use of an angled pass from Ogleby. Both sides had half chances in the remainder of the game, but Brakes held on to take all three points.

'Return of the Mack to the Brakes'

This is the headline above an article about Ben Mackey's return to Leamington in today's Non-League Paper. However, the description of him as 'Big Ben' drew a sceptical comment from one contributor to The Banter: 'Not at the NWG, he ain't.

It notes how Mackey, 'then with St. Neots, decided to step away from the game in January with his hectic work schedule as a freelance project manager and travelling from his Warwick home taking is toll. It allowed the prolific striker time to concentrate on his work as well as his bodybuilding and Mackey is in tip-top shape.'

Mackey told the NLP: 'Leamington are on my doorstep and are a great club. I always knew I wanted to go back at one stage and I'm really looking forward to it. I've been into bodybuilding for a while but it doesn't really go hand in hand with football. Now I'm going to adjust my training and get ready for the running in pre-season.' The accompanying photos show Mackey to have an extensive collection of tattoos on his arms and upper body.

Mackey said: 'Leamington are the perfect club for me. Paul didn't have to tell me what his ambitions were. Leamington are a big team in the area and they'll be looking to win every game. If I'm playing I want to be winning and scoring goals.'

As always, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

Brakes fans make German press

13 Brakes fans have got their group photo in a German newspaper after a visit to SV Eichede: English football fans

Not good enough

Leamington were in the relegation positions this evening after their 1-2 defeat at home to Lowestoft Town. Stalybridge Celtic won 2-0 away.

Of course, it's not over until the fat lady sings, but on this showing, it's goodbye Conference North, nice to know you, and hello Northern Premier.

Over the 90 minutes we simply weren't good enough. We lost possession too easily, we failed to pass to our own players, there was too much hoofing the ball up in the air and too much panic defending.

The Trawlermen had to play their reserve goalkeeper who was variously described as the Jolly Pink Giant and Mr Universe. However, he wasn't just a towering presence, but seemed more than capable.

The Lowestoft players were very lippy in the first half, for example complaining when play was stopped after Chilton went down when seven players surrounded the referee, but he just responded by giving them lectures.

On 43 minutes Jack Edwards put Leamington ahead with a shot from a corner. Unfortunately, Edwards had to be substituted in the second half after a jaw injury: he was one of the more effective players. Earlier in the half both sides had chances to score, but failed to take the opportunities.

Brakes didn't look like scoring a second goal and on 77 minutes, Tank conceded a penalty which was efficiently dispatched. Then on 90 minutes Brakes hearts were broken when Lowestoft scored through a crowded box.

All credit to Chilton for unrelenting effort and some real skill.

Perhaps a returning Danny Newton can get us out of the mire. However, what worries me is the 69 goals we have conceded this season. I am a great believer in building from the back and that means a consistently reliable keeper, not a succession of custodians.

Brakes fight back to keep hope alive

I didn't write a report after Tuesday's defeat against Chorley because I was so downhearted. They weren't very good, but we were worse. It looked like the same story again after the first half today. We were poor and so were Stalybridge Celtic, but they saw their opportunity and scored.

For the opening period we were pinned back. The strong wind didn't help good football, but were hoofing the ball out in panic mode. Their goal came when the keeper spilled the ball and Sim seized his chance.

It looked as if they were going to win until the second part of the second half when we started to battle, although we did get the ball on the roof of the net earlier on in the second half in our best effort up to then. The difference was made by taking off the haples Liam Truslove and bringing on Richard Taundry who was on fire and looked like a footballer. Hicks then replaced Edwards and a further substitutions saw Magunda replaced by Bilal Yafai. It was good work by him and Goddard that enabled Hicks to find the back of the net.

We kept under the pressure in the closing minutes to raise the spirits of most of the crowd of 595, but could not find the back of the net.

Next week's opponents Gloucester City won 2-0 at Solihull Moors, but Brackley lost 1-0 at Colwyn Bay so that puts us one point ahead of them, just out of the relegation places.

Cheaters from the coast

Referee Ian Dudley was asked in the programme how he unwinds when he gets home. He replied, 'I sit and look at what went well and not so good with a pint.' He will have a lot to reflect about over his ale tonight. A controversial sending off of Danny Newton in the first half effectively ended the game as a competitive fixture, handing AFC Fylde a 4-1 victory.

Although it was a sunny afternoon, with the temperature well into double figures, there was a strong wind and the ball often hung in the air. Leamington started well and on eight minutes Newton burst through, and with two defenders in attendance, put the ball convincingly in the back of the net.

The visitors fought back and Atkins had to come out of his goal to make a good save. Then, with a move that started with a throw in, Rowe turned well in the box on eleven minutes and put the ball along the ground into the net to make it 1-1. It was a good goal and made some of the later behaviour by Fylde inexplicable.

Both keepers were called on to make some good saves in the next phase of the game, while a Fylde header was fractionally wide from a corner. Delroy Gordon received a yellow card from the referee.

I thought that we might get into half time on 1-1, but then a free kick led to a Fylde goal from Rowe, although the players all seemed to freeze because of an apparent handball. The referee was, however, not interested in a Specsavers voucher, indeed one wag cruelly suggested that he was looking for a holiday in Blackpool.

I was then astonished to see Newton given a red card for what seemed very little with the referee apparently swayed by the appeals of the opposition players. All he seems to have done is clipped the player's heel or at most pushed him in the back and he then went down. Fylde players apparently claimed that Newton stamped on him.

I've now looked at the video: Stamp? As far as I can see, Newton tried to leap over the prone player, although he may have made contact. The referee was well positioned and had no hesitation in making his decision. In any event, there is no possibility of an appeal. I just think that it spoilt the game as a competitive contest which Fylde would have probably won anyway.

After the break, even Fylde seemed to be unsettled and lost the rhythm of the game. It looked as if the Brakes might be able to keep to a score to a respectable 1-2 or even get an equaliser to satisfy most of the crowd of 545 (plus one dog who seemed to have become separated from his owner). Holleran became agitated and the referee went over to tell him off. Fylde whinger Tom Hannigan at last got a yellow card, as did Caspher Hughes. Then, on 83 minutes Sumner delivered a well struck free kick to make it 1-3, although possibly the keeper could have done more to stop it creeping into the top corner. Brakes then seemed to lose heart, allowing Fylde to make it 1-4 two minutes later.

I never thought this would be an easy match, but the loss of Newton makes the result hard to bear.

The teams below us did us a favour by losing (Hyde drew, but that is almost irrelevant). Only Lowestoft improved their position relative to us.

Where is Nimrod?

That is the question preoccupying Leamington fans today. They were hoping to take the cardboard labrador mascot to tomorrow's big game at Stockport County, but he is nowhere to be found. Searches of the New Windmill Ground have so far been unproductive.

Reports that Hollers has sent Nimrod on loan to Stratford Town have been denied.

Nimrod's plight made the news on BBC Coventry & Warwickshire this morning and the breakfast show host tweeted a picture of the missing hound.

We deserved a share of the spoils

Leamington went down to a 1-2 defeat at the New Windmill Ground to Tamworth, non-league's in form team. However, I felt that we played well and deserved a share of the spoils.

Early pressure led to a Brakes free kick, but it was cleared off the line and then blasted over. Tamworth looked dangerous from a corner, but were unable to put the ball away as we headed off the line. They then had two corners in succession and from the second Paul Green put them ahead on 25 minutes. It was a sloppy goal to concede and the keeper should have done better

However, within four minutes, Brakes were on equal terms. A corner was converted with a powerful bullet header by Delroy Gordon.

Despite calls from behind me for Leamington to ripple the old onion bag, they were unable to score a second with the Tamworth keeper making a good reaction save from Goddard. Tamworth's Joshua Sampson got a yellow card.

After half time, the game was keenly contested, but neither side was able to make the decisive break through. Tamworth goal scorer Green got a yellow card for a nasty foul on Stephan Morley and was eventually withdrawn.

I thought that in the last quarter of an hour Tamworth started to predominate more and on 86 minutes with Atkins out of his goal, after being put in difficulty by a poor back pass, Brendon Daniels got round him to score the winner.

I didn't hear the attendance, but I think it was over 750 with the visitors well supported. However, they didn't have a dog in attendance like us.

Good start to 2015

It was a raw and foggy Sunday afternoon at the New Windmill Ground which kept the attendance down to under 350 (plus one faithful canine supporter) but Brakes made a good start to 2015 with a hard fought 4-3 victory over Bradford Park Avenue.

Leamington were ahead after two minutes when good work on the right enabled Lee Moore to put the ball into the net. A header from a free kick was not far wide. Then Stephan Morley delivered a belter of a shot from a free kick to make it 2-0 on 23 minutes. He was unable to repeat his feat from a similar position a few minutes later with the ball just going wide. The Avenue keeper looked to have carried the ball over the line and it could have been 3-0.

Leamington looked comfortably in control with most of the play in the opposition half, but break aways by Bradford enabled Chilaka to score on 38 and 44 minutes making it 2-2 at half time.

Tank had to be replaced by Edwards at half time because of an injury.

On 50 minutes good work on the left enabled Moore to make it 3-2. A shot almost went in after it bounced off the crossbar from Goddard. Then on 66 minutes Jordan Goddard put it in the goal of the game with a delightful lob over the keeper.

The call now was for the old five, but Avenue did not give up and made it 4-3 from a corner. Danny Newton, who had a good game, nearly scored but the ball was tipped over. In four minutes added on, Avenue had another corner, but Brakes got the ball down the other end and secured the win.