Brakes 2nd in form table

Brakes are second in the form table after their 3-0 win over North Ferriby United yesterday. They were unbeaten in October, despite some tough games. although this was only their second home win this season.

Jack Edwards opened the scoring after seven minutes when he took advantage of a long throw from Kurtis Revan. Revan then won a penalty on 30 minutes which was converted by Rob Thompson-Brown. Revan won a second penalty for Brakes on 56 minutes which was again converted by Thompson-Brown. Breeden had to make a good late save.

Non-League Paper player ratings: Breeden, 6; Mace, 6; Gudger, 7; Gittings 7; Hood, 6; English, 6; Dunbar, 6; Edwards, 7 (Magunda, 74, 6); Revan, 8 (Bishop 79, 7); Canavan, 7 (Taundry 74, 6); Thompson-Brown, 6.

Outstanding result

One tweeter described it as the outstanding result of Non-League Day as Leamington beat promotion challengers Salford City 3-2 and ended their unbeaten home run in front of a crowd of 1,582.

I would not have been able to make it as I was taking part in the Alzheimer's Society Memory Walk in Leamington in memory of my wife Maggie, a former vice-president. At least it was good to see I could walk 5.5 kms without difficulty, albeit a bit slowly.

The report in the Non-League Paper is a bit grudging, describing it as 'unlikely win'. At least one of the Salford fans seems upset with the officials for not dealing with Leamington 'cheating' and is going to report them. Good luck with that (I think the standard of officiating at this level is much better than it was in the third tier). Leamington goals were:

• 19 minutes Thompson-Brown penalty after Jack Edwards was impeded
• 44 minutes Connor Gudger free kick from 25 yards inside the left-hand upright
• Substitute Kurtis Revan five minutes from time from close range.

Non-League Paper Player Ratings

Star man: Tony Breeden. Mace, 6; Gudger, 7; Hood, 6; English, 6; Clarke, 6; Dunbar, 7 (Taundry 90); Magunda, 6; Moore, 6 (Revan, 68, 7); Edwards, 5; Thompson-Brown, 6 (Gittings, 80, 6).

Brakethrough

It looked as if it was going to end in a dull 0-0 draw and a replay at home, or possibly yet another early exit from the FA Cup. However, Leamington scored two late goals at Westfields this afternoon to put themselves in the draw for the 3rd qualifying round.

Breeden gave away a penalty on 15 minutes, but then redeemed himself by saving the home side's effort. After a poor first half for the visitors, things brightened up somewhat in the second half with Jamie Hood (who had earlier received a harsh booking) hitting the bar.

Bishop scored for the Brakes on 89 minutes after a Dunbar free kick initially went into the wall. Brakes then won a penalty which was scored by Robbie Thompson-Brown to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

4-3 win for Brakes

Brakes continued their impressive run of pre-season preparations with a 4-3 win over a youthful Birmingham City side at a chilly and wet Phillips 66 Community Stadium this afternoon. It was 4-1 at half time, but the visitors replaced hapless keeper Jake Weaver by Conal Trueman who was much more impressive while Leamington faded a little in the second half. Indeed, they probably would not have won if it was not for a number of impressive saves by Tony Breeden throughout the game which won praise from Birmingham fans around me.

A rather soft penalty allowed Rob Thompson-Brown to open the scoring for the home side on six minutes. The visitors started to come to the game a bit more, but then Courtney Baker-Richardson made it 2-0 on 24 minutes. McDonald replied for the visitors, but Brakes then went 3-1 ahead through Junior English who worked well throughout the game. Good work by Ahmed Obeng on the wing set up Baker-Richardson to make it 4-1 before the break.

The visitors made it 4-2 with what was probably the best goal of the matches and then on 80 minutes the ball crept in from a corner.

Stefan Moore came on a sub, but I don't think he touched the ball once, ghosting around the pitch. It was an entertaining match.

'Give this a good write up'

Tony Breeden's penalty save. His penalty goal was something as well.

That was the instruction a fan gave me on the coach after last night's victory for Leamington in the Birmingham Senior Cup final over Wolves at Molineux. I didn't need any encouragement. This was a fitting finale to what has been an excellent season for the Brakes. As someone else said 'Leamington 1, Charlton 0', compensating for a poor season at The Valley.

We had a magical mystery tour on the coach on the way there. If I had wanted to get to the vicinity of Birmingham Airport, I could have got there more quickly via Kenilworth and Balsall Common.

Before the game a presentation was made to Paul Holleran for his 400th managerial appearance. I have been critical of his formations on occasion, but last night we look very well organised. We were fluent and passed the ball along the ground to each well, showing good anticipation of positioning.

After 15 minutes the lively Obeng (later named man of the match) was brought down in the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Thompson-Brown gave the keeper no chance to make it 1-0 to the Brakes.

Meanwhile, I had to put up with the Irish branch of the Wolves supporters club behind me, the height of their wit being to advise that Tony Breeden should be sent to weight watchers. A much better quip was that of the Brakes supporter who bellowed, 'You're worse than Cinderford.'

After the break Wolves became more energetic and determined and exerted some real pressure. Tony Breeden made a good save with his leg, but eventually Sealy equalised from eight yards out.

Leamington remained in the game, although they were starting to tire, but some judicious substitutions reinvigorated them. It was a good thing, however, that there was no provision for extra time.

There was an outbreak of handbags on 90 minutes after substitute Richard Batchelor was shoved and Tony Breeden came up to join in.

Tony Breeden, who reminds me of Charlton's legendary Sam Bartram, stepped up to take the first penalty and scored decisively. At 5-4, he saved from Sealy to give Brakes the trophy.

Attendance was 920 (no dogs), not sure there were 800 Leamington as the Express & Star says in its report (Wolves have won the BSC seven times): Local report

Good to see Barry Reeve to get a volunteer trophy at the end of the game for everything he does for the club (not least making the tea and coffee for the vice-presidents).

We are going up

Chairman and manager with the trophy

Leamington beat Hitchin Town to win promotion to tier two of the non-league pyramid in front of a record ground crowd of 2,108 and two dogs this afternoon.

Hitchin went ahead after ten minutes with a soft goal when a free kick was scrambled in at the far post. The Leamington players looked nervous and their efforts were somewhat disjointed, while the antics of charm merchant Brett Donnelly provided a constant and intended distraction. The Hitchin keeper was not really tested.

Brakes looked more invigorated after the break, but it was still difficult to work out where a goal was going to come from and the couple beside me left a few minutes before the end of normal time. Then, in the 90th minute Brakes won a penalty and Hitchin had a player sent off for a second yellow card. Rob Thompson-Brown stepped up to put the ball decisively in the back of the net.

The concern then was that the game might go to penalties but Courtney Baker-Richardson scored in the 114th minute, an excellent goal that looped into the top corner of the net.

It still required a great save from Tony Breeden and a Hitchin failure to take advantage of an open goal before the celebrations could begin.

The old five

Leamington completed a clinical 5-0 demolition of Dunstable Town at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium this afternoon. Unfortunately, Chippenham beat Merthyr 3-1 to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

An early stinging shot from the visitors tested Tony Breeden who made a good save at the expense of a corner. The antics of young visiting keeper Jack Smith drew shouts of 'Tony Breeden' from the crowd as he played outside of his area.

Courtney Baker-Richardson opened the scoring with a shot that looked as it might have been a cross, but it found the back of the net. Brakes were then awarded a penalty calmly dispatched by Rob Thompson-Brown. An own goal by hapless Dunstable No. 3 Gedeon Okito then made it 3-0 before the break.

An error by the keeper allowed Jack Edwards to make it 4-0 into an empty net. A shot from distance by Richard Taundry from distance that scythed along the ground then made it 5-0.

Jamie Hood put in some excellent defensive work and new signing Kurtis Revan put in some excellent passes when he came on as a substitute.

When Dunstable's Harry Bean had to go off after a coughing fit his replacement did not look at all keen to come on. Dunstable had only brought three substitutes and it was joked that it was the coach driver.

Merthyron!

Merthyr's vociferous band of supporters may well be feeling hard done by and truly martyrs (in Welsh above) as they make the long trek back to Wales, but the sign of a successful team is when they win even though the other side has been on top. Merthyr had a well organised defence with a former Welsh international keeper and were threatening in attack, but somehow Leamington survived the onslaught.

Leamington's attempts on goal in the first half were largely high and wild. After the break, the visitors stepped up the pressure and forced a series of corners. However, Leamington managed to break from time to time and with the minutes ticking away scored a goal from a crowded goalmouth. Edwards, who had been impressive all night won a header from a free kick and Thompson-Brown, who had come on as a sub, put the ball over the line. The goal was met with wild scenes of delight.

Official attendance was 464. I didn't see the dog, but maybe I missed him.

The Brakes are now top with 12 points but Saturday's opponents, Chippenham Town, are just two points behind.