By Roger Vincent

Rugby Town Shade It Against Arch Rivals Leamington

An absorbing contest at the New Windmill where a crowd, reduced to 386 by the weather and mid-week, saw Rugby take an early lead in the 13th and Leamington draw level through a Mort penalty in the 36th. In an even contest over the 90 minutes Rugby were on top in the first half though Brakes should have won it in the next 30 minutes but lacked the killer punch up front. Brakes paid the penalty for missing chances when Rugby scrambled the winner in the 81st having missed a penalty a few minutes earlier.

There was a tentative start with both teams clearly respecting the other. Brakes were preventing Rugby making progress with superb defensive tackles but were unable to make progress themselves too often giving the ball away. Brakes were marginally on top when Rugby took the lead, 0-1 in the 13th when a long cross was nodded down and crept over the line with Day, seemingly, having it covered.

Burgess and Dhesi were playing well together up front and caused some panic in the Rugby defence and Thompson, having one of his best games for a long time, linked with Burgess to release Timms who forced a corner. Webb, restored to midfield, was strong and threatening but it was Rugby who looked most likely to score as they swept upfield and took advantage of Brakes' uncertainty and slowness in distribution. Too often a Brakes' player in a promising position, or wanting to take a quick throw-in, found nobody running into position, a sure sign of the current lack of confidence.

Yet, somewhat against the run of play, it was Brakes who scored next when Mort slotted his first goal of the season to drive home a well-taken penalty in the 36th and make it 1-1. The referee, who had a superb game, awarded it for handball when the ball struck a Rugby hand. It was, strictly, a penalty as, though unintentional, it affected the run of play but Brakes were a little fortunate as many referees would not have given it. The half ended with Walker, who was solid throughout, making a rare mistake but recovering superbly to block the danger. With Sidwell, and Saunders making an impressive starting debut, this was a solid defensive display and will serve Brakes well.

With Dhesi getting behind the defence and crossing balls into the area Brakes were well on top as the second half progressed. Blake, who, currently, lacks that final touch of the assured, confident striker should have put Brakes ahead in the 55th and Burgess was proving a revelation running rings round the increasingly panicky defenders. The imposing Saunders was showing what an asset he will be when he gets to know the strengths and foibles of his team-mates. Blake ran on goal in the 63rd and should have scored. Rugby changed their goalkeeper in the 65th but this was no rookie stand-in as he pawed away two Brakes' chances in quick succession.

But Brakes paid the penalty again for not taking chances as Rugby came back into the game bringing a brilliant save from Day in the 71st. Good work by Burgess released Blake, who missed again, but Brakes were running out of ideas and Rugby were awarded a penalty in the 76th when a forward was brought down. A strong drive hit the bar with Day, committed and on the ground, not getting a touch so the drive home from the rebound by the penalty-taker was ruled out as no-one else had touched the ball. But, in the 81st, Rugby made it 2-1 when the ball was forced home following a goalmouth scramble. Brakes continued to press and, in the 83rd, Saunders found the Rugby defence retreating from him and ran through to force a corner showing a purpose that had been largely lacking from the strike force which, once again, proved Brakes downfall.

Leamington: Myles Day, Jonny Burgess, Simon Walker, Tom Sidwell, Tom Saunders, Glen Webb, Nick Mort, Darren Timms, Josh Blake, Harj Dhesi (Chris Hanrahan 87), Steve Thompson [Capt.]
Subs Not Used: Andy Gregory, Mark Rowland

Team News: Return of Ben Adams and Brian Agar "imminent"