By David Hucker

Brakes Thwarted Again by Former Champs Alveston

For the second time this season, a young Alveston side put a dent in Brakes' championship hopes, thoroughly deserving their point from a frenetic but far from classic encounter.

Skipper Steve Thompson returned to the side and Andy Ellis made the starting line-up in midfield replacing the rested Brian Agar. Central defenders Nick McFarlane and Jamie Ball were joined by Ben Adams to form the back three. Director of Football, Dave Draper, was again on the bench.

This fixture was postponed from New Year's Day when the pitch (one of the best draining in the league) was waterlogged. After the recent prolonged dry spell, the ball bounced high off the hard surface putting a premium on control. A long range shot from Darren Timms in the third minute was tipped over the bar by the Alveston 'keeper and Brakes came even closer to scoring on six minutes when a Thompson cross was met by Baz Shearsby whose shot rebounded off the foot of the post. Disappointingly after such a lively start, the match went quiet with neither side really testing the goalkeepers. Only three more real scoring opportunities came Brakes way in the remainder of the half but Chris Hanrahan, Darren Timms and Paul Nicholls all put their headers wide of the post.

The second period was very much like the first, with Brakes having possession but not enough strikes on target. As they pressed for a goal, Alveston's young forward line were quick on the break and two or three clear-cut chances went begging. The introduction of Draper added some physical presence in the Brakes attack that had the home defence pressing the panic button at times, but a volley over the top on sixty-five minutes and a couple of headers near the end were as close as he came.

As the nerve ends begin to fray, a goaless draw against bottom four opposition is not what the doctor ordered. With Alvechurch winning 3-1 at Castle Vale KH, nothing can be taken for granted but, at worst, Brakes will go into the last four matches with a two-point cushion. Their destiny is still in their own hands.

Leamington: James Gettings, Jonny Burgess, Ben Adams, Nick McFarlane, Jamie Ball, Barry Shearsby (Harj Dhesi 71), Andy Ellis, Chris Hanrahan (Dave Draper 60), Darren Timms, Paul Nicholls, Steve Thompson [Capt.]
Subs Not Used: Ryan Parisi