Match report
by Paul Edwards

British Gas Business Southern League Midland Division
The New Windmill Ground
05 October 2008

Chesham United
2-0

Brakes entertained Chesham United in the only Midland Division fixture of the day, with most of the other teams involved in FA Trophy ties. The visitors arrived at the New Windmill Ground fresh from a 4-2 victory at Blue Square South side Weston Super Mare in the FA Cup, and seemed confident that they could upset Leamington's unblemished league record. Striker Daniel Burnell has scored 10 of The Generals 13 league goals, so he was the obvious danger man, but he was to have a frustrating afternoon against a Brakes back line who seemed determined not to surrender our fantastic start to the season without a fight.

A goal inside the first minute of the corresponding fixture last season was enough to bag the points for Brakes, but the visitors started this match in determined fashion, and enjoyed most the early possession without threatening Richard Morris. It was a typical autumn day at the New Windmill, with that vicious swirling wind that seems to be a frequent visitor on match days, threatening to spoil the game for the 531 inside the ground. Kicking towards the North Bank with the wind at their backs, Brakes snatched the lead on thirteen minutes with the first real shot of the game. James Husband took a throw in close to the corner flag on the left wing. Mark Bellingham received the ball, turned inside his marker with ease and slotted over an inviting cross that was too good for Luke Corbett to pass up, and he side footed home from eight yards. Excellent link up play from the two front men, who have built up a good understanding in a short space of time.

Although Chesham played the ball around very well, and looked threatening going forward, their attacks seemed to fizzle out as they hit the watertight back three of Cooper, Hier and Sanders. Jamie Towers had the opportunity to get forward, and he headed the ball just off target on a couple of occasions. At the other end, a corner kick landed on the roof of the Leamington net. Although there were several efforts that did not trouble Chesham keeper Bobby Smith, Luke Corbett powered a header straight at the keeper when he connected with a searching free kick from Martin Hier. Richard Morris punched a dangerous cross to safety, as Chesham continued to probe for an opening, but every time it looked like there might be a chance for a shot on goal, there was a gold and black shirted player blocking the way. Another Hier free kick was headed behind for a corner kick, from which keeper Smith nicked the ball off the head of Guy Sanders. Jamie Towers was spoken to after a brief fracas in the Chesham area, but no cards were shown.

During the interval, one gold and one black balloon were released from the centre of the pitch, in memory of Brakes fan Matt Blunt, to mark the second anniversary of his death. The fans who sponsored this game in his memory, decided to use the left over funds they had to raised to make another gesture, and young supporter Daniel Kelly, who has battled to overcome illness, was presented with a scarf, and a life membership of the Supporters Club.

Chesham started the second half well, and Danny Talbot hit a shot that dropped just wide, as they attacked Brakes from the kick off. As Leamington had found during the first half, having a strong wind behind you does not always work to your advantage when the ball is airborne, and another shot sailed over the fence into the farmers field. A swift attack almost led to an equaliser, as Burnell skipped away from James Husband on the right and played the ball in for his strike partner Darrell Cox, who won a free kick. This led to a corner being forced, from which Cox netted a close range header, but to the dismay of the players and travelling support on the North Bank, the goal was apparently ruled out for a shove on Richard Morris. Undeterred by this, the visitors continued to work hard to supply their front two, and enjoyed good spells of possession, but that telling final ball alluded them.

The game became rather scrappy for a time during the second half, and was broken up by two stoppages, the first being when Martin Hier received treatment for an injury above his eye, which the player himself is not even sure how he sustained. Hier was still off the pitch moments later, when another altercation in the Leamington penalty area saw a straight red card shown to Chesham striker Cox, for raising his hands into the face of Brakes keeper Morris. This unfortunately led to a few tempers becoming frayed, on and off the pitch.

Having been largely ineffective going forward for most of the half, Brakes became more lively in the final quarter of an hour, and substitute Mykel Beckley was tripped just inside the 'D' as he tried to make space for a strike at goal. The points clincher arrived with six minutes to play; Jamie Towers was challenged as he marauded down the right hand side, Bellingham returned the ball to the Brakes wing back, and Towers delivered yet another pinpoint cross to the boot of Luke Corbett, who gleefully slammed home his second of the game to take the acclaim of an ecstatic Harbury Lane End. The final minutes were negotiated without any scares. A final effort on goal, high and wide, summed up Chesham's luck in the final third of the pitch today. They look a good footballing side, and Brakes were made to work very hard for the points. Coach Morton Titterton reflected these views after the game. 'Chesham are a good side, and we've had to battle for the points. Luke Corbett deserves man of the match, for his two goals, but I thought the back three were tremendous.'

Leamington now enter a run of fixtures that sees us playing away from home for four games on the bounce, before entertaining Bury Town at the NWG on November 1. This result sends us to Arlesey next Saturday in good spirits, with the hope that the unbeaten start can be extended even further.



Leamington: Richard Morris, Jamie Towers, Martin Hier, Adam Cooper, Guy Sanders [Capt], Stuart Herlihy, Jai Stanley, Luke Corbett, Mark Bellingham, Josh Blake (Mykel Beckley, 74), James Husband.

Subs not used: Marcus Jackson, Ryan Parisi, Glenn Webb, Richard Anstiss.



Chesham United: Bobby Smith, Max Howell, Sam Ledger, Mark Lambert, Danny Talbot, John Kyriacou (Steve Crawley, 59), Dave Fotheringham, Adam Parker [Capt], Danny Burnell, Darrell Cox, Dom Marsala (Josh Cooper, 87).

Subs not used: Ed Chemlal, Steve Obeng, Michael Underwood.

Attendance: 531

Reporter's Man of the Match
Luke Corbett

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