Billingham brace brings Brakes back down to earth

Brakes’ title credentials were ruthlessly exposed on Saturday as Stourbridge put five past them in another away-day horror show.

It took to 11 the number of goals conceded in Leamington’s last three league trips and the defeat was further compounded by a nasty-looking injury to substitute Alex Taylor.

The home side signalled their intentions as early as the 75th second, with Sean Evans forcing a fine sprawling save from Niall Cooper.

Lewis Solly was equally adept to turn away a Matt Dodd volley at the opposite end before the Glassboys broke the deadlock in the 13th minute.

Ben Billingham’s cross from the byeline was guided home by the onrushing Evans, with Brakes players appealing in vain for a free-kick earlier in the move.

Worse was to follow for the visitors, with Jamie Hood gifting Stourbridge a second.

The centre-back did well to dispossess Luke Benbox, but with the ball at shin level, he tried to be cute and head the ball back to Cooper.

The backpass fell short and Billingham nipped in to round the keeper and slot home from an acute angle.

A first-time volley from Richard Batchelor which was straight on Solly was Brakes’ token response before the home side made it 3-0 in the 35th minute.

Again the visiting defence was at fault, with Evans allowed a free run to the edge of the box before laying the ball off for Drew Canavan to shoot at goal. Cooper could only parry his effort and Evans was on hand to scramble the ball home from close range after Brakes had failed with several attempts to clear the danger.

Billingham clipped the top of the bar with a header before Leamington grabbed a lifeline in the third minute of added time.

Stefan Moore had cut an isolated figure after barely getting a kick in the first half. However, after Lee Moore headed on Cooper’s goal-kick, he showed his predatory instincts by neatly lifting the ball over the stranded Solly and into the corner of the net

The unpredictable nature of matches between these two foes gave rise to hopes of a Leamington comeback as the second half kicked off and the visitors certainly looked a livelier outfit in the opening exchanges.

However, they failed to trouble Solly and it was the home side who continued to fashion the chances.

Benbow appeared to have a good claim for handball after his cross was blocked in the box while neat footwork from Billingham released Canavan for a thumping drive which Cooper somehow deflected away from goal.

Billingham then had a chance to put the result beyond doubt after latching on to Leon Broadhurst’s hopeful punt forward, but with only Cooper to beat, he scuffed his shot wide.

Billingham was again off-target after a fine counter-attack from the Glassboys before a three-minute spell settled the outcome of the game.

Hood seemed odds-on to score after being afforded a free header from Stephan Morley’s free-kick.But despite getting a firm contact on the ball, he was denied by a wonder save from Solly, who flung out a hand and somehow managed to prevent the ball crossing the line.

Paul Holleran introduced Taylor and Ricky Johnson in favour of Lee Chilton and Lee Moore in an attempt to pep up his attack, but no sooner had they been introduced than the match was lost.

Benbow won a header under pressure from two Brakes defenders and, despite Billingham clearly being four yards offside, play was allowed to continue, with the Stourbridge striker drilling the ball past Cooper to open up a three-goal cushion.

Worse was to follow in the 80th minute as Benbow got the goal his industry deserved, cutting inside Hood before sending an unstoppable shot past Cooper.

Hood was mercifully withdrawn from the action three minutes later following a yellow card as his frustrations threatened to boil over.

However, Brakes were still forced to play out the final minutes with ten men after an awkward fall for Taylor saw him being stretchered off with suspended ligament damage.

Stourbridge: Lewis Solly, Drew Canavan, Gavin Hurren, Paul McCone, Jordan Fitzpatrick, Nathan Bennett, Lee Osborne (Jamie Oliver, 29), Leon Broadhurst, Luke Benbow (James McPike, 84), Ben Billingham, Sean Evans (Marvin Nisbett, 84). Subs not used: Sean Geddes, James Dyson.

Brakes: Niall Cooper, Martyn Naylor, Stephan Morley, Joe Magunda, Jamie Hood (James Mace, 79), Liam Daly, Matt Dodd, Lee Chilton (Alex Taylor, 70), Stefan Moore, Lee Moore (Ricky Johnson, 70), Richard Batchelor.Subs not used: Tom Berwick, Dan Ward.