Late double adds gloss to Brakes’ much-needed win

From the outset, Brakes worked to keep the ball on the ground but they were sucked into playing long balls which were largely ineffective.

Ironically, the only exception was the first goal of the game as a lofted through ball split the defence and, with Bashley appealing for offside, Stefan Moore kept his composure to lift the ball gently over Stuart Moore.

From then on the flow of play was fractured with possession along the sidelines and the only chances coming from crosses.

However, Bashley equalised close to the half-hour mark when Charlie Knight found himself in acres of space and rifled a half-volley from 20 yards past the outstretched dive of Niall Cooper.

Bashley kept pressing as impressive left-back Ian Oliver gave James Mace something to think about with darting runs from defence and he got his chance when he found time to hit a curling effort that was unconvincingly saved by Cooper, with the rebound put wide with the goal gaping.

Leamington began the second half more positively and regained the lead following the award of a cheap free-kick.

Stephan Morley’s delivery caused chaos in the box and Liam Daly’s hopeful shot deflected off a Bashley defender and looped into the net off the underside of the bar.

Brakes began to control the flow and pace of the game as more balls found feet instead of head.

Chances came more frequently with even the diminutive Lee Chilton winning a header, but failing to hit the target.

With James Stokoe’s tame shot their only effort of note, Bashley manager Frank Gray sensed a change was needed and brought on Rob Gradwell, who nearly made an immediate impact.

It came following a lapse in concentration from Leamington who gave away possession in their defensive third, but Gradwell turned into trouble and was crowded out.

A few minutes later Leamington manager Paul Holleran made a double substitution, giving Ricky Johnson and Sam Adkins a run out.

Brakes put the game to bed in the 87th minute after a piledriver from Matty Dodd hit the bar and Richard Batchelor poked in the rebound.

Batchelor, who had been at the heart of all the home side’s best moments, was withdrawn to rapturous acclaim a minute later and Leamington claimed their fourth in injury time through Johnson.

Brakes: Niall Cooper, James Mace, Stephan Morley, Joe Magunda, Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Matt Dodd, Lee Chilton, Stefan Moore (Ricky Johnson, 79), Lee Moore (Sam Adkins, 79), Richard Batchelor (James Husband, 88). Subs not used: Martyn Naylor, Robbie Thompson-Brown.

Bashley: Stuart Moore, Bradley Strickland, Ian Oliver, Matt Finlay, Gary Middleton, Ian Richardson, Josh Casey, Andrew Jenkinson, James Stokoe, Mark Gamble (Rob Gradwell, 72), Charlie Knight. Subs not used: Tom Hill, Carl Foster, Paul Gazzard, Stewart Kearn.