Brakes are lifted ahead of home return

Prior to heading to Halesowen last Saturday, Leamington were lying 16th in the Zamaretto Premier Division, having won just two of their opening eight league games and had also been knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle.

However, a 3-0 win at The Grove was followed by a 
2-0 midweek success at Bedford and Brakes now find themselves just three points behind second-placed Hemel Hempstead.

“It’s been a good few days for us,” said manager Paul Holleran. “After the Tiverton defeat I thought we might have a problem with confidence because people forget we’re such a young side.

“However, the performance at Halesowen was top-drawer with everyone going the extra yard.

“I was worried there might be a few tired legs at Bedford, but the first-half display was excellent, as good as it has been all year.

“We got after them, passed the ball really well and although it was just 2-0 at half-time it could have been five.”

Brakes now faces two successive home games, with tomorrow’s visit of Oxford City being followed by a quick return to the New Windmill for Brackley.

And, while Holleran admits he still looks upon his side’s start as disappointing, he says the tight nature of the league means perceptions can change very quickly, with just three points separating second from tenth.

“We’re back in the mix and everyone has a spring in their step - we’ve lost just one in six,” he said.

“Now, we’ve got to go again in our next two home games and it is important we bring the same mindset as we did at Bedford.”