Taylor’s late strike salvages a share of the spoils for Brakes

A goal six minutes from time from substitute Alex Taylor helped Brakes claim a deserved point in an incident-packed Southern Premier League clash at Milton Road, writes Paul Edwards.

The match was played out to a backdrop of raucous support from both sets of fans and Brakes received an early chance to aid their search for a first league victory of 2012 when they were awarded a penalty with little over 15 minutes played.

The award was shrouded in mystery as the referee halted play on the edge of the Cambridge box and, after a brief consultation with his assistant, pointed to the spot.

Jacob Blyth stepped up but his shot was at a comfortable height for Zac Barrett, who beat the ball away.

Brakes appeared unperturbed by the setback and David Kolodynski’s 25-yard drive fizzed just over, while Stephan Morley tried his luck from even further out and saw his shot spilled by Barrett.

Brakes were provided with another opportunity from the spot just past the half-hour when Blyth went down under a challenge from Barrett. This time, Morley took responsibility and drove home the spot-kick to put the visitors in front.

City skipper Adrian Cambridge and Kolodynski were both booked as the temperature rose a notch before the hosts levelled in the 39th minute.

Lee Clift was picked out at the back post and his shot proved too hot to handle for Nathan Vaughan, with the keeper seeing the ball squirm from his grasp and dribble over the line.

Blyth came close to putting Brakes back in front when he chested down Batchelor’s cross but his shot was deflected behind. The home side then went straight down the other end and bagged a second goal when a rare slip from Jamie Hood allowed Mitchell Bryant to chest the ball past Vaughan and slot into an empty net.

Liam Daly headed just wide from a corner as Leamington looked for a way back after the break before Paul Holleran introduced new signing Matthew Dodd in place of captain Lee Downes.

Bryant saw red after a challenge which left Batchelor in a heap, with the midfielder playing on before eventually succumbing to the injury.

Unfortunately, his withdrawal left Leamington a man light as they had used all three substitutes, with Taylor and James Husband joining the action shortly beforehand.

Despite the setback, Brakes continued to press. James Mace headed against the bar before Taylor stabbed in from close range to square things up after a corner was only half-cleared.

Vaughan had hearts in mouths when he saved a long-range effort only to stumble backwards and almost get caught in his net, but fortunately the ball stayed the right side of the line.

Cambridge City: Zac Barrett, Pat Bexfield, Ben Islam, Dave Theobald, Victor Torres, Adrian Cambridge, Lee Clift (Neil Midgley, 79), David Prada, Craig Hammond, Mitchell Bryant, Ben Bradbury. Subs not used: Robbie Nightingale, Craig Bussens.

Brakes: Nathan Vaughan, James Mace, Stephan Morley, Lee Downes (Matthew Dodd, 64), Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Craig Owen, Lee Chilton (James Husband, 75), Jacob Blyth (Alex Taylor, 75), David Kolodynski, Richard Batchelor. Subs not used: Michael Tuohy, Lewis Fenney.