Tuohy comes off the bench to salvage point for Brakes

Leamington snatched an opening-day point at Vauxhall Road thanks to a stunning strike from Michael Tuohy, writes Paul Edwards.

An evenly matched game had looked to be slipping away until the substitutes’ late intervention earned a share of the spoils.

Tony Breeden saved a low shot from Marquin Smith in the early stages as Hemel tried to stamp their authority on the game.

Brakes forced their way into proceedings and Alex Taylor had a gilt-edged opportunity to grab the lead when he latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area, but he took it too close to Mikhael Jaimez Ruiz as he tried to go round the goalkeeper, who plucked the ball off his boot.

Liam Daly’s looping header almost caused a problem for the Hemel keeper as he stretched to claim it under his crossbar, and Tom Berwick, who worked tirelessly all afternoon with little reward, squeezed a shot in from the left which was easily held.

Tudors’ skipper Matthew McEntergart headed well over from a corner before Taylor’s low skidding drive was deflected wide of the diving Ruiz and a whisker past the post as Leamington again came close to snatching a lead.

The two sides remained evenly matched as the second half commenced but Brakes continued to forge the better chances, with Craig Owen denied by Ruiz after latching on to Berwick’s cross.

The hosts forced Breeden into serious action for the first time when he produced a fine save from Dennis Fennemore’s fiercely struck free- kick.

Jacob Blyth made a welcome return from the bench, but no sooner had he stepped on to the pitch, Leamington were behind.

Hemel substitute Ryan Blake set off on a piercing run through the defence before hooking a fine shot out of the reach of Breeden and into the far corner of the net.

Fennemore almost doubled the advantage when he lifted a shot wide as Breeden advanced from his line, while Marvin Williams shot into the side netting when well placed.

Brakes began to pile forward as full-time loomed, with Tuohy seeing a shot deflected behind for a corner.

Another corner was conceded following Blyth’s strong run and, with the defence struggling to clear, the ball fell perfectly to Tuohy on the edge of the D, and he crashed a powerful first-time drive high into the net.

Hemel Hempstead Town: Mikhael Jaimez Ruiz, Danny May, Justin Clayton, Marquin Smith, Warren Goodhind, Matthew McEntegart, Michael Alexis (Jake Gilbert, 79), Liam Malone, Dennis Fennemore (Craig, 84), Marvin Williams, David Pearce (Ryan Blake, 46). Subs not used: Lewis Toomey, Mike McEntergart.

Brakes: Tony Breeden, James Mace, Stephan Morley, Lee Downes, Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Craig Owen (Michael Tuohy, 84), Alex Taylor (Jamie Sheldon, 84), James Husband (Jacob Blyth, 63), Tom Berwick, Richard Batchelor. Subs not used: Kyle Cartwright, Mark Gayle.