The Glassworld Stadium
Evostik Southern League Premier Division
Saturday 15th August 2015

Brakes produced an assured performance to ease to their first win on the road this season at Histon's Glassworld Stadium courtesy of goals from Lee Moore, Rob Ogleby and James Mace.

The young hosts showed plenty of industry and endeavour throughout but found themselves unable to unduly trouble a well drilled visiting defence that was superbly marshalled again by Mace and Jamie Hood.

The opening exchanges saw Leamington come within a whisker of taking immediate control, Richard Taundry firing a free kick towards the Histon penalty area from the halfway line which was knocked on by Jack Edwards into the path of Ben Mackey, who was inches from diverting it into the net in front of goal.

Mackey saw another shot deflected as he quickly had another opportunity, and Brakes went even closer when some sterling work from Edwards under heavy pressure in midfield saw the ball played out to the right where Ogleby and Ben George kept possession, the latter driving in a low cross which was met first time by Edwards, his shot spinning just past the upright.

Edwards then lifted a fine ball out to Mackey on the left edge of the penalty box, a stinging volley arrowed towards the near post bringing out the best in Stutes keeper Denzel Gerrar, who got down quickly to help the ball behind for a corner.

A Histon defender was apparently off the pitch receiving treatment when the opening goal arrived. Taundry was forced to play the ball all the way back to Tony Breeden from a throw in inside the Histon half, the keeper sending his clearance down the left where Moore got the better of right back Max York before cutting across the edge of the box and burying a powerful low drive into the bottom corner.

The missing defender, Evan Key had rejoined proceedings when he headed a left wing free kick back into the Leamington penalty area shortly before half time, sparking shouts for a penalty from his team mates as they believed they had a claim for handball, the officials were not interested however.

Mace saw a couple of early second half headers saved by Gerrar, while Mackey was just beaten to Ogleby's low driven cross in from the right by the Histon keeper. At the other end Hood was at his imperious best to snuff out any sign of a threat from the busy Stutes front line, getting in well to prevent Sam Ives from having a clear run at goal before a well timed header ended another move as the hosts began to build up a head of steam.

Taundry fired a free kick well over the bar before a smart diagonal through ball for Ogleby saw the striker dig out a shot under pressure from Jack Uttridge which was easily claimed by Gerrar. His next effort outwitted everyone however, as he picked up possession on the right of the box before sending a shot looping into the far corner to delight the travelling support behind the goal.

Mace then put the icing on the cake as he rose highest to power home Ross Oulton's free kick with 7 minutes remaining. Breeden was required to make a couple of routine saves as the hosts gallantly attempted to cut the deficit late on, but they finished well beaten, something their manager Brian Page freely admitted after the game.

Paul Holleran felt that his side had responded well to Tuesday's setback, saying 'I thought the first 45 minutes was probably the best in a long time in terms of being the opposing half, keeping the ball and creating chances. If it wasn't for some poor finishing the game would have been finished after 20 minutes. We weren't as fluent in the second half, we still had the best chances in the game but when it opened up towards the end we had that little bit of quality to wrap things up.'

Attendance: 294

Histon: Denzel Gerrar, Max York, Ashley White (15 Danny Rumens, 26), Evan Key, Jack Uttridge (14 Salim Relizani, 76), Rogan McGeorge, Lee Smith © , Tom McGowan, Sam Ives, Ryan Auger, Jordan Nicholson (16 Nick Freeman, 60).

Subs not used: GK Brendan Brown, 12 Curtis Fulcher.

Leamington: Tony Breeden © , Ben George, Connor Gudger, Joe Magunda, Jamie Hood (16 Kieren Westwood, 84), James Mace, Rob Ogleby, Richard Taundry (14 Ross Oulton, 66), Ben Mackey (12 Will Green, 76), Jack Edwards, Lee Moore.

Subs not used: 15 Jake Jones, 17 Matt Hill.

Referee: Mr Lee Forrester

Assistant Referees: Mr Michael Dunkley & Mr Nicolae Manolescu

Brakes Man of the Match: Jack Edwards