After a slow start, Brakes accept plastic

Sutton always looked comfortable on their synthetic surface and went ahead after seven minutes when Harry Harris was played clear and slotted calmly under Nathan Vaughan.

Leamington were level seven minutes later, with Liam Daly thumping home a close-range header for his second successive pre-season goal at Coles Lane.

Vaughan was in superb form and prevented Sutton from regaining the lead when he saved well in a one-on-one with Lee Parsons.

At the opposite end, Dean Perrow was inches from winning a penalty for Leamington when his twisting run was brought to an abrupt end right on the edge of the area.

Vaughan was forced into action again early in the second half, saving a close-range shot before Michael Tuohy’s run into the area was ended illegally by a Sutton defender.

Stephan Morley stepped up but saw his firmly struck spot-kick kept out by Paul Hathaway.

Brakes were awarded another penalty in the 64th minute after Matt Dodd was clipped inside the box, with the same player taking the responsibility and sending Hathaway the wrong way from the spot.

Richard Batchelor, who replaced Jimmy Deabill just prior to the hour- mark, then showed good persistence to set up a chance which fellow substitute Alex Taylor swept over the bar.

Batchelor was again the instigator of a chance for Lee Chilton, with the winger striking just over from the edge of the box.

With 15 minutes to go, Morley swung in a free-kick from the right and Batchelor was there to arrow a close-range header inside the near post.

He almost bagged another moments later, found again by Morley in acres of space inside the Sutton penalty area, but his arcing header was clawed away from the top corner by Hathaway.

The Sutton keeper was outdone by Vaughan, however, as the Brakes keeper produced an even better stop to keep out a long-range shot that appeared destined for the top corner.

Despite seeing James Husband, Jimmy Deabill and Joe Magunda pick up knocks, Brakes boss Paul Holleran was delighted with the first run-out of the season and says he expects all three to be fit to face Mansfield Town tomorrow.

“It was great to get back into the routine,” said Holleran.

“Obviously the good thing about playing on a 3G pitch meant it wasn’t subject to a pitch inspection, which seems a crazy thing to say for July.

“It took us 20 minutes to get used to it because the pace is a little slower and players were getting the ball caught up in their feet, but once we got used to it it was a good workout all round.

“It enabled the new players to bed in and allowed Matty Dodd and Richard Batchelor to get back into it after their injuries last season.

“We picked up a couple of knocks, but the players were just taken off as precautions and should be alright for Mansfield.”

Sutton Coldfield Town: Paul Hathaway, Chris Hanna, Luke Chapman, Rikki Baines, Jack Stone, Matt Jackson, Scott Rickards, Lee Parsons, Joel Fuller, Harry Harris, Jamie Sheldon.

Brakes: Nathan Vaughan, Michael Tuohy, James Husband (Stephan Morley, 30), Joe Magunda (Lee Williams, 85), Liam Daly, James Mace, Matt Dodd, Sam Adkins (Craig Owen), Jimmy Deabill (Richard Batchelor, 58), Dean Perrow (Alex Taylor, 46), Lee Chilton.