Bashley bashed up by three-goal blitz

Brakes recorded a fine victory in the New Forest, leaving their hosts shellshocked after a three-goal salvo in the opening 15 minutes, writes Paul Edwards.

Luke Corbett and James Rowe bagged a brace each, as Paul Holleran’s men put in a hard-working 90 minutes, producing the kind of football that had the vocal travelling support purring.

Mark Gamble saw an early effort fly over the bar for the home side, but it was Brakes who stole the early advantage when Luke Whitley was penalised for pulling back Rowe inside the penalty area

Whitley was only booked despite appearing to be the last man, but Corbett exacted full revenge, smashing the penalty high into the net.

Rowe seemed to be at the hub of everything for Leamington, and he twisted and turned on the edge of the area before shooting just wide.

He did not have long to wait for his first goal. James Husband cut the ball across goal for Alex Taylor, who after seeing his shot well saved by David Elm, knocked the loose ball to Rowe, who slotted home from six yards.

Barely 60 seconds had elapsed before the striker was celebrating again, outpacing the last defender and taking the ball past Elm before rolling it into the net.

It looked as though Rowe might have the statisticians reaching for their history books as he was played in on goal again within a minute, but having done the hard work in beating the last man and keeper, he fired inches wide of the gaping net.

Bashley players and supporters were furious when they were not awarded a penalty of their own, but Mike Spinney appeared to trip himself up as he shaped to shoot inside the area.

Rowe was creating havoc and, after again rounding Elm cut the ball back from the byline, but there were no blue-shirted players in the box to profit.

Brakes saw far less of the ball after going three up, but still looked capable of adding to their tally. Corbett toyed with the Bashley defence on the edge of the area before shooting low at Elm.

Tony Breeden was relatively untroubled, but saved a good effort before the interval as Leamington went in with their tails up.

The game was effectively over just before the hour as Corbett added a fourth.

After winning possession, he exchanged passes with Rowe beforedriving in a shot from the edge of the box which squirmed under Elm.

The Bashley keeper continued to be kept busy by the Leamington attack, saving a scorching effort from Husband and then flying through the air to hold Corbett’s powerful drive.

Jack Smith shot wide for the home side after a direct run before a flowing move saw Rowe and Taylor almost walk the ball into the net.

From the resultant corner, Liam Daly’s powerful downward header was blocked on the line by Elm, who appeared to trip Corbett as he picked up possession.

Mark Gamble almost grabbed a consolation when he took the ball past Breeden, only for Guy Sanders to clear off the line, while substitute Jacob Blyth spurned two late opportunities as a rampant Leamington went in search of a fifth.

Bashley: David Elm, Jack Smith (Jason Brookes 71), Chris Ferrett (Joe Collins 64), Gary Middleton, Luke Whitley, Chris Knowles, Tom Hill, Dave Allen, Mike Spinney, Mark Gamble, Ian Oliver. Subs not used: Ryan Hill, Joe Prodomo, Steve Riley.

Brakes: Tony Breeden, Scott Lycett, Stephan Morley, Lee Downes, Guy Sanders, Liam Daly, Alex Taylor (Jacob Blyth 79), James Rowe (Seb Lake-Gaskin 69), James Husband, Luke Corbett, Richard Batchelor (Jamie Sheldon 78). Subs not used: Jamie Hood, Michael Tuohy.