Nothing can stop Brakes... apart from floodlight failure

The postponement prevented Brakes from building on their excellent 2-1 home success over AFC Totton last Saturday and means Paul Holleran’s side now face two trips to Kirkby Road in quick succession, having drawn the Leicestershire side in the third round of the Red Insure Cup.

And in a season which has already seen Brakes lose matches to a floodlight failure, waterlogged pitch and Kettering’s financial meltdown, Holleran said it ranks as one of his weirdest cancellations.

“It was a bizarre one to say the least,” said Holleran.

“It’s the only time I’ve ever found out about a floodlight problem in the afternoon.

“Usually you’re all there and they go to flick the switch and then find there’s a problem.

“At least the players and supporters hadn’t travelled over there.

“With us having a bit of a bug going around, it was probably a good time for Barwell to play us.

“Two or three of our players weren’t right and Stephan Morley and Jamie Hood wouldn’t have played, while Batch may just have got through it.

“But having said that, when you can play, you want to play because you know you’re going to get some games called off in December/January time.”

The postponement left Brakes still three points adrift of Southern League leaders Hemel Hempstead.

However, it is a look further down the table which will most please the New Windmill faithful, with a gap of seven points having opened to the chasing pack, all of who have played more games.

And, having seen his side dismantle one of his fancies for the title in Totton, Holleran is keen for Brakes to make the most of their red-hot form.

“They are a very capable side and for long periods we made them look ordinary,” he said.

“Sometimes you wonder if it’s down to them, but it’s us at the moment, we’re right on it.

“We had a period before half-time when we lost focus, me included, but apart from that we were in total control.

“The only disappointing thing is that we didn’t take our chances - we need to learn to finish teams off.

“But considering how difficult the pitch was, it was a really good game.

“We’ve got a group of players who are confident and that’s the major disappointment about Tuesday night - I just want them to keep playing.”

Brakes visit St Albans City tomorrow before travelling to mid-table Chesham United on Tuesday and Holleran is expecting to be able to call on an almost full-strength squad as the sickness bug subsides.

One player who will be absent, however, is Dean Perrow, who is currently turning out for Bartley Green.

Perrow was on the mark for the Midland Combination Premier side in midweek as he looks to build up his match-sharpness and Holleran said he will be an important player for Brakes as the season progresses.

“He just wanted to go somewhere with no pressure,” said Holleran.

“Next week he’ll step it up and he won’t be far away by Christmas.

“We know he can score goals and he could be a vital player for us in the new year.”

 Following Brakes’ home clash with Bideford on Saturday December 15, Leamington’s Vice-Presidents’ club are hosting a race night in the clubhouse.

Players and management will be in attendance and entry is free.