BRAKES demonstrated their battling qualities to claim a point at Hitchin Town on Monday evening which was enough to edge them back to the top of the Evostik Southern League Premier Division.
Paul Holleran’s side claimed a point on the road at Frome Town on Saturday following a 0-0 draw and another point on Monday following a pulsating match at Hitchin was enough to move them back to the top of the table before the rest of the league’s mid-week fixtures.
The hosts had their weekend fixture against Paulton Rovers postponed which perhaps gave them a slight advantage over the Brakes.
But it was the visitors who raced into a 2-0 lead at half-time thanks to goals from Ben Mackay and Jack Edwards.
The opener came when Lee Chilton got to the dead ball line and centred for Mackey who headed past Horlock in the Hitchin goal.
Edwards bagged a second just past the half-hour mark. Chilton provided another inch perfect cross and Edwards headed home past Horlock.
Hitchin began the second period brightly and got themselves back in the game seven minutes after break courtesy of a Frendo strike.
With 15 minutes remaining the hosts pulled level when Robbie Burns beat Breedon with a low effort and despite dominating for the remainder of the match, the hosts failed to score again and the Brakes came home with a much deserved point.
On Saturday the Brakes were held to a third goalless draw of the season at Frome Town and they had goalkeeper Tony Breedon to thank for coming away from Somerset with a point.
Niether side were clincial in front of goal but Breedon pulled off a fantastic save late on to prevent the home side snatching all three points.
Ben Mackey tested Robins’ goalkeeper Darren Chitty early on at the Blindmans Brewery Stadium with a powerful shot while Jack Edwards sent a header over the bar.
The hosts came close through Liam Monelle who fired a shot straight at Tony Breeden as the scoreline remained blank at the break.
Darren Jefferies perhaps should have broken the deadlock for Frome early in the second half but he fired over after being put clean through on goal.
But the best chance of the match fell to Liam Monelle who connected with Lewis Haldene’s cross from the right and sent a header towards goal but his effort was superbly kept out by Breedon who flung himself across goal to clear the ball away for a corner.
Rob Hobbs wasted another chance for the hosts while Edwards and Alex Gudger went close with late headed efforts for Leamington.
Up next for the Brakes is a home clash against Merthyr Town.
