League & Cup Results 2002/03
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Leamington 2 Nuneaton Griff 0  - 12/10/02 - Midland Combination Premier Division Taken from the Leamington Courier Online

Brakes stormed to the top of the ICIS Midland Combination Premier Division with a comfortable win over former champions Nuneaton Griff. Second half goals from evergreen striker Brian Agar and midfielder Darren Timms broke down a resolute Griff defence in which goalkeeper David Wright was in superb form.    In the early exchanges Brakes' keeper Myles Day was kept the busier as the visitors took the game to the home side. He made an instinctive save to palm away a shot in the 19th minute and saved well with his feet as half time loomed. In between, Brakes had few shots on goal with Paul Nicholls and Baz Shearsby going closest. Then, three minutes before the break, Glen Webb found himself clear in the penalty area but stumbled before being able to make the opportunity count.   Leamington were a different proposition in the second period. On 54 minutes, the skillful Nicholls turned his marker to pass into the goal area where Agar was on hand to shoot home. The lead was doubled in the 72nd minute when a free kick from Shearsby was met by Timms who stooped low to head home for his first league goal of the season.   The home side's joy was tempered four minutes later when leading scorer Nicholls was stretchered off with an injury to his left knee. He faces a race against time to be fit for the FA Vase tie at Mickleover Sports tomorrow (Saturday). Then, on 79 minutes, Agar's goal-bound header from a cross from the industrious Webb was handled and Leamington were awarded a penalty. With normal taker Nicholls off the field, Timms stepped up to the spot but Wright saved his shot low down by the post.   In the end, a solid all-round performance saw Brakes to a deserved win and the crowd of 446 went home happy that clear top spot had been claimed whilst Rugby Town were on cup duty. As well as Nicholls' injury, the club must now cope with the loss of midfielder Baz Shearsby for six weeks as punishment for his sending-off against Coventry Marconi.   Co-manager Barry Proctor praised his side's second half performance, saying that he was "delighted to be top of the league." He added "the season is going well and we are now looking forward to next week's cup tie at Mickleover Sports. "We have a clear week to prepare, although the injury to Paul Nicholls is a worry."