Report
Evostik Southern League Premier Division
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Tuesday 27th October 2015
Brakes were left to rue missed opportunities again as they threw away another chance to return to the top of the table, with visitors Redditch United moving level on points with them on a frustrating evening for Paul Holleran's side at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium.
With leaders Poole Town also losing at Chesham United this must go down as a missed opportunity, but Liam McDonald's young side looked the more threatening in the first half, edged ahead with a well taken goal from Luke Shearer and despite having to play the majority of the second half with ten men after Kyle Haynes was sent off they continued to create chances, defended doggedly and overall deserved their victory.
Jack Edwards fired an early effort wide, and the visitors saw a penalty claim waved away as the two sides sized each other up, but Shearer broke the deadlock on 17 minutes when he skipped into acres of space down the left, advancing almost unchallenged into the penalty area before clipping a neat shot past Tony Breeden into the net.
Ross Oulton was elevated into the starting line up after his wonder goal had earned a point on Saturday at Paulton, and he set off on another weaving run before playing in Lee Chilton to drive in a shot that was shovelled behind by the Reds keeper Jose Veiga for a corner.
Redditch were looking dangerous almost every time they attacked, and it took a fine reaction save from Breeden to prevent Danny Dubidat's close range header from doubling their advantage before half time. The visiting captain was then a whisker away from steering a long ball from right back Haynes past the advancing Breeden.
The second half got off to something of an explosive start when Chilton inadvertently caught Veiga as he chased a pass forward. The keepers' somewhat over dramatic reaction to the challenge saw the red mist descend on team mate Haynes, who struck out at the Leamington midfielder, and after the Referee had attempted to calm things down he sent the Redditch defender for an early shower whilst booking Chilton for the initial challenge.
Richard Taundry whipped a free kick across goal and past the far post after Oulton was fouled on the right edge of the area as Leamington looked to make full use of their man advantage.
Chilton should have at least hit the target when he was presented with the ball just inside the box after substitute Will Green had been fouled, but he curled his shot wide of the target with the goal gaping.
Redditch continued to push forward, Dubidat firing wide from a right wing cross, while goalscorer Shearer almost got clear again only to shoot tamely at Breeden, but he quickly carved out another chance for himself after Leamington lost possession in midfield, darting up the left wing before firing low across goal and wide of the far post.
Taundry flashed a well struck volley just past the upright, while a defender got in well to block a shot from Edwards after a free kick was not cleared just yards from goal.
Redditch keeper Veiga had a rather relieved look on his face when the ball somehow ended up safely in his arms after Green's shot from the edge of the box took a deflection to leave him wrongfooted, only for the ball to strike the inside of the post and roll along the goal line. There was nothing lucky about his next involvement however, as he went in bravely to deny Ben Mackey at point blank range as the striker connected with Edwards' knock down from a right wing cross.
Leamington's evening was summed up neatly when Chilton saw a team mate block his goalbound header at the far post, Green then skewing his shot wide of goal with Veiga grounded, leaving Redditch to celebrate a hard earned three points to boost their own promotion credentials.
Attendance: 471
Leamington: Tony Breeden © , James Fry, Richard Taundry, Joe Magunda, Jamie Hood, James Mace, Lee Moore (14 Will Green, 62), Ross Oulton (12 Rob Ogleby, 76), Ben Mackey, Jack Edwards, Lee Chilton.
Subs not used: 15 Jamie Tank, 16 Reece Mitchell, GK Eddie Caviezel-Cox
Redditch United: Jose Veiga, Kyle Haynes, Jordan Liburd, Max Loveridge, James Mutton, Callum Flanagan, Luke Shearer, Will Richards, Danny Dubidat © (12 Cameron Young, 87), George Carline, Jamie Molyneux (16 Troy Baker, 57).
Subs not used: 14 George McGee, 15 David Bridgwater, GK Josh Moreton.
Referee: Mr Mark Howes
Assistant Referees: Mr Andrew Ellis & Mr Simon Lane
Brakes Man of the Match: Jamie Hood.