The Premier Plus Stadium
Evostik Southern League Premier Division
Tuesday 11th August 2015

Brakes came away with a narrow defeat from what will likely be one of their toughest away assignments of the season, one that will unfortunately see further reaching consequences after two late red cards.

Jack Edwards and Joe Magunda now face one and three match bans respectively as tempers flared towards the end of the game, which had been a scrappy affair littered with stoppages as both teams attempted to psyche each other out.

With Richard Taundry not fully fit Paul Holleran handed Jake Jones his debut in midfield.

The hosts fired an early free kick straight at Tony Breeden before Lee Moore cleared an effort from Tom Ward off the line. Ben Mackey was denied in similar fashion at the other end as he attempted to get on the mark against one of his former clubs, while Magunda sent a header wide of the target.

The hosts edged ahead early in the second half with a goal by in form striker Tom Meechan, who had hit an opening day hat trick at Bideford in his first game at this level. A shout for handball in the build up was ignored by the officials and Meechan neatly finished off the move at the near post.

Strike partner Ryan Hawkins went close to doubling the Saints' lead when he headed just the wrong side of the post soon afterwards, while Lee Moore was penalised for handball as he was played through on goal by Mackey, much to the frustration of those travelling from Warwickshire.

Nathan Frater fired well wide and Hawkins saw a penalty claim dismissed before Edwards, who had booked early on in proceedings, was shown a second yellow card with four minutes remaining. Despite this Brakes saw their best chance of goal disappear into the night air in added time when Will Green, making his second debut for the club after returning on loan from Brackley Town, fired narrowly over the bar after being played through on goal.

Magunda was then shown a straight red card for an alleged stamp. Brakes boss Holleran was not too downbeat despite the calamitous ending to the game, and though the suspensions will hamper his side in the coming weeks a win and a defeat from the opening two games is not the end of the world, with Brakes still yet to really click into gear as the new players integrate into the team.

Attendance: 368

St Neots Town: Danny Gay, Adam Tann © , Jack Wilkinson, Mat Mitchel-King (Jamie Anton, 14), Tom Ward, Connor Hall, Nathan Frater (Lee Clarke, 74), Brett Longden, Tom Meechan, Ryan Hawkins, Remy Gordon

Subs not used: Bamoussa Cisse, Sam Harty, Guy Mailancol.

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Ben George, Connor Gudger, Joe Magunda, Jamie Hood, James Mace, Jake Jones (12 Will Green, 72), Jack Edwards, Rob Ogleby, Ben Mackey, Lee Moore.

Subs not used: 14 Richard Taundry, 15 Kieren Westwood, 16 Reece Mitchell, GK Lewis Fenney.

Referee: Mr Mark Wardell

Assistant Referees: Mr Lee Grimsey & Mr Callum Chittenden

Brakes Man of the Match: Jamie Hood