We look back at games from our history on March 22nd…………
1947 - Lockheed-Leamington emphatically moved into the final of the Foleshill Nursing Cup. An article in the Coventry Evening Telegraph mentioned that opponents Sphinx had to play a replay against Hen Lane on the Saturday morning to decide who would face Leamington in the afternoon.
Little wonder perhaps, then, that Brakes won through by nine goals to two. Their visitors must have been pretty tired! David Montgomery scored five of our nine goals, with Charlie Stradling, Don Round, Ted Eden and Arthur Pettifer the others.
1952 - A trip to Staffordshire and the Lamb Ground in Tamworth saw the home side win this Birmingham Combination game. Player-manager Les Latham scored the Leamington goal, but Courier reporter Peter Kyle blamed the defeat on a reserve player who did not turn up!!
Team: Bill Branston, Cedric Bennett, Dennis Tooze, Alf Stubbs, Ken Hawker, Fred Keeble, Mickey French, Frank Grimwood, Les Latham, Charlie Stubbs, Jack Day.
In the Birmingham & West Midlands Alliance West Section, our reserves won 2-0 at home to Hay Green; Fred Gardner scoring both goals.
Team: Thacker, Coope, Sneddon, Brant, D French, Allwood, J Shaw, Atkins, Hughes, F Gardner, Hartley.
1958 - Bedworth Town were the visitors for a Warwickshire derby in the Birmingham & District League in front of a crowd of 751 at the Windmill Ground. Jack Evans, Bob Robertson and Gordon Dougall scored in the final half an hour for Brakes.
Team: Anthony Lines, Ken Jones, Mick Lane, Gordon Dougall, Gordon Hancocks, Ken Hawker, Frank Hawkins, George Dean, Bob Robertson, Jack Evans, George Burrows.
In the Warwickshire Combination our Reserve side went down 3-1 away from home against Aston Villa’s ‘B’ team.
1971 - Local lads were the focus in this cup tie at nearby Bromsgrove Rovers, as manager Geoff Coleman played South Leamington youngsters in his starting eleven.
Team: Chris Lightfoot, Tony Bowden, Ian Claridge, Mel Davis, Billy Shanahan, Ken Whitehead, Keith Jones, Dennis Taylor, Tom Sweenie, John Brady, Syd Hall.
Also in this week’s Courier, it was announced that the club had resigned from the Midland Counties League and were bidding to join the Southern League.
1975 - AP Leamington saw a 22 game unbeaten run come to an end with a narrow home defeat to Bedford Town in the Southern League Division One North. The attendance at the Windmill Ground was 649.
Team: Dave Jones, Dennis Taylor, John Brady, Dougie Griffiths, Roger Brown, Mickey Boot, Bobby Horne, Steve Lee, Adrian Stewart, Dave Scriggens, Mick Keeley. Sub: Ivor Talbot.
1977 - A disappointing crowd of 278 watched a midweek win over Dartford in the Southern League Premier Division. Gerry Kavanagh’s first half penalty and Adrian Stewart’s early second half goal sealed the points.
Team: Dave Jones, Dennis Taylor, Ronnie Mason, Alan Jones, Roger Brown, Mickey Boot, Gerry Kavanagh, Steve Lee, Adrian Stewart, Mick Keeley, Malc Sutheran. Sub: Tommy Gorman.
1980 - Brakes defender Gary Brown scores an unfortunate own goal as AP go down to Barrow at the Windmill Ground in the Alliance Premier League. The attendance was 300.
Team: Alan Dulleston, Paul Cooper, Paul Montgomery, Alan Jones, Gary Brown, Tom Kilkelly, Dennis Taylor, Bobby Vincent, Mickey Taylor, Duncan Gardner, Steve Briscoe.
1986 - A rare win for Leamington in a dismal campaign, as Oldbury United visited the Windmill Ground. Andy Taylor and Ashley Alexander scored their first goals for the club. The attendance was just 165.
Team: Shaun Hemming, Tony Belcher, Tony Upton, Stuart Hall, Rob Rennie, Ashley Alexander, Albert Johnson, Andy Taylor, Ian McConville (Tony Higgins), Kenny Trickett, Mick Hartfield.
2003 -
Leamington 5 Cheslyn Hay 1
Midland Combination Premier Division
Saturday 22nd March 2003
By David Hucker
Debut Harri Goal as Brakes Hauled by Braces to Level Top
This was a comfortable win over basement club Cheslyn Hay before 382 sun-drenched fans at the New Windmill. The five goal haul came from a brace each by the evergreen Brian Agar (captain for the day) and the back-to-form Josh Blake plus a fine debut goal by James "Shearer" Harri.
Defender Nick McFarlane made his long-awaited debut in a much changed line-up and the match was, for the most part, one-way traffic as Brakes dominated from the kick-off. Within the first five minutes, midfielder Chris Hanrahan and striker Josh Blake (twice) had good chances to open the scoring. It was left to the experienced Brian Agar to show the way by netting on nine minutes to give the home side a deserved lead. Leading striker Paul Nicholls thought that he had doubled the advantage in the seventeenth minute but his "goal" was disallowed for offside.
On twenty-one minutes, midfielder Baz Shearsby, who had an excellent match and looked back to his best, slammed a free-kick against the Cheslyn Hay wall but then sent the rebound sailing over the bar into the car park. Defender Tom Sidwell joined in the action heading a Nick Mort free-kick just wide in the thirty-third minute and then almost immediately good work by Jonny Burgess (who later received the Player of the Month award for January) set up Nicholls but to no avail. With half-time approaching, Nicholls was twice denied by good saves by visiting 'keeper Darren Walters and the 1-0 interval scoreline in no way reflected Brakes' territorial supremacy.
Within four minutes of the restart, Agar shot low into the corner to create some breathing space and on fifty-one minutes he supplied a perfect cross to Blake whose shot was kicked away by Walters. Brakes followed this up with a fine solo run by Shearsby whose shot was pushed out into the path of the oncoming Nicholls, but he was again denied by an offside decision.
Cheslyn Hay did not have a good scoring record, having averaged only one a match, but they made sure that Brakes would not have everything their own way netting through Stuart Darby on the hour to make it 2-1. This seemed to spur the home side into action as two minutes later Josh Blake took advantage of a partial clearance from a Mort corner to make it 3-1 and then scored his second of the match in the seventy-second minute to effectively put matters beyond the visitors' reach. This was by far the best of Brakes' goals as it involved a superb long pass by the in form Chris Hanrahan to Shearsby out on the right and his cross was dummied by Agar to create the space for Blake to slot home.
It was all Brakes now and youth team striker Harri came on for Agar with sixteen minutes to go and within five minutes of being on the field of play made it an afternoon to remember scoring his debut goal latching on to another precision pass from Hanrahan. Further close efforts by Shearsby (from a fine cross-field pass by Mort) and Darren Timms (on for Nicholls) could have added to Brakes' tally in the dying minutes. As it was, this win was enough to put Leamington back in with a real chance of the title and the future is very much in their hands with upcoming fixtures against rivals Rugby Town, Alvechurch and Bolehall Swifts (on the last day of the season). The arithmetic is simple, win the remaining ten matches and the championship is theirs.
Co-manager Barry Proctor was pleased with the performance saying "we made seven changes from our last match which shows the strength in depth and quality of our squad. We created a lot of chances and both the debut of Nick McFarlane and the first goal from young James Harri were particular highlights for me"
During the interval, Club President David Hucker and popular midfielder Glen Webb presented a memento to sixteen -year-old Ellie Wright of Warwick who was the 10,000th supporter to walk through the gates this season.
Team: James Gettings, Jonny Burgess, Nick McFarlane, Tom Sidwell, Andy Gregory (Harj Dhesi 65), Barry Shearsby, Nick Mort, Chris Hanrahan, Brian Agar © (James Harri 74), Paul Nicholls (Darren Timms 70), Josh Blake.
Team News: Most players rested or with slight injuries were at the game.
2008 -
Brakes beat the weather and the Greenbacks to emerge with the points
Saturday 22nd March 2008 @ The New Windmill Ground. vs Bedworth United (3-0). British Gas Business Southern League Midland Division.
By Paul Edwards.
Brakes kept up their pursuit of leaders Evesham with a hard earned win over North Warwickshire neighbours Bedworth United at a blustery New Windmill Ground. Second half goals from Liam Reynolds, Josh Blake and Guy Sanders ensured that second spot in the Midland Division was reclaimed from Sutton Coldfield Town, who had won at Rothwell on Friday evening.
With Ben Mackey, Robbie Beard and Adam Cooper unavailable, Justin Marsden returned to the starting line up, having been recalled to Telford the previous week. Jamie Towers also stepped up from the bench, and Scott Hadland, one of a number of former Bedworth players in the Leamington ranks, made his debut after signing from Brackley Town. With the weather causing havoc every time the ball entered the air, both sides found it difficult to perform. To add to this, regular intervals of snow showers and sunny spells left the crowd of 611 sheltering from the elements one minute, and shielding their eyes from bright sunshine the next.
The visitors were the first to show as an attacking threat. With the strong wind at their backs, kicking towards the Harbury Lane End, Simeon Williams attempted to find Paul Spacey with a cross, but he was hurried into his shot and put it wide. Adam Kinder also had an early header well wide of the target.
The first signs that the wind would interfere with play were evident when Marcus Jackson's cross was cleared by Ben Thackeray, only for his clearance to loop behind for a corner, from which Andrew Kemp's punch clear was lashed back over the bar first time by James Husband.
Jackson was then spoken to by Referee Sian Massey, as Bedworth's staff and supporters clearly saw something they disagreed with when Paul Spacey was bought down in midfield. The Greenbacks manager Liam O'Neill was also spoken to, as the officials outlined their intentions early on to take the heat out of such incidents before talking to the players involved.
Both sides were committed to attack, and the Greenbacks' Jamie Williams had the first shot on target, which Richard Morris gathered easily. His kick up field was picked up on the left by Justin Marsden, whose cross came out as far as James Husband. The midfielder cracked in a powerful first time shot, but saw it cannon back off the underside of the crossbar. Jamie Towers, who had an intriguing battle with Jamie Williams, set off on a mazy run, and saw his attempted shot deflected, and loop into the hands of Kemp. He also had a header from a free kick which held up in the wind, allowing Kemp to claim.
Towers was heavily involved during the first half, and his corner kick led to debutant Scott Hadland striking the Bedworth bar for a second time from close range.
The visitors were matching their hosts stride for stride at this stage, and Morris bravely came off his line to claim a dangerous cross from Neil Lazarus, with Adam Kinder ready to pounce on the loose ball. Guy Sanders could well have blamed the swirling wind for a free kick that was not up to his usual standards, as the first half drew to a close.
Simeon Williams had the first effort of the second forty five, latching onto a long goal kick from Andrew Kemp, but his well struck shot was straight at Morris. Adam Kinder sliced a shot wide moments later. Marcus Jackson helped to create Leamington's first opening, as he beat a defender down the left. His cross looked to have been cut out but Marsden picked up the loose ball. His shot was met by a green shirt, but the clearance hit a team mate and Kemp did well to block the ricochet with a reaction save.
Jason Cadden made a substitution that was to prove pivotal on fifty minutes, replacing Stuart Herlihy with Liam Reynolds. Within eight minutes he had opened the scoring, side footing home firmly from a Towers corner. Kemp made another good save from the unfortunate Husband, before Luke Baker, a half time substitute for Bedworth, was stretchered off following treatment, after coming off worse from a 50-50 challenge with Reynolds. He had looked lively in the short time he was on the pitch, although he was cautioned for scything down James Husband, but thankfully his injury was not too serious, but he was replaced by James Fox as a precaution. The after match diagnosis was a twisted knee, which still sounds painful, and he was seen to be limping in the clubhouse. Bedworth seemed to be shaken by this set back, and they went further behind as the game moved into the final quarter. Josh Blake won the ball outside the penalty area on the left, and stabbed a ball across the goalmouth from the touchline. Jamie Towers steamed in unmarked, and sent the ball back towards the six yard box, where it seemed to hit Blake, and rolled apologetically towards the goal line. Kemp scrambled back to try and claim it, but the assistant on the far side ruled that it had crossed the line.
There were loud Bedworth protests when they felt Adam Kinder had been impeded in the area, as they struggled to find a way back into the game, but Referee Sian Massey, who handled the match firmly but fairly throughout, waved play on. Former United defender Guy Sanders put the seal on the game for Leamington with a thumping header from another Towers corner kick, three minutes from time to send Brakes into Monday's crunch clash with Stourbridge in good spirits. Kemp ensured that Marcus Jackson did not add to the score further, as he punched a dangerous cross out from under his crossbar.
There were bookings for Jamie Williams and Scott Hadland as well as the unfortunate Baker, but overall the match officials did well to keep a lid on things, despite a couple of flash points when things threatened to boil over. Richard Morris kept his 21st clean sheet of the season, and this new look Leamington team looked exciting at times, despite the weather. Hopefully, Cadsey will find the solution to end the Stourbridge hoodoo at Amblecote on Monday.
Leamington: Morris, Towers, Parisi, Sanders, Hier, Herlihy (Reynolds, 50), Hadland, Husband, Marsden (Parkinson, 89), Blake, Jackson.
Subs not used: Dutton, Titterton, Harper.
Bedworth United: Kemp, Lazarus, Jephcott, Pitham, Thackeray, Verna, Spacey (Baker,46, Fox,67), Twigger, Kinder, Simeon Williams, Jamie Williams.
Subs not used: Bartley, Sylla, Cole.
Attendance: 611
Man of the Match: James Husband.
2010 - Leamington made a disappointing exit from the Birmingham Senior Cup at Liberty Way against Warwickshire rivals Nuneaton Borough after squandering a two goal half time advantage.
Nuneaton Town 3 Leamington 2
Birmingham Senior Cup Quarter Final
Liberty Way, Nuneaton
Monday 22nd March 2010
Brakes crashed out of the Birmingham Senior Cup, conceding a two goal half time advantage to a Nuneaton side who scored three second half goals after being reduced to ten men. In this first meeting of three over the coming weeks, both sides did not field what would be classed as their first choice eleven, but for Paul Holleran it was a case of needs must, with almost all of his signings having played for their previous clubs earlier in the competition.
Carl Pentney returned in goal, with Adam Cooper making his first start for some time, and Charlton Davies his full debut for the club. Josh Blake returned from his loan spell at Daventry Town to take his place on the bench. The opening quarter of the game was uneventful and very low key, played out in front of a sparse crowd at Liberty Way. Simon Forsdick placed an early shot well over, and Danny Gaunt played his way into space on the right of the penalty area, but put the ball into the side netting. The home side were enjoying the bulk of possession early on, but Leamington were handed the opportunity to take the lead on 29 minutes, as Paul Spacey was penalised for something that only the officials could have spotted, as both sets of supporters were baffled in the stands. Spacey was lucky to only receive a yellow card for swearing rather loudly at the Referee, but Luke Corbett provided further punishment, coolly dispatching the penalty kick past young debutant keeper Michael Quirke.
Four minutes on, Brakes were gifted a second goal, as from Carl Pentney's long kick up field, the ball was misjudged by Eddie Nisevic, and completely missed by Quirke, allowing the predatory Mark Bellingham to roll in his 30th goal of the season. Brakes went on to enjoy what was to be their best spell of the game after this, with Bellingham steering a shot across goal and just wide following good work by Marcus Jackson to find him on the left. Gareth Dean almost landed his goalkeeper in further trouble with a weak header inside the area, but Quirke was alert enough to prevent Bellingham from nicking the ball past him to score a third Brakes goal. Unfortunately, this was to be as good as it got for the visitors.
Paul Spacey lofted an early shot well wide at the beginning of the second half, and he was involved in what served as a turning point in the contest just before the hour mark, becoming involved in a clash with Adam Cooper which saw the Brakes defender receive a yellow card, and after lengthy treatment, Spacey was shown a second yellow card as he got back to his feet, leaving Nuneaton seemingly with a mountain to climb in the half an hour that remained. However, the red card served only to galvanise Kevin Wilkin's side, and they went on to dominate the rest of the game.
Carl Pentney was forced to make a flying save as the ball pinged around the penalty area, but he was beaten from the penalty spot on 65 minutes, as Charlton Davies bought down Boro' skipper Stuart Pierpoint, Kyle Storer blasting home the spot kick, despite the best attempts of Pentney to keep it out. Brakes desperately tried to respond, and put together a good move, Davies flicking a pass out to James Husband, who moved the ball across to Luke Corbett, but the striker placed his shot wide.
Nuneaton were level on 72 minutes, former Brakes loan player Justin Marsden glancing home a header from a free kick. Bellingham then saw a powerful shot deflected out for a corner, but Brakes just didn't seem to have any drive in them, and Marsden looked odds on to shoot Nuneaton in front with ten minutes left, when he took the ball past Pentney on the right of the area, but somehow screwed his shot wide of the far post.
Mark Bellingham left two Nuneaton defenders in a heap by the corner flag as he chased what looked like a lost cause, but he then opted to try and find James Husband in centre of the penalty area, and the chance was lost. The game reached what was almost an inevitable conclusion in the final moment, when recent Nuneaton signing Danny Spencer diverted a shot from Kyle Storer past Carl Pentney and into the net, earning his side a trip to Stourbridge in the Semi Final. Even the most one eyed Brakes fan could not argue that it was deserved, and although the travelling supporters remained in good spirits, the second half collapse was painful to watch. They will hope for better fortune in the forthcoming league fixtures against our North Warwickshire rivals, but before that there is the small matter of three tough away games at Brackley, Didcot and Stourbridge, as Paul Holleran looks to keep his side in with a shout of the play offs.
Nuneaton Town: Michael Quirke, Danny Gaunt (Rob Oddy), Eddie Nisevic, Simon Forsdick (James Armson), Gareth Dean, Stuart Pierpoint ©, Paul Spacey, Kyle Storer, Danny Spencer, Justin Marsden (Lee Moore), Guy Hadland.
Subs not used: 12 Mark Noon, 17 Ed Matthews.
Leamington: Carl Pentney, Michael Tuohy, James Husband, Adam Cooper, Guy Sanders ©, Gary Knight, Stuart Herlihy, Marcus Jackson, Mark Bellingham, Luke Corbett, Charlton Davies (Richard Batchelor, 70).
Subs not used: 17 Arthur Byrne, 14 Josh Blake, 15 Richard Beale, 16 Chris Murphy.
Attendance: 417
Referee: Mr N Bingham
Assistant Referees: Mr A Fox & Mr J Glover
Man of the Match: Marcus Jackson.
2011 - A 0-0 draw away at Chippenham Town in the Southern League Premier Division. We do not appear to have a match report for this game in the archive - not sure why, but it couldn’t have been that entertaining if it was goalless!!
Team: Tony Breeden, Scott Lycett, Stephan Morley, Lee Downes, Liam Daly, Jamie Hood, Luke Corbett, Neil Barnfield, Jacob Blyth, James Rowe (Nick Stanley), Jamie Sheldon (Alex Taylor).
Subs not used: Richard Batchelor, Adam Newbury, Chris Knight.
2014 - Our first visit to Histon, in the Conference North sees Brakes come away with a point thanks to an own goal…
Histon 1 Leamington 1
The Skrill North
Glassworld Stadium
Saturday 22nd March 2014
Brakes spurned another chance to add further security to their mid table position as they conceded late on to a battling young Histon side at the Glassworld Stadium.
Ben Clappison’s unfortunate own goal from Matty Dodd’s cross looked to have handed Paul Holleran’s side the points after the game finally came to life in the last twenty minutes after a turgid first hour or so, but Eugene Libertucci was given time and space to haul his side level with 4 minutes remaining, and despite Leamington having several chances to put the game beyond their hosts prior to the equaliser it was difficult to begrudge them a point under the circumstances.
The first half was a complete non-event, the only incidents worth noting were two late bookings for Charlie Day and Libertucci as both sides contrived to cancel each other out completely.
The second half continued in the same fashion until Tony Breeden saved a shot from Nick Freeman. The Stutes strikers looked lively when they were allowed space, and Freeman saw a shot well blocked by Ryan Higgins as he looked to burst into the area.
The first proper sight of goal for Brakes came on the hour mark, Liam Daly heading just over the bar from a corner. Freeman had another sight of goal at the other end as Adi Yussuf played him in, but looped his shot over the bar after seeing his first effort blocked.
Leamington finally began to exert some pressure on the home side after this, with Daly coming close on several occasions. He was first denied by a fine save from the unsighted Calum Kitscha as he powered a header towards goal from just inside the box following a corner, the keeper getting to the ball at the last minute to push it over the bar.
The big centre back was then denied by Ashley White who was well placed on the line to block another headed effort from a corner, but the Histon defence contributed to their own downfall in the next attack as Clappison sliced Dodd’s low driven cross into his own net.
Kitscha sprang into action again, clawing Stephan Morley’s well struck free kick away from the top corner, before Clappison deflected Danny Newton’s header behind, Joe Magunda heading over from the corner.
The home fans behind the goal were screaming for a penalty as Morley challenged substitute Matty Waters but they did not have to wait long for something to cheer, as Clappison played the ball out of defence for Yussuf to control and set up Libertucci, who placed his shot wide of Breeden to the delight of the home bench.
Kitscha made another save from Daly down at his near post before blotting his copybook with a failed attempt to get Newton sent off, collapsing to the ground as if he had been struck in the face by the Brakes striker. The away fans behind the goal had a better view than the officials and let him know exactly what they thought of his behaviour. Fortunately the Referee was of a similar opinion as it would have been an unnecessarily sour end to what was generally a good spirited contest.
Histon will come out of the game with a lot of credit but while Brakes were not at their best they still put another point on the board, and can now look ahead to a run of three home games
Histon: Calum Kitscha, Harry O’Malley, Ashley White, Will De Havilland, Ben Clappison, Michael Clunan, Michael Built (12 Matty Waters, 82), Eugene Libertucci, Adi Yussuf, Nick Freeman, Charlie Day.
Subs not used: 13 Barney McLoughlin, 14 Peter Clark, 15 Luis McCoy, 16 Hayden Bream.
Leamington: Tony Breeden, Ryan Higgins, Stephan Morley ©, Joe Magunda, Liam Daly, James Mace, Matt Dodd, Reece Flanagan, Danny Newton, Lee Moore (12 Ricky Johnson, 62), Lee Chilton.
Subs not used: 14 Nathan Hicks, 15 Aron Wint, 16 Peter Till, 17 Lewis Fenney.
Attendance: 301
Referee: Mr Chris Pollard
Assistant Referees: Mr Duncan Foreman & Mr Mark Chalkley
Brakes Man of the Match: Matt Dodd
2016 - A nine game unbeaten run comes to a halt in Buckinghamshire at Chesham United in the Southern League Premier Division as Brakes go down 3-0.
Chesham United 3 Leamington 0
Evostik Southern League Premier Division
The Meadow
Tuesday 22nd March 2016
Leamington’s nine match unbeaten streak came to a shuddering halt on Tuesday evening as they met their match against old adversaries Chesham United, who extended their own run to six games in the process.
The Generals were sitting closer to the relegation zone than the play off places which would surprise any regular viewer of football in this league given their previous finishes, but their lowly placing thus far has been mainly due to their superb run in the FA Cup, which saw them reach the second round proper.
Andy Leese’s side have always been difficult opponents for Brakes and the games have always been eventful. This one was perhaps less so than usual but that could be attributed to the fact that the home side had stormed into a two goal lead before Leamington had chance to settle into the game.
Ben Mackey drove a well struck low effort towards goal in the opening exchanges but Shane Gore held the bouncing ball well at his near post.
Chesham were ahead on 6 minutes, Sam Youngs crashing a swerving 25 yard drive into net past the dive of Tony Breeden. Youngs took just five minutes to double his tally, lifting the ball past Breeden after collecting a flick on from Ryan Blake.
Brakes looked shell shocked having not conceded in five games prior to kick off, while for a time the hosts looked like they might score every time they attacked. Breeden did well to push Blake’s header over the bar, while Mackey received a booking for supposedly helping the ball into the net with his hand just as the travelling fans behind the goal thought their side had dragged themselves back into proceedings.
Jack Edwards drew a save from Gore with a firm header from Richard Taundry’s long throw, while Lee Moore hooked the ball towards goal following the first sustained bit of pressure on the home defence from Leamington towards the end of the first half, but there wasn’t enough pace on the ball for it to trouble the goalkeeper.
Jamie Tank headed powerfully towards goal from an early second half corner, Mackey trying to help the ball on before it reached the arms of Gore. Courtney Baker-Richardson then found some space down the left, sending the ball low into the penalty area for Moore to strike a shot that hit a defender in front of goal, ricocheting back off Moore and behind for a goal kick.
The game was effectively up for Leamington shortly afterwards when Blake prevented the ball from going out of play, cutting it into the six yard box for Dave Pearce to slam past Breeden.
The Brakes skipper held a Chesham free kick before Moore got into a good position at the other end only to fire straight at Gore. Baker-Richardson was onto the follow up quickly but the ball was somehow blocked on the line by Generals’ skipper Curtis Ujah.
Another indication that this just wasn’t going to be Leamington’s night came when Gore clearly palmed Taundry’s free kick over the bar only for the Referee to award a goal kick, much to the amazement of those behind the goal.
Baker-Richardson volleyed well wide from another good position inside the box as Leamington tried in vain to find a way back into the game, but Chesham still looked dangerous and came close to adding to their lead several times, substitute Kelvin Bossman and Blake forcing good saves from Breeden in quick succession.
Leamington should probably have finished the game with at least a goal to show for their efforts, Baker-Richardson’s low shot deflected towards the near post where Gore made the save, before Rob Ogleby’s good work saw him twisting and turning before firing off a shot that was deflected over the bar, the Referee deciding he hadn’t seen it again and awarding a goal kick.
The Leamington substitute saw another shot helped behind by a defender after Sam Austin and Connor Gudger combined well on the left to set him up, but Shane Gore earned his clean sheet bonus in stoppage time, making a fine reaction save on the line to keep out a header from Edwards.
While this was the heaviest defeat Brakes have suffered this season they will have the perfect chance to get it out of their system with the Easter weekend double header against Chippenham and Stratford. With other midweek results going against the sides around them in the table they are still in position to achieve their pre season aim.
Attendance: 264
Chesham United: Shane Gore, Ashley Smith, Toby Little, Nick Beasant, Curtis Ujah ©, Stephan Hamilton-Forbes, Dave Pearce (14 Ben Ford, 89), Sam Youngs, Ryan Blake, Barry Hayles (12 Kelvin Bossman, 66), Adam Martin (16 Bruce Wilson, 80).
Subs not used: 15 Chris Cutler, 17 Shaun Reece.
Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Richard Taundry, Connor Gudger, James Fry (15 Ross Oulton, 71), Jamie Hood, James Mace, Lee Moore (14 Ben George, 79), Jack Edwards, Ben Mackey (12 Rob Ogleby, 66), Courtney Baker-Richardson, Sam Austin.
Subs not used: 16 Martyn Naylor, GK Eddie Caviezel Cox.
Referee: Mr T Donnellan
Assistant Referees: Mr M Ball & Mr Trinder
Brakes Man of the Match: Jack Edwards.
2018 - Our first visit to Spennymoor, in the National League North. We remember this one well! Unfortunately it was for the wrong reasons - arriving late due to traffic, narrowly losing 1-0, and getting home at a ridiculous hour….
Spennymoor Town 1 Leamington 0
Vanarama National League North
Brewery Field
Thursday 22nd March 2018
Brakes were left to rue missed opportunities as they fell to an 80th minute sucker punch at play off chasing Spennymoor Town.
It was hard one to stomach, particularly as Connor Gudger had gone down injured before the build up to the goal, but was ignored as the ball was played into the space he would have been defending for Mark Anderson to score the winner.
Traffic chaos due to a lorry fire on the M6 hampered the departure of the team coach leading to the kick off being delayed by 45 minutes but the players showed little sign of the five and a half hour journey affecting them as they carved out several good chances.
Matt Dodd found space down the right early on to get a cross in which Daniel Udoh turned on, but he couldn’t get enough purchase on his shot and it rolled harmlessly wide.
Nathan Lowe cut in from the right after picking up a half clearance to leather a shot wide of Tony Breeden’s right hand post as Spennymoor tried to press Leamington at pace, but they struggled to find a way through a defence that had not conceded in over 270 minutes.
The Moors defence looked unsure how to deal with Ahmed Obeng, who looked dangerous with the ball at his feet as he danced past several defenders on the left before lifting a shot across goal that drifted just past the far post.
There was a loud shout for handball from several Brakes players as Kieran Dunbar’s corner appeared to strike a raised arm, but no decision was forthcoming.
Junior English then launched a long throw from the right wing into the box, Jack Edwards heading on towards Udoh, who was flattened by his marker. Obeng picked up the ball and drove in a low effort that was held at his near post by Daniel Lowson.
Breeden was forced into his first save of the game as the home side tried to scramble the ball home, while English received the first yellow card of the evening after catching Chris Chantler in the face.
Dodd felt he had a legitimate claim for a penalty as he was shoved over trying to keep the ball in play on the touchline but again the officials were unmoved. Obeng then weaved his way into the box once more, lashing a rising drive over the bar.
Playing up the pronounced slope at Brewery Field presented its own challenges in the second half, but Leamington started brightly once more with Edwards unfortunate to see his dipping volley clip the crossbar. At the other end Glen Taylor could only head a right wing corner over the roof of the newly seated stand behind the goal.
Chantler’s drive to Breeden’s near post was held by the skipper, who then hared off his line to make a fine sliding challenge as Spennymoor threatened once more. The more erratic side of his game then appeared as he missed the ball completely, fortunately it was played across the goalmouth without anybody in black and white nearby to put it in.
Moors skipper Joseph Tait blocked a shot from Udoh, while substitute Ryan Hall’s low drive produced a good save from Breeden. Mark Anderson played the ball back in and English cleared away from goal.
The pivotal moment of the match came with ten minutes remaining. With Gudger down some 30 yards from goal having twisted his knee, the ball was played down the right and Anderson raced in to place his shot wide of Breeden.
It was disappointing to hear sections of the home support poking fun at Connor Gudger as he was stretchered off, but in the main he received warm applause from the majority.
Leamington understandably lost their composure a little after this, but Udoh almost created a chance for himself as he got goal side of his marker, who recovered to poke the ball back to keeper Lowson.
There was a final chance in the dying throes but unfortunately Edwards and English got in each others way and the shot from the former hit the side netting.
Paul Holleran was full of praise for his players despite the result, saying ‘The performance wasn’t much different to the last three where we’ve been nice and solid. Spennymoor have got a good home record and they tinkered with what they do a little today, similar to how Nuneaton did and we dealt with it well. The only thing that was missing from the performance was that we didn’t work their keeper enough. We got in some great positions on three or four occasions. It wasn’t a game of many chances really, I felt that with the pitch and the conditions we needed to get in front like we did on Saturday. We didn’t, but then to be fair we were still a threat in the second half.’
‘The build up to the goal was disappointing. When a player goes down and doesn’t move I think it’s pretty obvious, everyone knew he was hurt, and then the ball’s played into that pocket where he would be, slid down the side of that centre half, so it’s disappointing but it’s not the first time we’ve had decisions go against us, and obviously when you’ve got centre halves punching the ball out of their own area and you’re not getting penalties and other bits and pieces it’s frustrating, but after everything’s that gone on today the level of performance from the players has been excellent, all that was missing was a goal and a point or three. We’ll go again very shortly!’
Attendance: 635
Spennymoor Town: Daniel Lowson, Kallum Griffiths, Chris Chantler, Nathan Lowe (14 Ryan Hall, 70), Joseph Tait ©, James Curtis, Robert Ramshaw, Shane Henry Glen Taylor, Bradley Fewster ( 15 Andrew Johnson, 79), Mark Anderson (16 Greg Rutherford, 90).
Subs not used: 12 Chris Mason, 13 Jordan Porter.
Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Junior English, Connor Gudger (12 Liam Canavan, 84), Callum Gittings, Jamie Hood, James Mace, Matt Dodd (14 Richard Taundry, 79), Kieran Dunbar (15 Jordon Sangha, 90), Daniel Udoh, Jack Edwards, Ahmed Obeng.
Subs not used: 16 Shay Nicholson, 17 Stefan Moore.
Referee: Miss R Welch
Assistant Referees: Mr T Fletcher & Mr J Westgate
Brakes Man of the Match: Daniel Udoh
2022 - A midweek jaunt to Yorkshire sees Leamington go down to a single goal at Farsley Celtic in the National League North.
Farsley Celtic 1 Leamington 0
Vanarama National League North
The Citadel
Tuesday 22nd March 2022
Brakes slipped to a disappointing defeat in Yorkshire as Farsley Celtic hauled themselves off the bottom of the table with a solitary first half strike.
There were three changes to the starting eleven from Saturday’s win over Guiseley - Jake Weaver returning in goal, while Joe Parker replaced the injured Dan Turner (hamstring). Burton Albion loanee Charlie Williams stepped in for his debut in place of Devon Kelly-Evans. Connor Taylor, who returned to the squad having been with Southern League Bromsgrove Sporting this season, took his place on the bench.
The evening did not get off to the best of starts for Leamington as they fell behind on six minutes. A ball down the right channel looked harmless enough, but when Jack Lane looked to let it run through to Weaver, Luke Parkin nipped in to take it past the stranded keeper and finish well into the far corner from a tight angle to the delight of the home support.
On the quarter hour there was a further blow as Brakes lost Kelsey Mooney to injury. The young striker looked set for a fair battle with Kennedy Digie, but fell to the turf clutching his knee in pain as the two tussled for the ball on the left just outside the penalty area. After lengthy treatment he was stretchered off, to be replaced by Junior English.
Williams was quickly involved in Leamington’s early forward movements, showing a good touch and nimble feet, and curled a decent effort just over the angle of post and bar.
English was also putting himself about, and when Williams fed Adam Walker, who hit the touchline and crossed low into the six yard box from the left, the substitute got there just ahead of Digie but could only steer the ball behind.
English was there when the first corner of the evening was played in from the right, the ball appearing to strike him two yards out before bobbling wide.
The game entered a scrappy period with half time approaching, with neither side looking like taking a stranglehold on proceedings, but Farsley would have been happy with how things were panning out.
Both sides traded free kicks as the game entered five additional minutes, Frank Mulhern sending his into the arms of Weaver, while Williams stepped up to strike from a central position just outside the ‘D’, the ball whizzing just the wrong side of the post.
There was more injury woe during the half time interval, with Steph Morley unable to continue, forcing a defensive reshuffle as Dan Meredith moved across to left back, with Taylor coming on at right back.
Jack Edwards sent a volley flashing over the bar in the opening seconds as Leamington immediately pressed forward, but the second half was to be a story of frustration.
Meredith’s left wing cross saw Parker head over the bar, while at the other end Parkin sent a low strike across goal and just wide.
Mulhern darted into the penalty area but sent his shot straight into the arms of Weaver before Leamington came as close to scoring as they would all evening. Lane saw a shot charged down just inside the box before the ball ran loose to Parker, who fired in a first time drive with the outside of his right boot that cannoned back off the inside of the post.
English was then denied a strike at goal by Lewis Butroid before Farsley staged a one man counter attack as a Leamington attack broke down from a right wing corner. Mulhern won the ball back and set off at pace from inside his own half, only to run out of steam as he reached the penalty area and sent his shot straight at Weaver.
The same player then fired at Weaver once more before sending another effort over the terrace behind the goal.
Brakes attempted a late rally, forcing Kyle Trenerry into a save from Lane’s looping header and another from a low strike by Williams, but Farsley held out for an important three points in their battle against the drop.
Paul Holleran was understandably a little downbeat after the game, saying ‘I was disappointed with the goal early doors. It seemed to take us twenty minutes or so to get used to the game. We knew what was coming, but we finished the half strongly and were unlucky not to go in level. In the second half sadly the conditions dictated to a percentage. We had some good chances that fell to Joe and Charlie, and on another day we take one or two of them and it’s a different story, but I’m bamboozled by the fixture lists in this division, I really am. They’ve ended up with injuries tonight, we’ve ended up with injuries tonight, but we’ll have to assess where we are now and we’ll go again on Saturday.
Regarding the injuries to Kelsey Mooney and Steph Morley, the manager said ‘Obviously Kelsey is going to require some kind of scan. It doesn’t look too good. At the moment we don’t know whether Steph has tweaked something or whether it’s a bit of cramp; coming back to the point I made about lads being at work all day and then having to sit on a coach for three, three and a half hours. It does make me laugh when I see the higher end of football moaning about their schedule. You’re always going to struggle with Covid and cup replays, I get that, but the Farsley game at Leamington kicked off at 8.45, and there've been three muscle injuries tonight between the two teams, so it’s there in black and white really.’
Attendance: 380
Farsley Celtic: 1 Kyle Trennery, 4 Lewis Turner, 16 Kennedy Digie, 6 Adam Clayton, 14 Lewis Butroid, 8 Chris Atkinson, 18 Sam Walker, 11 Luke Parkin, 7 Dave Syers © (10 Jerome Greaves, 60), 3 Will Hayhurst (15 Jacob Gratton, 77), 20 Frank Mulhern.
Subs not used: 19 Harry Jessop, 26 Rhys Westcarr (GK), 32 Jean Leroy-Belehouan.
Leamington: Jake Weaver, Dan Meredith, Stephan Morley (15 Connor Taylor, 46), Joe Clarke (12 Callum Gittings, 81), James Mace, Jack Lane, Joe Parker, Adam Walker, Kelsey Mooney (14 Junior English, 19), Jack Edwards ©, Charlie Williams.
Subs not used: 16 Devon Kelly-Evans, GK Callum Hawkins.
Referee: Mr Michael Crusham
Assistant Referees: Mr Matty Wright & Mr Alex Sawden
Brakes Man of the Match: Dan Meredith.
