Pre Season Friendly
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Friday 20th July 2018

Brakes played out a second pre season home draw with an encouraging display against West Bromwich Albion’s Under 23 side.

The game burst into life on 12 minutes when a poor back pass let Callum Morton in and his fierce shot was deflected away from goal by keeper Brad Caswell for a corner that was easily cleared. Chekaine Steele then collected a pass from Matt Stenson and his cross was headed wide by Connor Taylor. Albion wasted chances when Sam Wilding shot over and Morton was wide with his effort.

Brakes broke away and won a corner then Morton was again on target collecting a through ball before shooting, Caswell brought off a top diving save and the rebound was netted by Jamie Souls to give the visitors the lead on 29 minutes. A minute later Morton belted in a hard shot that was goal bound but Caswell was there to deny Baggies a second with another good save. Nick Clayton-Phillips sent two efforts wide of the goal and on the stroke of half time made it a hat trick of misses.

Brakes made several substitutions at half time and on 51 minutes Junior English put a corner into the danger zone, Stenson’s shot hit a defender and dropped to Edwards who clouted the ball against the post. Baggies’ Souls was next to try a shot that only just cleared the bar then Leamington were awarded a penalty as Ahmed Obeng was brought down and Matt Stenson confidently buried his kick giving House no chance to level the scores.

Within six minutes Brakes completely turned the game on its head following a poor clearance by Kyle Jameson after a home corner, Edwards shot was blocked in the packed area but Stenson rammed the ball into the roof of the net. Back came Albion and Morton levelled on 66 minutes, picking his spot to shot across Caswell and the ball flew just inside the far post.

The match flowed from end to end with no further scoring. My men of the match were the two number nines, Matt Stenson and Callum Morton, remember this young Baggies name as he looked to be a fine prospect. All Leamington’s summer signings had good games.

Leamington: 1, Brad Caswell; 2, Junior English ; 3, Connor Gudger;; 4, Callum Gittings; 5, Kieran Morris; 6, James Mace; 7, Chekaine Steele; 8, Jack Edwards; 9, Matt Stenson; 10, Conner Taylor; 11, Taylor Morrison).

Substitutions: Ahmed Obeng, Anthony Dwyer, Joe Magunda and Joe Clarke at half time; Tom James (68 minutes), Shay Nicholson and Kieran Dunbar (71 minutes).

West Bromwich Albion: 1, Brad House; 2, Dan Meredith; 3, George Harman; 4, Sam Wilding; 5, Dard O’Shea ; 6, Kyle Jameson; 7, Nick Clayton-Phillips; 8, Finn Azoz; 9, Callum Morton; 10, Jamie Souls; 11, Rayhaan Tulloch.

Substitutions: Ben Pierce, Zak Brown and Morgan Rogers all on 72 minutes.

Referee: Andy Hendley

Assistant Referees: Richard Cutts & Mike Bingham

Attendance: 175

Match report by Paul Vanes