Evostik Southern League Premier Division
Holloways Park, Beaconsfield
Saturday 20th February 2016

Brakes secured their second away win of the week as they overcame Slough Town in difficult conditions at Holloways Park.

With the hosts just behind Brakes in the table both sides were unchanged from midweek away wins as they looked to push towards the top five. With several other fixtures falling foul of the less than glorious weather conditions despite the rise in temperature, this was an opportunity for Leamington to claw back some ground on those above them in the table. The rain had been falling steadily in Beaconsfield for some time prior to kick off but there never appeared to be any danger of a postponement.

Lee Barney sent the first shot of the game safely into the arms of Tony Breeden from the edge of the penalty area, while Lewis Putman curled a free kick around the Leamington defensive wall but wide. Courtney Baker Richardson was first to threaten for Brakes, turning past marker Sean Fraser to drive just past the post.

Leamington found themselves in front on 14 minutes when Rebels defender Paul Stonehouse turned the ball into his own net under no pressure as Ben Mackey drove a low cross into the 6 yard box. The defender will not have great memories of facing Leamington, having been sent off in a heavy defeat for his former club Oxford City last season.

Slough threatened from a long throw into the box but Breeden was alert and dived to smother the ball from Barney’s shot. The striker almost got in on the right, but slipped at the crucial moment and the ball rolled out of play.

Mackey came close when he drove a good effort just over the bar from distance, while Lee Moore saw a shot blocked twice after a good cross from Connor Gudger. Leamington were doing the majority of the pressing, Austin breaking into the box but narrowly failing to find Baker Richardson with a lofted pass.

Barney was still the main threat for Slough, and he saw a first time shot held by Breeden. Moore then got in behind Stonehouse at the other end, forcing a save from keeper Mark Scott, who palmed Leamington’s first corner of the game away from his goal at the first half drew to a close.

Slough came into the game more as the second half commenced, and were level just past the hour mark, Ed Smith capitalising as Jamie Hood stretched to make a clearance, driving into the box and picking out Warren Harris who connected with a firm close range header.

The home side were almost in front moments later, Taundry clearing an acrobatic effort off the line from Guy Hollis following a corner.

The pitch was becoming sticky due to the incessant rain, and Mace had an earlier effort that seemed to stick in the mud before heading straight at Scott from a free kick. Austin then tested the goalkeeper from distance, Scott needing to claim the ball at the second attempt.

The rain eventually stopped but the mud aided Leamington as they regained their advantage with 10 minutes to go, Rob Ogleby scoring within minutes of replacing Mackey as he chased down a back pass from Stonehouse towards Scott, winning the race to nick the ball past the keeper and tap into an empty net.

A swift break saw Ogleby force another save from Scott, the keeper saving with his legs at the expense of a corner. A good run from Lewis Putman past several defenders set up Scott Harris, whose shot was held by Breeden, but Leamington sealed the points in injury time when they broke upfield again, Ogleby looking head towards the corner flag but instead opting to play in Sam Austin, who rounded Scott to score his first goal for the club.

Brakes now have a huge opportunity to turn their season around in the coming weeks, with three consecutive home games to come they can push right back towards those top five places if they can pick up more wins.

Attendance: 286

Slough Town: Mark Scott, Sean Fraser, Paul Stonehouse, Guy Hollis, Dan Hicks © (14 Jake Parsons, 85), Ryan Hope, Lewis Putman, Nathan Webb, Lee Barney (16 Scott Harris, 74), Ed Smith, Warren Harris.

Subs not used: 12 Jhai Dhillon, 15 Gurkan Gokmen, 18 Leigh Rumbold.

Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Richard Taundry, Connor Gudger, Joe Magunda, Jamie Hood, James Mace, Lee Moore (15 James Fry, 94), Jack Edwards, Ben Mackey (14 Rob Ogleby, 76), Courtney Baker Richardson (16, Ross Oulton, 85), Sam Austin.

Subs not used: 12 Ben George, 17 Jamie Tank.

Referee: Mr George Russell

Assistant Referees: Mr Abdul Kabir & Mr David Jarrett

Brakes Man of the Match: Joe Magunda.