Report
Evostik Southern League Premier Division
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Saturday 19th December 2015
The only pre Christmas cheer to be found at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium on a desperately disappointing windswept afternoon would have been in the visiting dressing room, as Biggleswade Town completed a league double over Leamington with a single goal victory that few would argue they did not deserve.
Having performed so well at Altrincham in the FA Trophy the previous Tuesday Brakes unfortunately reverted to the kind of frustrating display that is starting to become a little too frequent this season, as they dropped more league points at home and slipped out of the top five as a result.
The weather conditions certainly did not help but the visitors seemed to cope better with them, and after a moment of quality from giant striker Inih Effiong that ultimately settled the game they were only troubled by Leamington on occasions, keeper Ian Brown dealing effectively with anything thrown at him when they did get through the Waders defence.
A speculative drive from Callum Lewis, the first effort from either side, found the roof of the Leamington net in the early stages, while a neat move out to the left saw James Fry play the ball into the centre, Joe Halsall directing a shot well wide of the target.
Keeper Brown and Lewis almost contrived to let in Rob Ogleby for what might have been a simple tap in, the ball ricocheting between the two before Lewis headed behind for a corner.
Shane Hill tried his luck from distance for the visitors, his shot whistling just over the bar, while Lee Chilton’s ball to the far post from the left wing saw Mark Coulson do just enough to put Halsall out of his stride, the ball rolling safely out of play.
The only goal arrived on 24 minutes, Effiong using his giant frame to good effect as he outmuscled and outpaced James Mace to the ball before driving a low angled effort across Tony Breeden and into the far corner of the net.
Ian Rees went close to doubling the lead soon afterwards when his well struck snap shot was deflected just over the bar. Leamington were struggling to get sustained possession of the ball, and when they did they were making little impression on the Biggleswade defence. They did have one good chance to level before half time when Chilton won a free kick which was floated into the area by Richard Taundry, only for Mace to direct his header well wide.
Ben Mackey drew a save from Brown with a good turn and shot early in the second half, and the keeper was quickly off his line later on to deny the striker again as he attempted to lift the ball towards goal.
Paul Holleran made a double substitution in an attempt to change his side’s fortunes, and it almost paid off for a second game running when Will Green was played in on goal with almost his first touch. Brown was off his line smartly again to smother the shot, however.
Rees saw a shot blocked as Biggleswade tried to take advantage of the ever widening spaces in front of them as Leamington pushed forward in search of an equaliser. They suffered a further setback in the closing stages when Mace added his name to the ever lengthening list of red cards this season, sent off for a studs raised challenge on substitute Chris Marsh.
There were a couple of late chances for a leveller, Green almost stealing in behind the Waders back line, stabbing his shot straight at Brown, while substitute Lee Moore’s turn and shot looked to have been blocked by a hand; evidently the home supporters were the only people to have seen it as the protests fell on deaf ears.
Overall it was a desperately disappointing afternoon, with Brakes failing to capitalise on the teams around them also dropping points. The forthcoming fixtures do not get any easier, with two local derbies against Bedworth and Stratford on the horizon. It is to be hoped that the team can raise themselves for a huge effort on Tuesday night to really kick start the season back into life.
Attendance: 403
Leamington: Tony Breeden © , Ben George, James Fry, Joe Magunda (14 Ross Oulton, 71), James Mace, Jamie Tank, Rob Ogleby (12 Lee Moore, 79), Richard Taundry, Ben Mackey (15 Will Green, 71), Joe Halsall, Lee Chilton.
Subs not used: 16 Nat Kelly, GK Eddie Caviezel-Cox
Biggleswade Town: Ian Brown, Max York, Mark Coulson, Shane Hill, Gavin Hoyte, Callum Lewis, Craig Daniel © , Ian Rees, Inih Effiong (12 Chris Marsh, 73), Tony Burnett, Michael King.
Subs not used: 14 Connor Vincent, 15 Sam Merson, 16 Zach Tyrell, GK Lee Allinson
Referee: Mr Stuart Eagland
Assistant Referees: Mr Edward Corbett & Mr James Clements
Brakes Man of the Match: Ben George