Report
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Evostik Southern League Premier Division
Saturday 7th November 2015
Brakes ground out a hard earned victory to get back on track after two successive home defeats at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium. Visitors Cirencester were a tough nut to crack but a first half debut goal for Joe Halsall and an injury time strike from Lee Chilton sealed the deal.
Leamington by no means had things all their own way, with the visitors enjoying the bulk of the first half possession but failing to test Tony Breeden at all. Jamie Hood was required to head an early effort at goal off the line, his skipper punching away the resulting corner kick.
Chilton was inches from connecting with Richard Taundry's inswinging free kick from the right after James Fry was fouled, while Ellis Dunton drove a shot just over the Leamington bar. The opening half hour or so was a scrappy affair, with both sides struggling to get the ball out of midfield and build any forward movement.
James Mace almost bought the game to life as he hooked in an acrobatic volley from a corner but Ciren keeper Glyn Garner was equal to it, diving to his left to produce a fine save. He, like his defensive team mates, was left flat footed on 38 minutes however, as Lee Moore fed Taundry down the left to float a pinpoint ball across into the box for Halsall to control and stab in a shot that rolled into the net to give Brakes the lead.
Moore found space again down the left, finding the advancing Ben Mackey in the centre with a good ball which just got away from the striker as he tried to steady himself. Mackey then thudded a shot against the base of the post as Leamington almost doubled their advantage before half time, Ross Oulton's follow up being deflected behind for a corner.
The fine margins in this game were many, with passes being played just too hard or too short, Moore almost supplying Mackey again from the left after robbing a defender. Jack Edwards showed his commitment to the team by playing despite being unwell, and saw a header from Taundry's corner saved by Garner.
Cirencester's search for a leveller became more intense as the clock ticked down, a good touch from the busy Ross Langworthy making space for a 30 drive that bounced just past the post, while veteran striker Charlie Griffin rippled the side netting with a well struck free kick before driving in a low right wing cross that substitute Connor Thompson stabbed just over the bar, the close attentions of Mace helping to skew his aim.
Breeden held a looping header from Griffin under his crossbar after Langworthy had whipped the ball into the far post from midfield as Cirencester continued to press for a goal, but they were undone in injury time as Will Green picked up a clearance on half way before sending fellow substitute Rob Ogleby scampering clear up the right. With two defenders chasing back, he pushed the ball into the centre for the advancing Chilton to run on and slot past Garner to seal three points that edge Leamington to the top of the table on goal difference ahead of Redditch United for now.
Attendance: 405
Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, James Fry, Richard Taundry, Joe Halsall, Jamie Hood, James Mace, Ross Outon, Jack Edwards, Ben Mackey (12 Will Green, 80), Lee Chilton, Lee Moore (15 Rob Ogleby, 84).
Subs not used: 14 Jamie Tank, 16 Reece Mitchell, 17 Martyn Naylor.
Cirencester Town: Glyn Garner, Shane Anson, Ellis Dunton, Mark Pritchett, Brad Hooper, Leigh Henry © , Matt Liddiard (12 Zak Kotwica, 79), Adam Connolly (14 Connor Thompson, 58), Charlie Griffin, Ollie Knight (15 Aiden Bennett 74), Ross Langworthy.
Referee: Mr Andy Hendley
Assistant Referees: Mr Robert Hathaway & Mr Adam Clenaghan
Brakes Man of the Match: James Mace.
