Report
Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Saturday 12th September 2015
Lee Chilton pulled a rabbit out of the hat on his second debut for Leamington on a frustrating afternoon at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium.
Trailing since the sixth minute to a debatable penalty decision and with the weight of an expectant home crowd on their shoulders, it was exactly what was required and sparked Paul Holleran's men into life in the final stages, but despite creating several chances they were thwarted by the experienced Richard Knight in the Daniels goal.
The visitors took the lead when Tony Breeden was adjudged to have fouled Ryan Robbins just inside the box although he appeared to make clean contact while clearing the ball. Referee Adam Matthews brandished a yellow card, and Andy Hall coolly dispatched the penalty.
Ben Mackey was presented with an early chance to level things up as the ball arrived at his feet inside the Stamford box but although the striker took a difficult shot well, scooping the ball over the onrushing Knight, his shot cleared the bar.
With the weather taking a turn for the worse Leamington continued to search for a breakthrough but were finding it difficult against the massed ranks of red shirted players. Richard Taundry curled a low drive in from distance that was saved, while Mackey turned well onto a free kick played into the box on the right, his shot was deflected onto the head of James Mace, who directed his effort straight at Knight.
Stamford's only first half effort at goal was a shot on the turn from Robbins that was comfortably held by Breeden, while the returning Joe Magunda flashed a volley just wide on the turn shortly before half time.
The second half continued to follow a similar pattern, with Leamington struggling to break down their opponents who perhaps understandably seemed to set up to hold on to their lead, given the amount of goals that had been scored in their league fixtures so far this season.
Inspiration was required, and the game suddenly burst into life with 12 minutes remaining when Chilton lifted a precise shot towards goal from the left hand side and ran to celebrate with supporters in the Harbury Lane End as the ball found the back of the net via the inside of the post.
The goal lifted those of a gold and black persuasion and the atmosphere was instantly revived. Substitute Will Green and Jamie Hood both saw shots blocked following a corner, the follow up from Chilton was also snuffed out by the Stamford defence.
Daniels' forward Greg Smith glanced a header wide of his own goal from another Leamington corner, James Mace and Hood then heading on for Green to loop a header onto the roof of the net. Green was then inches from connecting with a low driven ball across the box from Chilton, as the Brakes fans found their voices again and began to urge their side on to a second goal.
Jack Edwards almost provided it as he tricked his way into the box, only to be denied by the legs of the diving Knight, who then reacted well again to help a vicious curling effort from Chilton over the bar. Hood won the ball at the far post from the corner, but blasted his resulting shot a whisker over the bar.
There was still another chance for Leamington with virtually the last kick of the game, Green going one on one with Knight only for the keeper to come out on top with another fine save, leaving Brakes to contemplate a long trip to Lincolnshire on Tuesday evening, by which time the potential opponents in the next round will be known.
Attendance: 401
Leamington: Tony Breeden © , Ben George, Connor Gudger, Joe Magunda (15 James Fry, 88), Jamie Hood, James Mace, Lee Moore (12 Ross Oulton, 86), Richard Taundry, Ben Mackey (14 Will Green, 75), Jack Edwards, Lee Chilton.
Subs not used: 16 Reece Mitchell, 17 Jamie Tank, 18 Martyn Naylor, GK Eddy Caveizel-Cox.
Stamford AFC: Richard Knight, Jon Challinor, Lynas King, Lewis Carr, Richard Jones © , Jordan Smith, David Bell, Andy Hall (12 Jordan Neil, 86), Greg Smith, Daniel Clements, Ryan Robbins.
Subs not used: 14 Nathan Hicks, 15 Dalton Bettles, 16 Cameron Powell, 17 David Staff.
Referee: Mr Adam Matthews
Assistant Referees: Mr Alan Overthrow & Mr Oliver Spender
Brakes Man of the Match: Lee Chilton.
