Report

New Windmill Ground
Saturday 1st August 2015

There were many positives to take from an entertaining final pre season fixture against Warwickshire neighbours Nuneaton Town, with the Southern League curtain raiser now only 7 days away.

Brakes put in an enterprising first half display and while the visitors took control somewhat in the second half Paul Holleran's side were only really carved open for the final two goals.

In a bright opening to the game Ben Mackey forced Boro keeper Jordan Smith to push his powerful header over the bar from Ben George's right wing cross. Nuneaton were quickly ahead with their first attack of the game however, as Marlon Harewood collected a hoisted ball upfield before setting up strike partner Aaron Williams, who clipped a measured shot over the head of Tony Breeden into the net.

Undeterred by this setback Leamington continued to move the ball around well. Richard Taundry fired a free kick just wide while Rob Ogleby forced another good save from Smith as he tried to lift his shot over the keeper from the edge of the box, forcing him to push the ball behind for corner. Mackey saw a shot blocked, while another effort was smothered by Smith after an intelligent ball through from Taundry.

Harewood looked to have a good opportunity to double Nuneaton's advantage after picking up a stray pass to advance past two or three defenders, but drove a low shot wide of the upright.

When it arrived, the equaliser was well crafted and deserving of the warm applause it drew from the home support. Mackey chased a forward pass to the touchline to keep possession, playing it back to Jack Edwards, who in turn worked it out to Taundry on the edge of the box, his powerful first time drive giving Smith no chance as it fizzed past him.

James Reid extended Breeden with a well struck free kick that saw the Brakes number one springing to his left to save, while another dead ball from the opposite side of the penalty area minutes later flew wide.

Mackey fashioned a great chance to snatch the lead for Leamington just before half time when a fine piece of control from a free kick gave him the chance to shoot from close range, but with the angle tight he went for power ahead of placement and fired high and wide.

Lee Moore cut in from the left and fired an early shot over as the second half got underway, but Nuneaton grabbed an early lead again when a slick passing move involving Shane Byrne and James Clifton saw the latter fire low across goal where the predatory Williams was waiting to tuck the ball in at the far post.

Ogleby played strike partner Mackey into a good position again, allowing him to cut in and drive a shot just over the bar, but the visitors had more control over proceedings at times during the second half, and after substitute Billy Daniels and Reid had seen shots saved by Breeden, Daniels got the right side of the Leamington defence to slot home a third for Nuneaton with two minutes remaining.

Regarding substitutions and the non appearance of one or two players, the manager had said 'We took James Mace off as a precaution really, he went up for a challenge with Marlon Harewood and he hurt his neck. He had a little problem with it on Wednesday, but with James, Connor Gudger, Ross Oulton and taking Ben George off for the second half, it was all done as a precaution with one eye on the Chesham game next Saturday.

'Wednesday's game against Coventry was a real tough workout and I think a few of the lads came back a bit stiff on Thursday. I thought for 60 or 70 minutes today we were excellent. We've had to put a few square pegs in round holes but we still looked good, we just didn't take our chances. For the last 20 minutes Nuneaton bought on some fresh legs and played well. We were on our knees a bit towards the end but we've got through today without another major injury setback. It's been a tough pre season against some good sides but we've comfortably competed in every game and if it wasn't for some poor finishing we could have been in a more comfortable position, but we're looking ok.'

On the signing front, Holleran confirmed: 'We've signed Michael Williams and we've also signed Kieren Westwood, he was the trialist who played the second half today. We watched him last year, Kidderminster have had him in pre season but he hasn't been signed so we bought him in training this week. He's only 20 years of age, he's a local boy and we liked the look of him, so we've bought both of them in on deals. Ben Mackey was signed up around a month ago.'

Westwood signs for Brakes having been with Boldmere St Michaels last season, scooping the player's player of the season and also the goal of the season awards. He began his career at Cambridge United and also spent a short spell with Banbury United.

Attendance: 251

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Ben George (16 Kieren Westwood, 46), Jake Jones (14 Danny Williams, 69), Joe Magunda © , Jamie Hood, James Mace (12 Michael Williams, 35), Rob Ogleby, Jack Edwards, Ben Mackey, Richard Taundry, Lee Moore (15 Reiss Mitchell, 84).

Subs not used: 17 Connor Gudger, 18 Martyn Naylor, 19 Lewis Fenney.

Nuneaton Town: Jordan Smith, James Clifton (14 Ryan Smith, 74), James Reid, Jordan Keane, Joe Maguire, Jack Lane, David Morgan, Shane Byrne, Marlon Harewood (17 Rob Duffy, 74, 16 Billy Daniels, 76), Aaron Williams, Callum Chettle.

Referee: Ms Sarah Garrett

Assistant Referees: Mr Mike Bingham & Mr Tom Reeves