Report
Evostik Southern League Premier Division
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Saturday 9th April 2016
Brakes found the way to goal again to record a vital three points that keeps them in the ever tightening play off pack at the top of the Southern League Premier Division.
Unfortunately this result condemned visitors Paulton Rovers to relegation, but to their credit the visitors never stopped battling despite the setback of conceding an early goal, and Leamington were unable to make the game safe until substitute Ben Mackey scored three minutes from time.
The game was brought to life on 11 minutes when Leamington were awarded a penalty, Daniel Dubidat getting to the ball just ahead of keeper Ben John on the edge of the penalty area. The striker was left clutching his knee as the goalkeeper clattered into him, and was unable to continue. Sam Austin stepped up and slotted home the sixth goal of his loan spell from Burton Albion to give the home side the lead.
An expectant Harbury Lane End waited for the floodgates to open, but a second goal proved harder to come by. Lee Moore lifted the ball back into the box from a half cleared corner for Jack Edwards to send a header over the bar, while the Brakes skipper came closer when Dubidat’s replacement Rob Ogleby did well to move the ball out wide for Joe Magunda, who found Edwards in the six yard box. His shot was blocked but the ball fell nicely on the other side of goal for Courtney Baker-Richardson to fire in a stinging first time volley that was beaten away well by John.
Paulton captain Darren Mullings lifted a shot onto the roof of the net at the other end after Tony Breeden had failed to hold onto a free kick played into the penalty area, but this was as close as the visitors would come to threatening his goal during the first half.
Joe Halsall’s shot sparked brief cries for a penalty as it struck Craig Allan, and Austin went close with a well struck drive that was parried by the goalkeeper as Leamington left the field at half time having failed to build on their advantage.
Paulton came more into the game in the second half, Jordan Ricketts first time strike sailing over the bar. Lee Moore’s free kick went a similar way at the other end, but nerves were beginning to jangle slightly for Leamington as Mario Mateus saw a low shot deflected behind and Ricketts fired wide. A neat sidestep and clearance from Breeden then snuffed out any potential danger as Kelvin Douglas charged after a pass through on the Leamington goal.
Allan produced a super challenge to prevent Ogleby from getting in a shot at goal as Austin played him in the left, which could have led to the striker being replaced by Mackey later on. This will be a worry for Paul Holleran to add to the earlier injury sustained by Dubidat.
Tom Knighton glanced a header straight at Breeden as Paulton threatened again, and went closer still when Magunda was dispossessed on the right, poking the resulting cross just wide of the far post.
Baker-Richardson thought he had doubled Leamington’s lead as he touched Edwards’ cross into the net on 68 minutes, but a raised flag cut short his celebrations. He went close again with a shot from a tight angle after tearing clear down the right wing, but it was comfortable for Ben John.
Mackey grabbed his 23rd goal of the season when he nodded Edwards’ goalbound header over the line at the far post to finally make the points safe for Brakes, who now travel to the division's in form side in Kettering Town on Tuesday night. Other results saw this victory move them up to third in the table but they will need to return from Northamptonshire with something to show for their efforts to try and prevent the battle for a play off place from going down to the final day of the season.
Attendance: 443
Leamington: Tony Breeden, Ben George, Connor Gudger, Joe Halsall, Jamie Tank, Joe Magunda, Lee Moore, Jack Edwards © (16 Rob Elvins, 90), Courtney Baker-Richardson, Daniel Dubidat (14 Rob Ogleby, 12, (12 Ben Mackey, 72), Sam Austin.
Subs not used: 15 Ross Oulton, 17 Martyn Naylor.
Paulton Rovers: Ben John, Steve Williams (12 Aaron Brown, 86), Nuno Felix, Joe Chandler, Craig Allan, Josh Read, Kelvin Douglas (15 Leon Jeanne, 68), Darren Mullings ©, Tom Knighton (16 Lamar Powell, 74), Jordan Ricketts, Mario Mateus.
Subs not used: 14 David O’Hare.
Referee: Mr Neil Radford
Assistant Referees: Mr Luis Martin & Mr James Scerri
Brakes Man of the Match: Lee Moore
