Report
Evostik Southern League Premier Division
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Saturday 23rd April 2016
Brakes secured the point they required to cling on to that final precious position in the play offs, and will now travel to Redditch United for their Semi Final tie on Wednesday evening.
With a mixed record in these kind of fixtures there is sure to be some trepidation felt by the faithful as they make the short hop into Worcestershire, but given the form Leamington have shown in the final 2 months or so of the season, anything is possible.
Hungerford needed victory to try and gain home advantage in the semi final having already secured their place thanks to victory at Histon on Tuesday, but they certainly didn’t come to make up the numbers. Indeed, the two sides could well be playing each other again a week on Monday, but the game will surely be similar to the reverse fixture played at Bulpit Lane which began Brakes’ surge back up the table, rather than this sometimes cagey affair.
The visitors went close early on when Stefan Brown’s right wing centre flashed across the face of goal but behind a team mate lurking at the far post.
Lee Moore had Leamington’s first sight of goal, his volley from Jack Edwards’ knock down being deflected behind for a corner. Richard Taundry then fired over the bar after Sam Austin’s free kick had been spilled by Hungerford keeper Paul Strudley.
Edwards and Moore almost combined again, the ball just running away from the latter as he looked to be in with a clear shot at goal. Garyn Preen then went close for the visitors, his low drive curving past the post.
Brown drove well over Tony Breeden’s goal and Edwards headed wide at the other end as both teams traded half chances, but Leamington were left frustrated as the officials failed to spot a clear hand to ball movement by Hungerford defender Scott Rees inside the penalty box before half time. The visitors would later have a couple of penalty shouts of their own that would also fall on deaf ears as Guy Stretton, refereeing his final game after 36 years before hanging up his whistle, avoided making any controversial decisions.
Callum Gittings sent a well struck half volley inches wide after a spot of head tennis following Austin’s free kick into the Hungerford penalty area early in the second half, before Austin himself sent a swerving effort just wide.
Breeden was extended for the only time in the game when he was quickly down to his left to make a fine save from Hungerford skipper Matt Day’s downward header from a corner.
Austin was showing great persistence as always to win the ball on the left wing, and a great run saw him find Gittings in the centre only for his team mate to lose his footing as he shaped to shoot.
James Clark sent a first time volley wide from Preen’s right wing cross, while the hard working Danny Dubidat sent an overhead kick into the arms of Strudley after Edwards had nodded the ball down. He sent a similar effort wide after Gittings had seen his shot saved after being played clear on the left, but both sides were left to settle for a point which sees them on their travels on Wednesday evening as the play off lottery begins.
Attendance: 721
Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Richard Taundry, Connor Gudger, Joe Halsall (16 Rob Elvins, 68), James Mace, Jamie Hood, Lee Moore (14 Ben George, 73), Callum Gittings, Danny Dubidat (12 Ben Mackey, 84), Jack Edwards, Sam Austin.
Subs not used: 15 Courtney Baker-Richardson, 17 Rob Ogleby.
Hungerford Town: Paul Strudley, Gary Horgan, Rhys Tyler, Mike Jones, Matt Day ©, Scott Rees, James Clark, Ian Herring (16 James Rusby, 60), Stefan Brown (14 Nat Jarvis, 60), Mark Draycott (12 Harry Goodger, 60), Garyn Preen.
Subs not used: 15 Diak John, 17 Jon Boardman.
Referee: Mr Guy Stretton
Assistant Referees: Mr Stuart Wade & Mr Paul Whately
Brakes Man of the Match: Jack Edwards.
