Report
(after extra time - Leamington win 3-1 on penalties)
Evostik Southern League Premier Division Play Off Semi Final
The Valley Stadium
Wednesday 27th April 2016
Brakes snatched victory from the jaws of defeat on a remarkable evening in Worcestershire as they moved one step closer to a potential return to the Conference North at the first attempt.
Redditch United’s dreams were crushed not once but twice, as after substitute Courtney Baker-Richardson had pounced to snatch an equaliser just seconds from the end of added time, wiping out the home side’s lead given to them by a stunning strike from skipper Ashley Sammons on 35 minutes. Leamington’s own captain fantastic Tony Breeden then stepped up to the plate to play a huge part in winning the penalty shoot-out that came at the end of a scoreless 30 minutes of extra time.
An expectant crowd of over 1,300 packed into The Valley Stadium, where Redditch had not lost in the league since the opening day, the home fans confident that their side would follow up their second place finish by moving through to the final on Bank Holiday Monday. They reckoned without the battling qualities of this Brakes squad however. Despite not starting the game particularly well they did what was required to keep Redditch at bay, save for Sammons’ spectacular strike which was hit with such venom no goalkeeper would have saved it, and gradually built up a head of steam late on, aided by the attacking substitutions made by Paul Holleran which provided the momentum for the equaliser right at the death.
The home side applied early pressure, Sam Merson’s powerful drive being well parried by Breeden, but Leamington gradually settled down and worked their way into the game. Callum Gittings saw an overhead effort clear the bar after Sam Austin’s cross was half cleared, curling another effort over soon afterwards.
Redditch had a long throw specialist in their ranks to rival Richard Taundry in Merson, and it was from one such missile hurled into the Leamington penalty area that the opening goal arrived, the ball being played back out to him on the right where he moved it back into the centre for Sammons to thunder his strike first time past Breeden and off the underside of the crossbar.
Rob Thompson-Brown drove a shot just wide as the Reds looked to build on their advantage in the second half, while Brakes struggled to get a shot on target. Baker-Richardson and Ben Mackey were introduced to give Leamington more attacking thrust and were quickly followed by Rob Ogleby as shots from Jack Edwards and Austin flew over the Redditch goal.
Gittings almost found a way through but took a touch when shooting first time would perhaps have been a better option, the ball rolling safely through to keeper Jose Veiga. Baker-Richardson fired over with a first time drive from a corner, while Breeden got down quickly to smother a low shot from George Carline. Brakes were finally coming to life now though, several shots cannoning off red shirted defenders as time ticked down.
Just when it looked like the game was up for Leamington, good work from Mackey won a right wing corner. Redditch were unable to clear Austin’s delivery, and the ball eventually landed at the feet of Baker-Richardson at the far post, who stabbed it home past a forest of bodies before setting off towards the corner flag as delirious celebrations took place, with fans and even former players joining in.
Clearly galvanised by the late late leveller Brakes went in search of another goal, Edwards holding his head in his hands after blazing over with a first time effort following more good work from Mackey.
Sammons nearly grabbed a second for himself and Redditch with a low drive that looked to be heading for the bottom corner until a deflection took it wide, while Ogleby worked home keeper Veiga with a well struck effort. The Redditch custodian made a fine late save to deny Edwards as the tension levels upped a notch, but the game was destined for a penalty shoot out.
Mackey was first to step up in front of the packed terrace behind the goal but he was denied by Veiga as he dived low to his left to parry, while Breeden emulated his counterpart by going the same way to keep out Sammons’ kick. Sam Austin continued his 100% record from the spot as he comfortably scored, while Breeden kept out the hosts’ second kick from substitute Luke Shearer, who chose the same spot Sammons had tried.
Breeden then picked himself up to take Leamington’s third penalty himself, Veiga guessing the right way but the power of the shot beating him. Merson’s well taken penalty reduced the arrears to 2-1, but Richard Taundry, who had missed penalties early in the campaign at Biggleswade and Stamford, showed commendable composure to step up and fire past Veiga to pile all the pressure on Carline, who simply had to score to keep Redditch in it. Breeden wasn’t needed to make a save this time as the ball sailed high over the bar to spark the second pitch invasion of the evening from some of the jubilant away support, who celebrated with their heroes while some had to dodge punches from an unruly home ‘fan’ who clearly had not taken the defeat very well.
It was hard not to feel some sympathy for the Redditch players, as over the course of the season they have proved themselves to be probably the best team in the division after Champions Poole, but Leamington have displayed an unbelievable spirit and determination to haul themselves back into contention when it looked like all as lost at the turn of the year. For that they deserve the greatest credit, but they will be well aware that the job is only half done, for they will come up against a Hungerford Town side on Monday who will be riding the crest of their own wave after storming back from two goals down to defeat Hitchin Town 3-2 in what must have been a tremendous second half at Top Field. Brakes will need to draw on all their reserves to pull out one last performance to win promotion. Can they do it? All roads lead to Hungerford on Monday!!
Attendance: 1,303
Redditch United: Jose Veiga, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, Callum Flanagan, Simeon Maye, James Mutton, Will Richards, Rob Thompson-Brown (16 Jason Cowley, 101), Eli Bako (14 Luke Shearer, 64), Sam Merson, Ashley Sammons ©, George Carline.
Subs not used: 12 Cameron Young, 13 Josh Moreton, 15 Danico Johnson.
Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Richard Taundry, Connor Gudger, Joe Halsall (15 Courtney Baker-Richardson, 64), Jamie Hood, James Mace, Lee Moore (16 Rob Ogleby, 78), Callum Gittings, Daniel Dubidat (12 Ben Mackey, 64), Jack Edwards, Sam Austin.
Subs not used: 14 Ben George, 17 Rob Elvins.
Referee: Daniel Middleton
Assistant Referees: Jade Prince & Dragan Kuzmanovic
Fourth Official: Adam Matthews
Brakes Man of the Match: Tony Breeden.
