Report
Evostik Southern League Premier Division Play Off Final
War Memorial Ground, Hungerford
Monday 2nd May 2016
The season ended in heartbreaking fashion for Leamington on a miserable afternoon in West Berkshire as they were overrun by a powerful second half performance from Hungerford Town in the Play Off final.
After a campaign littered with highs, lows and what if’s, it seemed as if everything was set to turn full circle, as it was at Bulpit Lane on a freezing Monday night back in February that Brakes’ season finally kickstarted back into life after two late late goals from Courtney Baker-Richardson on his full debut saw Paul Holleran’s side set off on a run of 8 wins and a draw that propelled them right back into the promotion picture. After the drama of Wednesday evening at Redditch it seemed fitting that the season would end back at Hungerford but the hosts had finished the season strongly themselves, and having been on the fringes of the promotion race for the past couple of seasons it was they who possessed the belief and the drive to see the job through despite going in at half time a goal down.
The weather was glorious as the first two coach loads of Brakes fans arrived at the ground but it deteriorated in the hours leading up to kick off. It did little to dampen the spirits of the two sets of fans that packed into Bulpit Lane however, with a raucous atmosphere pre match and during the game.
Perhaps inevitably with what was at stake it took the two sides a little while to settle down once the game kicked off. Tony Breeden had to make a dash to the edge of his penalty area to pluck the ball off the boot of Garyn Preen as the midfielder bore down on goal, but other than that there was little incident of note in the opening exchanges.
James Clark crashed a first time shot well over the bar as he latched onto a half cleared long throw into the box, but Leamington were looking more composed at this stage, and cashed in with twenty minutes played as they moved ahead. Baker-Richardson did well to hold the ball up in midfield and nudge it into the path of Lee Moore, allowing him to surge down the right wing and win a corner. Sam Austin delivered the ball in low, and there was Baker-Richardson at the near post to slam it first time past Paul Strudley into the roof of the net.
Another calm break from their own half saw Leamington threaten again through Baker-Richardson and Austin, the latter’s drive from a central position around 20 yards from goal taking a deflection on its way through to Strudley.
Preen’s free kick into the Leamington penalty area saw Mike Jones send a header spinning high and wide, while Daniel Dubidat’s shot at the other end lacked the power to threaten the Hungerford goal. The warning signs that the hosts were beginning to get into their stride were beginning to show as half time approached, Jack Edwards doing well to get his head to the ball and deny the Crusaders’ skipper Matt Day an effort at goal, while Nat Jarvis outstripped Richard Taundry for pace down the left before rifling a low shot across goal and inches wide of the far post.
The pressure began to intensify as the second half wore on, with Hungerford looking more and more threatening and forcing Leamington to defend in depth, Jamie Hood and James Mace in particular having to work hard to keep their opponents at bay. Edwards sent a header from a free straight at Paul Strudley, but the moment Brakes’ dreams were effectively dashed arrived on 64 minutes, Stefan Brown darting in from the right to drive low across Breeden into the far corner of the net.
Baker-Richardson came mightily close to firing Leamington back in front when he lashed a half clearance just over the angle of post and bar, but he was feeding off scraps for the remainder of the game with his team mates spending more time in their own half trying to get the ball clear as Hungerford hunted down a winning goal, which came with only 5 minutes remaining. James Clark moved the ball out left for Preen to strike towards goal, the ball being deflected behind for a corner from which Jones rose unmarked to power a header inside the far post, sparking wild celebrations among the home support.
Mace directed a header straight at Strudley as Leamington tried in vain to muster a similar response to the one that had reaped dividends on Wednesday night. Ben Mackey was thrown on with time almost up but even with five minutes added time, the game was up. Hungerford could have piled on the misery with a third as Breeden pushed upfield to help out his team mates, but the final whistle brought joy and despair in equal measure.
Congratulations to Hungerford, who were deserving winners overall, and all the best to them in what will be their first season at Step 2. Brakes, meanwhile, will have to lick their wounds and regroup to prepare for what will no doubt be an equally demanding campaign next time out.
Attendance: 1,363
Hungerford Town: Paul Strudley, Gary Horgan, Rhys Tyler, Mike Jones, Matt Day ©, Scott Rees (15 James Rusby, 68), James Clark, Ian Herring, Nat Jarvis, Stefan Brown, Garyn Preen (12 Harry Goodger, 89).
Subs not used: 14 Mark Draycott, 16 Diak John, 17 Jon Boardman.
Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Richard Taundry, Connor Gudger, Jack Edwards, Jamie Hood, James Mace, Lee Moore (12 Ben Mackey, 89), Callum Gittings, Daniel Dubidat (15 Joe Halsall, 70), Courtney Baker-Richardson, Sam Austin.
Subs not used: 14 Ben George, 16 Rob Ogleby, 17 Rob Elvins.
Referee: Aji Ajibola
Assistant Referees: Val Anekwe & Scott Rudd
Fourth Official: Ryan Atkin.
Brakes Man of the Match: Jamie Hood.
