Report
Evostik Southern League Premier Division
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Saturday 12th March 2016
The Southern League Premier Division promotion battle is shaping up to provide an exciting end to the season after Leamington helped peg back leaders Poole Town with a deserved success at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium.
Just 6 points now separate the top five clubs, with at least another five with designs on gatecrashing the play off positions. The Dolphins’ lead is now a precarious one, and despite them showing in flashes the kind of form that has seen them sit comfortably at the head of the table for the majority of the season they were only able to fully extend Tony Breeden once in each half, testament to another rock solid defensive display which has become the backbone of the unbeaten run that has propelled Leamington back into contention.
There was a raucous atmosphere inside the ground with both sets of fans in good voice, and the Brakes support were buoyed by the way their team started the game, Sam Austin cutting in from the left and firing in a good effort that was comfortably held by Nick Hutchings.
The midfield dynamo has been a major factor in the recent revival and put in another five star showing here, firing over the bar after his initial shot was blocked. The youngster put in a tremendous 90 minutes, chasing and harrying all over the pitch and putting opponents under the pressure the second they received the ball.
Jack Edwards was the first player to really extend Dolphins keeper Hutchings, a flicked header from Richard Taundry’s long throw being pushed over the bar. The same player later headed over the bar from a Taundry free kick just inside the Poole half.
A timely interception from James Mace provided a reminder that Brakes needed to be right on their game to keep out the visitors when they pushed forward. They registered their first effort on goal after 27 minutes, Breeden doing very well to parry a powerful goalbound drive from Will Spetch. Michael Walker then sent a first time volley sailing over the bar following the award of a rather soft free kick from Referee Mark Billingham.
Ben Mackey created a fine chance to open the scoring when he latched onto a ball from Joe Magunda and muscled past one defender into the box, only to stab inches wide under pressure from Walker. Austin and Courtney Baker-Richardson also registered shots on target as the first half drew to a close, both of which were routine stuff for goalkeeper Hutchings.
James Fry was introduced in place of the Joe Magunda as the second half began but this did little to interrupt Leamington’s flow, a good strike on the turn by Mackey being held at his near post by Hutchings early on.
It was Mackey who bagged the only goal of the game in the 57th minute, helping to divert Lee Moore’s shot past the outstretched hand of the diving Hutchings into the net for his 22nd goal of the season. Slightly fortunate it may have been, but on the balance of play it was difficult to argue that Leamington did not deserve to be ahead.
The goal galvanised Paul Holleran’s men still further and they produced some delightful build up play which just lacked an end product. Connor Gudger and Baker-Richardson both drove shots wide, but Moore missed a gilt edged opportunity to wrap the game up in the closing stages when he sliced Austin’s low cross over the bar.
Lewis Tallack missed a glorious chance for a Poole leveller when he fired first time over the bar from close range after a dangerous free kick delivery from the right. Mackey then did well to beat the same player down the left and advanced into the box, shooting powerfully towards goal but straight at Nick Hutchings.
Tony Breeden was required to make another fine save to keep his side’s lead intact, diving low to his right to keep out a low drive from Steve Devlin after a spot of ball juggling 20 yards from goal, the ball bouncing twice on its way through a crowd of players and an attempted clearance from Jamie Hood.
Poole threw everyone forward for an injury time corner, the home support imploring the Referee to blow for full time with well over 5 minutes over the 90. Hutchings was forced to dash back to his goal as Sam Austin set off on one last lung bursting run, his shot perhaps unsurprisingly lacking enough power to trouble the keeper, but he had done more than enough to help his side to three important points that keep them right in the hunt for promotion.
Attendance: 502
Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Richard Taundry, Connor Gudger, Joe Magunda (12 James Fry, 46), Jamie Hood, James Mace, Lee Moore, Jack Edwards, Ben Mackey (15 Ben George, 95), Courtney Baker-Richardson (16 Ross Oulton, 86), Sam Austin.
Subs not used: 14 Jamie Tank, GK Eddie Caviezel-Cox.
Poole Town: Nick Hutchings, Lewis Tallack, Lewis Lindsay, Michael Walker, Jamie Whisken ©, Carl Pettifer (14 Ashan Holgate, 69), Luke Burbidge, Steve Devlin, Tony Lee (12 Abdulai Baggie, 81), Marvin Brooks, Will Spetch (15 Luke Roberts, 78).
Subs not used: 12 Abdulai Baggie, 16 Jamie Gleeson, 17 Jack Dickson.
Referee: Mr Mark Billingham
Assistant Referees: Mr Anthony Glazzard & Mr Ritchie Massey
Brakes Man of the Match: Sam Austin.
