Report

Evostik Southern League Premier Division
DCS Stadium
Monday 28th March 2016

Leamington got back to winning ways at the DCS Stadium, completing a league double over South Warwickshire neighbours Stratford Town courtesy of a third minute penalty from Sam Austin.

There were some surprises in the starting line up with Paul Holleran making four changes, bringing in Callum Gittings and Daniel Dubidat for their debuts while also bringing in Ben George and former Town skipper Joe Halsall after their positive impact in Saturday’s draw against Chippenham.

In the third minute Dubidat was upended in the Town penalty area with practically his first touch as a Leamington player, presenting Sam Austin with the opportunity to get Brakes off to the perfect start from 12 yards, the youngster confidently placing the ball to Andy Kemp’s left for his fifth goal in Leamington colours.

Much like the first encounter a few weeks back this game never really had the feel or intensity of a local derby clash, despite the bumper Bank Holiday crowd at Knights Lane. This may come in time perhaps, if the fixture occurs on a more regular basis.

Good work down the left by Connor Gudger and Austin saw a well struck cross from the latter headed away from danger by Emmit Delfouneso, while a Stratford free kick in a promising position out on the left sailed over a crowded penalty area and out of play.

With the visiting support doing their best to create an atmosphere there was little happening on the pitch to whip the crowd into a frenzy. Kemp did well to save a low drive from Jack Edwards with his legs, while Gittings shot across goal and wide for Leamington. Dior Angus, one of four former Leamington men in the Stratford squad, came close for the home side when he cut in from the left and curled a well struck effort past the far post.

Town skipper Gary Moran was perhaps fortunate to have a team mate nearby as he was only cautioned for bringing down Austin in full flight as he charged towards goal, while Dubidat was dismayed to see a goal chalked off when he was adjudged to have been in an offside position as he slotted Edwards’ deflected drive past Kemp, despite the ball having come off a Stratford player on its way through to him.

Tyrone Fagan is well known to those among the Leamington support who have followed the club since the renaissance in 2000 as part of the Romulus side who were big rivals for a few years. He almost fashioned a goal for Stratford with a dangerous run in from the left that resulted in a corner being won.
Fagan played in Simeon Tulloch down the right to strike a shot that sailed over Tony Breeden’s crossbar early in the second half, while half time substitute Jamie Sheldon came closest to scoring for the hosts when he almost beat former teammate Breeden with a fierce cross-shot that the Brakes skipper pushed over the bar.

There was brief panic in the Leamington box when a corner saw the ball pinging around in front of goal before a shot was eventually held on the line by Breeden. At the other end Kemp misjudged a shot from Edwards, the ball spinning up off his hands and behind for a corner as he stooped to claim it.

The Brakes midfielder, looking to build on his two goals in the previous game, looked to have a decent shout for a second penalty kick when he was clearly shoved by Anthony Charles in the box as he shaped to shoot, which made the save easier for Kemp than it could have been.

The Stratford keeper then inadvertently helped to set up a Leamington attack which could have settled the game when his poor goal kick was picked up by Richard Taundry on half way. He played Dubidat in down the right and the striker got the better of his marker, firing a low shot across goal that flew inches past the far post.

There was one final chance for Leamington to snatch a second goal, Austin doing well to play in substitute Courtney Baker-Richardson, who drew a fine save from Kemp as he attempted to slide the ball under the giant keeper.

This was never a game for the purists but results are key at this stage of the season and it puts Leamington back on track with two extremely tough away fixtures to come, starting on Saturday at leaders Redditch United.

Attendance: 576

Stratford Town: Andy Kemp, Gary Moran © (14 Jamie Sheldon, 46), Kieren Westwood, Liam Francis, Emmit Delfouneso, Anthony Charles, Simeon Tulloch, Jack Roberts, Tyrone Fagan, Aaron Moses-Garvey (12 Richard Gregory, 75), Dior Angus.

Subs not used: 15 Mark Magee, 16 Edwin Ahenkorah, 17 Aaron Stringfellow.

Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Richard Taundry, Connor Gudger, Joe Halsall (14 Joe Magunda, 72), Jamie Tank, James Mace, Ben George (12 Courtney Baker-Richardson, 79), Callum Gittings, Daniel Dubidat (16 Ross Oulton, 90), Jack Edwards, Sam Austin.

Subs not used: 15 Ben Mackey, 17 Khaellem Bailey.

Referee: Mr Matt Wilkes

Assistant Referees: Mr Liam Corbett & Mr Jon Price

Brakes Man of the Match: Jack Edwards.

Picture courtesy of Sally Ellis