Report
Evostik Southern League Premier Division
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Saturday 27th February 2016
Brakes warmed up for Tuesday’s South Warwickshire derby against Stratford Town by extending their recent unbeaten sequence to 4 games with a point against one of the league’s form sides at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium.
Paul Holleran was a little disappointed that his charges did not make more of the chances they created over the 90 minutes, but was pleased at the way they came back to level after going behind midway through the first half.
Linnets defender Lee Smith did well to sweep a dangerous cross from Lee Moore behind for a corner early on, while a spot of head tennis in the King's Lynn penalty area saw Rob Ogleby nod straight at keeper Alex Street from close range.
Courtney Baker Richardson got himself into space on the right and sent a shot across goal and wide, while Sam Austin showed great technique to volley a dropping ball first time from the edge of the box towards goal, but again it landed safely in the arms of Street.
The visitors moved in front on 24 minutes with their first effort on goal, skipper Sam Gaughran crashing an unstoppable shot in off the bar after Leamington failed to clear a free kick into their penalty box.
The hosts attempted to hit straight back, Richard Taundry curling a cross past the far post before pinging an inch perfect diagonal pass to the feet of substitute Ben Mackey, who had replaced the unfortunate Ogleby after he had pulled up chasing for the ball down the left just prior to the opening goal. Mackey controlled the ball well but was disappointed that he didn’t make the goalkeeper work harder for the save.
Smith sliced a rare chance high and wide for the visitors while Mackey was denied again, a defender deflecting his shot behind for a corner as the first half drew to a frustrating conclusion.
Mackey’s cross from the left wing saw Jack Edwards’ header pushed over the bar by Street early in the second half, the same player heading wide from the resulting corner. Smith had a decent opportunity to double the Kings Lynn advantage when the ball was worked in to him from the right, but hit his shot first time straight at Tony Breeden. He was left to rue not making more of the chance when Leamington levelled things up shortly afterwards, Connor Gudger winning the ball back in midfield and trying to find Baker Richardson, only for Michael Clunan to divert the ball forward, Edwards just beating a defender to it to push a pass into the path of Mackey, who turned home his twentieth goal of the season. The visiting players rushed to the assistant referee on the far side in protest at something which wasn’t clear, but the goal had already been signalled.
Austin was starting to have more of an influence in midfield, and cut in well from the left to set up Baker Richardson for a shot that failed to trouble Alex Street. The Burton Albion man then shot agonisingly past the far post after a neat exchange of passes with Moore on the right.
Mackey then played in Baker Richardson, now sporting a fetching head bandage, and the striker forced a save from Street at his near post, before a late header from the visitors dropped onto the roof of the Leamington net.
Brakes now go into Tuesday’s derby knowing that a win will move them back into the play off places.
Attendance: 541
Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Richard Taundry, Connor Gudger, Joe Magunda, Jamie Hood, James Mace, Lee Moore (15 James Fry, 84), Jack Edwards, Rob Ogleby (12 Ben Mackey, 24), Courtney Baker Richardson (17 Ross Oulton, 89), Sam Austin.
Subs not used:14 Jamie Tank, 16 Ben George.
Kings Lynn Town: Alex Street, Ryan Fryatt, Jordan Yong, Kern Miller, Matt Castellan, Lee Smith, Michael Clunan (17 David Bridges 80), Liam Hurst (12 Toby Hilliard, 67), Jacek Zielonka (14 Sam Mulready, 71), Lee Stevenson, Sam Gaughran ©.
Subs not used: 15 Jack Friend, 16 Dylan Edge,.
Referee: Mr Andrew Newbold
Assistant Referees: Mr Ben Wyatt & Mr Lewis Smith
Brakes Man of the Match: Joe Magunda.
