Report
Evostik Southern League Premier Division
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Tuesday 11th October 2016
Jack Edwards stole the show once more as Leamington maintained an impressive unbeaten sequence at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium with three late goals against a dogged King’s Lynn Town.
The midfielder had been withdrawn from the starting line up as a precaution after picking up a knock during the warm up but declared himself fit to participate in the last 15 minutes, and followed up his sensational strike against Cinderford in the previous home game by netting another memorable goal with his first touch, sealing a sixteenth game unbeaten at home for Paul Holleran’s men.
King’s Lynn provided tough opposition but were undone by three second half goals as Leamington continued to improve their goalscoring tally while maintaining their defensive solidity.
Ahmed Obeng almost manufactured the first chance of the game when he brought down a high ball in the visitors penalty area, but Danny Emmington was alert and got in a block to divert the ball behind for a corner.
James Mace’s shot was curling away from goal, while Obeng got away down the left wing, Linnets keeper Alex Street punching his cross away from goal. Ryan Fryatt picked up a booking moments later as he pulled back Obeng with the Brakes striker threatening to break clear again.
Rob Thompson-Brown fired a free kick over the bar, and Ryan Rowe inadvertently dummied the ball into the path of Connor Gudger, who stepped inside and curled a shot towards goal that lacked the power to trouble Street.
Rowe and Obeng engineered a chance for Thompson-Brown early in the second half as Leamington stepped up their search for the opening goal, the midfielder taking a touch before firing in a low drive that was saved by Street.
King’s Lynn came closest to a goal when a shot was hooked away from the line, but Leamington took the lead minutes later thanks to Obeng, who took full advantage after play was waved on by the Referee after Thompson-Brown was fouled on the edge of the box, evading a defensive challenge and smashing the ball into the net off the goalkeeper.
An awesome run from the halfway line by Obeng almost resulted in what would have been a glorious second, only for Street to deny him at the last as he tried to clip the ball over the grounded keeper.
Brakes were comfortable once they eventually grabbed their second goal, some great work down the left by Connor Gudger leading to Rowe finding Courtney Baker-Richardson inside the box, a sharp turn and clinical finish into the roof of the net the end result.
Baker-Richardson was heavily involved in the third goal, chasing a ball up the left and challenging Street, Sam Gaughran then crunching into a challenge on the striker which saw the ball run out to Edwards on the left touchline some 25 yards from goal, and with a swing of his left boot the ball looped into the net .
The visitors will no doubt feel hard done by with the scoreline as they were well in the game for long periods, but Leamington carry a far greater attacking threat this season and it paid rich dividends once again in this match.
Attendance: 345
Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Richard Taundry, Connor Gudger, Darren Pond, Jamie Hood, James Mace, Courtney Baker-Richardson, Joe Magunda (14 Tom James, 86), Ryan Rowe (12 Jack Edwards, 85), Ahmed Obeng, Rob Thompson-Brown (15 Ryan Quinn, 90).
Subs not used: 16 Ben George, 17 Martyn Naylor.
King’s Lynn Town: Alex Street, Danny Emmington, Jordan Yong, Sam Gaughran, Gary Mills (15 Lee Stevenson, 78), Ryan Fryatt (16 Dylan Edge, 83), Michael Clunan, Dan Quigley, Jacek Zielonka, Leon Mettam ©, Curtis Revan.
Subs not used: 12 Eoin McQuaid, 14 Toby Hillyard, 17 Luke Pearson.
Referee: Mr Richard Gardner
Assistant Referees: Mr Paul Tyler & Mr James Whittington
Brakes Man of the Match: Ahmed Obeng.
