Report

Vanarama National League North
The Jakemans Stadium
Saturday 17th February 2018

Brakes proved that they are far from dead and buried in terms of National League North survival as they battled their way to a much needed three points, their first in five games on the road. Recent results had left them looking nervously over their shoulder with the teams in the bottom three all having games in hand, but this performance and the win provided a huge boost.

Ahmed Obeng’s 53rd minute strike ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides but Brakes looked more assured at both ends of the pitch than of late and certainly forged the better opportunities overall as they brought Boston’s impressive recent nine game unbeaten streak to a shuddering halt. The Pilgrims began their climb up the table off the back of a 2-0 success at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium at the beginning of November, and it is to be hoped that Leamington can now do the same after this hard earned success.

Kicking towards their small but noisy band of travelling supporters in the first half Brakes set out their stall early on, keeping their shape and making the hosts work hard to break them down.

Jay Rollins drove an early effort in to the near post which was held by Tony Breeden, while the returning Matty Dodd left Pilgrims left back Stephen Grogan walking a tightrope for the rest of the match after he picked up a booking inside the opening 15 minutes for pulling the debutant back as he squeezed past him on the right touchline.

Ashley Hemmings’ low strike lacked the power to trouble Breeden while Gregg Smith showed good technique to volley a first time effort towards goal from a loose ball, but the shot was straight at the Leamington skipper.

Brakes bided their time and began to create forward movement of their own and their first chance was a good one, Obeng nudging a pass left for Connor Gudger to strike first time and wide.

Smith was next to go into Referee Simon Mather’s notebook for leaving his foot in on Breeden, the home fans vehemently disagreeing with the decision. The striker was perhaps lucky not to be sent for an early bath when his attempt to win a penalty was waved away shortly afterwards.

A neat move between Callum Gittings, Daniel Udoh and Kieran Dunbar saw the latters’ shot deflected through to Boston keeper Jon Stewart, while Obeng was clattered by Ryan Qualter right on the edge of the box as Brakes pressed once more. Richard Taundry’s free kick struck the defensive wall but Dodd won a corner, from which Gittings thumped a free header over the bar.

Dunbar was unfortunate to have the ball hit a divot as he was played into a great position by Udoh inside the the box, the ball flying over the crossbar. Smith then headed on for Rollins to nod straight at Breeden as half time arrived.

Boston began the second half on the front foot with Reece Thompson doing his best to unsettle the Leamington defence, but he was well marshalled by Taundry and Junior English, who was a colossus along with James Mace in the centre of defence.

The key moment came eight minutes into the second half, Obeng nipping in to pounce on Wes Atkinson’s short header towards Stewart and skipping past the keeper to steer a low shot across goal into the far corner.

Brad Abbott’s shot deflected off English into the arms of Breeden as Boston searched for an immediate reply, and the former Solihull and Worcester man made a heroic block to deny Andi Thanoj after Smith had done well to head Hemmings’ left wing cross back into the centre.

Hemmings fired a free kick straight at Breeden after English had gone into the book, but it was Brogan who came closest for Boston with their next dead ball from a similar position, clattering the top of the bar with his effort.

The home fans were already irate but their discontent intensified when Thompson appeared to be shown two yellow cards in a matter of seconds after appearing to throw the ball at the grounded Gittings after being pulled up for a foul on the same player.

The man advantage did not last very long however, as Brakes substitute Joe Magunda was making the long walk less than five minutes after stepping onto the pitch after a poor challenge on Abbott in the centre circle.

The home fans sensed blood and urged their team forward but in truth Boston never really got going throughout, and Leamington had several chances to break and possibly finish the game as seven minutes added time were announced. Obeng tore into space up the left again and into the area, striking the outside of the post with his shot.

Boston substitute Benny Igiehon’s back header dropped over the Leamington bar as the visitors stood firm to record a vital win on the road.

Paul Holleran was pleased with the way his team responded to a disappointing recent run of results, saying ‘I asked the players for a resilient, cleverer performance today, and for them to try and manage the game better than we have in the last few weeks. It was obvious that with Boston’s recent form it was going to be a tough ask, but if we looked after their two wide men who are a massive threat for them, and passed the ball well then we could be a threat, and that’s basically what happened.

‘I think we defended our box really well and passed the ball better today. We scored one, could have scored two or three and I thought we were the better side for most of the afternoon. We had to huff and puff a bit towards the end but I think we deserved it. It was a real hardworking backs to the wall performance. If you don’t keep clean sheets you don’t win games, and we talked this week about the need to start games better, if we score a goal managing that better, and doing a bit more leg work. I think one or two players have been feeling a bit sorry for themselves the last few weeks, but I thought today was on a par with the Salford performance. We had some massive individual performances today. I don’t want to pick out individuals but I thought Ahmed was sensational today. When i’m asking both the wide players, Matty Dodd and Ahmed, to work so hard defensively because of their wide men, for them to cause so many problems going forward was fantastic. We’ve had a few little niggles today, a few hamstrings but they’ve shown great character. These players have shown they can bounce back and put in some really gritty performances, and the reality is it’s another massive club we’ve come to and got a result. I’m delighted for the fans as well because we’ve had a few tough days since Christmas, but the tough days make days like this even better, so i’m delighted for everyone tonight.’

Attendance: 1,107

Boston United: Jon Stewart, Wes Atkinson (15 Jamie McGuire, 67), Stephen Brogan, Andi Thanoj (16 Benny Igiehon, 75), Jordan Keane © (14 Taron Hare, 29), Ryan Qualter, Jay Rollins, Brad Abbott, Reece Thompson, Gregg Smith, Ashley Hemmings.

Subs not used: 12 Kabongo Tshimanga, GK George Willis.

Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Richard Taundry (17 Jamie Hood, 87), Connor Gudger, Joe Clarke, James Mace, Junior English, Matt Dodd (12 Joe Magunda, 76), Kieran Dunbar, Daniel Udoh, (16 Stefan Moore, 90+2), Callum Gittings, Ahmed Obeng.

Subs not used: 14 Kurtis Revan, 15 Liam Canavan.

Referee: Mr Simon Mather

Assistant Referees: Mr Brian O’Sullivan & Mr Tim Walker

Brakes Man of the Match: Ahmed Obeng