Report

Vanarama National League North
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Thursday 19th April 2018

On a dramatic evening at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium Brakes picked up what could turn out to be an absolutely vital three points in their quest to remain in the Vanarama National League North.

Debatable they may have been, but nobody of a Gold and Black persuasion inside the stadium was complaining as two late second half penalties settled a nervy encounter between two sides looking at opposite ends of the table.

Chorley arrived in a good run of form, having hoisted themselves well into play off contention in recent weeks but they had fought out a draw at Stockport County only 48 hours before, a feeling the Leamington players knew only too well after having to do the same on two occasions in the past few weeks.

The game began in tentative fashion with both sides taking a long time to settle given what was at stake, but both could have eased the nerves with their first efforts on goal. Good strength from Daniel Udoh to hold up play and lay the ball off presented Matt Dodd with the opportunity to dart into the Chorley penalty area, but after taking a couple of touches he blazed wildly over the bar with only goalkeeper Matt Urwin to beat.

The visitors were as wasteful with their opening effort, a deep cross from out on the left by Lee Molyneaux was met by a first time volley from Dale Witham only a few yards from goal at the near post, but the ball flew over the bar.

Tony Breeden had a shaky start, missing his kick as he attempted to clear a bouncing ball upfield, but he recovered quickly to snuff out the danger before Chorley were able to capitalise. After Brakes continued to frustrate from set pieces, playing the ball twice into Urwin’s arms, Alex Newby tested Breeden with a low drive, the skipper gathering the ball at the second attempt.

Connor Gudger whipped a free kick in from the right that was missed by a whisker at the far post as Jamie Hood thundered in to try and connect. Udoh then chested down another ball into the penalty area, Junior English hooking in a well taken half volley which was unfortunately directed straight at Urwin.

Chorley went close early in the second half, Newby’s cut back from the by line was met by Josh O’Keefe, who struck a close range effort into Breeden’s hands.

Ahmed Obeng was introduced by Paul Holleran just past the hour mark, and was involved quickly, Udoh nudging the ball out to him just inside the box, the substitute cutting inside and seeing a shot blocked. This seemed to wake the home fans from a somewhat nervous silence, but hearts were in mouths again soon afterwards as Breeden held another long range effort from Newby at his near post and then shovelled another strike from Scott Leather behind. The real let off came from the corner however, Magpies skipper Andy Teague rising completely unmarked to power a header just over the bar.

Chorley had the ball in the net through Marcus Carver as the game approached the final twenty minutes, but the offside flag was already raised. The pivotal moment in the game arrived shortly afterwards when Obeng was bundled to the ground by Matt Hughes inside the box, the Chorley man aghast at the decision.

With regular penalty taker Dodd having been withdrawn there was momentary confusion as to who would step up to take what could be a season defining penalty kick. Holleran ushered his skipper forward, and after a spot of gamesmanship from a Chorley defender trying to put him off, Breeden absolutely leathered the ball down the centre into the roof of the net to spark the biggest roar to greet a goal heard at the ground all season.

Teague sent another good header down into the ground from a corner, but Breeden was right behind it this time. His opposite number Urwin then somehow produced a staggering save. Gittings tricked his way into the box from the left and drove the ball low towards the near post. The Chorley keeper was falling backwards but somehow kept the ball out with his legs.

Leamington put themselves under pressure by giving away two free kicks in succession on the edge of their own penalty area, the first striking the wall and the second sailing onto the roof of the clubhouse.

Seven minutes into injury time came the moment that would settle the contest. The tireless Udoh held the ball up superbly once more before turning between Hughes and Adam Anson, who sandwiched him inside the box. Referee Scott Simpson was adamant a second spot kick was the correct decision. It was puzzling that Hughes was the only one of the two to receive a booking, particularly as Anson was already on a yellow card, but the caution quickly became a straight red card as the Chorley defender lost his cool.

With Breeden staying in his penalty area this time the responsibility was placed on Callum Gittings’ shoulders, and the midfielder showed similar composure to his skipper, stepping up to send Urwin the wrong way and slamming the ball into the net to spark delirious scenes on the terraces.

Brakes boss Holleran declared himself delighted with the win, saying ‘We knew we needed at least one win from these two home games. Saturday (against Curzon Ashton) was probably as poor a game as we’ve had down here this year but as I’ve said before, the game the previous Thursday really took it out of the players.’

‘When you play Chorley you’ve got to go to war really. They are so good at what they do, I kind of want us to aspire to them really, they’ve got really high standards and nearly every time we’ve played them they’ve brushed us aside but tonight we really stood up and looked a threat. The pitch was difficult and there was the manner of the game. We’ve made life difficult for ourselves recently dropping points, along with sides around us picking them up but tonight was huge. We’re absolutely thrilled.’

Attendance: 407

Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Junior English, Connor Gudger, Joe Clarke (15 Joe Magunda, 56), Jamie Hood, James Mace, Matt Dodd (12 Ahmed Obeng, 61), Callum Gittings, Daniel Udoh, Jack Edwards, Kieran Dunbar.

Subs not used: 14 Liam Canavan, 16 Kurtis Revan, 17 Richard Taundry.

Chorley: Matt Urwin, Matt Hughes, Lee Molyneaux, Andy Teague ©, Scott Leather (16 Jordan Darr, 81), Adam Anson, Josh O’Keefe, Dale Witham, Marcus Carver, Alex Newby, Jake Cottrell (15 Luke Burgess, 90).

Subs not used: 12 Delial Brewster, 14 Josh Gregory, 17 Adam Blakeman.

Referee: Mr Scott Simpson

Assistant Referees: Mr Paul Stoner & Mr Andrew Ellis

Brakes Man of the Match: Daniel Udoh.