Report

Vanarama National League North
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Saturday 13th April 2019

Despite being seen by many as relegation favourites at the beginning of the season Leamington have defied the odds once more, and a third consecutive season of National League North football was secured with three games to spare at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium with this come from behind victory over Alfreton Town.

Paul Holleran deserves immense credit for yet another significant achievement as he approaches ten years at the club, continuing to keep his team punching massively above their weight while staying clear of the bottom three in the division all season.

The manager had stressed the need for his players not to take their foot off the gas and to ensure that they had a strong end to the season. As on several occasions during this campaign it took them a little while to get going, but once they hit top gear they ran out comfortable winners against a side who were already well clear of danger themselves.

Alfreton were certainly the better side in the opening half hour or so, and they capitalised on Leamington’s lethargy to move ahead with only seven minutes played, Jordan Sinnott crashing in a well struck volley just inside the box as the Brakes defence failed to clear their lines from the initial cross.

Tony Breeden was called into action minutes later and produced a fantastic save to prevent the visitors from doubling their advantage. Goalscorer Sinnott played a fine ball into the six yard box from out on the left and Richard Peniket escaped his marker to power in a header which Breeden blocked superbly at point blank range.

It took twenty minutes for Leamington to produce anything of note going forward, Jordan Murphy and Colby Bishop were inevitably involved, the ball almost being slipped through for Callum Gittings who was just beaten to it by Alfreton keeper Tom Nicholson.

Adam Curry looked a touch fortunate to stay on the pitch after slamming into Murphy, possibly with an elbow as Leamington looked to counter. Bishop headed over the bar from resulting free kick.

Brakes were level with their first real effort on target on 34 minutes, Gittings stabbing home his third goal of the season as the visitors made a real mess of a ball into the box, mistakenly thinking they would get an offside decision in their favour as the ball hit the back of the net.

Alfreton felt they had a shout for a penalty as Declan Bacon went to ground in the box but their pleas fell of deaf ears.

Joe Clarke was set up in a promising position by the goalscorer some 20 yards out in a central position, but didn’t quite get hold of his shot properly and it was deflected through to Nicholson.

Leamington were certainly on top as the two sides retreated to the dressing room at half time, and they quickly emphasised this by turning the game on its head early in the second half. Jordan Murphy has impressed many since joining on loan from Solihull Moors earlier in the season and he scored a simple but sublime goal here to put Brakes in front, latching onto a pass on the edge of the before slipping the ball past Nicholson and a defender just inside the box and into the empty net. He is a player the Brakes support would very much like to see again next season.

Alfreton players and fans were screaming in protest as Breeden caught a speculative effort from James Clifton right on his goal line, all those of a Red persuasion insisting that the ball had crossed it, but once again the officials were not in agreement.

Nicholson then made a great save to keep his side in touch, diving full length to push a powerful low volley from Gittings away after Peniket could only head Connor Gudger’s ball out to the edge of the penalty area.

Respite was brief however, as Jack Edwards moved into double figures for the season as he reacted quickest to bundle the ball over the line after the tireless Bishop had seen his shot hit the underside of the bar with the visiting defence nowhere to be seen.

There was another big shout from the visitors as they felt the ball had gone over the line a second time, while another penalty shout was again waved away, but it was Leamington who came close to adding to their advantage as the clock ticked down, Bishop holding the ball up and turning his marker superbly before driving a low shot across goal and inches past the far post. He then controlled a long raking ball out of defence by Junior English in one movement at the far post, lifting it over Nicholson towards substitute Elliot Hodge, who would have had a tap in, only for Nathan Hotte to appear at the last second to head behind.

A fourth goal would have put the gloss on what turned out to be a good afternoon’s work, but nevertheless there was delight and satisfaction at the final whistle as management, players and supporters alike basked in the warm glow of what had been achieved.

Attendance: 523

Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Junior English, Connor Gudger, Joe Clarke ( 12 Reece Flanagan, 75), James Mace, Jack Lane, Jordan Murphy, Callum Gittings (15 Sam Wilding, 77), Colby Bishop, Jack Edwards, Ahmed Obeng (14 Elliot Hodge, 61).

Subs not used: 13 Ben Newey, 16 Connor Taylor.

Alfreton Town: Tom Nicholson, James Clifton, Josh Wilde (14 Reece Styche, 62), Tom Platt, Nathan Hotte, Martin Riley ©, Declan Bacon (16 Tom Allan, 51), Danny Clarke, Richard Peniket, Jordan Sinnott, Adam Curry.

Subs not used: 12 David Lynch, GK Sam Ramsbottom, 15 Danny O’Brien.

Referee: Mr Matt Corlett

Assistant Referees: Mr Neil Evans & Mr Joe Pettit

Brakes Man of the Match: Colby Bishop.