Vanarama National League North
Blackwell Meadows
Saturday 27th April 2019

Brakes rounded off the 2018/19 campaign as one of the form teams in the National League North with a creditable draw at Darlington which saw them equal the 13th place finish in their debut season in the division back in 2013.

Six matches unbeaten in the final month has seen what looked like being a nervous finale turn into a comfortable stroll over the finish line as Paul Holleran’s side swiftly stacked up the points required to secure a third season at Step 2 of the Non League pyramid.

With the Birmingham Senior Cup Final in mind the manager left Callum Gittings out of the squad as he initially named the same starting eleven from the previous game against Nuneaton, but a late change was made before kick off when Jamie Hood replaced Connor Gudger.

The hosts were unable to finish above Leamington regardless of the result at Blackwell Meadows and they nearly found themselves behind in the opening two minutes, keeper Jake Turner doing well to block Colby Bishop on the edge of his penalty area as the striker looked to take the ball past him, and then again from Jordan Murphy as he followed up.

Leamington were forced to defend in depth in the first half particularly, but stood up well to the task, Tony Breeden illustrating the calmness in the side when he received a square pass from Hood with Harvey Saunders charging in to close him down and simply dinked the ball back to his team mate. He then watched on as Jordan Nicholson drove a low effort across goal and wide.

Luke Trotman could only find the side netting from close range as Breeden narrowed the angles, while Steven Thompson could only direct the ball straight at the Brakes skipper as Saunders sent the ball in powerfully from the right.

Jack Edwards glanced a header wide from a free kick just inside the Darlington half but the home side continued to press, Hood doing well to block a shot behind for a corner which came to nothing allowing Leamington to break dangerously again, Connor Taylor’s right wing cross just evading the head of Sam Wilding.

Breeden produced a good save as Saunders attempted to force the ball past him but he was finally beaten a minute before the interval when Nicholson met Trotman’s right wing cross to send a powerful low drive into the bottom corner.

Brakes emerged with purpose at the beginning of the second half, Bishop directing a header straight at Turner from Taylor’s left wing cross. Leamington’s top scorer then almost capitalised as the Darlington defence switched off. Jack Edwards had been in an offside position but stood back as the ball was played into the box to Bishop. Fortunately for the hosts, Turner had anticipated what his team mates had failed to and blocked the shot well at close range. The ball only made it to the edge of the box where Joe Clarke sent a fierce drive just over the bar, Wilding sending a similar effort over moments later.

Saunders was inches from connecting with a driven shot across the penalty area before Breeden fortunately came out on top as he made what looked like a risky challenge on the edge of his box. The skipper then punched the ball clear as Thompson connected with a fine crossfield pass before blocking a stinging effort from Saunders.

Paul Holleran threw on Reece Flanagan, Dylan Parker and Elliot Hodge in an attempt to swing the momentum in Leamington’s favour, and they looked to have a great chance to level when Clarke surged into the box but instead of shooting played in Junior English, who drove a dangerous ball across the six yard box which just evaded Bishop.

Play switched quickly to the other end and Breeden again saved well from Thompson before brilliantly claiming another effort under his crossbar.

His team mates were in no mood to end their season with a defeat, and some fine approach play ended with Hodge driving in a low shot that was well held by Turner despite the keeper being unsighted.

More incisive build up play led to the equaliser with 12 minutes to play as Leamington scythed through the Darlington defence, Hodge supplying the cross for Bishop to sweep home his 27th goal of the season.

Brakes pressed for a late winner, Flanagan looked to have worked himself into a promising shooting position but instead looked for a team mate, Walsall loan man Parker finding Murphy on the right who in turn picked out Bishop but the striker was left frustrated as he found the arms of Turner.

A good effort from Hodge curved just wide as he pounced on a half clearance on the edge of the box but the match finished all square, a deserved point for both sides on balance, and Brakes can look back on a job well done this season before turning their attention to Thursday and the Senior Cup Final.

To finish above clubs the size of Darlington, Hereford and Southport and comfortably survive in such a competitive league is a fantastic achievement for which the players and management deserve immense credit. Let’s do it all again in August!

Attendance: 1,145

Darlington: Jake Turner, Luke Trotman, Ben Jackson, Omar Holness, Simon Ainge, Terry Galbraith © (16 Kit Elliott, 50), Tom Elliott, Josef Wheatley (12 Harry Stansfield, 87), Harvey Saunders (14 Sanny Lingthep, 90), Jordan Nicholson, Stephen Thompson.

Subs not used: 13 Cameron Hall, 15 Brandon Morrison.

Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Junior English, Jamie Hood (12 Reece Flanagan, 67), Joe Clarke (14 Dylan Parker, 81), James Mace, Jack Lane, Jordan Murphy, Sam Wilding, Colby Bishop, Jack Edwards, Connor Taylor (16 Elliot Hodge, 68).

Subs not used: 15 Ahmed Obeng, 17 Connor Gudger.

Referee: Mr Samuel Barrott

Assistant Referees: Mr Michael Burrows & Mr Matthew East

Brakes Man of the Match: Jordan Murphy.