Pre Season Friendly
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Saturday 28th July 2018
Brakes recorded a narrow victory over near neighbours Bromsgrove Sporting in their final pre season fixture at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium.
The newly promoted Midland League Champions gave their National League North hosts plenty to think about, but there were plenty of positives for manager Paul Holleran to ponder when he returns from holiday to prepare for the season opener at Altrincham next Saturday.
The Rouslers were first to threaten following a quiet opening to the game, new loan signing from Walsall Will Shorrock striking the inside of the post from out on the right, Tory Herbert driving the loose ball across goal and wide from the resulting half clearance. Josh Quaynor then struck a first time effort wide of the target.
Leamington’s first attempt on goal arrived when Matt Stenson rose to direct a header just past the upright from Kieran Dunbar’s free kick out on the right touchline just inside the Bromsgrove half.
Within two minutes the in form striker went close again from an almost identical situation. Dunbar’s free kick was slightly further down the touchline, Stenson glancing his header just past the opposite post this time.
Brakes were starting to get on top a little and forced a couple of corners, Stenson powering in another header from a right wing corner won and taken by Dunbar which was blocked.
The build up of pressure did result in a goal on 32 minutes however, Dunbar slipping a fine pass for Junior English to tear into space down the right, and he delivered a wicked cross in to the near post from which Daniel Morris sent a perfect glancing header into his own net. With it being a friendly the Bromsgrove defender could afford a wry smile at the chants of ‘sign him up’ from behind the goal.
However, within seven minutes the visitors were level, Herbert beating Tony Breeden to the ball on the edge of the box. His shot was cleared off the line by Connor Gudger but the ball returned straight to the feet of the Rouslers player, and he delivered it back across goal where former Brakes striker Richard Gregory was waiting at the far post to nod home from close range.
Breeden atoned for his part in the equaliser by helping to set up what turned out to be the winning goal right on half time when one of his pinpoint clearances was taken in his stride impressively by James Bowen down the left, who sent in a fine first time cross that was met by a thumping header from Stenson that flew across helpless keeper Jon Brown into the far corner for his sixth goal of pre season, an impressive tally, and if he continues this form into the season he will soon become a fans favourite.
The second began to the backdrop of a mahoosive thunderstorm, the visitors having made wholesale changes to their line up. Leamington substitute Checkaine Steele placed a low shot just wide after the ball was played back to him just inside the box, but though there was plenty of effort and endeavour from both sides despite the conditions being awful at times, there was little goalmouth action to excite the crowd in the second half.
Brakes can now focus their attention on their opening league fixture, while Bromsgrove play four more friendlies before their Southern League opener on August 18th. We wish them all the best for the forthcoming season.
Attendance: 256
Leamington: Tony Breeden, Junior English, James Bowen (12 Chekaine Steele), Joe Magunda, Kieran Morris, Connor Gudger, Kieran Dunbar, Callum Gittings, Matt Stenson (14 Anthony Dwyer), Jack Edwards, Connor Taylor (15 Taylor Morrison).
Subs not used: 16 Tom James, 17 Shay Nicholson, GK Brad Caswell
Bromsgrove Sporting: Jon Brown, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson, Danny Jackman, Guy Clark, Daniel Morris, John Pykett, Josh Quaynor, Will Shorrock, Richard Gregory, Tory Herbert.
Subs not used: 12 Craig Jones, 14 Marcel Simpson, 15 Charlie Dowd, 16 Jack Cresswell, 17 Nathan Hayward, 18 Jamie Clarke, GK Reece Francis.
Referee: Rob Dadley
Assistant Referees: Ryan Williams & Richard Cutts
