Report

Vanarama National League North
Phillips 66 Community Stadium 
Monday 27th August 2018

Brakes took on unbeaten Telford at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium with both teams enjoying promising starts to the season. The Bucks arrived three points ahead in the table having won four and drawn two of their opening six games, so while Leamington were probably a surprise name among the early pacesetters, not least to their own supporters, who have thoroughly enjoyed the first seven games. This would be a tough examination to end what has been a very good first few weeks of the campaign.

Paul Holleran’s side got off to the best possible start when they were awarded a rather soft looking penalty on seven minutes, the ball striking Henry Cowans on the arm as Jack Edwards headed on Junior English‘s throw into the Telford box. Matt Stenson placed the ball on the spot before drilling his sixth goal of the season low to the right of goalkeeper Max Bromley.

Brakes looked confident in the early stages, dealing well with the visitors’ threat as they forced a couple of corners, Tony Breeden dominating his six yard box to claim the second.

His opposite number did well to watch a powerful low drive from Callum Gittings from just outside the box through a crowd of players, Bromley doing well to smother and hold onto the ball.

Andre Brown had received an early booking after catching James Bowen in the face, and the Telford striker required treatment himself along with James Mace after bravely flinging himself at Cowans’ left wing centre, which Tony Breeden just held onto under his crossbar.

Bucks keeper Bromley had to hold onto a fierce clearance from inside his own half by Jamie Hood that threatened to drop into the net, but it was the visitors who scored the next goal just past the half hour mark. Joe Clarke went in for a what looked a 50-50 challenge with former Brakes loanee Daniel Udoh inside the Leamington half, both players hurting each other in the process, but Clarke was shown a yellow card. From the resultant free kick Adam Dawson was fouled on the edge of the box, and it was he who stepped up to curl a free kick beautifully into the corner after he had been fouled just outside the box. Breeden got a palm to the ball but was unable to keep it out.

Kieran Dunbar joined Leamington from Telford early last season, and the busy young midfielder combined with Stenson, winning the ball in the air just outside the box before his team mate held it up well and nudged it into Dunbar’s path, but unfortunately his strike was always rising, and cleared the bar.

English then played a great ball into the box which Ryan Sears did well to take off the toe of Stenson at the expense of a corner.

Bowen was having a fine game at left back having taken over from the injured Connor Gudger on Saturday, and he came away with the ball after a great challenge on Dawson as he attempted to make space to cross, putting a good ball over the top for Stenson to chase, but he was just beaten to it by a defender.

Telford nudged themselves ahead for the first time two minutes into the second half, Brown hurling himself at a fine ball in to the far post by Jonathon Royle to cushion a header across Breeden into the far corner.

The visitors tails’ were up now. Leamington had to come from behind for the first time in a home game this season, and they showed great character to do so. The equaliser just past the hour mark certainly won’t win any goal of the season awards, but Jamie Hood won’t be concerned about that.

Bowen set the ball rolling, coming out on top in a race for the ball with Dawson, and he sent another ball down the left which Dominic Smith looked to have covered only for Stenson to do superbly to nick it away from him and charge off down the left, cutting back inside the centre half, who just managed to get a foot to Stenson’s shot which sent the ball spinning towards goal. Dunbar ran across the goalkeeper to try and poke it in but was just unable to get a touch. Bedlam ensued from the resulting corner however, Edwards getting his head to Dunbar’s delivery, Stenson’s shot hitting Hood on the shin as he tried to direct it into the net. Connor Taylor then hit the loose ball against the bar before it mercifully dropped back to Hood just a yard out, and he tapped into the net to the delight of the Harbury Lane End.

The old adage of a team never being more vulnerable than when they have just scored a goal almost bit Brakes on the backside here though, as straight from the restart Telford won a penalty. Smith played the ball long into the Leamington area, and though Bowen won the ball it was headed back in by Daniel Udoh to his strike partner Brown, who appeared to go down a little easily under a clumsy challenge from Gittings. The Referee was adamant however, and Brown stepped up to try and score his second of the game from the spot. Breeden anticipated his decision to aim for the right corner however, and dived to his left to keep the ball out with both hands. The ball was only partially cleared though, and Royle struck it first time from just outside the box only to see his shot deflected behind for a corner.

Dunbar came mightily close his second goal of the Bank Holiday when his sweetly struck first time volley from a half clearance clattered the outside of the post.

Brown almost atoned for his penalty miss in spectacular fashion, latching onto the ball as substitute Darryl Knights headed it back towards the edge of the box and hooking a clever shot over his shoulder that dropped just over the bar.

All square was the result however, and while Telford may feel aggrieved at not taking their penalty chance to possibly win the game, Brakes gave as good as they got and can feel very satisfied with their performance.

Attendance: 812

Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Junior English, James Bowen, Joe Clarke, Jamie Hood, James Mace, Kieran Dunbar, Callum Gittings, Matt Stenson (14 Anthony Dwyer, 81), Jack Edwards, Connor Taylor.

Subs not used: 12 Joe Magunda, 15 Chekaine Steele, 16 Ahmed Obeng, 17 Kieran Morris.

AFC Telford United: Max Bromley, Ross White, Ryan Sears (12 Theo Streete, 72), Ellis Deeney, Shane Sutton ©, Dominic Smith, Henry Cowans, Jonathon Royle, Andre Brown, Daniel Udoh, Adam Dawson (15 Darryl Knights, 72).

Subs not used: 13 Andrew Wycherley, 14 James McQuilkin, 16 Matthew Barnes-Homer.

Referee: Mr Thomas Parsons

Assistant Referees: Mr Richard Walker & Mr Ryan Williams

Brakes Man of the Match: James Bowen.