Manarama National League North
Hurst Cross
Saturday 29th September 2018

Much like this writer, if Paul Holleran had any hair left he would surely be tearing it out as for the umpteenth time this season his side conceded a late goal which led to defeat in a game they could quite easily have won.

Goals in the final few minutes against Hereford, Spennymoor (twice) and Stourbridge have seen Brakes lose games they should have taken a point from, while a late goal for Guiseley turned a potential three points into one and two late goals for Bradford Park Avenue made a three goal cushion briefly look very precarious. It is certainly becoming a big headache for the manager, and he will be growing tired of reinforcing the point that concentration needs to be maintained right until the final whistle if his side are to fulfil their potential this season.

With several of the squad under the weather due to a flu virus the manager opted to restore James Mace to the starting line up after the completion of his three match suspension, with a very peaky looking Jamie Hood dropping to the bench. Connor Gudger and Colby Bishop both travelled with the squad, and while Gudger hopes to be able to play a part in the next game, Holleran said that Bishop is still two to three weeks away, but is looking very sharp in training.

The afternoon could not have got off to a better start as Leamington moved ahead inside the opening thirty seconds. The ball was moved quickly out to the right wing, where Kieran Dunbar sent in a dangerous cross that was glanced home by the head of Ahmed Obeng for his first goal of the season.

Having stunned their hosts so early, a second goal would have provided a further boost but despite Brakes starting brightly their were few chances for either side. Jack Edwards was presented with a good opportunity when Matt Stenson broke clear into the box on the right and unslefishly squared the ball to his team mate in the centre, but although the volley was well struck it was straight at goalkeeper Luke Pilling.

Matthew Chadwick directed a weak effort at Tony Breeden for Ashton’s first effort of the game as the Robins’ began to find their feet, and their equalising goal on 18 minutes was anything but. A left wing centre from skipper Matthew Regan was only half cleared to the edge of the box, and Bradley Jackson took full advantage with a thumping first time strike into the roof of the net.

Some of the decision making left the visiting supporters scratching their heads at times, particularly when goal kicks were awarded after the ball had clearly deflected behind on four occasions, but the game as a whole became more of a frustration. Goalscorer Obeng limped off with a groin strain after overstretching for the ball.

Ashton were playing the ball out from the back at every opportunity, with Brakes seemingly content to allow them the space to do so as they were not working it into areas where they could cause problems. There was a sniff of a chance for Stenson shortly before half time when he attempted to nod a fine diagonal ball into the box from Dunbar past keeper Pilling, who got there a whisker in front of the striker.

Reece Flanagan was introduced just past the hour on his return to the club after Callum Gittings took a knock and this preceded a spell of Leamington pressure, James Bowen thumping a 30 yard half volley wide of the post.

The home side continued to play the ball around very well but infuriated both the Leamington players and supporters with their apparent willingness to go to ground too easily when challenged. Fortunately when Chadwick tumbled to the turf inside the penalty area Referee Paul Brown agreed with them, and brandished the yellow card.

Mace saw a shot blocked on the line following a corner while Sam Sheridan drove well wide at the other end. Stenson had Brakes’ best chance for a winner when substitute Connor Taylor was brought down right on the edge of the area inside the ‘D’. Stenson thrashed a powerful effort towards goal but it was matched by an equally strong punch clear by Pilling.

Ashton were adamant they had scored when Breeden produced a fantastic save from Regan’s thumping far post header, several home players insisting the ball had crossed the line, but they needn’t have worried, as in added time debutant substitute Liam Martin secured their first home win of the season in league fixtures when he bundled the ball home from close range as a seemingly harmless cross was allowed to reach him through a sea of bodies inside the six yard box.

‘For the afternoon to end like this after we started so well, not just with the goal but the way we bombarded them, we had chances to kill the game off in the first half an hour. To end up with nothing… unless you’ve seen the game it’s hard to put into words,’ said Paul Holleran after the game.

‘Don’t get me wrong, in the second half I don’t think we got to the same levels. We struggled a bit with the conditions, but we needed a bit more quality at times. We didn’t work their keeper enough for some of the areas we got into. You then get to the point where you’re thinking, it’s a tricky away trip, let’s just take the point and get back on the bus, but to get to the 92nd minute again… we were sloppy back there. It’s not a good cross and it’s gone through so many people, it’s just difficult to understand how we haven’t dealt with it really. At that stage of the game it’s just one clearance, and that’s it. To say we’re all disappointed is an understatement. It’s a really tough one to take.’

Attendance: 192

Ashton United: Luke Pilling, Jak Hickman, Matthew Regan ©, Lewis Baines, Aaron Chalmers, Sam Sheridan, Jordan Sangha, Bradley Jackson, Craig Hobson, Casian Anghel (15 Liam Martin, 73), Matthew Chadwick.

Subs not used: 12 Scott Sephton, 14 Matthew Hill, 16 Luke Ashworth, 17 Mark Lees.

Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Junior English, James Bowen, Joe Clarke, James Mace, Jack Lane, Kieran Dunbar (15 Anthony Dwyer, 85), Callum Gittings (16 Reece Flanagan, 65), Matt Stenson, Jack Edwards, Ahmed Obeng (12 Connor Taylor, 22).

Subs not used: 14 Joe Magunda, 17 Jamie Hood.

Referee: Mr Paul Brown

Assistant Referees: Mr Peter Simm & Mr Anthony Ball

Brakes Man of the Match: James Mace.