Vanarama National League North
The Impact Arena
Tuesday 20th November 2018

September and October may have proved slim pickings for Leamington, but they are certainly making up for it in the month of November.

A third consecutive National League North win is making this a very productive month so far for Paul Holleran’s men, who had to withstand a great deal of pressure both before and after Jack Edwards headed the opener, before responding superbly to conceding an equaliser with ten minutes to go by scoring the winner almost immediately through Kieran Dunbar.

The manager stuck with the same eleven that had performed so admirably against Chester on Saturday, and once again they did not let him down. The opening half hour or so was controlled mainly by Billy Heath’s side, who went close through Callum Chettle before some smart build up play saw the same player saw his cross blocked by James Mace, the ball rolling nicely for Nathan Hotte to strike towards goal only for Junior English to clear off the line.

Set pieces at both ends were always likely to play a large part in this game, with both sides strengths from dead ball situations always in evidence. A string of corners and a free kicks for the hosts failed to pay dividends, Chettle firing the closest effort just past the left hand post.

Both sides had muted claims for a penalty in the opening exchanges that were waved away by Referee Samuel Barrott. Jack Edwards then headed Brakes’ first opportunity of the game over the bar just past the half hour mark following a corner given away by Martin Riley.

The stats were piling up against Leamington as half time approached, but these things are usually meaningless if they don’t lead to goals, and it was Edwards who took advantage of a superb free kick delivery from Reece Flanagan to steal in front of Reds keeper Sam Ramsbottom to head into the net three minutes before the break.

Inevitably Alfreton emerged from the dressing room on the front foot as they searched for an early leveller, danger man Chettle sending an inviting ball across the face of goal with nobody to finish it off.

Again there were plenty of free kicks for both sides, Flanagan firing one wide for Leamington, while Dunbar was played in behind the Alfreton defence only to see Ramsbottom save with his legs.

Tony Breeden dominated his penalty area as time began tick away for the hosts, quickly off his line to collect the ball as it was knocked on to substitute Richard Peniket, before confidently collecting a corner kick.

Chettle curved another shot wide of the upright as Alfreton turned up the heat and after English headed yet another free kick behind for a corner they scored what in truth was a deserved equaliser, skipper Luke Shiels giving Breeden no chance as he connected with a powerful header into the far corner.

The hosts possibly had not composed themselves after putting so much into the equaliser, but they were hit with a sucker punch less than two minutes later, the outstanding Connor Taylor piercing the Reds defence with a perfect through ball for Dunbar to tear onto and finish low under Ramsbottom for the winner.

The hosts were unable to muster a serious effort in response in the minutes that remained, Taylor going close to a third Leamington goal when he cut inside from the left and crashed a shot wide.

Brakes have hoisted themselves just above mid table, eight points from the dreaded drop zone with this victory, their fourth away from home so far. The way they have responded since being thumped at home by Kidderminster has been hugely impressive, but they will have a different challenge altogether on Saturday when Northern Premier League side Witton Albion visit in the FA Trophy. The challenge will be to maintain this momentum.

Attendance: 316

Alfreton Town: Sam Ramsbottom, Josh Clackstone (12 James Clifton, 54), Josh Wilde, David Lynch (16 Jordan Sinnott, 77), Martin Riley, Luke Shiels ©, Callum Chettle, Nathan Hotte, Craig Hobson (14 Richard Peniket, 59), Curtis Bateson, Tom Allan.

Subs not used: 13 Tom Nicholson, 15 Tom Platt.

Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Junior English, Connor Gudger, Reece Flanagan (12 Joe Clarke, 71), Jamie Hood, James Mace, Kieran Dunbar, Callum Gittings, Colby Bishop (16 Ahmed Obeng, 84), Jack Edwards, Connor Taylor.

Subs not used: 14 James Bowen, 15 Jack Lane, 17 Tom James.

Referee: Mr Samuel Barrott

Assistant Referees: Mr Jack Forder & Mr Kevin Saunby

Brakes Man of the Match: Connor Taylor