Vanarama National League North
Horsfall Stadium
Tuesday 5th March 2019

Brakes fell short once more in West Yorkshire as they fell to their annual defeat at the Horsfall Stadium against a Bradford Park Avenue side fully engaged in their pursuit of a play off place.

Paul Holleran had admitted after Saturday’s defeat to York that games had been following the same pattern with the same shortcomings letting them down recently, and once again Leamington shot themselves in the foot before they even had chance to settle down as they found themselves chasing the game inside the opening ten minutes, this time the opener arriving with only three on the clock. Conor Branson looped a fantastic effort over Tony Breeden from at least 25 yards out, the Brakes skipper appearing to believe the ball was going over his crossbar before it dropped over his head into the net.

Brakes mercifully began to settle into the game after the disastrous start, Colby Bishop hooking in a shot from the edge of the box which was straight at keeper Charlie Andrew.

At times the build up play was neat but possession was squandered on more than one occasion. A succession of passes saw the ball up and around the Avenue penalty area, only for the final ball to be played harmlessly through to Andrew.

Bishop did well to squeeze a shot through two defenders which was off target, and a weaving run through the Bradford half by Ahmed Obeng came to nothing, but Leamington were level on 25 minutes during their best spell of the game. Jordan Murphy chased the ball out left and dinked it back into the penalty area, Bishop thumping the bar with his header before Obeng collected it a little untidily before thumping home from close range.

The home side came again however, and regained their lead five minutes before half time as they sliced through the Leamington defence with ease, Lewis Knight and Jake Beesley knocking the ball across the edge of the area for Macaulay Langstaff to fire across Breeden into the far corner.

There was still time for skipper Shane Killock to plant a free header over the bar from a corner before the interval.

The second half was virtually all one way traffic until the closing minutes as the hosts spurned chances to make the game safe. Gianluca Havern crashed a header against the bar from a corner, while Breeden and Langstaff were booked folllowing a spot of pushing and shoving as tempers threatened to boil over.

Joe Clarke blasted Leamington’s first sight of goal of the second half high over the bar onto the running track, while a good turn and powerful low drive from distance by Murphy was off target.

Jack Edwards powered a header inches wide from Junior English’s right wing cross to the far post, while Bradford substitute Danny East drove a cracking low effort across goal and just past the far post. Beesley then cut inside from the left and crashed his shot just over the bar.

Somehow finding themselves still only a goal behind going into injury time having been forced to defend for almost the entire second half, Brakes attempted to force a leveller, but the closest they came was when substitute Jack Lane’s cross was recycled by James Mace from the right, Bishop stretching to get in a header which didn’t trouble the goalkeeper.

With a fourth defeat in the last five games confirmed and some tough fixtures to come it is clear that Leamington need an injection of confidence from somewhere, but injuries and a lack of available players mean Paul Holleran’s options are limited, and with Jack Edwards missing for the next two games as he serves a suspension for accumulated bookings matters are not becoming any easier. There was at least a bright spot as Connor Taylor returned for the final minutes having missed the last five matches, while Callum Gittings’ return from injury is looking closer. Holleran is hopeful that Daniel Sweeney will be available for Saturday’s trip to Chester after missing this game due to a thigh strain picked up against York City.

Attendance: 303

Bradford (Park Avenue): Charlie Andrew, Mark Ross, Danny Lowe, Alex Hurst (14 Nicky Clee, 82), Shane Killock ©, Gianluca Havern, Lewis Knight (17 Adam Nowakowski, 86), Conor Branson, Jake Beesley, Macaulay Langstaff (15 Danny East, 68), Jamie Spencer.

Subs not used: 12 Romoney Crichlow-Noble, 16 Oli Johnson.

Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Junior English, Connor Gudger (12 Jack Lane, 75) , Joe Clarke (Sam Wilding, 75), Jamie Hood, James Mace, Jordan Murphy, Reece Flanagan (15 Connor Taylor, 85), Colby Bishop, Jack Edwards, Ahmed Obeng.

Subs not used: 13 Ben Newey, 16 Tom James.

Referee: Mr Aaron Bannister

Assistant Referees: Mr Jamie Rhodes & Mr Daniel Guest

Brakes Man of the Match: Ahmed Obeng.