Pre Season Friendly
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Tuesday 9th July 2019

Brakes fought out an entertaining draw with Midlands neighbours Walsall at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium.

The Saddlers start life in League 2 this season under new boss Darrell Clarke, who along with his midfield general Stuart Sinclair, who has followed him from previous club Bristol Rovers, last visited Leamington back in March 2011 with Salisbury City. Clarke freely admitted before the game that he has a new group of players and wants to add to it before the big kick off, but this workout would certainly have given him some food for though as Paul Holleran’s side matched his side, made up of first team players in the opening 45 minutes and Academy and trialists in the second half.

Reece King returned to the squad after missing Saturday’s game and went close to opening the scoring inside the first 60 seconds as he drove a low shot past the post.

It was evident early on that Leamington would be afforded far more of the ball than they had against Coventry City but they still had plenty of defending to do, King showing that his aerial presence will be a useful in the coming season as he rose well to head out of the penalty area after Liam Kinsella’s shot had been deflected behind for a corner.

Walsall’s giant number 9 Elijah Adebayo proved to be a real handful throughout the opening half, and had an enjoyable battle with Jack Edwards, operating in a centre back position. A tangle of legs between Adebayo and Joe Clarke resulted in the award of a free kick in a central position just outside the penalty area from which the striker saw his shot deflected through to Tony Breeden.

Callum Cockerill-Mollett got up remarkably well to send a powerful looping header towards goal from another Walsall corner, but Breeden again held onto the ball. Josh Gordon, wearing a protective face mask, then saw the Leamington skipper save his shot after more good work from Adebayo.

Brakes responded, Edwards seeing a free kick blocked before Josh March followed up and won a corner. Adebayo was the focal point of the Walsall attack, and dragged another shot wide of the far post before being involved in what looked like a well rehearsed training ground routine from a free kick, James Clarke meeting a cross to the far post with a knock down for his team mate to shoot just wide, but the offside flag was already raised.

Breeden then did well to hold on to a vicious swerving effort from Adebayo before the two sides went in at half time for a well deserved break.

With a younger looking Saddlers side on the field for the second half Leamington still more than held their own, Breeden holding onto a shot from a trialist as the player tried a low angled drive towards goal.

March then looked to have a fine opportunity to open the scoring as he charged into the area unchallenged, but unfortunately he shot high over the bar. He more than made up for this minutes later however as his persistence saw him get clear on the right wing before he looked up a drove in the perfect low ball for Colby Bishop to sweep powerfully into the net.

Inevitably Leamington started to tire in the closing stages, despite introducing all of their substitutes. Cockerill-Mollett tried his luck from out on the left with a powerful low strike that Breeden held at the second attempt, but he was helpless as another of the Walsall trialists went on a mazy run and was left unchecked as he drove into the penalty area and finished low across goal into the bottom corner, a great solo effort.

Breeden almost put his team in trouble as a mis-hit pass was pounced upon, but quickly redeemed as he saved the resulting shot. Walsall came close to a winner late on, the ball possibly striking the post, but this was a good workout for both teams and will go a long way to helping in the build up to the new season.

We wish Walsall all the best in their League 2 campaign.

Attendance: 411

Leamington: Tony Breeden © (13 Ben Newey, 82), Junior English (15 James Mace, 46), Connor Gudger (16 Cieron Keane, 56), Joe Clarke (17 Trialist B, 61) Jamie Hood, Jack Edwards, Trialist A (12 Kian Taylor, 56), Calum Gittings, Colby Bishop, Reece King, Josh March (14 Connor Taylor, 72).

Walsall (first half): 1 Liam Roberts, 5 James Clarke ©, 6 Dan Scarr, 2 Callum Cockerill-Mollett, 4 Trialist A, 3 Cameron Pring, 23 Shay Lacey, 8 Liam Kinsella, 7 Stuart Sinclair, 9 Elijah Adebayo, 10 Josh Gordon.

(2nd half): 13 Jack Rose, 12 Cameron Norman, 16 Tom Leak, 2 Callum Cockerill-Mollett, 22 Trialist C (17 Joe Foulkes, 72), 14 Alfie Bates, 20 Jack Kiersay, 24 Trialist D, 11 James Hardy, 18 Trialist B, 15 Mitch Candlin.

Subs not used: 21 Joe Willis, 19 Jack Lynch.

Referee: Mr Tom Reeves

Assistant Referees: Mr Mitch Cartwright & Mr Harley McKittrick.