Pre Season Friendly
Lye Meadow
Saturday 20th July 2019

By Max Passantino

Josh March had a happy return to Lye Meadow as he scored a hat trick in an emphatic Brakes victory in the fifth pre season friendly of the season.

Martyn Naylor and Tom James oversaw the match in Worcestershire as Paul Holleran was absent. Brakes named two trialists in their matchday squad of 15.

The visitors started the brightest as referee George Warren awarded two free kicks in the first seven minutes, both about 20 yards out. Cieron Keane’s first free kick just evaded the onrushing head of Josh March, and on his second attempt; the ball curled just over the goal.

Five minutes later the pressure paid off, as Leamington got a corner, which Cieron Keane played perfectly onto the head of Josh March who, in the six yard box, barely had to leave the ground to guide the ball past Lloyd Ransome in goal for Alvechurch to put Leamington one goal to the good.

The lead only lasted 6 minutes though, as Kyle Morrison found himself at the back post following a cross from the Alvechurch right hand side, and - after a scramble - he managed to tap it past Tony Breeden into the goal to level the game.

Relatively new Brakes signing Reece King’s day ended on the 25th minute as he went in for a strong challenge on Alvechurch, injuring his foot in the process. He was replaced by Trialist B, meaning both trialists would be on the pitch at the same time.

With half an hour played, Leamington found themselves playing exciting football on the floor - creating some chances, but as the risk with playing fast football on the ground, the ball was lost and David Roberts ran through past the Leamington back line, to find his shot whilst one on one with Tony Breeden to go out for a throw in on the other side of the pitch.

Both teams had created a lot of chances in the first half, with Alvechurch finding themselves on top with the last chance of the half - a corner that was played over everyone in the box.

Alvechurch were the side that started the second half brightly as well, as David Roberts has a header - but it was easily caught by Breeden. Shortly after, Leamington went up, and Jack Edwards found himself alone in the box but narrowly headed wide.

As Alvechurch started to think that the game had swung back to the side in amber and black as substitute Aaran Gilphin shot narrowly over from 25 yards, Leamington went on the break, Connor Gudger’s low cross finding Josh March to slide home from 12 yards out.

Alvechurch got a bit of momentum back in the 70th minute as John Atherton had two great chances. Firstly he found himself unmarked 3 yards out, but he somehow managed to clip the underside of the ball and it went cruising over the goal. He had a chance to redeem himself four minutes later as he was handed a free header, which was on target but Tony Breeden showed great reaction to palm the ball away.

With 8 minutes remaining, Alvechurch were looking tired, and Leamington countered on that. Trialist B got tackled by the goalkeeper outside of the penalty box, but the ball fell kindly to Josh March who managed to chip 3 Alvechurch defenders and a scrambling goalkeeper to put the ball into the corner of the net, and put the game out of Church’s reach.

Four minutes later, the last chance of the game came the Brakes way, as Trialist B capped off a good performance with a calm finish 14 yards out to make it 4 for the Brakes.

George Warren blew his whistle to end the proceedings in a stylish win for the Brakes, albeit against lower league opposition. Next the Brakes travel to Racing Club Warwick on Tuesday night before hosting a West Brom XI on Saturday for the final pre season game.

Alvechurch: Lloyd Ransome (Bobby Biddle 45’), Kyle Morrison, Kyle Rowley, Mitch Botfield (Oli Hough 39’), Jamie Willets©️, Dean Fisher, Josh Ezekiele, Taylor Morrison (Aaran Gilphin 63’), Danico Johnson, David Roberts (Ben Cassidy 79’), John Atherton (Ant Smith 84’)

Subs not used: Peter Till, Jordan Smith-Williams

Leamington: Tony Breeden©️ (Ben Newey 83’), James Mace (Shay Nicholson 83’), Connor Gudger, Joe Clarke, Jack Edwards, Jack Lane, Connor Taylor, Trialist A, Josh March, Reece King (Trialist B 25’), Cieron Keane

Sub Not Used: Tom James

Referee: George Warren
Assistant Referees: Ryan McIlravey, Paul Sparrow

Attendance: 110 (Head Count)