Vanarama National League North
New Bucks Head
Monday 26th August 2019

Brakes capped a productive August Bank Holiday with a hugely satisfying and deserved victory at the New Bucks Head after falling behind in the opening few minutes, leaving manager Paul Holleran delighted with the level of their performance.

Little magician Ravi Shamsi was the second half hero after Josh March had continued his goal filled start to life in the National League North by thumping Leamington level just before half time. Replacing March after he had taken a knock early in the second half, Shamsi led the Telford defence a merry dance, scoring two superb goals to open his account for the club.

The manager made three changes to his starting eleven from Saturday’s win over Kettering, bringing in Cieron Keane in place of Connor Gudger for only his second start of the season after injury, while James Mace returned to central defence in place of Jamie Hood, while Callum Gittings returned in place of Gift Mussa.

Any early game plan went straight out of the window as Telford were ahead with almost their first attack of the game. Jack Lane initially dispossessed Chris Lait in midfield but the Telford man won the ball back and drove forward and forced a good save from Weaver but unfortunately the goalkeeper only succeeded in pushing the ball into the path of Aaron Williams, who simply couldn’t miss from two yards out.

James McQuilkin was booked as he jumped to block a venomous drive from Callum Gittings on the edge of the box. The Telford man appeared quite indignant that he had even been penalised but Kieran Dunbar did not trouble the goal, his free kick sailing high over the bar much to his disgust.

Brakes forced a right wing corner, the ball appearing to hit Kaiman Anderson as a team attempted to divert it towards goal, but they continued to push forward. Telford were next to threaten however, Brown driving low into the side netting from inside the box.

With drinks breaks the order of the day once more as temperatures soared, the game never really hit any rhythm. Leamington won a free kick in a good position out on the right but Cieron Keane could only find the back of the terrace. Brakes were certainly creating plenty of chances though, the problem was that they were not testing Corey Addai in the Telford goal.

There was controversy moments before half time when Josh March appeared to be brought down in the penalty area, Referee Scott Simpson initially appearing to award a penalty, but with the home players incensed and manager Gavin Cowan way out of his technical area attempting to have his say, after consultation with his assistant on that side of the pitch, the Referee awarded a free kick, which turned out to be just as good as a spot kick as March thundered the ball under an unsuspecting defensive wall and into the back of the net for the equaliser.

Lait drove a shot across goal just before half time but Leamington went in level. The second half took a while to get going, Jack Edwards hoisting a shot towards goal from just inside his own half when a pass to substitute Shamsi might have put Telford in trouble. Keane then put in a glorious delivery from the left that Shamsi looked like he was going to connect with, then hesitated at the last moment.

Shamsi had another chance to show what he could do when Dunbar cleverly lifted the ball towards him inside the box, a stinging drive bringing a flying save out of Coventry City loanee Addai.

The diminutive Iranian was not about to pass up his next opportunity however, dancing past challenges inside the box on the right and tying Ross White in knots before deceiving Addai as he dragged a low shot back inside and in off the near post to the delight of the travelling support.

The goal naturally galvanised Leamington, Shamsi killing a dropping ball stone dead outrageously with a single touch while Gittings did superbly to beat three defenders on the left inside the box with some neat footwork, sadly nobody reading his cross into the centre.

Telford substitute Marcus Dinanga tried an ambitious effort from out on the right which Weaver held well.

Brakes then enjoyed a good spell of possession inside the hosts half, substitute Connor Taylor lifting in a cross to the back post from the right that Theo Streete won just ahead of Edwards at the far post.

The Brakes skipper had the chance to play Shamsi in again when he pounced on Streete’s poor pass just inside the Telford half, but hit the heels of the retreating defender. With an incredible six minutes of time added on it looked like Leamington were in for a nail biting finale but Shamsi calmed the nerves as White’s pass was intercepted and Leamington countered to devastating effect, the pacy front man steaming clear of Streete on the left to plant a superb low drive beyond Addai into the net to cap an impressive first win of the season on the road.

Attendance: 1,012

AFC Telford United: Corey Addai, Ross White, Stephan Morley, Jon Royle, Shane Sutton ©, Theo Streete, Henry Cowans, James McQuilkin, Andre Brown (16 Lewis Reilly 68), Aaron Williams (17 Marcus Dinanga, 63), Chris Lait (15 Darryl Knights, 69).

Subs not used: 12 Brendon Daniels, 14 Adam Walker.

Leamington: Jake Weaver, George Carline, Cieron Keane, Joe Clarke, James Mace, Jack Lane, Kieran Dunbar (15 Connor Taylor, 74), Callum Gittings (12 Reece King, 85), Josh March (14 Ravi Shamsi, 50), Jack Edwards, Kaiman Anderson.

Subs not used: 16 Jamie Hood, 17 Gift Mussa

Referee: Mr Scott Simpson

Assistant Referees: Mr Dean Steatham & Mr Jamie Conde

Brakes Man of the Match: Ravi Shamsi