Vanarama National League North
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Tuesday 22nd January 2020

Brakes fought out a second successive no score draw for the first time since the dark days of the late 1980’s, but while Saturday’s clash with Chester had been something of a war of attrition this one was a thoroughly entertaining affair against first time visitors Gateshead that Leamington grew into after spending most of the first half under the cosh.

Paul Holleran made one enforced change to his starting eleven, Callum Gittings replacing the injured Joe Clarke while Joe Parker, signed from Gloucester just hours earlier, made his debut in the second half from the substitutes bench.

The first half proved to be very much a backs to the wall exercise for Leamington for long periods as they had to soak up large amounts of pressure from the visitors, who quickly showed themselves to be a very good passing side. However, they were largely restricted to wayward off target efforts on goal by a hard working Brakes side.

An early free kick conceded by James Mace was driven wide of the target by Nicky Deverdics. Both sides failed to take advantage of corner kicks won, while successive free kicks for the visitors in promising positions were fired against the Leamington defensive wall. Jordan Preston registered the first shot on target of the evening, a low curling effort that was saved by Jake Weaver.

As the game passed the half hour Leamington emerged from a particularly tough spell of Gateshead pressure to begin to push forward themselves, but Mike Williamson’s side, with their manager in central defence, were soon on the front foot once more, trying to switch things with the aerial approach. Brakes dealt with it well under more pressure, but were indebted to their goalkeeper in added time. Weaver looked to have been beaten by Greg Olley’s flicked header but stretched out an arm to hook the ball away from goal and claim at the second attempt.

The Heed saw a great chance to take the lead pass them by early in the second half as Olley robbed Jack Lane before charging into space on the right, deciding to square for Preston, who could only fire straight at Weaver.

Gateshead’s new loan signing Mitch Curry was introduced and almost scored with his first touch as he connected with a sweeping low cross but Weaver was equal to it once more, producing a fine save.

Parker was introduced just prior to the hour mark and almost introduced himself to his new team mates and supporters in spectacular style. Callum Maycock slipped him through on goal with a fine pass, Gateshead keeper Brad James denying Parker a debut goal with a brave stop. Just seconds later the ball landed at his feet from a half cleared corner and he smashed a fierce half volley towards goal from 20 yards that crashed off the outside of the post.

This was a much more even contest now and Leamington went close once more when an inch perfect through ball from Bremang set Kaiman Anderson away down the right, his shot deflected behind.

The home support in the Harbury Lane End terrace were enraged as Anderson received a booking for what looked more like an innocent collision just inside the Gateshead penalty area, picking up a knock in the process which led to him being replaced by Kieran Dunbar, who was quickly involved himself. Maycock looked to be impeded as he shaped to shoot inside the box. The ball was only half cleared to Dunbar just outside the box and he crashed it back towards goal only to be denied by a great save from James.

Gateshead briefly threatened again in the closing minutes, skipper Scott Barrow thundering in a free kick that left the crossbar shaking, but both sides were forced to settle for a point after an absorbing second half.

Managers’ Reaction

‘I think Gateshead, the system, the possession game they play - you could probably see first half I think at times, their pressing all over the pitch, you could see the difference between a part time football club that have had a tough schedule and a full time football club that are bang at it at the moment.

‘At times, something that we’ve drilled into the boys here over the years, this happens in this league - you’ve got to hang on in there, and we did. We kept a lot of it in front of us. You have to say there was some good rotation from them, and you can see why they’ve been getting results after the turbulent start they had. I was really impressed with them but then second half we said come on, we’ve hung on in there and now we’ve got to be better. You’ve got to get the ball wide with the system they’ve got, you’ve got to try and get your full backs up the pitch and your two wide men in the game. There was a spell in the second half when it was a real good open game, and we had a 15-20 minute spell where we were really on top. The two lads, Kaiman and Connor - Connor hasn’t played a lot of football - you can’t deny how hard they’ve worked, their work ethic - they were warhorses for the team, but Joe just gave them something more to think about - you could see that straight away. He made good runs from out to in, got between wing backs and centre halves, and he was unlucky on a couple of occasions, wasn't he? That probably helped the players still on the pitch too because we were finding it hard to break them down. It got us up the pitch a bit and put them on the back foot and we had a really good spell then and were probably a little bit unlucky with a couple of chances - the post, one of the penalty shouts maybe - but they’ve been unlucky as well. Even though we’ve had a real good go there, I think we’ll be happier with the draw.’

Attendance: 310

Leamington: Jake Weaver, Junior English, Stephan Morley, Callum Gittings, James Mace, Jack Lane, Kaiman Anderson (12 Kieran Dunbar, 72), Callum Maycock, David Bremang, Jack Edwards ©, Connor Taylor (14 Joe Parker, 56).

Subs not used: 15 Josh Martin, 16 Kyle McFarlane, 17 Tom James.

Gateshead: Brad James, Alex Nicholson, Elliot Forbes, Connor Oliver (14 Liam Agnew, 77), Jake Cooper, Mike Williamson, Dom Tear (16 Mitch Curry, 54), Nicky Deverdics, Jordan Preston, Greg Olley, Scott Barrow ©.

Subs not used: 12 Danny Greenfield, 13 Sam Guthrie, 15 Connor Thompson.

Referee: Mr Jon Kenny

Assistant Referees: Mr Jamie Conde & Mr Lewis Morgan

Brakes Man of the Match: Jack Lane.