Pre Season Friendly
SportNation.Bet Stadium
Saturday 26th September

Brakes were given another stern examination by National League neighbours Solihull Moors as they played their final 90 minutes of pre season before the serious action begins next weekend.

Danny Waldron had opened the scoring after just three minutes as Leamington stunned their hosts in their opening attack of the game, but Paul Holleran’s men spent long periods of the game facing their own goal as they were regularly put under the cosh by a slick Moors outfit who look set for another good season in Non League’s top tier.

Moors began in much the same fashion as they had done in the previous friendly two weeks earlier Adam Rooney driving a shot into the advertising boards behind the goal under pressure from Jack Lane in the opening exchanges.

Waldron took full advantage of his first opportunity with just three minutes on the clock, getting goal side of Jordan Cranston on the right before driving into the box and drilling a low strike beyond Ryan Boot into the far corner to give Leamington the perfect start.

Skipper Jack Edwards then forced Ryan Boot into a decent save with a well struck volley from Connor Taylor’s ball into the box, the goalkeeper diving full length to push the ball away from danger.

Solihull levelled things up on 13 minutes, Rooney glancing home a fine header from Jordan Cranston’s inviting left wing centre, leaving Jake Weaver rooted to the spot.

Joe Sbarra was once again a constant threat down the right, and swung in another decent cross which was met by a thumping header from Alex Gudger which was well off target.

Leamington looked to have a legitimate shout for a penalty when Kyle Morrison was bundled to the ground as the ball was played into the Moors penalty area, but the Referee was unmoved.

In contrast to the first half at the Community Stadium, although having to defend in depth for long spells Brakes were certainly giving as good as they got, looking just as composed and organised as their National League counterparts. After soaking up a spell of Moors pressure, Sam Osborne drove forward and sent a low drive skidding just past the post.

Solihull’s pressure paid off minutes before half time when the ball was recycled by Stephen Glesson on the right and his cross to the left of the penalty was met by Rooney, who almost beat Weaver with a controlled looping header, only to be denied by a fine stretching save. Unfortunately for the Leamington keeper Sbarra was on hand to tap the loose ball into the net.

Moors looked to be ending the half with the chance to go two goals ahead when Rooney let a through ball run past him and appeared to be clipped by Lane, but as he got to his feet expecting the Referee to be pointing to the spot, only for a free kick to be awarded to the visitors.

Waldron registered the first opportunity of the second half as Solihull gave the ball away 25 yards from their own goal, but his low strike was straight at Boot.

James Ball was chopped down on the edge of the Leamington area, skipper Kyle Storer lining up the free kick but firing it just past the post. They won another moments later and took it quickly, Sbarra touching it to Rooney who turned and fired towards goal inside the box, but Weaver was alert and held the ball comfortably.

Waldron picked the pocket of Tyrone Williams on the left in front of the Leamington dugout and set off towards goal, cutting inside and winding up a powerful effort that was well blocked by Callum Howe.

Just past the hour mark the hosts punished a Brakes slip once again. Following a spell of possession Josh Martin was the man to lose the ball, and Sbarra played Rooney in, the striker taking his time before sending a measured shot bouncing past the dive of Weaver into the net.

Weaver did well to stretch and paw out a header from Alex Gudger as Solihull continued to press hard for a fourth goal, but they finished comfortable winners.

Solihull Moors: Boot, Tyrone Williams, Jordan Cranston (Lewis Miccio, 77), Kyle Storer ©, Callum Howe, Alex Gudger, Cameron Coxe, Stephen Gleeson, Adam Rooney, James Ball (Trialist, 61), Joe Sbarra (Trialist, 61).

Subs not used: Niall Clayton, Jordan Piggott, Callum Maycock, Melis Bushaj, Darren Carter.

Leamington: Jake Weaver, Junior English (15 Callum Gittings, 72), Kyle Morrison, Jack Lane, Josh Martin, Simeon Maye, Joe Clarke (12 Dan Meredith, 69), Connor Taylor, Danny Waldron, Jack Edwards (16 Joe Parker, 80), Sam Osborne (14 Kaiman Anderson, 69).

Sub not used: 13 Ben Maxwell.