Vanarama National League North
New Meadow Park
Saturday 26th December 2020

Brakes’ eleven match unbeaten run came to an end at the home of the league leaders, but Gloucester City were pushed all the way to the final whistle before they were able to celebrate three points that stretched their advantage at the top of National League North to seven points.

Paul Holleran was forced to make two changes from the eleven that started at Wrexham, Joe Clarke and Lance Smith were unavailable through injury so Callum Gittings and Taylor Allen stepped in.

The opening twenty five minutes or so were without any real incident of note, bar Tigers defender Kevin Dawson receiving a booking for crudely halting Sam Osborne in his tracks as he set off on a run from just inside his own half.

Callum Gittings had tried his luck from long range without success, while a good run down the left from Danny Waldron saw him play in Allen but the Forest Green Rovers loanee could not find the target from a decent position.

Neither side had really been on top at any stage prior to the opening goal, which arrived on 37 minutes. Jack James’ right wing centre was inadvertently diverted into the path of Lewis Brunt, who clinically drilled a powerful low strike beyond Jake Weaver into the bottom corner.

The second half almost got off to an explosive start for Brakes when Sam Osborne did superbly to evade the attentions of two City defenders to get a cross in from the right, Waldron meeting it with a firm header which required a good save from Rhys Lovett to keep his side in front.

Leamington worked hard to apply pressure on the Gloucester goal in the second half, but often their final ball was found wanting. The hosts, as their lofty position backed up, were well organised defensively and restricted the visitors mainly to shots from distance.

Steph Morley curled a free kick just over the bar while a good run from Waldron ended with him scuffing in a shot under pressure that was simple for Lovett. At the opposite end Alex Whittle did well to bamboozle Jack Lane before sending in a bouncing shot which was saved by Weaver.

Simeon Maye and Allen saw shots blocked as time began to run out for Leamington, but as has been the case in many games this season, Paul Holleran’s side never gave up and continued to press, carving out one more decent chance in injury time. Jack Edwards pounced on a half clearance to crash in a vicious first time volley that was superbly kept out by the flying Lovett, a save which ultimately earned his side all three points.

Gloucester City: 1 Rhys Lovett, 3 Alex Whittle, 5 Liam Daly ©, 7 Kevin Dawson, 8 Josh Thomas, 10 Matt McClure (20 Jordan Young, 90), 11 Bernard Mensah (2 Marsh-Brown, 58), 14 Tommy O’Sullivan, 16 Lewis Brunt, 23 Ben Morgan, 17 Jack James (18 Jack Burroughs, 90).

Subs not used: 6 Fabian Robert, 9 Tahvon Campbell.

Leamington: Jake Weaver, Josh Martin (15 Kaiman Anderson, 90), Stephan Morley, Simeon Maye, Kyle Morrison, Jack Lane, Sam Osborne, Callum Gittings (14 Dan Meredith, 81), Taylor Allen, Jack Edwards ©, Danny Waldron (12 Junior English, 74).

Subs not used: 16 Connor Taylor, 17 Ben Newey (GK).

Referee: Mr Ed Duckworth

Assistant Referees: Mr Luis Martin & Mr Daniel Pattison

Brakes Man of the Match: Simeon Maye.