Pre Season Friendly
Your Co-op Community Stadium
Tuesday 20 July 2021

by Max Passantino

Leamington bounced back from their 2-0 loss on Saturday against Rushall Olympic with a thumping 4-1 win over a West Bromwich Albion XI which boasted Football League experience in their side.

Brakes started brightly and after three minutes a trademark cross from Steph Morley was met at the back post by Kaiman Anderson but he couldn’t direct his header on target as his effort flew wide.

The constant early pressure from Leamington continued, and on the seventh minute Brakes found themselves one up, as a Kieran Cook free kick was headed at the goalkeeper by Callum Gittings; the ‘keeper parrying straight into Josh Martin’s stride who tucked it away.

Almost immediately, the Baggies equalised. Rico Richards was the man sent on the counter who slotted low past Jake Weaver to give West Brom their equalising goal. Their lead wasn’t to stay intact for long though as in an almost identical counter attack as the West Brom goal. Dan Turner broke free and after his shot was saved by Josh Griffiths, Kaiman Anderson was jogging on the spot to turn it into an empty net.

With twenty played, it was three for Leamington. A long Jake Weaver goal was brought down by Brakes’ summer signing Kieran Cook who outrageously  volleyed with his left foot into the top corner of the West Brom goal. Should that goal have been scored on Soccer AM, it would’ve flown into the top bin!

Rico Richards’ pace was once again causing problems for the Leamington defence as he was once again slotted through on the counter, but his effort was saved by a diving Jake Weaver. With eight minutes to go, it was four for Leamington. Joe Parker broke down on the right hand side and crossed into the box, the cross just evading Kaiman Anderson but finding Kieran Cook, on the crest of a wave who tucked away on the half volley to ensure the Brakes would have 4 at half time.

The first card of the night came early in the second half, as Saul Shotton dragged down Joe Parker who looked through on goal. There were few chances in the first 25 minutes of the second half, one of the only ones to note was a West Brom player heading over from a couple of yards out from a corner.

With 75 played, youngster Josh Beeson had a half chance - firing his shot into the side netting. Jamie Andrews had a good chance for the Baggies a couple of minutes later but his effort flew over the goal into the fields. Brakes countered and a Josh Beeson cross was narrowly headed wide by a West Brom defender, the resulting corner being headed away by a defender.

The second half passed by with little more chances and Brakes were able to record their second win of pre-season. Next up for Leamington is SkyBet EFL League Two side Forest Green Rovers on Saturday at Your Co-op Community Stadium.

Attendance:

Leamington: Jake Weaver (13 Josh Allen, 80), Dan Meredith, Stephan Morley, Simeon Maye (14 Joe Clarke, 54), Josh Martin (17 James Mace, 64), Jack Lane © , Kaiman Anderson (16 Trialist A, 64), Callum Gittings (12 Jack Edwards, 46), Dan Turner (15 Danny Waldron, 46), Joe Parker (19 Trialist B, 71), Kieran Cook (18 Josh Beeson, 73)

West Brom XI: Josh Griffiths, Alex Williams, Andrew Keer, Saul Shotton, Zak Delaney, Zak Ashworth, Jovan Malcolm, Jamie Andrews, Owen Windsor, Aurio Teixeira, Rico Richards

Subs not known.

Referee: Rob Massey-Ellis

 Assistant referees: Scott Postin, Richard Cutts