Vanarama National League North

Nethermoor Park

Saturday 9 October 2021

by Max Passantino

Leamington’s dreams of a first win away at Guiseley dissolved as second half goals from Jordan Thewlis and Regan Hutchinson ensured all three points would be staying in West Yorkshire.

Paul Holleran was forced into a change with Jack Edwards suspended - new signing loan Joe Willis filling in at the centre of midfield and Joe Clarke took the captain’s armband. 

It was the hosts with the first chance of the game. Jake Hull saw his shot tipped over by Jake Weaver, the following corner coming to nothing. From an almost identical place five minutes later Walsall loanee Joe Willis looked to introduce himself to the Brakes fans in style but his powerful strike flew over. 

Kyle Morrison blocked a Jordan Thewlis shot in the twelfth minute, prompting the home fans to warm up their vocal chords in support of their side. Leamington attacked, with Dan Turner getting fouled in close proximity of the Guiseley box. Steph Morley’s resulting free kick was blocked, and a corner won by Kelsey Mooney a minute later also fizzled out without any real trouble for the hosts. 

Dan Turner was in the action once again just before the twentieth minute as he saw his shot blocked on the line by George Cantrill. Leamington couldn’t find the breakthrough in the minutes that followed, despite continuous pressure - with no one able to get a shot off. Turner was the man at the back post again, as he connected with a driven Kaiman Anderson cross but the former Port Vale man couldn’t get enough power on the ball as it brushed wide off his studs.

Guiseley threatened, with Jake Weaver being forced into a flying save from Lebrun Mbeka, and two minutes later Jordan Thewlis looked as if he was through but Kyle Morrison sprinted to get back and put in an inch perfect sliding challenge as Thewlis looked to get his shot off. 

A half volley from the edge of the box from Jordan Thewlis nine minutes from the half time whistle was the last big chance of the first 45 but Weaver was equal to it. Callum Gittings was brought down just before the half time whistle and stayed down for a couple of minutes, receiving treatment from physio Pete Denham - Brakes players and supporters stunned that a free kick had not been given. 

Jacob Gratton was relatively quiet in the first half, but he sprung into life early on in the second seeing a shot fly over and wide in the first ten of the second 45. Twelve minutes, Guiseley thought they’d taken the lead but the linesman gave offside as the ball hit the back of the net. 

With twenty minutes to play the Lions were given an ideal chance to take the lead with the assistant referee awarding a dubious penalty - the ball thought to have hit Kyle Morrison’s hand in the penalty area. Jordan Thewlis stepped up and slotted the ball low to Jake Weaver’s left to give the hosts the lead.

Holleran looked to change things up after the goal, with Joe Parker and Kieran Cook being introduced for Kaiman Anderson and Callum Gittings. Dan Meredith pushed further forwards as the Brakes switched to a three at the back formation, however only three minutes after the introduction of Parker and Cook the hosts were two up, as Regan Hutchinson side footed low under Weaver. 

Leamington’s best chance of the second half came with ten minutes from time as Dan Turner found some space on the edge of the Guiseley box after a good run - only to see his shot hit the post.

With Guiseley happy with their lead, the game fizzled out without anything to shout about making sure they would be able to pick up their second league win of the campaign. 

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After the game, Paul Holleran gave his thoughts telling me that he was ‘bitterly disappointed. I thought the first half performance was ideal for an away game. I thought our game management was good, we’ve had the two best chances of the game which we didn’t put away. But Guiseley came on strong in the second half, we dealt with it and the game was nicely poised.’

‘But sadly for the second Saturday in a row we’ve had decisions go against us - a bit like last week - when the officials look at the video they’ll ring up saying sorry again. That’s the key thing about the game today, at 0-0 the game is nicely poised but it’s the penalty decision that the referee hasn’t given from 5,6 yards away but he’s allowed an assistant who’s god knows how far away to overrule him.’

‘From the penalty we’ve gone 3-5-2 to try and get back into the game. There were parts where we looked okay, but we were a little bit open - and a bit like Tuesday we got to 70 minutes and have got decisions to make to go for it which leave you vulnerable on the counter attack and the second goal was that. But Guiseley played well today, however I’m disappointed that we’ve come out on the wrong way of decisions for the third or fourth game on the bounce.’

‘The players have worked really well, this league’s not an easy league and if you want an easy life then you can drop down to step 3 so we’ve got to be big boys about it, lick our wounds and go again.’

Attendance: 725

Guiseley: Luke Jackson, George Cantrill, Brad Nicholson, Prince Ekpolo, Hamza Bencheriff ©, Lebrun Mbeka, Jake Hull, Jamie Spencer (17 Bailey Thompson 85), Jacob Gratton, Jordan Thewlis (16 Adam Haw 85), Regan Hutchinson (12 Ollie Brown 92)

Subs not used: Lewis Hey, Shaun Tuton

Leamington: Jake Weaver, Dan Meredith, Steph Morley, Joe Clarke ©, Kyle Morrison, Jack Lane, Kaiman Anderson (14 Kieran Cook 73), Joe Willis (12 Devon Kelly-Evans 83), Kelsey Mooney, Callum Gittings (15 Joe Parker 73), Dan Turner

Subs not used: Josh Martin, Junior English

Referee: Jonathan Urwin

Assistant Referees: Stephen Rushworth & Jamie Water

Brakes Man of the Match: Dan Meredith