Vanarama National League North
New Bucks Head
Saturday 30th October 2021

Brakes made the relatively short journey to Shropshire to play out a draw with AFC Telford United in a hastily rearranged fixture after the game with Kettering was postponed due to the Poppies continuing issues with Covid 19 affecting their squad.

In our National League North infancy it would not be amiss to say that, especially from a fans perspective, we were somewhat in awe of coming to places like Telford with their magnificent stadium but that inferiority complex has slowly vanished as the team have established themselves in the division, and they now travel away from home knowing that they are capable of competing.

Paul Holleran named an unchanged starting eleven for the third consecutive match, with Kelsey Mooney still absent but at the game supporting his team mates along with Simeon Maye, whose left leg is in full plaster after his operation. He hopes to be back in training early in the New Year.

Under newly appointed manager Dennis Greene the home side began on the front foot, Cameron Antwi sending an early sighter wide of Jake Weaver’s left hand post. At the other end Dan Meredith’s curler into the arms of Russ Griffiths was probably intended more as a cross.

Saul Shotton’s header from Elliott Durrell’s right wing corner looked to be going wide, but Joe Clarke diverted it behind for another flag kick which came to nothing. Dan Turner then made a strong run towards the Telford box, winning a corner of his own from which a half clearance dropped for Walsall loan man Joe Willis to crack a half volley into the arms of Griffiths. He was a little more off beam with his next effort however as the ball dropped to him again just outside the box, sending a low first time strike well wide.

Aside from the opening five minutes Brakes enjoyed a comfortable period of play where they allowed their hosts few opportunities to get out of their own half, but when Telford did get forward they appeared intent on playing the ball around nicely with neat one touch passes.

Leamington were certainly enjoying the bulk of the attacking play as the game approached half time, both sides exchanging long range efforts did not trouble either goalkeeper.

Telford certainly began to exert more pressure before the interval, Durrell seeing a shot well blocked inside the box and Williams blazing the follow up over the bar, but there was little to separate the two sides, something which almost seemed to be mirrored on the terraces, with the two sets of fans becoming steadily quieter as the half wore on.

Kieran Cook hit a tame close range shot into Griffiths from Parker’s right wing cross in the opening seconds after the restart.

Williams showed how dangerous he could be with his pace as the hosts capitalised on a loose pass in midfield to break quickly; Kyle Morrison preventing the cross with a firm block.

Cook fully extended Griffiths with his next opportunity as he wriggled into space on the left, forcing a block from the Telford keeper with a low driven effort. Antwi then thumped a swerving effort at Weaver as Leamington struggled to clear their lines twenty yards from goal.

Turner held onto the ball well inside the box to set up Cook for a shot that curled wide as the two sides traded blows. Morrison stood firm again as Antwi pulled the ball back for Jason Oswell, but from the corner young West Bromwich Albion loanee Shotton came as close as anybody to opening the scoring as his header clipped the top of the bar.

Both sides made double changes around the hour mark in a bid to turn the game in their favour, but the opener would come from the penalty spot on 70 minutes. Meredith was booked for his challenge on Antwi, who looked to be clean through, and Durrell stepped up to put the penalty just out of Weaver’s reach into the bottom left hand corner.

The old adage that you are never more vulnerable than when you have just scored a goal would come to bite Telford here however, as Leamington were level within two minutes. Substitute Devon Kelly-Evans looked busy as soon as he stepped onto the pitch, and delivered a ball in from the left which Edwards met with a diving header that Griffiths saved well, but the loose ball dropped perfectly for fellow substitute Kaiman Anderson to scoop into the net - the former Shrewsbury Town youngster's second goal of the season.

Anderson broke again with Turner in support, but his shot was well blocked by Kevin Berkoe, and then won a free kick with another strong run which led to a succession of corners as Brakes searched for a late clincher.

Both sides had little spells in the closing minutes but neither ever really created anything which deserved to take all three points.

Durrell sent a low drive skidding across goal and just wide of the upright, while the impish Kelly-Evans set up Turner for a shot that was blocked, but shortly after this the final whistle sounded on a draw that overall was probably the right result.

‘We tinkered with it a little bit in the second half and looked much better. Obviously there was no doubt about the penalty for 1-0, but the key thing was that we’ve scored within two or three minutes. Our substitutes made the difference today, and that was always going to happen with us having travelled to Darlington last Saturday, playing Farsley on Tuesday and then coming to Telford today - there’s going to be some tired legs out there. It’s always nice when you bring three subs on - our wide men made an impact, and Gitto got on the ball in the middle of the park when the game opened up, and I think the last half hour was probably our strongest spell. We possibly could have nicked it but I think you’d have to say a draw was about right today. It was an entertaining game, we’ve kept the points board ticking over, and it’s been a good week for us with some good individual performances.

‘The week’s rest before the trip up to Blyth is needed - it gives us the chance to rest some bruised and battered bodies and gradually build it up over the week, and it will give Kelsey Mooney and Steph Morley the chance to get back up to speed too.’

Attendance: 962

AFC Telford United: 1 Russ Griffiths, 3 Ross White, 18 Kevin Berkoe, 26 Saul Shotton, 22 Liam Ravenhill (5 Zak Lilly, 60), 7 Elliott Durrell, 8 Adam Walker ©, 9 Jason Oswell, 25 Cameron Antwi, 14 Kai Williams (10 Dom McHale, 60), 23 Tom Sparrow (17 Jack Byrne, 86).

Subs not used: 20 Brad Bood, 4 Jed Abbey.

Leamington: Jake Weaver, Josh Martin, Dan Meredith, Joe Clarke, Kyle Morrison, Jack Lane, Joe Parker (14 Kaiman Anderson, 63), Joe Willis (15 Callum Gittings, 74), Dan Turner, Jack Edwards ©, Kieran Cook (12 Devon Kelly-Evans, 63).

Subs not used: 16 Stephan Morley, 17 Junior English.

Referee: Mr Liam Marshall

Assistant Referees: Mr Jonathan Wyatt & Mr Daniel Stokes.

Brakes Man of the Match: Kyle Morrrison.