Vanarama National League North
Victory Park
Saturday 13th November 2021

Brakes were unable to mark their manager’s twelfth anniversary in charge with a win as they were edged out by Chorley at Victory Park.

Paul Holleran opted to stick with the same eleven that had performed so impressively against York in midweek, and they made a bright start, Alex Prosser driving powerfully past an upright from distance. A decent ball into the centre from Dan Meredith on the right then almost found the in-rushing Kelsey Mooney, but Magpies keeper Matt Urwin got there just ahead of him.

Jon Ustabasi’s low strike that whistled inches past Jake Weaver’s left hand post was Chorley’s first effort of the afternoon - the Brakes keeper looked to have it covered however.

Joe Parker’s name was the first into Referee John Mulligan’s notebook for his late challenge on Ustabasi in the centre of the field - something that he would later come to regret.

Brakes continued to enjoy a fair portion of attacking play without being able to create any problems for the hosts defence, and gradually Jamie Vermiglio’s side began to get on top, posing a big threat from corner kicks. They struck the outside of the far post as one was played across goal, and skipper Scott Leather spurned a glorious opportunity to head them in front from another, directing his effort off target when unmarked.

The only goal of the game arrived on 38 minutes, and was a disappointing one to concede from a Leamington perspective. The warning signs had already been there from previous corners but another delivery from the right by Adam Blakeman saw Harry Cardwell get the decisive first touch to head on for Connor Hall at the far post, who had the simplest of tasks to nod into the net from a few yards out.

Leamington had a half chance from a stoppage time corner of their own, Kyle Morrrison sending the ball looping dangerously towards goal, but Urwin kept his eye on it to claim.

Chorley really should have doubled their lead around the hour mark - Cardwell slicing his shot wide after a very good build up involving several players. The hosts saw the game tip further in their favour minutes after this however when Parker received what looked like a needless second yellow card after he sent Ustabasi tumbling into the advertising boards after the Chorley man had already released the ball. The travelling support, who were less than impressed with some of the decisions made throughout by the man in charge, were far from impressed when after a brief spell lying prostrate at the side of the pitch the Chorley man leapt to his feet and sprinted back into position as if nothing had happened. This was largely irrelevant however, as the decision had been made and Leamington now had to play out the final 25 minutes or so a man light.

They managed to do this relatively comfortably in fairness, restricting their hosts to just one good opportunity to seal their win late on - Ustabasi forcing a fine save from Weaver.

Prior to this Joe Clarke had screwed a volley well wide following a left wing corner, while Prosser’s smart turn some 30 yards out gave him the chance to drive powerfully towards goal, but his effort went wide.

The Brackley Town loan man went closest to a late leveller when he found space to drive low to the near post, forcing a fine save from Urwin, who had been largely unemployed for the previous 45 minutes.

It was a disappointing way to end the recent unbeaten sequence, but put into perspective Brakes competed well against a side looking for promotion who had been on a good recent run of their own.

‘It was what you expect, going away to Chorley,’ said Paul Holleran after the game. ‘I thought they were very good; in the first half particularly. They don’t let you breathe - from dead ball situations they’re better than anyone in the league, and we certainly found it hard in the first 45, without being opened up so much from general play - but in terms of being out thought and out muscled a bit, you couldn’t deny that they were good first half.

‘I thought in the second half we were much better - we were braver, we got up the pitch more, we spun them round a bit and asked a lot more questions of them, without creating clear opportunities.

‘Obviously the sending off; the two yellow cards, were…… interesting. I had a good line of sight on the second. The ball had already gone out of play, I thought the player was already going down when Joe made contact - that’s what a right sided player does when going across a left back. I don’t know - I’m not sure. It was harsh for a second yellow I think, to be fair to us.

‘I’ve always said there is a way to win games and a way to lose games; and the way we were at it second half; even with ten men we pushed them back and created a couple of half chances and then we’ve had the great opportunity at the death - good bit of play down the right hand side, good link up between Devon and Alex - and it’s taken an absolutely fantastic save - and not only that we had people coming to follow in - but he’s not only saved it he’s pushed it up and away over players… Listen they deserved to win the game - there’s no ifs and buts about that; but to win games it takes a lot of ingredients - and to be fair after the game people are talking about Matt Urwin’s save at the end. I was much more pleased with our second half performance. I think we did what you need to do when you go away to Chorley much better in the second half - I didn’t think we did that first half. We’ve had five Saturdays away from home on the bounce - it’s been a tough schedule but the boys have been tremendous. We had a good go, the boys asked a few questions in the second half, but the best side won. We’ll move on to next week.

Turning his thoughts to to forthcoming games this week, Paul said ‘West Brom gives us a chance to get everybody involved, use the squad, and Southport - I actually said, a few weeks ago, when they were bottom of the league, that they were one of the best sides I’ve seen this year, and you can see their results now, so it’s going to be a great game. I’m looking forward to getting back and having a couple of games at home.’

Attendance: 1,225

Chorley: 1 Matt Urwin, 2 Adam Henley, 5 Scott Leather ©, 6 Lewis Baines, 7 Billy Whitehouse (15 Mace Goodridge, 88), 8 Mike Calveley, 9 Harry Cardwell, 10 Willem Tomlinson, 11 Jon Ustabasi, 16 Adam Blakeman (3 Harvey Smith, 57), Connor 27 Hall (18 Millenic Alli, 75).

Subs not used: 12 Jacob Blyth, 13 Oliver Shenton.

Leamington: Jake Weaver, Dan Meredith, Stephan Morley, Joe Clarke (14 Kieran Cook, 82), Kyle Morrison, Jack Lane, Joe Parker, Alex Prosser, Kelsey Mooney (12 Devon Kelly-Evans, 70), Jack Edwards © (17 Callum Gittings, 82), Dan Turner.

Subs not used: 15 Joe Willis, 16 Kaiman Anderson.

Referee: Mr John Mulligan

Assistant Referees: Mr Thomas Hales & Mr Alexander Kelly

Brakes Man of the Match: Alex Prosser.