Vanarama National League North
Gateshead International Stadium
Saturday 22nd January 2022

Despite a hugely encouraging display Leamington went down to third successive National League North defeat up in the North East.

Paul Holleran reverted to the eleven that started the previous league fixture against AFC Fylde, with the exception of Junior English replacing Dylan Barkers in midfield to provide the experience and muscle that would be required against such a dynamic attacking side.

The hosts served notice of the kind of threat they would provide in the opening seconds as they broke forward swiftly with a ball over the top from a Leamington free kick, Paul Blackett outpaced the Brakes defence but was unable to beat Jake Weaver, who made a fine block on the edge of his penalty area to save his side from getting off to the worst possible start.

Kyle Morrison looped a header onto the roof of the net as Leamington did their share of attacking in the opening minutes of the contest, and they certainly did not look overawed as they stood up and took on the league leaders, buoyant after a thumping win over Telford on Tuesday evening.

Gateshead were a whisker away from going in front when Adam Campbell latched onto a poor clearance on the edge of the box with a low first time drive that flew inches past the left hand upright.

However, there was certainly enough evidence in the opening twenty minutes that Leamington had enough in their locker to stay in the game and cause their hosts a few problems along the way.

Quick thinking from Sam Wilding inside the Gateshead penalty area saw him drag the ball back and nutmeg a defender to set up Junior English for a low shot that Jacob Chapman saved with his legs as Brakes enjoyed a spell of pressure.

Weaver got down superbly to deny Blackett once more as the striker threatened to slot past him at his near post; Kyle Morrison completing the clearance as Leamington continued to defend stoutly. Dan Turner then sent a first time volley flashing wide at the other end as English made a nuisance of himself from a free kick hoisted into the box, Kelsey Mooney holding the ball up well to provide the opportunity.

Gateshead would have been kicking themselves moments later as they spurned a glorious chance to go in front. Greg Olley forced another fine block from Weaver, but Macaulay Langstaff then somehow fired the loose ball wide instead of into the back of the net, which was where the raucous home support had expected it to end up.

Morrison sent a header wide from another corner as Leamington pushed forward again in what was turning out to be an absorbing game.

Even when the hosts did eventually take the lead five minutes before half time they had to work extremely hard to beat Weaver, who made yet another save at close range from Langstaff before the ball was eventually forced over the line by Blackett.

The same player turned to fire first time just over the bar as the Heed looked to consolidate their slender advantage.

The game continued in a similar vein as the second half got underway, but Leamington stunned the majority of the sizeable International Stadium crowd three minutes with an equaliser. Gateshead gave the ball away on their left and Mooney took full advantage, skipping into the area before driving in a low shot that deflected into the centre of the six yard box for English to turn home.

The leveller clearly increased the already bubbling confidence levels in the Leamington ranks, and they began to move the ball around with purpose, continuing to pose problems for the Gateshead defence. Mooney dropped to his knees in frustration as he sent a tremendous curling effort towards the top right hand corner only for Chapman to claw the ball away for a corner.

Little had been seen of Gateshead as an attacking force since the resumption but their threat was evident when they broke down the left, Langstaff cutting in to force Weaver into a good block with his chest.

The hosts regained their advantage in slightly fortunate fashion on 67 minutes; the ball bouncing up and striking Wilding on the arm as he attempted to clear his lines. While there was no doubting it was a handball it came at a time when Brakes were in the ascendancy, and they could count themselves unfortunate to be behind again as Langstaff sent Weaver the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Despite this setback Leamington continued to stick to their guns, and although they defended admirably Gateshead found a way through to add a third with five minutes remaining through Langstaff, who turned to thread a low strike beyond Weaver into the far corner.

Weaver capped a superb individual performance in injury time when he denied Cedwyn Scott with a sprawling save after the Heed substitute had danced his way into a shooting position and sent in a low drive that looked destined for the bottom corner.

Another goal would have been harsh on Brakes as they had fully played their part in an entertaining contest, but they will need to draw on the many positives to be taken from their performance as they look to return to winning ways when they host Blyth Spartans next Saturday.

Attendance: 1,297 (54 Leamington fans)

Gateshead: 1 Jacob Chapman, 3 Robbie Tinkler, 6 Mike Williamson, 32 Carl Magnay, 24 Matty Jacob, 20 Owen Bailey, 10 Greg Olley, 25 Taylor Charters (19 Cedwyn Scott, 59), 11 Adam Campbell, 7 Macaulay Langstaff, 9 Paul Blackett (4 Jack Hunter, 77).

Subs not used: 2 Alex Nicholson, 14 Louis Storey, 8 Danny Greenfield.

Leamington: Jake Weaver, Dan Meredith, Stephan Morley, Joe Clarke (14 Joe Parker, 77), Kyle Morrison ©, Jack Lane, Dan Turner, Sam Wilding, Kelsey Mooney, Junior English (17 Jack Edwards 73), Devon Kelly-Evans (16 Callum Gittings, 77).

Subs not used: 12 Dylan Barkers, 15 James Mace.

Referee: Mr James Bancroft

Assistant Referees: Mr Kirk Freeth & Mr Connor Scott

Brakes Man of the Match: Jake Weaver.