Vanarama National League North
Your Co-op Community Stadium
Saturday 29th January 2022

The second half introduction of Jack Edwards proved to be the spark that Leamington needed to record a much needed three points in the National League North for the first time since early November.

The Brakes skipper has slowly returned to action in the last couple of games after a worrying period on the sidelines, but he highlighted just how important he is to Paul Holleran’s team as he stepped off the substitutes bench to score what turned out to be the only goal of the game in the final ten minutes.

New signing Adam Walker was thrust into the starting line up for his debut after signing from Telford in the week, as the manager switched things up in an attempt to find a winning formula.

A healthy crowd of 635 assembled inside Your Co-op Community Stadium, spookily exactly the same figure that attended the reverse fixture up at Blyth! There was a noticeably better atmosphere than there had been in recent games as the Brakes support did their best to galvanise their heroes.

A 35 yard free kick from Stephan Morley was the first effort at goal from either side in the game, coming on nine minutes, and though it did not trouble Alex Mitchell in the Spartans goal it was not far off target.

JJ O’Donnell drove a low strike wide for the visitors with many in the home support feeling that play should have been pulled back after Devon Kelly-Evans was left needing treatment for a challenge in the build up.

The visitors sent another effort towards goal from distance which lacked the power to trouble Jake Weaver as it rolled into his arms.

Leamington looked short of the confidence they had shown up at league leaders Gateshead the previous Saturday, but they were doing their best to take the game to their in form opponents. Dan Meredith saw a shot blocked, before Dan Turner did well to get one on target inside the six yard box while under considerable pressure from a defender.

Turner then pressed well to win back possession on the left, darting into the box and making for the touchline before seeing his shot blocked at the near post.

A free kick from out on the left for Blyth seemed to almost strike Weaver as he came off his line to try and claim the ball. However unorthodox it looked, it was effective.

The pattern of the game continued into the second half with neither side able to take hold of proceedings. Edwards was introduced with a little under half an hour remaining, and was quickly involved, beating Mitchell to the ball at his near post to head into the centre, where a shot was blocked. He then snatched at his shot as Turner headed the ball down to him just outside the box, sending it curving well off target.

The manager threw on Kelsey Mooney and Callum Gittings in an attempt to take control of the game as it entered its final stages, and a moment of quality from Edwards was what helped to swing it in Leamington’s favour.

Latching on to a neat pass from Kelly-Evans inside the penalty area on the left, the angle was tight, but the substitute forced a save from Mitchell with his shot, and from the resulting left wing corner rose highest to head towards goal, the Blyth keeper getting a hand to the ball but only able to help it into the net.

Relief was etched on the face of the Brakes skipper as his team mates engulfed him, and it was matched by the roar from the Harbury Lane End as the supporters realised that a precious three points were finally in sight.

There was little action of note in the minutes that remained, leaving those of a Gold and Black persuasion to celebrate a long awaited victory that will hopefully be the springboard to better fortunes ahead.

Attendance: 635

Leamington: Jake Weaver, Dan Meredith, Stephan Morley, Sam Wilding (16 Callum Gittings, 71), Kyle Morrison ©, Jack Lane, Joe Parker (14 Kelsey Mooney, 79), Adam Walker, Dan Turner, Junior English (12 Jack Edwards, 63), Devon Kelly-Evans.

Subs not used: 15 Dylan Barkers, 17 James Mace.

Blyth Spartans: 1 Alex Mitchell, 2 Rhys Evans, 3 Michael Liddle, 4 Sean Reid (24 Sado Djalo, 84), 8 Jordan Hickey (9 Danny Maguire, 66), 10 JJ O’Donnell ©, 11 Robbie Dale, 17 Nicky Deverdics, 18 Toby Lees, 19 Connor Thomson (14 Lewis McNall, 74), 25 Patrick Almond.

Subs not used: 15 Corey McKeown, 16 Cameron Painter.

Referee: Mr Ross Martin

Assistant Referees: Mr Tom Hales & Mr David Burton

Brakes Man of the Match: Jack Edwards.