Vanarama National League North
Your Co-op Community Stadium
Saturday 12th March 2022

If ever the term ‘stalemate’ summed up a game it was this one, with the defensive units on both sides probably the only ones satisfied with the 90 minutes.

Callum Hawkins, Joe Clarke and Jack Edwards all returned to the starting eleven from the previous league game up at Boston as Brakes looked to build on positive results in their last couple of National League North outings.

A dangerous ball in from the right wing by Dan Meredith towards Kelsey Mooney which was claimed by Bulls skipper Brandon Hall and a couple of over zealous challenges on Jack Edwards from the visiting defence were the only real incidents of note in the opening ten minutes as Leamington attempted to use the wind in their favour as they attacked the North Bank end of the ground which was populated by a large chunk of the Hereford support.

With just over 20 minutes gone the visitors threatened for the first time as Maziar Kouyhar thumped in a powerful drive that unfortunately for him was directed straight at Hawkins.

Brakes hit back, Edwards glancing in a header from a right wing centre that finished well wide of goal.

The visitors were a whisker from going ahead when a long throw into the box from Luke Haines found its way into the six yard box where Ben Pollock got some kind of touch on the ball but was denied by the stretching Hawkins who got down well to save.

It seemed to be tit for tat in terms of chances, Leamington immediately moving upfield and fashioning another of their own. Edwards chested into the path of Devon Kelly-Evans on the edge of the Hereford penalty area, and while his shot was blocked the ball ran nicely for Dan Turner to drive a low shot across goal and wide of the far post.

Hereford’s next opportunity was not quite as clear cut, Tom Owen-Evans snatching at his shot just left of centre some 20 yards out so badly that it went out for a throw-in on the far side.

Defences were most definitely king as the first half drew to a scrappy conclusion. Brakes won successive corners, Turner seeing his shot deflect behind after Hall had punched clear from the head of Mooney.

The Leamington striker had his first sight of goal early in the second half but was unable to get enough purchase on his header from a high hanging cross from the right to trouble Hall in the Hereford goal. Clarke then saw the ball sit up nicely for him to volley towards goal but unfortunately his effort was well off target.

The game was certainly starting to warm up now, with Bulls defenders Pollock and Haines receiving bookings as Leamington got in amongst their back line, but still neither side were able to grab hold of proceedings.

Brakes continued to enjoy the bulk of the attacking play without threatening the Hereford goal, while the visitors almost broke through in the closing stages but substitute Ryan Mclean overcooked his first touch and the ball ran out of play.

Josh Gowling’s men had rescued a point in the reverse fixture with a late goal, and they came to life in the final throes of this contest, finally pinning Leamington back for a spell, but could only find the target with a free kick from substitute Keenan Patten that Hawkins held at his near post.

Another Hereford substitute, Momodou Touray, set off towards goal after dispossessing Clarke, but could only bend his shot over the crossbar.

Attendance: 887

Leamington: Callum Hawkins, Dan Meredith, Stephan Morley, Joe Clarke (14 Callum Gittings, 90), Kyle Morrison, Jack Lane, Dan Turner (12 Joe Parker, 82), Adam Walker, Kelsey Mooney, Jack Edwards ©, Devon Kelly-Evans.

Subs not used: 13 Jake Weaver, 15 James Mace, 16 Junior English.

Hereford: 1 Brandon Hall ©, 4 Luke Haines, 5 Kristian Pearce, 10 Tom Owen-Evans (7 Ryan Mclean, 67), 11 Miles Storey, 16 Ben Pollock, 17 James Vincent, 19 Maziar Kouhyar (8 Keenan Patten, 84), 21 Seb Revan, 27 Dinesh Gillela, 39 Modou Faal (9 Momodou Touray, 78).

Subs not used: 6 Jamie Egan, 29 Harry Pinchard.

Referee: Mr James Bancroft

Assistant Referees: Mr Richard Cutts & Mr Simon Kavanagh

Brakes Man of the Match: Adam Walker.