Vanarama National League North
LNER Community Stadium
Saturday 25th March 2022

Brakes were left to rue a second half moment that ultimately changed the course of this game as they slipped to the narrowest of defeats at York City’s new home.

Three changes were made to the starting eleven from the previous trip to Yorkshire on Tuesday evening. With Dan Turner, Kelsey Mooney, and Steph Morley all absent through injury, Melis Bushaj stepped in for his debut after signing on loan from Solihull Moors in the week, while Callum Hawkins took his place in goal and Devon Kelly-Evans returned after a slight niggle.

Leamington certainly did not look overawed by the plush new surroundings of the London - North East Railway Community Stadium, as York only found a way into their penalty area on a handful of occasions in the opening twenty minutes.

The first corner of the afternoon led to a scramble inside the six yard box before Leamington cleared their lines, while a dangerous right wing centre was claimed confidently by Hawkins.

Young Charlie Williams was fearless as he drove through the centre towards goal, and was only halted by an uncompromising challenge from Akil Wright as he turned to try and find support.

As early as the 25th minute there were audible signs of unrest amongst the home support as their side toiled in the sunshine to break down a well organised Brakes. They were placated as skipper Matty Brown headed a corner wide of the target, and minutes later Scott Barrow curled a free kick just wide of the upright.

Dan Meredith had the clearest sight of goal for either side as the clock ticked past the half hour mark, taking the ball on as Jack Edwards fed him on the right before cutting inside and bending a well struck effort towards goal that Maxim Kouogun diverted over the crossbar with the ball heading for the back of the net.

This seemed to galvanise Leamington and they became braver, spending a little spell inside the York half without really threatening goal.

The Minstermen came close through a Lenell John Lewis header minutes before half time; Hawkins reacting well to push the ball over the bar.

Williams saw an attempted shot blocked on the edge of the box in a quiet start to the second half as the game continued in similar fashion to the first despite the hosts making a change up front. Substitute Kurt Willoughby was quickly involved, his shot deflected out to Olly Dyson, who blazed his effort high over the bar.

Hawkins got a vital touch on a right wing cross to prevent John-Lewis from having another effort on goal as York probed for an opening. For the first time in the game the hosts were keeping Leamington in their own half, but Wright was forced to take a booking for his side as he tripped Williams, who was in full flight as he crossed the half way line with open turf in front of him.

Hawkins was down quickly to claim as Barrow drove forward and almost mis-hit his shot, the ball diverting off a team mate.

Willoughby was furious with himself as he sent a strike soaring into the home fans behind the goal, but he was handed the opportunity to fire his side ahead on 66 minutes when Edwards was penalised on the edge of the Leamington penalty area. The Brakes skipper protested his innocence, but he appeared to have his arm around Barrow’s neck. Willoughby stepped up and belted a superb strike past Hawkins into the back of the net.

With all their substitutes on Leamington continued to plug away manfully; Adam Walker skewing a shot well off target. York were inches away from a second when Dyson’s powerful daisy cutter ricocheted off the post and away. The same player sent a dangerous late ball into the box that Hawkins was forced to tip over his crossbar.

Devon Kelly-Evans a late free kick just past the upright but it was as close as Leamington would come in what was a frustrating way to lose a game in which they competed well and were never really under severe pressure at any stage.

Paul Holleran was philosophical afterwards, and paid tribute to the way his players had performed in difficult circumstances given those missing through injury. ‘It was a really good hard working structured performance today. We’ve had to put a few square pegs in round holes and have had to give players their debut that haven’t even trained with us yet. I couldn’t knock their work ethic or their concentration levels. It’s taken a dubious free kick to beat us; but this league is like this. You can travel away to Farsley on Tuesday and to York on Saturday, work really hard and come away with nothing. That’s the way it is. We will brush ourselves down, we’ve got a free week. We’ll recover and train and get ready for Saturday’s home game.’ 

Attendance: 3,317 (38 away)

York City: 1 Pete Jameson, 2 Michael Duckworth, 3 Scott Barrow (31 Sam Sanders 84), 5 Matty Brown ©, 6 Paddy McLoughlin (9 Kurt Willoughby, 46), 7 Olly Dyson, 11 Remy Longdon (10 Clayton Donaldson, 68), 16 Maxim Kouogun, 20 Akil Wright, 26 Mitch Hancox, 33 Lenell John-Lewis.

Subs not used: 8 Michael Woods, 25 Maison Campbell.

Leamington: Callum Hawkins, Dan Meredith, Melis Bushaj, Joe Clarke (12 Callum Gittings, 68), James Mace, Jack Lane, Charlie Williams (15 Junior English, 68), 8 Adam Walker, Joe Parker (14 Connor Taylor, 77), Jack Edwards ©, Devon Kelly-Evans.

Subs not used: 16 Jack Sang, 17 Jake Weaver.

Referee: Mr David McNamara

Assistant Referees: Mr Benjamin Tomlinson & Mr Daniel Tracey

Brakes Man of the Match: Melis Bushaj