Pre Season Friendly
Trevor Brown Memorial Ground
Saturday 9th July 2022

By Paul Edwards 

Brakes picked up their first pre season victory in blazing sunshine at Boldmere St Michaels courtesy of two second half penalties.

The Mikes’ won promotion to Step 4 for the first time in their history last season and will be playing in the Northern Premier League Division 1 Midlands in the forthcoming campaign alongside the likes of local rivals Sutton Coldfield Town. We wish them all the best.

An early Boldmere strike ballooned into the high fence behind the far goal, while Bailey Fuller bent a first time effort high over the bar after Devon Kelly-Evans recycled his initial ball into the box from the left following a left wing corner.

The first quarter of the first half was played at a decent pace despite the sun beating down on the artificial surface at Church Road. Leamington enjoyed plenty of possession without troubling the Boldmere back line.

Jake Weaver made the first save of the afternoon on 20 minutes, getting two strong hands to Alex McSkeane’s powerful drive from the left corner of the penalty area as the hosts countered.

Towards the end of the first half Stephen Palmer planted a header just over the bar from Kyle Byrne’s right wing free kick.

One of Boldmere’s second half substitutes stung Weaver’s palms with a powerful rising drive early in the second half,

Ten minutes in, Leamington were awarded a penalty when Bailey Fuller was bundled over inside the box by former Brakes defender James Bowen as he tried to look for an opening as he latched on to a long kick forward by Weaver. Devon Kelly Evans took responsibility, and flummoxed the goalkeeper with a little jump before slotting calmly into the bottom left hand corner.

On 67 minutes Brakes were awarded a second spot kick when the busy Trialist A, who had impressed with some tireless running throughout, got his rewards as he was sent crashing to the ground by a posse of defenders. He picked himself up and confidently rifled the spot kick home, this time low to the keeper’s left.

The game began to open up now, and second half substitute Dan Turner forced a flying save from keeper Adam Whitehouse after Alex Prosser had sent Trialist C scampering clear down the right to stand up a decent ball to the far post. The assistant Referee’s flag was raised so a potential goal would not have stood in any case.

The game was brought to a halt four or five minutes early after an injury to one of the Boldmere substitutes, who spent several minutes down. The stretcher was bought on but thankfully the player was able to leave the pitch unaided.

Boldmere St Michaels: Adam Whitehouse, Aris Christopherou, Kieren Westwood, Pedro Lima, Dan Preston, Joseph Daley ©, Kyle Byrne, Ryan Shaw, Alex McSkeane, Stephen Palmer, Trialist.

Subs not used: 12 James Bowen, 14 Danny O’Sullivan, 15 Harry Craven, 16 Harry Sweeney, 17 Oliver West.

Leamington: Jake Weaver, Dan Meredith, Devon Kelly-Evans, Alex Prosser, Theo Streete, Jack Lane, Bailey Fuller (14 Dan Turner, 56), Adam Walker (12 Simeon Maye, 62), Trialist A (16 Trialist B, 72), Junior English (15 Jack Edwards, 56), Kieron Cook (17 Trialist C, 62).

Subs not used: 13 Ethan Pheasey, 18 Joe Clarke.

Referee: Mr D Hinton

Assistant Referees: Mr Mr M Shutt & Mr Mr K Carroll