Vanarama National League North
Chorley Group Victory Park Stadium
Saturday 15th October 2022

By Paul Edwards 

Brakes slipped to a single goal defeat at Chorley, extending their winless run in National League North to five games.

Due to injuries and suspensions there were four changes to the starting eleven; Joe Clarke (who was named captain), James Mace, and Devon Kelly-Evans stepped up, while Rackeem Reid made his debut after signing during the week. Tom Hewlett was fit enough to take his place on the bench.

The home side struck the top of the crossbar with a eighth minute free kick from Adam Bateman after Jon Ustabasi had been upended some 20 yards from goal.

Callum Hawkins raced off his line to snuff out another Chorley attack, while Justin Johnson saw a shot deflected behind for a corner which came to nothing.

Reid had a busy first appearance for Brakes without being given the chance to show his prowess in front of goal, and he won Leamington’s first corner of the afternoon.

The first chance was created from a break down the left, Joe Clarke sweeping the ball out to Stephan Morley, whose cross was headed out as far as Simeon Maye, who drove wide on the half volley.

The outcome of this game ultimately hinged on events in the 23rd minute. Ustabasi forced a good save from Hawkins with a powerful run and shot, but when the ball was played back in the goalkeeper was a fraction late with an aerial challenge on Connor Hall and conceded a penalty, from which Hall stepped up and sent him the wrong way to open the scoring.

Clarke sent another effort wide on the half volley from a partially cleared throw in from Morley as Brakes enjoyed a brief spell, but they were not helping themselves when giving the ball away frequently, and from one such indiscretion Ollie Shenton struck the post with another Chorley strike.

Shenton saw another effort held by Hawkins as half time approached, while Leamington constructed probably their best move of the half when Adam Walker found Maye running in behind the Magpies defence with a smart ball which his team mate drove low across goal for Reid, who was crowded out by Harvey Smith and Scott Leather.

Reid saw an early second half shot charged down, while Chorley saw a penalty shout waved away by Referee Richard Aspinall.

Louis Hall headed wide from Maye’s ball into the box, but it was Chorley who looked more likely to score the next goal, Johnson sent a low strike straight at Hawkins.

Theo Streete was immense at the back for Leamington all afternoon, and put in one of a number of tremendous blocks to deny Hall on the right.

Brakes started to gain something of a foothold in the game, and Reid won a free kick in a dangerous position which was easily blocked by a defensive wall that was nowhere near the required 10 yards back from the ball when Morley struck it.

Chorley powered forward again, and won a corner from which Ustabasi thundered in a volley which was headed off the line by Dan Meredith. Mike Calveley then dispossessed Streete and drove forward before powering a low drive inches wide of the upright.

It wasn’t until the final minutes that Leamington really put some proper pressure on their hosts, but they were unable to make it pay. Maye drove a free kick high over the bar, substitute Ben Usher-Shipway saw a shot deflected behind.

Chorley had what their fans seemed to feel was another strong penalty shout in added time, while Leamington saw a shot deflected behind for a corner, from which Streete saw a header blocked.

The hosts broke quickly again, and only a superb challenge from Maye prevented Ustabasi from going through on goal.

Streete headed Leamington’s only effort of the afternoon on target straight at Matt Urwin in the final moments, and Paul Holleran’s men were left to reflect on another narrow reverse on the long journey back to the Midlands.

Attendance: 941

Chorley: 1 Matt Urwin, 2 Matt Challoner, 3 Harvey Smith, 5 Scott Leather ©, 16 Adam Blakeman, 10 Willem Tomlinson (6 Joe Nolan, 80), 13 Ollie Shenton, 8 Mike Calveley, 17 Justin Johnson (18 Andy Owens, 77), 27 Connor Hall (19 Callum Schorah, 87), 11 Jon Ustabasi.

Subs not used: 7 Billy Whitehouse, 14 Nathan Okome.

Leamington: Callum Hawkins, Dan Meredith, Stephan Morley (14 Tom Hewlett, 68), Joe Clarke, Theo Streete, James Mace, Louis Hall, Simeon Maye, Rackeem Reid (12 Kieran Cook, 80), Adam Walker, Devon Kelly-Evans (15 Ben Usher-Shipway, 68).

Subs not used: 16 Connor Taylor, 17 Junior English.

Referee: Mr Richard Aspinall

Assistant Referees: Mr Stephen Rushworth & Mr Arran Williams

Brakes Man of the Match: Theo Streete.