Report

Vanarama National League North
Your Co-op Community Stadium
Tuesday 14 February 2023

by Max Passantino

Leamington’s winless run in the National League North extended to 115 days as they fell to a single goal defeat to fellow relegation contenders Buxton - their third defeat to a side in the bottom six in the last 10 days.

Paul Holleran made three changes to his Brakes side who lost 3-1 to Bradford (Park Avenue) at the weekend. Dan Turner, James Mace and Ben Usher-Shipway came in for Theo Streete, Sam Perry and Liam Cross. Kelsey Mooney was named on the bench and came on late in the second half for his first appearance since March 2022.

The home side dominated the early stages and had the first attempt of the game. Adam Walker made himself some room on the edge of the box before firing over the bar. Pressure continued from the Brakes, and Dan Meredith’s high ball into the box was met by Dan Turner who looked to be brought down inside the box however referee Dale Wootton showed little interest.

Diego De Girolamo always proves a handful and he had Buxton’s first chance of the game 10 minutes in, sweeping a ball from the edge of the box into the side netting. He was at it again a minute later, forcing West Bromwich Albion loanee Ted Cann into a low save.

The first half started to fade out after the early chances until it sparked back in to life midway through. Dan Meredith was on hand to slide behind a right wing cross from the Bucks, with the following corner coming to nothing.

Leamington had arguably their best chance after the half hour mark. Dan Turner made space on the left hand side to put a cross in, Ollie Hulbert inches away from connecting to the delivery. Buxton broke and it looked as if their attack had fizzled out when Jack Edwards collected the ball, but his pass back to Ted Cann was weak and intercepted by Diego De Girolamo for the easiest goal the former Italian youth international will score all season.

Despite the goal, Brakes did not seem overly put down and an Adam Walker drive from 20 yards was collected by Theo Richardson before Jack Lane let rip from his own half with Richardson off his line, but the centre back’s effort dropped just wide, the last real action of the first period.

Brakes started the second half slowly, allowing Buxton to have concentrated attacking play in the Brakes’ half for the first time in the game. De Girolamo saw an effort tipped over by Cann before Leamington’s defence cleared off the goal line twice. Firstly from the Italian’s strong effort and secondly following a melee after a corner.

The theme of the second half continued with Buxton calling Ted Cann into a couple of routine saves, the Brakes yet to even trouble the Bucks’ defence in the first fifteen minutes of the second period.

Sam Perry’s arrival onto the field of play seemed to ignite energy inside the home side and they should have been level after 66 minutes. All Dan Turner needed to do from four yards out was put his laces through the ball to beat Richardson, but his low effort was met by the Bucks custodian.

Louis Hall and Devon Kelly-Evans both flashed shots across Richardson’s net as the hosts started to come back into the game. A shout for a penalty with five minutes to go was waved away after Sam Perry received a hand to the neck whilst trying to take a cross down.

The pressure from the home side would ultimately come to nothing, Adam Walker had the last Leamington effort of the game which was blocked before Jack Lane’s drive fell well wide and condemned the Brakes to a fourth defeat in a row with it now being 16 games ago that Leamington last tasted victory in the league.

Attendance: 354

Leamington: Ted Cann, Dan Meredith, Louis Hall, Devon Kelly-Evans (16 Kelsey Mooney, 85’), James Mace, Jack Lane, Ben Usher-Shipway (14 Sam Perry, 61’), Adam Walker, Ollie Hulbert, Jack Edwards ©, Dan Turner (12 Liam Cross 78’)

Subs not used: 13 Dan Moore, 15 Junior English

Buxton: 1 Theo Richardson, 2 Connor Brown, 3 Max Conway, 5 Josh Granite ©, 7 Jordan Barnett (16 Shaun Brisley, 78’), 8 Connor Kirby (6 Lindon Meikle, 88’), 9 Diego De Girolamo (4 Jake Moult 78’), 15 Jake Hull, 17 Jak McCourt, 22 Brad Jackson, 29 Joe Ackroyd

Subs not used: 12 Declan Poole, 13 Morgan Bacon

Referee: Mr Dale Wootton

Assistant Referees: Mr Keiran Forrest, Mr Thomas Durno

Brakes Man of the Match: Adam Walker