Report

On Non League Day, with a crowd of over 1,100, the stage was set for an important six pointer at the wrong end of the National League North between Leamington and Boston United, but sadly Brakes fluffed their lines as they went down to a goal in each half from their Lincolnshire visitors.

To rub salt into their wounds, Farsley Celtic’s last minute equaliser at home to Peterborough Sports saw them leapfrog Leamington out of the bottom four, dumping Brakes the wrong side of that dreaded dotted line.

Boston were backed by a sizeable following who made themselves heard before kick off, and they had early reason to cheer as their side started the game brightly. Jordan Burrow set up Sam McLinotock for a powerful half volley that flashed inches wide of Ted Cann’s post.

Leamington did not heed the early warning however, and found themselves behind on 8 minutes. The ball was worked out to the right, where Zak Mills stood the perfect cross up to the far post for Burrow to tower above everyone to head home.

Dan Turner had Leamington’s first attempt of the afternoon, and he will be kicking himself for not making more of it. Played in on the right, he sidestepped a defender to leave him with just Cameron Gregory to beat, but sent a rising drive over the bar.

There was a shout for a penalty when Turner looked to have been pushed as he went to meet the ball inside the box, but it came more from the terraces than on the pitch, much like another one minutes later, when Sam Perry’s attempted cross looked to have struck an arm.

In between times Boston went close when Ben Pollock flashed a header wide from a right wing corner.

From here until half time, Leamington pushed on and were much improved. Turner saw a strike from the left fumbled behind by Gregory for the first of three corners, two of which were narrowly played back over their own goal by Boston men. It was a promising spell for Brakes as half time arrived though, as they pinned their opponents back towards their own goal.

Devon Kelly-Evans’ free kick after Turner had been fouled on the right touchline was met by the head of Jack Lane, who unfortunately directed it straight at Gregory. Leamington were then awarded a throw in when it looked as though Ollie Hulbert had stabbed the ball out of play, and from this Dan Meredith nutmegged a defender before attempting to catch Gregory out with a drive to his near post, which the Boston keeper held on to.

There was a scramble just before the whistle when Jack Edwards’ flick on was almost forced home; Theo Streete then scuffing an attempted follow up before a final shot was fired straight at Gregory.

Brakes were unable to maintain their momentum going into the second half however, and Boston seemed content to largely sit back and comfortably repel anything their hosts attempted to throw at them.

Billy Chadwick’s long range free kick was pushed away by Cann, while Kelsey Mooney held the ball up well in the middle of the park before sending Turner clear soon after coming on, but his team mate had strayed offside.

Brakes still looked like they needed a spark from somewhere if they were going to take anything from the contest, but it was placed out of their reach with thirteen minutes to go thanks to a moment of brilliance from Billy Chadwick. Just inside the Leamington half, he received the ball and spotting that Cann had moved well off his line, volleyed it over the goalkeeper, down and into the roof of the net.

It was the kind of moment that can make or break a season, and Leamington had nothing in response. Mooney briefly raised hopes of a comeback when he moved into the penalty area, but unfortunately fell over his own feet, and eventually lost possession.

With Boston now six points clear of danger this could potentially be a very damaging defeat for Brakes, who have six games remaining to save themselves.

Attendance: 1,123

Leamington: Ted Cann, Dan Meredith, Louis Hall, Sam Perry (Joe Clarke, 78), Theo Streete, Jack Lane, Dan Turner, Adam Walker (14 Liam Cross, 72), Ollie Hulbert (15 Kelsey Mooney, 68), Jack Edwards, Devon Kelly-Evans. 

Subs not used: 16 Ben Usher-Shipway, 17 Junior English.

Boston United: 1 Cameron Gregory, 3 Ethan Sephton, 4 Tom Platt, 6 Luke Shiels, 9 Jordan Burrow, 14 Will Atkinson, 16 Ben Pollock, 20 Billy Chadwick, 21 Sam McLintock (8 Finlay Thorndike, 63), 23 Zak Mills, 32 Lirak Hasani (12 Keenan Ferguson, 79).

Subs not used: 17 Tom Solanke, 25 Jo Cummings, 31 Leon Phillps.

Referee: Mr Matthew Scholes

Assistant Referees: Mr Tom Dickens & Mr Ian Ruddock

Brakes Man of the Match: Dan Turner.