Vanarama National League North
Mill Farm
Saturday 29th April 2023

Leamington were relegated from the National League North on a harrowing afternoon on the Fylde coast as they were put to the sword by an AFC Fylde side who could claim the title if they win their final two games.

It was always going to be a tall order given the directions the two clubs have gone in since the reverse fixture back in October, but despite a great team effort their fate was ultimately sealed by half time.

With Theo Streete suspended for the final two games skipper Jack Edwards moved into central defence, with Sam Perry stepping into midfield.

The afternoon could scarcely have got off to a worse start as the home side opened the scoring inside 50 seconds. Nick Haughton’s left wing cross to the far post was emphatically headed home by Luke Conlan, and Leamington’s game plan was ripped to shreds before they had even had a chance to get into the game.

However, to their immense credit the team got their heads down, and were arguably the better side between the first and second goals for Fylde. In the aftermath of the opener they spent a good ten minutes camped inside their opponents half, but only had Adam Walker’s header following a free kick, which was comfortably saved by Chris Neal, to show for their efforts.

A dangerous cross in front of goal was hacked clear by a defender ahead of Ollie Hulbert, but the offside flag had already been raised.

It was a good spell for Leamington which raised the spirits of the travelling support, and Dan Meredith’s curling effort from the right which flew just past the far post only served to enhance that, but they were always susceptible to the pace with which the hosts attacked. Haughton saw a shot deflected through to Cann by Sam Perry, while Luke Charman’s rising drive was also comfortably held by the Coasters keeper as the hosts began to reassert themselves.

It was Charman who went down very easily in the Leamington penalty area under a challenge from Jack Lane in the 38th minute, but the officials were in no doubt that it was worthy of a spot kick, and Haughton stepped up to send Cann the wrong way and give his team a two goal cushion.

Whether Leamington were still distracted in their anger at the award of the penalty is open to question, but they were simply carved open far too easily three minutes later, as Fylde scythed through them to add a flattering third before half time. Joe Rowley found Haughton, who in turn found Conlan to return the ball to him inside the box with a first time cross which was put away with ease.

Brakes came close to pulling a goal back just before the whistle, when Jack Edwards met a free kick with a header that Neal pushed round the post.

It was heartbreaking to watch, and with the news that other results as they stood would see the end of the National League North road for the time being, this only added to the sombre mood in the away end.

The second half began in quiet fashion, but unfortunately a mistimed pass from Lane back towards Cann was intercepted by Haughton, who controlled the ball and slotted home.

The sheer determination of Dan Turner dragged a goal back for Leamington shortly afterwards as he charged through the centre, poking the ball beyond Neal as two defenders converged on him inside the box.

Inside the final ten minutes Haughton bagged his fourth of the afternoon following a pass from Charman. It was harsh on Brakes, who didn’t deserve to be on the end of a thumping, but that was the harsh reality.

The travelling support had clearly accepted their fate, and to their credit began a non stop barrage of singing in support of their team long before the fifth goal went in. They were thanked by Paul Holleran, who acknowledged that his team had been the architects of their own downfall on more than occasion during the season.

‘I’d like to start by thanking the wonderful support we’ve had today. We’ve had wonderful support for months on end. There’s not a lot you can say really after getting beaten 5-1. Again we were the architects of our downfall, I've said it consistently for a while now.

‘We’ve just got to get through this week, try and put on a show for our fans next Saturday, and then see where we go from there.’

Attendance: 1,580

AFC Fylde: 1 Chris Neal, 17 Connor Barrett, 6 Alex Whitmore ©, 28 Harry Davis, 10 Nick Haughton, 7 Joe Rowley (11 Nathan Delfouneso, 72), 23 Danny Whitehead, 8 Danny Philliskirk (24 Will Hatfield, 65), 14 Luke Conlan, 9 Luke Charman (23 Bartosz Cybulski, 82), 5 Emeka Obi.

Subs not used: 21 Dan Pike, 27 Siya Ligendza.

Leamington: Ted Cann, Dan Meredith, Louis Hall, Joe Clarke, Jack Edwards ©, Jack Lane (15 James Mace, 88), Ollie Hulbert (12 Devon Kelly-Evans, 60), Sam Perry, Kelsey Mooney, Adam Walker, Dan Turner.

Subs not used: 14 Ben Usher-Shipway, GK Dan Moore, 16 Junior English.

Referee: Mr Ben Robinson

Assistant Referees: Mr Sam Parnaby & Mr Steven Lawson

Brakes Man of the Match: Dan Turner.