Pre Season Friendly
Your Co-op Community Stadium
Saturday 29th August 2023

Brakes entertained Rushall Olympic in their final pre season friendly before the action starts for real on August 5.

The performance of the men in Gold and Black was a joy to watch at times, and was streets ahead of the display seven days previous at Rugby Town, as Leamington warmed up for their league opener at home to Long Eaton United, whilst inflicting defeat on a Rushall side who have been banging the goals in during their warm up fixtures ahead of their first ever season at Step 2, for which we wish them all the best.

The Pics effectively replaced Leamington in the National League North after a tremendous season in which they won promotion from the Southern League after a dramatic penalty shoot out in the Play Off Final at Nuneaton Borough, but also captured the Walsall Senior Cup and Staffordshire Senior Cup to cap a campaign that nobody at the club is likely to forget in a hurry.

Former Brakes keeper Jake Weaver was the promotion winning hero as he saved two penalties in the shoot out; something which would have surprised no one of a Leamington persuasion, as it was something he did regularly during his time with us.

Dan Meredith’s mazy run was halted by a late challenge on the edge of the box, but Weaver produced a fine save, finger-tipping Devon Kelly-Evans’ free kick onto the post, the ball bouncing back across goal before being cleared.

Jake Gosling sent a drive wide of goal to register the first effort of the afternoon for the visitors.

Brakes were creating the bulk of what chances there were in the first half however, and Tyrone Barnett headed across goal and wide after a Ben Usher-Shipway run and cross from the left.

Barnett headed another effort wide of the target before Theo Streete blocked a shot from another Brakes old boy, Danny Waldron. Rushall clearly like to attack at pace, and went close again through Gosling, who cut inside from the right and drove a good effort just wide.

Barnett’s header was deflected back to him, Weaver doing well to save his follow up shot before Kelly-Evans blazed the loose ball high over the bar.

There was still time for Leamington to create one last attack, and was very nearly a crucial one. Barnett did very well to hold the ball on half way before a pass forward was then sprayed out wide to Meredith by a superb Henry Landers ball. The right wing back tore upfield before delivering a dangerous low cross to the near post which was well defended by Rushall at the expense of a corner.

Paul Holleran’s side began the second half as they had ended the first, and were ahead within a couple of minutes. A right wing corner to the far post was bundled home from close range by Jack Lane after a brief scramble, despite the best efforts of Weaver to claw it back over the line.

The Leamington pressure continued; Henry Landers sending an overhead kick just wide of the upright before the former Banbury man got another effort in on goal which was saved by Weaver. Kelly-Evans headed just wide from a long throw into the box from Usher-Shipway, before Landers used the bounce of the ball well as he charged into the box on the left, Weaver coming off his line well to block the shot.

Barnett then sent a first time drive from a loose ball inside the box flashing just past Weaver’s left hand post.

There was a brief disagreement between several players after a Rushall substitute poleaxed Jack Lane 20 yards from the Leamington goal, but it was quickly diffused by the Referee.

The visitors barely had an attack in the second half, and it took a spectacular save from Weaver to deny Jack Edwards as he delicately tried to lift the ball over him. However, from the resulting right wing corner from substitute Jiah Medrano the Rushall keeper was left helpless as Barnett, who had been imperious in the air and on the deck all afternoon, rose to power a thunderous header into the top corner.

Attendance: 215

Leamington: Callum Smith, Dan Meredith, Jack Lane, Joe Clarke (16 Toby Nicoll, 88), Theo Streete, Jack Edwards, Tyrone Barnett (17 Trialist A 87), Adam Walker ©, Henry Landers (14 Callum Stewart, 66), Devon Kelly-Evans (12 Junior English, 79), Ben Usher-Shipway (15 Jiah Medrano, 83).

Subs not used: GK Ethan Pheasey.

Rushall Olympic: Jake Weaver, Kristian Green , Lewis Hudson, Alex Fletcher, Mitch Clarke, Sam Whitall, Jake Gosling, Callum Rowe, Danny Waldron, Sam Mantom, Callum Coyle.

Substitutes: Andre Landell, Joudain Masidi, Alex Moore, Rio Sawyers, Will Shorrock, KaiTonge.

Referee: Mr Elliott Swallow

Assistant Referees: Mr Richard Cutts & Mr Joe Larkin.