Southern League Premier Division Central
The Grove
Tuesday 15th August 2023

Brakes rediscovered their defensive mojo as they battled to a well earned point in the Black Country.

Paul Holleran made two changes to his starting line up after Saturday’s late capitulation at Coalville, bringing in Josh Quaynor, who signed from Halesowen in the summer, and Callum Stewart, for their first starts.

Halesowen boasted three former Brakes in their squad - defender Kieran Morris, midfielder Josh Hawker and striker Richard Gregory.

There was a perfectly observed minute’s silence for long time Halesowen supporter and volunteer Geoff Boyes prior to kick off.

The home side looked to get at Brakes from the kick off, and were camped inside their opponents half for much of the opening exchanges. A cross-shot from Jak Hickman was helped over the crossbar by Callum Smith after five minutes.

Leamington were forced into an early substitution when Dan Meredith went down on the edge of his own penalty area with no other player around him, and was unable to continue, being replaced by Junior English. Meredith took his place in the dugout, so hopefully his injury is not too serious.

Quaynor nipped in to rob Caine Elliott before he had the opportunity to shoot after taking the ball past Smith. Hickman then slung in a cross from the right, and MaKauley Manning’s diving header rippled the side netting.

Some fine defending from Jack Lane to deny Josh Ezewele from dancing all the way through to goal from the left wing kept Leamington on level terms, and as the half progressed they began to pose a threat of their own.

Stewart was able to get two shots in on goal as Halesowen played themselves into a spot of bother in defence. The first was saved by Platt, the second blocked by a defender. Henry Landers then thumped in a fierce strike inside the box that was parried and claimed by Platt.

Stewart saw another shot blocked as half time approached, before Ryan Wynter was booked for a late challenge on Joe Clarke as Brakes kept the ball around the Halesowen penalty area, but the Referee’s whistle sounded on an entertaining opening half with the two sides deadlocked.

Early in the second half Tyrone Barnett hooked in a shot inside the box from Kelly-Evans’ free kick, but it was straight at Platt. Kelly-Evans then struck a shot along the ground from 25 yards out, but again it was straight at Platt.

Manning did very well to get a header in on goal from a right wing cross, before there was another injury worry for Leamington as English required treatment, but thankfully he was ok to continue.

Ezewele was stopped in his tracks by another sound defensive block as he threatened to dance into the penalty area again, before a shot was played in with Smith off his line having come to challenge for the ball, but Lane was on hand to clear off the line.

Halesowen were regaining the ascendancy once more, and Elliott was clattered right on the edge of the box, but Hickman struck the free kick into the defensive wall.

With twenty minutes remaining Cally Stewart came desperately close as he thundered a shot against the crossbar from inside the penalty area.

Stewart was heavily involved in Leamington’s forward play during the second half, and he chested down for Barnett to connect with a shot that was blocked at source. He then set off on a good run into the box before trying to set up Landers, but the ball was deflected behind.

Brakes then had a good chance on the counter as a ball down the right set Walker away. He cut it back for Kelly-Evans on the edge of the box, who was in acres of space but got his shot all wrong, and it was easily cleared away.

The Yeltz came very close to snatching a late winner when a clearance from Platt bounced through the Brakes defence into the box and into the path of Miracle Okafor, but before he was able to gain control of the ball Smith was off his line sharply to sidestep him and clear.

In the final minute of added time Halesowen won a free kick 20 yards or so from goal in a central position. The ball was touched to substitute Gregory, who thumped his shot into Brakes’ defensive wall.

This was a good point taken from an entertaining game against a decent Halesowen side who look more than capable of holding their own back at Step 3 on this evidence. For Leamington, it is definitely something to build on as they now prepare to face unbeaten Mickleover on Saturday.

Attendance: 1,055

Halesowen Town: Dan Platt, Josh Ezewele, Reece Mitchell, Todd Parker, Ryan Wynter, Kieran Morris, Jak Hickman (16 Richard Gregory, 74), Caine Elliott (14 Josh Hawker, 75), Miracle Okafor, Jack Holmes, MaKauley Manning.

Subs not used: 12 Luke Redfearn, 15 George Cater, 17 Ryan Boothe.

Leamington: Callum Smith, Dan Meredith (17 Junior English, 12), Josh Quaynor, Joe Clarke, Theo Streete, Jack Lane, Adam Walker, Tyrone Barnett (14 Ben Usher-Shipway, 81), Henry Landers, Devon Kelly-Evans (12 Jack Edwards, 83), Callum Stewart.

Subs not used: 15 Jiah Medrano, 16 Connor Taylor.

Referee: Mr James Lunn

Assistant Referees: Mr Ashley Davis & Mr Ryan Grandison

Brakes Man of the Match: Jack Lane.