Report

Southern League Premier Division Central
Your Co-op Community Stadium
Saturday 19th August 2023

Leamington were unable to build on their midweek point at Halesowen as they slipped to their first home defeat of the season against early pacesetters Mickleover.

It was a disappointing display from Brakes, particularly in the second half after they had edged their way into the game, and matched the visitors for half chances created.

Paul Holleran was forced into two changes to his starting eleven after the Halesowen game. With Junior English having replaced Dan Meredith early on at The Grove after he sustained a hamstring injury, the veteran utility man continued at right wing back, while Jack Edwards moved into the central defensive slot vacated by Theo Streete, who was also absent through injury.

The visitors arrived in Warwickshire having won all three of their opening games after finishing just short of the play off places last season.

Strong running from Ben Sault engineered the first chance of the game on four minutes, but he was forced wide by Jack Lane after reaching the penalty area, and ballooned his shot over the roof of the clubhouse.

After a left wing cross had flashed across the six yard box Jake Bennett was quickest to the loose ball, and swung it back to the far post where Andre Wright dived to head well over the bar.

Marcus Barnes came very close when he latched onto a high ball forward, clipping it past Callum Smith, but the Brakes keeper had done enough to put him off, and the ball dropped just wide.

Leamington countered straight from this, and Adam Walker’s stabbed cross-shot was pushed away by Reds keeper Oliver Bosworth for a corner, from which Tyrone Barnett connected well with a low half volley on the edge of the box which Bosworth saved.

The game was very stretched in the opening half an hour or so, with the visiting defence cutting out Leamington’s balls up to the edge of their box with ease, while Brakes were also reasonably comfortable at the back.

Edwards headed well over from another corner when it looked like Barnett was possibly better placed to try for goal before Barnett exchanged passes with Cally Stewart before sending a thunderous volley whistling past the post.

Leamington began to up the tempo a little before half time, and Stewart was unfortunate not to double his tally for the season from a yard or so out, but with defenders on the goalline Mickleover were able to clear. The young striker then rose above everybody in a packed penalty area to head a right wing corner over the bar.

Unfortunately Barnett took a knock before half time and was replaced by Connor Taylor at the beginning of the second half.

Former Coventry City striker Stuart Beavon is still amongst the goals in the twilight of his career, and was inches from a spectacular one when Edwards misjudged his header and allowed the substitute a chance to lift the ball over Smith, but fortunately from a Leamington perspective it dropped onto the roof of the net.

Mickleover were getting on top again now, and came closer still when they pressed dangerously, Beavon forcing a save from the legs of Smith, before Andrew Dales curled the loose ball against the crossbar and over. The same player then miscued another effort wide.

Brakes were struggling to get out of their own half at times, and the ball kept coming back at them as Mickleover probed for the opening goal. Barnes headed over at the far post from Beavon’s left wing cross, before substitute Oliver Greaves’ attempted cross was palmed onto the bar by Smith, but when the ball was played back in it was touched back towards goal by Beavon and helped on its way by Greaves.

There was brief late hope for Leamington as Henry Landers forced a right corner, but it came to nothing, with several players left in a heap in the box.

In the seven minutes of additional time Landers saw a shot deflected behind for a corner, but the visitors were relatively untroubled other than a brief penalty shout, and eased their way to a deserved three points.

Attendance: 458

Leamington: Callum Smith, Junior English, Josh Quaynor, Joe Clarke, Jack Edwards, Jack Lane, Adam Walker, Tyrone Barnett (12 Connor Taylor, 46), Henry Landers, Devon Kelly-Evans (15 Dan Baldwin, 90), Callum Stewart.

Subs not used: 14 Jiah Medrano, 16 Toby Nicoll, 17 Ben Usher-Shipway.

Mickleover: Oliver Bosworth, Jake Bennett, Ryan Wilson, Will Atkinson, Finn Delap, Ethan Mann, Andrew Dales (14 George Nunn, 79), Dan Bradley (16 Oliver Greaves, 46), Andre Wright (15 Stuart Beavon, 68), Ben Sault, Marcus Barnes.

Subs not used: 12 Rhys Dolan, 13 James Pollard.

Referee: Mr Callum Jones

Assistant Referees: Mr Samuel Dods, Mr Andrew Wood

Brakes Man of the Match: Callum Stewart.