Report
Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central
Your Co-op Community Stadium
Tuesday 7 November 2023
by Max Passantino
Leamington came out on top in a battle between two old foes that were both relegated from the National League North last season.
The win in Warwickshire means Paul Holleran’s outfit are now four unbeaten and level on points with the play-off positions in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central.
With the majority of the low crowd backing them vocal from the off, the home side started brightest and saw an effort blocked just two minutes in.
Four minutes later, it was bodies on the line again from the Poppies. Cally Stewart beat the Kettering back line to a searching Dan Meredith ball and dummied past Ben Toseland before releasing a shot that was well charged down, only to fall at the feet of Adam Walker who’s shot also needed blocking.
With the pressure mounting, it only seemed like it would be a matter of time before the hosts took the lead and they did with twelve on the clock. A good exchange between the lightning fast Meredith and Henry Landers allowed the former to find room down the side of the Poppies box to flash a ball across goal which evaded everyone except from Stewart at the back post who slid in to open the scoring.
The home side’s dominance continued following the goal, Meredith the next man to have a crack at goal but his attempt was well saved by Billy Johnson.
Kettering had their first chance of the game, but with the Brakes defence standing resolute, Will Mellors-Blair was forced to have a go from distance - a well struck effort that flew past Callum Hawkins’ post.
Immediately Leamington regained their dominance and Stewart, bubbling with confidence, cut in onto his left foot and cannoned an effort from outside the box against Johnson’s upright and out.
Referee Lewis Smith made his first big call of the night just after the half hour mark. Tyrone Barnett unleashed an overhead kick from the edge of the box that was blocked by a Kettering arm, but the man in the middle waved for play to continue
Barnett did get his goal just before half time though. Henry Landers was subject to an awful challenge, where the Kettering player was lucky to only get away with a yellow card, before picking himself up to swing an inch perfect free kick onto the head of the striker who nodded with ease past Johnson.
Leamington were cruising, and it should have been three in first half injury time as Landers’ corner kick flew over everyone via Johnson’s hand and into the net but the man in black called it back for an unknown reason with everyone inside the ground expecting the goal to stand.
The sides came out for the second period, and Kettering ditched their route one and tried to match Leamington’s on-the-floor game and to much success at that.
Chances were at a premium for Andy Leese’s side in the first half but they were freely creating them early in the second and a smart Callum Hawkins save was needed to deny Sam Bennett.
Bennett was the man who’d get a goal back not long after, as Leamington’s defence temporarily fell asleep and allowed the striker and Mellors-Blair through with the latter playing a clever dummy to allow Bennett to run in and finish calmly.
The beckoning roar of “shoot” from the Harbury Lane End is very hard to ignore, and Josh Quaynor obliged with the chorus - smashing an effort onto the roof of the stand from distance.
Brakes looked to be regaining control as Barnett turned away on the edge of the box and released a thunderbolt that beat Johnson and struck against the crossbar and out.
The game fell quiet as Kettering made changes and with ten to go, Landers once again struck from inside the box but the former Banbury man’s shot was blocked by old teammate Kelvin Langmead and behind for a corner that came to nothing.
As the clock ticked past 90, it felt like a case of déjà vu from Saturday with a cross being headed home to equalise for the visitors but the eagle eyed linesman’s flag was up to reveal that the ball had gone out of play just before the cross was struck.
That was the last action as Smith made one final big decision, blowing half a minute ahead of the allotted minimum of four minutes injury time although this one was welcomed by the home support as they made it six unbeaten at home with another three points staying in Warwickshire
Attendance: 322
Leamington: Callum Hawkins, Dan Meredith, Josh Quaynor, Joe Clarke (12 Jack Edwards, 81’), Theo Streete, Jack Lane, Henry Landers, Adam Walker ©, Callum Stewart, Tyrone Barnett, Ewan Williams.
Subs not used: 14 Jiah Medrano, 15 Will Shorrock, 16 Junior English, 17 Zach Taylor.
Kettering Town: 1 Billy Johnson, 2 Owen Cochrane, 3 Ben Toseland (17 Josh Drain, 85’), 5 Kelvin Langmead, 8 Gary Stohrer ©, 9 Tyrone Lewthwaite, 10 Sam Bennett, 11 Rhys Sharpe, 16 Luca Purse, 18 Tom Scott, 20 Will Mellors-Blair (7 Leon Clarke, 74’).
Subs not used: 13 Niall Shackleton, 14 Habib Makanjuola, 15 Huw Dawson.
Referee: Mr Lewis Smith
Assistant referees: Mr Matthew Joyce, Mr Thomas Johnson
Brakes Man of the Match: Dan Meredith .
