Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central
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Saturday 10th February 2024

Brakes ensured that Jack Edwards’ 400th appearance for the club would be one to remember as they beat a visiting Royston side who simply refused to roll over. 

A huge slice of good fortune set them on their way inside the opening 30 seconds, as skipper Adam Walker’s shot took a huge deflection to wrongfoot goalkeeper Louis Chadwick, who was unable to scramble back across his goal in time to stop the ball from dribbling over the line for a goal which many in the crowd of 562 did not see, as they were still making their way to their vantage points. It will go down as one of the quickest goals ever to be scored at the New Windmill Ground, but was a few seconds short of Jon Adams’ 12 second effort against Westfields back in August 2006. 

This was always going to be a tough assignment against a Crows side who had been beaten only once in their last nine league games, and had snatched a late point from their clash with AFC Telford United on Tuesday evening. Indeed, it could have been a more difficult afternoon had that earliest of goals not gone in, but it set Leamington on their way to three more crucial points as they battle to stay in touch in the top six. 

Cally Stewart drew applause from the home support as his persistence won Leamington a corner with a fine tackle against a defender who was attempting to let the ball run out of play. 

Kian Harness saw his looping effort held on his line by Callum Hawkins as the visitors attempted to hit back immediately, while Will Shorrock hooked an inventive effort wide from a poor clearance at the other end. 

The diminutive wing wizard was involved again as his inswinging 16th minute left wing cross saw Stewart hurl himself in where it hurts to stab Leamington two goals clear with his 18th of the season, requiring some treatment in the process. 

This really was a fantastic start against a dangerous team who, despite the early setbacks, were clearly not going to lie down and accept defeat. However, they could have gone further behind if not for Chadiwck, who reacted quickly to push Tyrone Barnett’s towering header from Dan Meredith’s right wing cross over his crossbar, before preventing Leamington from ending a swift counter attack with a third goal. Hawkins held a header from Adam Murray, who proved to be a nuisance to the Brakes back line all afternoon, before bowling the ball out perfectly over the head of a defender and into the path of Shorrock on half way. He picked out Stewart with a good ball into the box, the young frontman managing to get a fierce shot away despite the tight angle to goal, but Chadwick denied him with a flying save. 

Just prior to the half hour mark the Crows had the ball in the net from a right wing corner; Sam Mvemba heading home, but a foul had been spotted in the build up by the match officials, and the goal was immediately ruled out. 

This was swiftly followed up by a snapshot on the turn by Harness from the edge of the box which whistled narrowly past the left hand upright. 

Stewart came close again when Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite’s attempted clearance cannoned off Shorrock into his path. He cut inside and drove a shot just wide. 

Royston continued to probe for a way back into the game; Charlie Johnson seeing his downward header held comfortably by Hawkins. 

Wilson-Braithwaite had his head in his hands in first half stoppage time as he blazed a great opportunity to halve the deficit high over the bar from close range. Stewart then displayed some great footwork inside the Royston penalty area to set up Walker for a prodded effort straight at Chadwick.

It had been an absorbing, high energy first half, but the next goal was still going to prove crucial to the outcome of the points. It came courtesy of an absolute pearler from the right boot of Shorrock just four minutes in, as he cut in from the left to devastating effect, curling a delicious strike beyond Chadwick into the far corner to put Leamington three goals clear. 

Henry Landers somehow won his side a corner kick after driving a shot into the side netting when team mates were potentially better placed in front of goal, adding to the good fortune already received. Wilson-Braithwaite and Josh Quaynor were then involved in a brief altercation in front of the visitors dugout after the Crows right back had unwisely launched into a challenge on the touchline which sent Quaynor clattering into some unused chairs next to the visiting bench. Both players received a yellow card. The chair unnecessarily thrown over the perimeter fence by Wilson-Braithwaite was mercifully unhurt, and the Royston number 2 was barracked with daft chants about chairs by the Leamington faithful for the remainder of the game, to some bemused looks coming from those on the visitors bench. 

Royston were awarded an incredible number of free kicks over the course of the afternoon, one of which was fired on target but held by Hawkins. Murray came very close to pulling a goal back when heading just wide from a cross from substitute Samson Esan. 

Josh Coldicott-Stevens saw his low drive through a crowd held by Hawkins. The Brakes keeper darted across his goal to cover another attempt, but was finally beaten with thirteen minutes remaining when Harness scored from a rebound after Hawkins saved the initial shot from substitute Andronicos Georgiou. 

With Leamington having started to sit back a little since their third goal it now looked like they were in for a real battle in the closing stages. Murray headed over again, and a penalty shout was waved away, before Coldicott-Stevens saw a free kick saved by Hawkins. Georgiou then struck the crossbar, but the single goal was all the Crows returned home with despite their considerable efforts. Their manager Chris Watters showed a real touch of class when waiting patiently for Jack Edwards, who was signing autographs and having selfies with fans for a good few minutes, shaking hands with the Leamington man to congratulate him on his 400 games. We wish Royston well for the remainder of the season. They could well have a huge bearing on how the top six finishes, with several games to come against sides in and around the summit, whilst still harbouring ambitions of finishing in there themselves. 

Speaking to BBC CWR’s Brian Halford after the game, Paul Holleran said ‘We did really well to start with, some of our play was good. It was a very good first half, and we were well worth the 2-0 lead. It was important to start the second half well too. Royston are a dangerous team, they are a good side. A massive threat in both boxes, especially in our box, but I thought in the first 20 minutes of the second half we got back on the front foot again. It was a great goal, the third goal. You would have liked to have driven on a bit then, but I think with the problems we have had training this week (Unable to use either pitch due to the heavy rain) - it wasn’t what we wanted to do - we lost our way a little bit, but they’ve tinkered with what they do, and they’ve given a better account of themselves in the second half and caused us problems to be fair. We’ve had to work hard in the last 20 minutes - it’s been a bit scrappy and sloppy, and the conditions weren’t great, but I think in the end it was about right. For the first hour I thought we were very very good, and could have scored more, but then you’ve got to give them credit, they’ve come back, and asked questions. Watching them today I could see why they got two set piece goals late on against Telford on Tuesday, because their delivery and the targets - you just haven’t got enough players to mark all the targets. You’re always going to have moments against teams like this, but you’ve just got to get the players to keep their focus, not get involved. We’re delighted to get the result. It was a tough game.

On milestone man Jack Edwards, the manager had this to say: ‘I think what you have seen today with the reaction from the supporters, the sponsors and his family, how much the club appreciates what he’s done for us - on and off the pitch. He’s still going - there’s a few more games left in him I think! He’s been incredibly loyal to us over the years, and has had a tough time of the last couple of seasons with the head injury, but we’ve all rallied round and it’s just nice to see him back on the pitch and just changing his game a little bit now. 

‘In his time in the attacking midfield role he was as good as anything in the National League. He was very effective in that role, and I think a lot of the young boys who have got moves away from here into the professional game have got a lot to thank him for, because he was such a good foil for them. We’ve been lucky to have him; I’ve been lucky to manage him - but there’s a few games left in him yet hopefully.’ 

Attendance: 562

Leamington: Callum Hawkins, Dan Meredith, Josh Quaynor, Ewan Williams, Jack Edwards, Theo Streete, Henry Landers (15 Dom Brown-Hill, 90), Adam Walker ©, Callum Stewart (14 Joe Clarke, 81), Tyrone Barnett, Will Shorrock (12 Jiah Medrano, 77). 

Subs not used: 16 Rob Evans, 17 Connor Taylor. 

Royston Town: Louis Chadwick, Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite, Charlie Johnson, Josh Coldicott-Stevens, Adam Murray, Ronnie Henry, Damaray Anyadike (14 Samson Esan, 53), James Brighton (15 Alfie Williams, 63), Kian Harness, Fabio Virciglio (12 Andronicos Georgiou, 53), Sam Mvemba. 

Subs not used: 16 Ed Asafu-Adjaye, 17 MacKye Townsend-West. 

Referee: Mr Harry Tarrant

Assistant Referees: Ms Julia Kings & Mr Jamie Howe

Brakes Man of the Match: Will Shorrock.