Pre Season Friendly 
Your Co-op Community Stadium
Friday 26th July 2024

Brakes chalked up a fifth consecutive pre season victory as two first half strikes from Cally Stewart saw off a young Leicester City eleven in a rare Friday evening fixture on Harbury Lane. 

The Foxes academy prospects started the game confidently, moving the ball around well, and Leamington were unable to make any inroads until 12 minutes had been played, when they came close to opening the scoring with their first serious foray into the visitors’ penalty area. 

Stewart challenged for the ball inside the 18 yard box, defender Tom Wilson-Brown prodding it out only as far as Caine Elliott, who was in a central position on the edge of the area, and the young midfielder crashed in a fierce half volley that smacked the top of the crossbar on its way Stevie Bauser’s goal. 

Tim Berridge linked up well with strike partner Stewart, and slipped his team mate in on goal for a low strike that was blocked. More pressure from Brakes saw Jiah Medrano work hard to ensure that the ball did not drift out of play for a goal kick, and Berridge pulled it back from the touchline for Ewan Williams, who saw his shot charged down. 

Paul Holleran’s men hit the front with two quickfire goals minutes before half time. Flicked on by Medrano from the left, Berridge helped the ball into the centre inside the box for Stewart to sweep home a first time drive. 

Two minutes later he had a second, and it was thanks to more fine play from Berridge, who received the ball with his back to goal inside the box, holding up play superbly before rolling it into the path of Stewart, who finished it off smartly. 

There was still time for another chance before the half time whistle; George Ward meeting Dan Meredith’s low right wing centre with a stooping header that was straight at Bauser. 

The visitors had offered very little threat in attack, but with a raft of half time changes they pressed forward early in the second half, Amani Richards’ right wing cross leading to a shot from Bobby Amartey which was well blocked. 

Brakes fans got their second look at striker Teddy Rowe, and he impressed again with his pace and eagerness to run at defenders. Nicking the ball on half way, he accelerated towards the penalty area before squaring for Williams, who was bundled over inside the box, but no spot kick was awarded. 

Callum Hawkins was called into action for practically the only time in the evening when he parried a well struck effort from the left. 

Leamington did not create anything particularly clear cut in the second half, but there were still some impressive performances and passages of play. Substitute Henry Landers played a free kick won by Meredith out on the right into the box which was missed by keeper Bauser, but Ward was just unable to steer the ball into an empty net. 

Late on the substitutes almost engineered a third goal. Marvellous Onabirekhanlen saw a shot blocked, and when Rowe squared the ball for Landers to have a go his effort was blocked behind at the expense of a corner. 

With just two weeks remaining until the opening day of the National League North season, Brakes will entertain our friends from Halesowen Town in their final pre season fixture next Saturday. 

Attendance: 246

Leamington: Callum Hawkins, Dan Meredith, Jiah Medrano (12 Josh Quaynor, 66), Trialist A (15 Jack Edwards, 66), Theo Streete ©, George Ward, Will Shorrock (14 Henry Landers, 57), Caine Elliott (16 Adam Walker, 57), Tim Berridge (18 Marvellous Onabirekhanlen, 66), Ewan Williams (19 Trialist B, 79), Cally Stewart (17 Teddy Rowe, 57). 

Subs not used: 13 Ethan Pheasey. 

Leicester City XI: Stevie Bauser, Brandon Cover, Mirsad Ali, Tom Wilson-Brown, Harvey Godsmark-Ford, Sammy Braybrooke ©, Zach Booth, Oli Ewing, Chris Popov, Logan Briggs, Wanya Marcal. 

Substitutes: 12 Bobby Amartey, 13 Harry French, 14 Toby Onanaye, 15 Amani Richards, 16 Tommy Neale, 17 Jahmari Lindsay, 18 Ben Grist, 19 Liam McAlinney, 20 Jayden Joseph, 21 Kian Pennant, 22 Arjan Raikhy. 

Referee: Mr Neil Pratt.

Assistant Referees: Mr Richard Cutts & Mr Joe Larkin.

Photos by Chris Simpson ©