Vanarama National League North
Blackwell Meadows 
Saturday 24th August 2024

Brakes made the long haul up to Teeside to see if they could build on a promising opening three games on their return to the Vanarama National League North. 

Their opponents Darlington, despite being superbly backed by their loyal supporters, had taken just a solitary point from their three fixtures thus far, and came into the game somewhat hamstrung, missing five regular starters, while Paul Holleran made three alterations to his starting eleven from Tuesday evening’s draw against Alfreton; Rob Evans and Will Shorrock returning, while Joe Doyle-Charles made his full debut. Henry Landers was missing after picking up a knock in training on Thursday.

Speaking to us before the game, several of the home supporters did not have high expectations for their team, but often in football adversity has the opposite effect, and that certainly proved to be the case for Darlington in this game. 

Having left rainy Warwickshire behind for the day it was a pleasant surprise to be welcomed with sunshine in the North East, and the flags put up by the travelling support at the far end of the ground rippled gently in the wind ahead of kick off. 

The opening ten minutes were quiet, with Leamington doing most of the probing, but when Darlington pushed forward for the first time they created the first opening of the afternoon. Wing backs Ben Headley and Scott Barrow were the architects, the latter crossing for the former to meet a left wing cross with a scything effort that flew just over Callum Hawkins’ crossbar. All most football supporters want from their team as a minimum requirement is to see effort being put in, and this along with early endeavours heartened the home crowd.

Cally Stewart registered Brakes’ first effort of the game, being allowed to turn inside from the left after collecting a kick out from Hawkins to fire low towards the near post, but it was comfortable for Peter Jameson. 

Barrow sold Shorrock a dummy as he cut in from the left wing, feeding Quakers debutant Oli Thompson to curl in a decent effort that the fans in the main stand thought was going to loop over Hawkins’ head, but the Brakes number 1 watched the ball all the way. 

After Doyle-Charles received the first booking of the game, a free kick from midway into the Leamington half was somewhat awkwardly headed wide by a stooping Matty Cornish. 

The home side were building some momentum now, and Leamington were struggling to clear their lines. There was some brief respite from a Rob Evans long throw; with Brakes recycling and going back in on the right; Shorrock feeding Ewan Williams with a neat backheel, but Stewart was offside as he was played in for the shot. Jameson required treatment after making the save. 

Just past the half hour Barrow fired in a shot that was blocked by the head of Evans, but from the loose ball Will Hatfield launched himself airborne to fire in a spectacular right footed effort that seemed to deceive Hawkins as it bounced into the bottom corner to give Darlington the lead. A disappointing goal to concede from a Leamington perspective, as he was afforded far too much time to watch the ball down and execute the shot, but that is to take nothing away from what was a fine strike. 

Brakes were almost in huge danger of conceding a quickfire second as Doyle-Charles tried to turn on the halfway line and was dispossessed by Jack Maskell. With nearly every player on the pitch in the Darlington half he tore towards goal, but hesitated inside the box and Doyle-Charles was able to get a boot in to nick the ball away. 

The first half seemed to fly by, and there was clearly plenty to discuss in the dressing room during the interval, as Leamington had stalled after a reasonably bright opening, allowing the hosts to get on top and dictate play. They very nearly went in two goals behind, Hawkins getting to a right wing centre inches ahead of Maskell. 

An early second half free kick won by Stewart was headed out as far as Shorrock, who sent a looping header from the edge of the box into Jameson’s arms. 

Maskell had his head in his hands after he flashed a header inches over the bar from close range from a greatcross by Jarrett Rivers, while Thompson forced a parrying save from Hawkins as Darlington continued to create all the decent chances going forward. 

Matty Cornish went down in the box after a mazy run, the loose ball running for Thompson to thump in a strike that must have taken a deflection as it flew high over the bar, as a corner kick was awarded. 

Paul Holleran threw on Tim Berridge, Ted Rowe and Jack Edwards in an attempt to try and wrest control of proceedings from the hosts, but it  made little difference. Toby Lees sent a flying header over the Leamington bar, while Ewan Williams did register an effort on goal with a well struck swerving half volley that was unfortunately straight at Jameson. Evans hooked in a cross-shot, while Berridge sent a low drive from the edge of the box towards goal, but neither troubled the former Blyth Spartans and York keeper.  

The closing minutes saw a raft of cards brandished by Referee Lewis Dawson. The home fans were baying for a red card as Hatfield went down as if shot by a sniper, but after consultation with the fourth official and assistant referee, it was the Darlington goalscorer who received a booking, presumably for what had occurred before he hit the deck. 

Darlington substitute Cameron Salkeld forced an injury time save from Hawkins after Edwards had lost possession in midfield, but the hosts were well worth the three points despite the slender margin, sending Brakes to their first ever defeat at Blackwell Meadows. It was, in the words of coach Chris Knott, a sluggish away day performance. 

A little perspective on these situations never hurts, and it is worth considering that this was the first real long away journey for quite a number of these players; something which is never the best preparation for 90 minutes of football. Going down to a narrow defeat to a club with the supporter base the size of Darlington’s is no disgrace. These supporters are able to generate significant funds to aid their club’s playing budget. We should never lose sight of the fact that it is an achievement in itself for our club to compete on a level playing field with the rest of the clubs in the National League North, and our players are doing us proud every time they step onto the pitch, win, lose or draw. 

To coin a well worn football cliché, we go again on Monday……. 

Attendance: 1,382

Darlington: 1 Pete Jameson, 2 Ben Headley, 3 Scott Barrow, 5 Toby Lees, 6 Elliot Forbes, 7 Matty Cornish (24 Cameron Salkeld, 74), 8 Will Hatfield ©, 9 Jack Maskell, 14 Will Flint, 21 Jarrett Rivers, 22 Oli Thompson (17 Alex Payne, 85). 

Subs not used: 15 Levi Andoh, 13 Liam McGrath, 30 Oscar Taylor. 

Leamington: 1 Callum Hawkins 2 Dan Meredith, 3 Josh Quaynor, 4 Joe Doyle-Charles (10 Jack Edwards, 65), 6 Rob Evans, 8 Adam Walker ©, 9 Cally Stewart, 12 Will Shorrock (18 Ted Rowe, 65), 14 George Ward, 17 Ewan Williams, 19 Ant Lynn (11 Tim Berridge, 57).  

Subs not used: 5 Theo Streete, 15 Caine Elliott.

Referee: Mr Lewis Dawson

Assistant Referees: Mr Taylor Metcalf & Mr James Garsud. 

Brakes Man of the Match: Dan Meredith.