Vanarama National League North
Neuven Stadium
Tuesday 5th November 2024

The first ever meeting of these two newly promoted clubs went the way of the hosts on a drizzly night in Greater Manchester, as Brakes slipped to their fourth league defeat of the season. 

With Will Shorrock serving the final game of his suspension for his red card at South Shields and Ted Rowe injured, Paul Holleran restored Tim Berridge and Theo Streete to the starting eleven, with Henry Landers dropping to the bench as the manager switched from his usual formation to try and combat a side containing players that have tasted success at this level with the Boro’ management team of Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson.  

The Neuven Stadium is a well appointed ground, with the low roofed stands at either ends making for a decent atmosphere, and the noisy band of travelling supporters were met by an equally boisterous young group of home supporters in the second half. 

Leamington went close early on when Rob Evans hurled in a long throw from the right that bounced up nicely on the far side for George Ward to send a half volley towards goal that was deflected behind for a corner. 

The hosts swiftly retaliated; Scott Duxbury seeing a shot blocked, before Callum Hawkins collected a lofted effort from the right under his crossbar. 

Radcliffe were certainly doing more of the attacking in the opening fifteen minutes, but looked uncertain when Brakes pressed forward. However, they came within inches of taking the lead when Brad Jackson crashed a fierce low drive against the base of the post on the right. 

Leamington were moving the ball out of defence well, and Evans sent Dan Meredith down the right to deliver a decent ball into the box for Tim Berridge to connect with a half volley that was well blocked. 

Just past the half hour the home side moved ahead, and while the goal came from a fine low strike from Rick Smith that arrowed into the bottom left hand corner, that he was afforded the chance was down to individual mistakes that allowed Smith to drive through the middle before putting his side ahead. 

Hawkins was forced to punch a long range effort from Josh Hancock away from goal before the half time whistle sounded. 

Radcliffe skipper Nicky Adams sliced an early effort well wide as the hosts continued to push after restart, but they were pegged back just before the hour mark when Henry Landers, who had only been introduced two minutes earlier, bent a sublime strike into the far corner from out on the left to level things up. 

Unfortunately it did not provide a platform for Leamington to push on in the game, as within six minutes they were behind again, as Jordan Hulme was afforded far too much time and space to drill a low strike under the dive of Hawkins into the net. 

The Brakes keeper prevented his side from going further behind when he parried Anthony Dudley’s shot as the striker ran in on goal. 

The manager threw on all of his remaining substitutes in a bid to claw something from the game, and Jack Edwards was spared by an offside flag as he stabbed a good chance wide. 

Fellow substitutes Joe Doyle-Charles headed wide from a corner before Edwards looked have been sandwiched by keeper and defender as he met a ball into the box and scooped it into the net while grounded, but as Walker had been earlier in the half, he was penalised for something that escaped the travelling support. 

Leamington kept up their late pressure, but Radcliffe were so close to their first ever win at Step 2 now, and despite Walker’s shot being deflected behind, Ward heading over the bar from a left wing corner and Edwards flicking another effort wide, they were not about to surrender the points on this occasion, and saw out time for a deserved victory. . 

Attendance: 613

Radcliffe: 1 Mateusz Hewelt, 2 Brad Jackson (17 Tom Walker, 89), 3 Scott Duxbury, 4 Rick Smith, 6 Lois Maynard, 7 Josh Hancock (Tunde Owolabi, 79), 8 Nicky Adams ©, 9 Jordan Hulme (20 Jamie Morgan, 85), 10 Anthony Dudley (Mo Doro, 85), 15 Brad Roscoe, 24 Matt Sargent. 

Subs not used: 12 Callum Rowe. 

Leamington: 1 Callum Hawkins, 2 Dan Meredith, 3 Josh Quaynor, 5 Theo Streete (4 Joe Doyle-Charles, 71), 6 Rob Evans, 8 Adam Walker ©, 9 Cally Stewart (16 Jiah Medrano, 78), 11 Tim Berridge (7 Henry Landers, 56), 14 George Ward, 17 Ewan Williams (10 Jack Edwards, 71), 19 Ant Lynn. 

Subs not used: 20 Jacob Humphries. 

Referee: Mr Dean Watson

Assistant Referees: Mr Karl Parker & Mr Charles King

Fourth Official: Mr Taylor Metcalf

Brakes Man of the Match: Dan Meredith.