Vanarama National League North
Tameside Stadium
Saturday 26th April 2025
Leamington were in no mood to roll over for play off chasing hosts Curzon Ashton in an absorbing final game of the 2024/2025 season, as they came within a few minutes of added time from a fourth away win of the season, while the late point for the Nash was not enough for them to claim the final play off spot; with Buxton taking seventh place on goal difference on a day of drama throughout the Non League pyramid.
Brakes had no such worries as they had long since secured their status for next season, but there was pride to play for, and the small matter of halting a six game run without a goal, along with achieving a highest points tally in the National League North - both of which were achieved, to the delight of a raucous travelling support.
Paul Holleran made three changes to his starting eleven for the final outing of the campaign, with Joe Clarke, Henry Landers and Will Shorrock coming in for Matt Richards, Jack Edwards and Tim Berridge.
The first half was an entertaining affair, with Leamington showing up first in front of goal. Landers’ stinging drive was well blocked by the arms of Curzon keeper Bobby Jones. Landers’ free kick in from the right was met by the head of Owen Farmer, but unfortunately he directed his effort straight at Jones.
The hosts’ opening chance of the afternoon was scuffed wide by captain Jimmy Spencer from an inviting right wing centre from Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, but Spencer was on the money with his next effort, only to see his superb curling strike plucked away from the top left hand corner by a fantastic save from Callum Hawkins. Another shot was hurriedly placed wide of the target.
There was another opportunity for Leamington when Shorrock sent a first time strike over the crossbar. Curzon were beginning to turn up the heat however, and Adam Barton sent a looping header just over the Leamington bar. Buckley-Ricketts then went even closer, striking the frame of the goal from Barton’s cross.
Hawkins managed to outdo his previous save by producing an astonishing stop from Timi Sobowele’s first time strike as the Nash recycled the ball back into the box through Buckley-Ricketts. An absolutely top drawer save that had to be seen to be believed.
Good forward play from Leamington saw Owen Farmer cut the ball back for skipper Adam Walker to drive a shot well over the crossbar.
Brakes could be satisfied with their first half performance, but were indebted to Hawkins for keeping them level as they went into the dressing room.
Barton sent a strike just past the post seconds after the restart as the hosts, who at this stage were sitting in the final play off spot due to Buxton drawing and Hereford losing.
Buckley-Ricketts saw another effort saved by Hawkins, while substitute Stefan Mols struck the post with a header before sending another one wide of the target. After a frantic scramble inside the Leamington penalty area Josh Quaynor made a heroic goal line clearance to deny Marcus Poscha, with Spencer blazing the rebound high over the crossbar. Barton then shot straight at Hawkins before Leamington broke the deadlock with their first goal in over 600 minutes of football.
A free kick won by Meredith on the right saw the right back, making his 200th appearance for the club, exchange passes with Farmer before firing an effort across goal that was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Sobowele. Nevertheless it was celebrated wildly by the travelling support as they enjoyed seeing their side ahead in a game since their last win on March 22nd against South Shields.
With Buxton now ahead in their game against relegated Warrington, Curzon Ashton now simply had to throw caution to the wind if they were to get into the play off places, and they made sweeping changes as they attempted to do so. Initially however it was Leamington who looked likely to double their lead, as Walker saw a shot blocked, Farmer following up with a piledriver that was also well blocked. Substitute Berridge then set off on a great run, but fired over. He then led a good counter attack before feeding Farmer, who saw his attempt deflected behind. The diminutive front man then bludgeoned another effort towards goal only for the offside flag to be raised.
Hawkins saved another effort from the hosts; his opposite number Jones parrying a free kick before another offside flag.
Curzon’s late pressure was rewarded two minutes into added time when Barton sent a looping header beyond Hawkins into the far corner from the right. There were some desperate scrambles in the Leamington penalty area in the time that remained, with Buckley-Ricketts heading over from little more than a yard out as the ball ricocheted around the six yard box. In the final minute a header was held by Hawkins and Leamington broke, with Jones, having come upfield for a corner scrambling back to his goal to hold a strike from Farmer with almost the last kick of the game.
The players were warmly applauded for their efforts by the travelling Brakes fans, who despite the disappointments of the final few weeks were rightly proud of their side for assuring National League North football next season some weeks ago. As the manager pointed out last week, having finished 15-16 points behind Needham Market last season, Brakes finished 16 points ahead of them this time around, blooding several young players at Step 2 level, one of whom played only 27 games before realising his dream of becoming a full time professional. There is much to be proud of, and to look forward to next season, but for now, it’s time for a break….
Attendance: not announced
Curzon Ashton: 1 Bobby Jones, 2 Timi Sobowale (17 Michael Afuye, 78), 4 Marcus Poscha, 6 Luke Griffiths, 7 Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, 8 Isaac Sinclair (3 Luis Lacey, 78), 9 Jimmy Spencer ©, 11 Will Hayhurst, 12 Alex Curran (10 Stefan Mols, 53), 19 Jordan Richards (21 Craig Mahon, 78), 22 Adam Barton.
Subs not used: 31 Marcus Kouam.
Leamington: 1 Callum Hawkins, 2 Dan Meredith, 3 Josh Quaynor, 6 Rob Evans (5 Theo Streete, 86), 7 Henry Landers (19 Ant Lynn, 75), 8 Adam Walker ©, 12 Will Shorrock (11 Tim Berridge, 59), 14 George Ward, 17 Ewan Williams (4 Matt Richards, 73), 21 Joe Clarke (10 Jack Edwards, 62), 24 Owen Farmer.
Referee: Mr Darius Bradley
Assistant Referees: Mr Andrew Daniels & Mr Arran Williams
Fourth Official: Mr Jack Lambert
Brakes Man of the Match: Callum Hawkins.
