March 28
1978 - Brakes went down 1-0 on the South Coast to Hastings United in the Southern League Premier Division. Our team that day was: V O’Keefe, R Mason, G Capewell, A Jones, T Kilkelly, D Taylor, M Keeley, M Sutheran, A Stewart, R Morton, D Conway. Substitute: G Kavanagh.
1987 - A goalless draw with Buckingham Town was played out at The Windmill Ground as Leamington entered the final month of what would be their last season in the Southern League for 20 years. Our team that day was: Campbell, Taylor, Britton, S Thomas, Chatwin, O’Hare, Coleman, L Williams, Draper, Rosegreen, Kavanagh. Substitute: Upton (for O’Hare)
2005 - A twelfth minute Leon Morgan goal and a second a minute after half time from top scorer Richard Adams saw Leamington win 2-1 in front of 372 at Alveston in the Midland Combination Premier Division. Brakes lined up as follows: Richard Morris, Ben Adams, Simon Walker, Tom Sidwell, Andy Gregory, Leon Morgan, Stuart Herlihy, Jon Adams, Richard Adams, Ryan Howell, Steve Thompson. Substitutes: Paul Eden (for Howell), Darran Tank (for Morgan), Ryan Parisi (for B Adams).
2006 - A rearranged home fixture against Cradley Town in the Midland Alliance saw Brakes come from behind with four second half goals. The original fixture had been abandoned back in February due to a floodlight failure, with Brakes leading 2-1. Match report and Video Highlights from BrakesVideos below. Thanks to Nick Rogers for remastering.
Report
LEAMINGTON 4 v CRADLEY TOWN 1
Midland Alliance
Tuesday 28 Mar 2006
By Roger Vincent
Hammers Thumped After Early Pounding
To use that old, hackneyed expression this was a game of two halves. For an hour the wind blew, the rain drizzled and Brakes seemed unable to bring any cohesion to their play. Cradley, as befits a team desperate for points to escape the drop, and one of three teams most likely, played as if this was a cup final, shouting, cajoling, in quickly to every ball. And it worked to the extent of a half-time lead.
But Brakes equalised soon after the restart, the rain stopped, the wind dropped, and a second goal just after the hour broke the Hammers spirit. They tried, still, but never looked like taking the game thereafter and by the time Brakes brought on their substitutes it was one-way traffic with both the fresh strikers scoring late goals in what would have been more of a rout if the crumbling Cradley defence hadn’t been saved by the final whistle.
Herlihy, after his first goal of the season in the last game, seems to have the bit between his teeth as he headed, powerfully, just wide in only the 3rd minute but Brakes were struggling to make headway against a spirited Cradley side. There was little cohesion in their play, not helped by a brisk wind, and Cradley were using the wings well forcing Brakes two, influential wingbacks into defensive positions.
It was a night for errors and with Cradley fighting for every ball it was almost no surprise when a couple of poor clearances in the Brakes defence let in Smith who drove home in the 17th to give Cradley a 0-1 lead.
With salvation possible from just a few wins Cradley were rampant and could have increased their lead with better finishing. And given the spirit and energy shown they probably deserved it at this stage. Brakes seemed low on confidence with players hiding rather than running into positions but Rodman, continuing his current rich vein of form, seemed immune from such frailties and was clearly feared by Cradley when he escaped from defensive duties.
And, once again, Parisi was everywhere at the back mopping up loose balls and getting back to make saving tackles when it really mattered, ably supported by authoritative displays from Sidwell and Cudworth. With Titterton belying the miles on the clock with another busy, inspirational display in midfield it was up front that Brakes didn’t seem to be able to get going.
But there was a warning for Cradley in injury time at the end of the first 45 when Husband’s drive was beaten out and Cudworth, making his first start, could have opened his account for his new club.
Yet Cradley were the first to strike in the second half forcing Morris into an excellent save at the expense of a corner in the 46th. They must have rued that chance a few minutes later when Rodman put Brakes back on terms at 1-1 in the 49th, picking up an incisive through ball from Herlihy to round the keeper and slot home.
Cradley crumbled as Brakes rediscovered their confidence. The rain stopped and the wind became a breeze; I almost expected the sun to come out. Herlihy powered his way to two chances and Jon Adams shot just over the bar before Martin Thompson, improving with every game as he recovers match fitness, ran at the goal and was unlucky to see his shot saved though Husband was quick to pounce as the ball ran free hammering home in the 66th for a 2-1 lead.
This was parity with the match in February when it was abandoned because of floodlights failure. But Brakes had a few more tricks up their sleeves on this occasion. Blake came on and looked as if he could win the match on his own. We’re used to whole-hearted displays from Josh Blake but this was something else. He flashed a header wide in the 74th, created mayhem in a desperate Cradley defence in the 85th then set off on a brilliant run, chesting the ball down at speed before turning a couple of defenders inside out for good measure and blasting home, 3-1 in the 88th.
A minute later Blake charged down a Cradley ball he had no right to get to and slipped the ball through for Brakes’ other substitute, who had come on to appreciative howls from the crowd packed behind the Cradley goal in the Harbury Lane stand and Ryan ‘Howler’ Howell slipped a beautifully-placed shot into the corner for 4-1 in the 89th.
Leamington: Richard Morris; Alex Rodman; Ryan Parisi; Tom Sidwell (Neil Stacey 90); Tom Cudworth; Morton Titterton [Capt]; Jon Adams; Stuart Herlihy; Jody McKay (Josh Blake 68); Martin Thompson (Ryan Howell 78); James Husband.
Subs Not Used: David Care; Paul Shepherd
Cradley Town (From): Tim Beech; Carl Martin; Luke Bradley; Pat Power; Mark Smith; Joseph Beard; Steve Chatterley; Tom Maddern; Shaun Maynard; Jason Ramsay; Tom Millington; Tom Jennings; Scott Wood; Michael Crook; Ben Store; Chris Homer.
Attendance: 232
Players' News: Andy Crabtree probably ‘2nd week in April’; Darran Tank similar; Leon Morgan back after suspension; Michael Feely (midfielder / striker) has signed from Evesham, previous clubs include Redditch.
2009 - Another goalless draw - this time at Atherstone Town in the Southern League Midland Division. Brakes picked up a useful point against a fellow title chaser. The Adders side contained future Leamington players James Mace and Jamie Hood, and former player Tom Bates. Match Report below.
Snakes fail to put on the Brakes!
Saturday, 28 Mar 2009 @ Sheepy Road, Atherstone
Atherstone Town 0-0 Leamington
British Gas Business Southern League Midland Division.
By Paul Edwards.
Leamington emerged with a hard earned point from the top of the table Warwickshire derby at Sheepy Road. The outcome of this clash was important for both clubs, and it showed. Clear cut chances for either side were few and far between, but this did not stop the bumper crowd of 1,020 from creating a good atmosphere. Local pride, added to the fact that both clubs are still chasing the ultimate prize of the Midland Division title, and automatic promotion, meant that there was also some tension in the air.
The Adders were first to show up in the early stages, and Brakes could barely muster a move out of their own half in the first quarter of the game, but stout defending was the order of the day, and the back three were clearly up for the task. Guy Sanders blocked an early shot inside the penalty area, and Lee Greenway fired a good effort just wide.
The style of play employed by Jimmy Ginnelly may not be what most football followers like to watch, but his team are certainly effective with it, and they put Leamington under pressure for long periods of the first half. Sanders was alert again to cut out a ball up the left that was intended for Matt Brown. The first sniff of an attack for Leamington came when Sanders launched a ball out of defence, Liam Reynolds and Mark Bellingham went up with Farhad Afandiyev, but the Adders keeper claimed the ball. Luke Barlone turned his marker just outside the Brakes penalty area, but rolled his shot wide of Chris Kiely's goal.
Kiely was then forced to back peddle and push a high cross over his bar. The corner kick, struck by Tom Bates, hit the roof of the net. James Husband then found some space and accelerated down the left, sending over an inviting looking ball that Luke Corbett was unable to connect with. Bates then volleyed a good effort over for Atherstone at the other end.
The effectiveness of the former Leamington player from dead ball situations would not have been lost on Jason Cadden and his coaching staff, who must have been pulling their hair out at the number of opportunities presented to the home side as a result of needless fouls. The first free kick was awarded at least thirty five yards out, but Bates still struck a shot towards goal. Unfortunately for him, it was a red and white shirt that diverted it behind. The next one shot over the bar, and another was confidently claimed by Chris Kiely.
Ryan Parisi, who replaced the suspended Adam Cooper, battled well all afternoon, and won pushed the ball behind for a corner, after losing possession on the left. The Adders players were in the faces of their counterparts whenever they did not have the ball, forcing mistakes, and Bates capitalised on one such error by Jai Stanley, but just couldn't find his range, and hit his shot narrowly over the bar.
As a result of the midfield having little time on the ball, the front pairing of Luke Corbett and Mark Bellingham were seeing even less of it. Corbett shot well over from a tight angle out on the right, before a gilt edged opportunity fell to Matt Brown inside the area to open the scoring for Atherstone. Brakes failed to properly clear their lines, and the ball was stabbed through a crowded 18 yard box to the feet of Brown, who somehow stabbed his shot wide, but his embarrassment was spared by an offside flag.
Bellingham got his first sniff of a chance as he received the ball outside the area, but he was well marshalled as he probed for an opening. Liam Reynolds was then bought down, but from the free kick Guy Sanders could only hit a shot weakly at Afandiyev.
The first opportunity of the second half came the way of Luke Corbett, who controlled a clever pass in from the right touchline by Jai Stanley, turned his marker, and fired just over. Greenway headed a corner kick well over for Atherstone, before Marcus Jackson forced a corner kick, from which Guy Sanders saw a first time volley deflected over the bar.
As the minutes ticked by, the game began to open up a little for Leamington. Marcus Jackson did well to cut a ball which would have seen Tom Bates in some space on the left. Play immediately switched up field, and Afandiyev was forced to sprint from his line to clear the ball out of play. The Adders keeper appeared to be somewhat fortunate to receive the benefit of the doubt from the match officials shortly afterwards, when he dropped onto the ball on the edge of his penalty area, as Mark Bellingham tried to challenge him. Bellingham protested that the stopper had handled it outside of the line, and having dug it out from under Afandiyev, he fired it into the net, but the free kick was awarded to the relieved goalkeeper.
It was then Chris Kiely's turn to beat out a well struck effort, as the Adders countered, but he looked to have been beaten when Luke Barlone steamed into the area, and looked certain to score, but desperate challenges from Parisi, Sanders, and finally a goal line clearance from Hier saved Leamington.
The introduction of Mykel Beckley bought fresh impetus to the attack, as he caused panic in the Atherstone defence with his darting runs. James Mace was booked for a late lunge at the substitute. The final chances of this tight tussle fell to Luke Corbett. He looked to have got the legs on his marker as he ran for a through ball, but he went for power rather than precision, and his shot cleared the bar. There was almost a similar chance for him as the game ran into added time, but his shot was diverted behind, with Afandiyev claiming the corner, leaving both sides to settle for a share of the spoils.
Atherstone Town: Farhad Afandiyev, James Mace, Ben Twigger, Scott Clamp (Danny Gaunt, 63), Jamie Hood [C], Chris Tullin, Lee Greenway, Craig Civzelis, Luke Barlone, Matthew Brown (Tom Guiney, 87), Tom Bates.
Subs not used: Todd Perry, Dale Belford, Ben Ashby.
Leamington: Chris Kiely, Marcus Jackson, Ryan Parisi, Guy Sanders [C], Martin Hier, Liam Reynolds, Stuart Herlihy, Jai Stanley (Chris Murphy, 68), Luke Corbett, Mark Bellingham (Mykel Beckley, 76), James Husband.
Subs not used: Steve Palmer, Richard Anstiss, Josh Blake.
Attendance: 1,020. - MotM: Luke Corbett.
2015 - A 1-1 draw with Stalybridge Celtic at the New Windmill Ground which did neither team any favours. Nathan Hicks scored our late leveller. This was the game that was featured in Nick Leek’s ‘Part Time’ Documentary, which can be viewed here. Richard Taundry made his debut for the club in this game. Match Report below.
Leamington 1 Stalybridge Celtic 1
Vanarama Conference North
New Windmill Ground
Saturday 28th March 2015
A late equaliser from Nathan Hicks kept Brakes out of the bottom three as Paul Holleran’s men staged a stirring late rally against fellow strugglers Stalybridge at the New Windmill Ground.
The introduction of debutant Richard Taundry from the bench with just over half an hour to play gave Leamington the spark they so desperately needed in a poor game that looked to be slipping away from them after Chris Simm had given the visitors a first half lead in a game of few chances.
Birmingham City youngster Liam Truslove struck an early effort on the Celtic goal from distance that was saved by Ross Etheridge, while Michael Potts fired wide for the visitors. Both sides looked very nervous and play was not helped by a swirling wind which made life difficult for both sides. This did not appear to affect Jonny Maddison in the Brakes goal, the young Leicester loanee showing good hands to claim some dangerous balls into his penalty area.
Lee Chilton volleyed a difficult chance over following a corner, but it was Stalybridge with new manager Liam Watson taking charge for the first time who took the lead on 38 minutes. Potts’ free kick from out on the left touchline was punched clear by Maddison to Simm, who mis-kicked but was not closed down quickly enough, making the most of his second chance as he rifled the ball into the roof of the net. The only response Leamington could muster prior to half time was a long range free kick from Jordan Goddard that was claimed by Etheridge at his near post.
Lee Moore latched onto a long ball forward from James Mace in the second half, beating Etheridge to the ball but lobbing onto the roof of the net.
Taundry was introduced by Paul Holleran and quickly got involved, playing a free kick short to Joe Magunda, whose shot was quickly blocked.
Matthew Hughes headed over from a corner as Stalybridge threatened briefly, while Connor Gudger was played in by Moore as the visitors struggled to clear a strong burst forward, but the left back snatched a little at his shot and stabbed wide, much to his frustration.
A long throw from Taundry then caused panic in the Stalybridge box, presenting fellow substitute Nathan Hicks with a chance which flashed past the upright with the aid of a deflection. Chilton then wriggled between two defenders on the left to fire a ball into the box that was desperately stabbed away as Leamington finally began to pile on the pressure.
The all important goal arrived with only 3 minutes remaining, Bilal Yafai and Goddard combining with Lee Moore on the right, the latter firing low across goal for Hicks to stab home, the Harbury Lane unleashing one of the loudest goal celebrations heard at the ground for some time. The noise had been building prior to the leveller but it raised further still as the supporters sensed their team might snatch a vitally important winner. Delroy Gordon stabbed a shot towards goal as Stalybridge failed to clear again following a scramble in their penalty area.
After such a quiet start to the game it was a frantic ending, but that crucial equaliser could turn out to be the goal that gets Brakes back on track as they head into a vital Easter weekend.
Attendance: 595
Leamington: Jonny Maddison, James Mace, Connor Gudger, Joe Magunda (16 Bilal Yafai, 86), Jamie Tank, Delroy Gordon, Jordan Goddard, Jack Edwards (14 Nathan Hicks, 65), Lee Moore, Liam Truslove (12 Richard Taundry, 58), Lee Chilton.
Subs not used: 15 Hawker, 17 Fenney.
Stalybridge Celtic: Ross Etheridge, Stefan Galinski, Oliver Crowley, Matthew Regan, Matthew Hughes, Michael Potts (14 Ben McKenna, 79), Aidan Chippendale, Scott Kerr, Chris Simm (15 Alex Mudimu, 90), Michael Powell, Tom Bentham (16 Jamie Allen, 79).
Subs not used: 12 Paul Ennis, 17 Josh Ollerenshaw.
Referee: Dan Meeson
Assistant Referees: Tim Walker & Ed Pidduck.
Brakes Man of the Match: Richard Taundry.
2016 - Stratford Town 0 Leamington 1 - On loan Burton Albion midfielder Sam Austin’s third minute penalty, won by debutant Danny Dubidat, settled this local derby at Knights Lane in front of 576. Match Report can be found here.
2017 - Cinderford Town 1 Leamington 2 - A hard fought victory in the Forest of Dean was secured by an early goal from Courtney Baker-Richardson and a second half own goal. Match Report can be found here.
