LeamingtonFC.co.uk - 2015-2016 Match Centre

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New Windmill Ground
Saturday 1st August 2015

There were many positives to take from an entertaining final pre season fixture against Warwickshire neighbours Nuneaton Town, with the Southern League curtain raiser now only 7 days away.

Brakes put in an enterprising first half display and while the visitors took control somewhat in the second half Paul Holleran's side were only really carved open for the final two goals.

In a bright opening to the game Ben Mackey forced Boro keeper Jordan Smith to push his powerful header over the bar from Ben George's right wing cross. Nuneaton were quickly ahead with their first attack of the game however, as Marlon Harewood collected a hoisted ball upfield before setting up strike partner Aaron Williams, who clipped a measured shot over the head of Tony Breeden into the net.

Undeterred by this setback Leamington continued to move the ball around well. Richard Taundry fired a free kick just wide while Rob Ogleby forced another good save from Smith as he tried to lift his shot over the keeper from the edge of the box, forcing him to push the ball behind for corner. Mackey saw a shot blocked, while another effort was smothered by Smith after an intelligent ball through from Taundry.

Harewood looked to have a good opportunity to double Nuneaton's advantage after picking up a stray pass to advance past two or three defenders, but drove a low shot wide of the upright.

When it arrived, the equaliser was well crafted and deserving of the warm applause it drew from the home support. Mackey chased a forward pass to the touchline to keep possession, playing it back to Jack Edwards, who in turn worked it out to Taundry on the edge of the box, his powerful first time drive giving Smith no chance as it fizzed past him.

James Reid extended Breeden with a well struck free kick that saw the Brakes number one springing to his left to save, while another dead ball from the opposite side of the penalty area minutes later flew wide.

Mackey fashioned a great chance to snatch the lead for Leamington just before half time when a fine piece of control from a free kick gave him the chance to shoot from close range, but with the angle tight he went for power ahead of placement and fired high and wide.

Lee Moore cut in from the left and fired an early shot over as the second half got underway, but Nuneaton grabbed an early lead again when a slick passing move involving Shane Byrne and James Clifton saw the latter fire low across goal where the predatory Williams was waiting to tuck the ball in at the far post.

Ogleby played strike partner Mackey into a good position again, allowing him to cut in and drive a shot just over the bar, but the visitors had more control over proceedings at times during the second half, and after substitute Billy Daniels and Reid had seen shots saved by Breeden, Daniels got the right side of the Leamington defence to slot home a third for Nuneaton with two minutes remaining.

Regarding substitutions and the non appearance of one or two players, the manager had said 'We took James Mace off as a precaution really, he went up for a challenge with Marlon Harewood and he hurt his neck. He had a little problem with it on Wednesday, but with James, Connor Gudger, Ross Oulton and taking Ben George off for the second half, it was all done as a precaution with one eye on the Chesham game next Saturday.

'Wednesday's game against Coventry was a real tough workout and I think a few of the lads came back a bit stiff on Thursday. I thought for 60 or 70 minutes today we were excellent. We've had to put a few square pegs in round holes but we still looked good, we just didn't take our chances. For the last 20 minutes Nuneaton bought on some fresh legs and played well. We were on our knees a bit towards the end but we've got through today without another major injury setback. It's been a tough pre season against some good sides but we've comfortably competed in every game and if it wasn't for some poor finishing we could have been in a more comfortable position, but we're looking ok.'

On the signing front, Holleran confirmed: 'We've signed Michael Williams and we've also signed Kieren Westwood, he was the trialist who played the second half today. We watched him last year, Kidderminster have had him in pre season but he hasn't been signed so we bought him in training this week. He's only 20 years of age, he's a local boy and we liked the look of him, so we've bought both of them in on deals. Ben Mackey was signed up around a month ago.'

Westwood signs for Brakes having been with Boldmere St Michaels last season, scooping the player's player of the season and also the goal of the season awards. He began his career at Cambridge United and also spent a short spell with Banbury United.

Attendance: 251

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Ben George (16 Kieren Westwood, 46), Jake Jones (14 Danny Williams, 69), Joe Magunda © , Jamie Hood, James Mace (12 Michael Williams, 35), Rob Ogleby, Jack Edwards, Ben Mackey, Richard Taundry, Lee Moore (15 Reiss Mitchell, 84).

Subs not used: 17 Connor Gudger, 18 Martyn Naylor, 19 Lewis Fenney.

Nuneaton Town: Jordan Smith, James Clifton (14 Ryan Smith, 74), James Reid, Jordan Keane, Joe Maguire, Jack Lane, David Morgan, Shane Byrne, Marlon Harewood (17 Rob Duffy, 74, 16 Billy Daniels, 76), Aaron Williams, Callum Chettle.

Referee: Ms Sarah Garrett

Assistant Referees: Mr Mike Bingham & Mr Tom Reeves

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New Windmill Ground
Wednesday 29th July 2015

Brakes gave another good account of themselves in this scoreless contest with a Coventry City XI made up mainly of Under 21's and a handful with first team experience. With the Leamington starting line up containing former Sky Blues youngsters in Connor Gudger and Rob Ogleby, the home side made a good start to the game and Lee Moore could have fired them in front early on after latching after Jack Edwards and then Ogleby had helped the ball into his path inside the penalty area but his first time volley was expertly plucked out of the air by the diving Reice Charles-Cook, who was one of the young visiting side's standout players on the night as he confidently dealt with pretty much everything that was thrown at him.

Moore registered Brakes' next effort on goal, collecting a low driven cross into the centre from Jake Jones with some neat control before turning sharply to shoot, only for the ball to deflect harmlessly through to Charles-Cook.

Richard Taundry drove a shot well over before Paul Holleran was forced into an unscheduled change on the half hour. The sight of Jamie Tank being carried off the pitch by two of his team mates after falling awkwardly was a little concerning with just over a week until the opening game of the season. The centre back left the pitch on crutches with his ankle strapped up at half time, with Holleran joking that 'he'll be coming back on in the second half', which hopefully indicates that the injury is not too serious.

This provided Michael Williams with another opportunity to show what he could do, and the big defender will have no doubt impressed those of a Leamington persuasion in the crowd who had been vocal in their praise of the trialist in his previous outings. He certainly proved to be a threat going forward again, and after Edwards had headed wide from Taundry's free kick he set off on a driving run past two City defenders before firing a low drive towards goal that was deflected behind for a corner. Ogleby registered the final shot of the half, which did not trouble the Coventry goal but obliterated an unguarded plastic pint pot on the Harbury Lane End terracing, showering those standing nearby with its contents much to the amusement of those out of range!

There had been precious little goal threat from the visitors in the first half but the game began to open up a little more in the second 45 minutes, with chances at both ends. Speedy right back Dion Kelly-Evans cut in from the right to fire an early effort wide of the target, before Ogleby saw a header deflected behind at the other end, and Moore was just unable to put the finishing touch to a spot of head tennis inside the Coventry penalty area. The Leamington number 10 was then afforded plenty of space to drive through the middle but fired his shot straight into the arms of Reice Charles-Cook.

Coventry's trialist number 9 looked odds on to open the scoring when he was presented with a close range chance to side foot home, only to be denied by a timely challenge . Taundry then fired a free kick just over the bar for Brakes, while Jones was left hammering the turf in frustration after Charles-Cook kept out what was probably the best chance of the evening, a mazy run into the box and low shot that was turned round the post after Ogleby had worked the ball into the box.

The Sky Blues' number 9 was presented with another opportunity following a good run by Devon Kelly-Evans, but was thwarted by a good save from Tony Breeden. Charles-Cook was by far the busier keeper in this game though, and he denied Williams as he drove the ball low towards goal from a quickly taken free kick move.

Ivor Lawton was denied by Breeden following good work from Dion Kelly-Evans cutting in from the right wing again, and the Brakes keeper saved again from the same player's angled drive shortly afterwards.

Jake Jones sent a final Leamington shot at goal low and just wide, but despite firing blanks for the second consecutive pre season game there was plenty of effort and endeavour from those in the new gold and black kit to suggest that with the amount of chances being created, the goals will surely follow.

Attendance: 508

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Ben George (15 Danny Williams, 80), Connor Gudger, Joe Magunda © , Jamie Tank (12 Michael Williams, 30), James Mace, Jack Edwards, Richard Taundry, Rob Ogleby, Lee Moore (14 James Husband, 71), Jake Jones.

Subs not used: 16 Ellison Porter, 17 Reece Mitchell, 18 Matt Warner, 19 Lewis Fenney.

Coventry City: Reice Charles-Cook, Dion Kelly-Evans, Ryan Haynes, Jack Finch, Aaron Phillips, Cian Harries, Ben Stevenson, Ivor Lawton © (12 Jordan Shipley, 87), Muhamedou, Bradley Plant, Devon Kelly-Evans (16 Trialist, 90)

Subs not used: 13 Corey Addai, 14 Darragh Leahy, 15 Callum Maycock.

Referee: Mr Guy Stretton

Assistant Referees: Mr Rich Cutts & Mr Kevin Andrews

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New Windmill Ground
Saturday 25th July 2015

Brakes played out a well contested friendly with a full strength Solihull Moors side at a sunny New Windmill Ground, losing out to a single goal scored just prior to the half hour mark by Darryl Knights.

Despite the wholesale changes made by Moors boss Marcus Bignot over the close season there were still familiar faces in the visitors line up in the shape of Liam Daly and Stefan Moore, while Tony Breeden lined up against his former team mates for the first time since returning to Leamington.

Moore's early shot was blocked as he attempted to find the net from close range, while Ben Mackey got into a good position at the other end but shot wide under heavy pressure from a defender.

There was very little goalmouth action but some good football being played at times as both sides cancelled each other out. Solihull made the most of the first clear cut opening that came their way on 29 minutes, Knights steering a low half volley neatly into the bottom corner with the outside of his right boot as he pounced on a loose ball played up to the edge of the Leamington penalty area.

Breeden was forced into a smart save to prevent a header from doubling the advantage soon afterwards but there were no more chances at either end before half time.

The biggest talking point as the second half began was the appearance of Brakes fan Tom O'Connell on the pitch as he replaced one of the Assistant Referees, which led to much amusement in the crowd as his friends did their best to distract him.

Knights fired an early shot well wide while a free kick was deflected behind by the Brakes defensive wall. Again there was some good football played by both sides, and while Leamington were never going to be able to go all out against a side containing a number of England C international players, they acquitted themselves well in spite of having certain players out of position due to injuries.

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Michael Williams, Connor Gudger, Joe Magunda © , Jamie Tank (17 Danny Williams, 79), James Mace, Ben George, Jack Edwards, Rob Ogleby (14 Matt Warner, 83), Ben Mackey (12 Ellison Porter, 87), Lee Moore.

Subs not used: 15 Trialist, 18 Trialist.

Solihull Moors: Danny Lewis, Michael Nottingham, Connor Franklin, Liam Daly, Theo Streete © , Gareth Dean, James Armson, Ryan Beswick, Andy Brown, Stefan Moore, Darryl Knights.

Subs not used: 12 Nick Cleary, 14 Marcus Bignot.

Attendance: 252

Referee: Mr Grant Taylor

Assistant Referees: Mr Joe Clarke & Mr Richie Watkins

New Windmill Ground
Wednesday 22nd July 2015

Brakes unfortunately came out on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline against Birmingham City's Development Squad at the New Windmill Ground, but put in another hard working performance against the Blues' young professionals.

With Rob Ogleby and Jake Jones missing from Saturday's starting line up Ross Oulton returned and fellow summer recruit Ben George stepped in for his first appearance of pre season.

The game did not get off to the best of starts for Leamington as they found themselves behind with only a couple of minutes on the clock, defensive hesitancy allowing the pacy Viv Solomon-Otabor to nip in and slot past Tony Breeden.

The same player almost broke clear on goal again only for Joe Magunda and James Mace to smuggle the ball back to Breeden as Brakes struggled to impose themselves early on, but in a fragmented first half littered with free kicks they started to get to grips with the forward movement of their opponents and began to put some promising build up play of their own without really troubling Birmingham keeper Jake Weaver.

Denny Johnstone thought he had doubled his side's advantage when he latched on to the ball after Breeden had parried a long range drive from Charlie Cooper, only to be flagged offside. Jack Edwards sent a powerful effort just over from distance and Ben Mackey, who enjoyed a tremendous battle with the Blues centre half Noe Baba all evening, sent a similar effort into the arms of Weaver.

Trialist Michael Williams impressed many of the watching New Windmill Ground crowd, and was in the right place to block an early drive from Solomon-Otabor but it was Leamington who generally displayed more of a goal threat in the second period. Connal Trueman was one of seven different goalkeepers to appear for Brakes last season in what turned out to be a real problem position, and he was beaten by a thundering drive from Richard Taundry, the ball crashing back off the crossbar. Edwards drove in another effort which was saved by the young keeper, who pulled off a fine save when Mackey escaped the attentions of two defenders inside the box with a smart piece of control before slamming in a fierce drive that Trueman leapt to his right to claw behind for a corner.

Ben George fired over the bar when well placed from Edwards' pass on the edge of the box, while Solomon-Otabor will have been kicking himself not to have added to his goal tally when he was presented with what looked an easy chance to head home at the far post which in the event was well claimed by Tony Breeden.

Mackey was adamant he had a decent shout for a penalty when he appeared to be pulled down in the box by Brad Lewis but Brakes were level soon afterwards, when substitute Danny Williams fed Edwards on the left. The hard working midfielder has made an impressive start to pre season with some all action displays and was rewarded for another one with his second goal in as many games when he drove the ball low across Trueman into the far corner with a little over 20 minutes remaining.

Noe Baba was proving to be a constant thorn in the side of Ben Mackey as the striker did his utmost to mark his return to the NWG in a Leamington shirt with a goal, doing well to stay with the striker as he charged into the box and then to block his attempted shot.

Birmingham substitute Alfie Crooks went close with a free kick that found the roof of the net and a first time drive that looped just over the bar, but it was fellow sub Wes McDonald who won the game with 7 minutes remaining, driving low into the corner from the edge of the box.

It was a disappointing end to an enterprising second half for Brakes, Michael Williams coming closest to a late leveller with a powerful dart into the box from the right and a deflected shot into the side netting, but scorelines mean little in these games and Liam O'Neill, in charge for the evening in the absence of Paul Holleran, was heartened by what he described as 'some really pleasing individual performances from the lads against a technically gifted Birmingham City side.'

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Michael Williams, Connor Gudger, Joe Magunda © , Jamie Tank, James Mace, Jack Edwards, Ross Oulton (14 Danny Williams, 57), Ben Mackey, Ben George (12 Ellison Porter, 70), Richard Taundry.

Subs not used: 15 Matt Warner, 16 James Husband, 17 Martyn Naylor, GK Lewis Fenney, GK Matt Hill.

Birmingham City: Jake Weaver, Perry Cotton, Brad Lewis, Noe Baba, Wes Harding © , Alex Penney, George O'Neill, Charlie Cooper, Denny Johnstone, Koby Arthur, Viv Solomon-Otabor.

Substitutes: 12 Kyle McFarlane, 14 Wes McDonald, 15 Liam Truslove, 16 Alfie Crooks, 17 Lee Ndlovu, GK Connal Trueman.

Referee: Mr Ravel Cheosiaua

Assistant Referees: Mr Fabio Greenwood & Mr Ryan Williams

Attendance: ???