Vanarama National League North
Your Co-op Community Stadium
Monday 26th August 2024
Leamington welcomed Rushall Olympic to Your Co-op Community Stadium for just the third time for a competitive fixture. The two clubs have largely avoided each other during their long histories, having only met for the first time in the 2007/2008 season, when a certain Paul Holleran was in the Pics dugout.
There were three meetings that season, and a further two in an FA Trophy tie seven years later, so this first league meeting in 16 years had been a long time coming.
Holleran made two changes to the side which slipped to a second defeat of the season on the road at Darlington on Saturday as Brakes looked to get back to winning ways in front of their home support, perhaps surprising many by replacing George Ward with Theo Streete, while Tim Berridge replaced Ant Lynn. There was no place for former Brakes keeper Jake Weaver in the Rushall squad.
Luke Benbow crashed an early free kick into a Brakes defensive wall after Streete had blocked Danny King off from a potential shot at goal in the early stages.
Berridge felt he had a clear shout for a penalty when he appeared to be body checked inside the penalty area, but there was no decision forthcoming from Referee Jonathon Maskrey, who may well have allowed play to continue as there was an immediate chance for Streete, who had pushed upfield, but his shot was blocked.
Callum Hawkins fielded a good effort from former Redditch man Danny King, but intelligently hurled the ball out to Dan Meredith on the right, who accelerated upfield, winning a throw in which presented Rob Evans with his first opportunity of the afternoon to torpedo the ball into the box, where it bounced perfectly for skipper Adam Walker to crash in a fantastic volley with the outside of his left boot that hit the back of the net before keeper Paul White had chance to move.
Naturally the goal galvanised Leamington, with Cally Stewart in particular as tenacious as ever, putting some superb blocks in to prevent Rushall breaking after Leamington had lost possession.
The visitors were getting forward enough, Hayden Campbell sending a shot over the crossbar, but they were handing possession back to Leamington with alarming regularity.
Brakes doubled their lead on 32 minutes thanks to more tenacious play from Meredith and Stewart, who fed former Rushall man Will Shorrock, who rounded his marker before firing home what was no doubt a very satisfying goal for the midfielder, who signed from the Pics last season without being given much of an opportunity to show his worth in the National League North.
He probably should have doubled his tally minutes later when he latched on to Joe Doyle-Charles’ knock down inside the box, but his first time strike flashed high over the crossbar.
Adam Stevens’ made a double substitution at half time in an attempt to revive his side, and Benbow headed an early effort wide, but the visitors were right back in the game six minutes after the restart when Brad Bood sent a low ball in from the left which evaded Benbow but was met by Liam McAlinden at the far post, the Pics skipper ramming first time into the roof of the net.
Stewart went close with a headed effort in the aftermath, while Berridge did very well to hold the ball up inside the box before making the best use of the tight space afforded to him to turn and fire in a shot that was unfortunately straight at White.
There was certainly more purpose to the visitors’ play as they began to press forward more, but Leamington had regained their composure after the frustration of conceding the early goal, and Stewart met substitute Jack Edwards’ knock on with a header that was directed straight at White once more. Ashton Offler then got to a fine cross by Meredith just ahead of Shorrock to head clear.
Rushall’s rejuvenated start to the second half suffered a jolt when Bood, who had been cautioned in the first half, received a second yellow card for tugging back Stewart as he advanced towards goal.
This in turn boosted Leamington, and another long throw into the box from Evans saw Shorrock’s diving header blocked, a fierce follow up from Evans went the same way.
Lynn was introduced and was immediately into the groove, snapping into block challenges to help keep the ball in the Rushall half as Brakes attempted to restore their two goal cushion. As the game ticked into its final minutes the visitors served warning that this game was far from over as two substitutes combined; Jaden Charles’ left wing corner headed just wide by Cameron McWilliams, who had only stepped onto the pitch prior to the corner being taken.
Hearts were in mouths as Rushall substitute Gerry McDonagh outmuscled Evans on the left edge of the penalty area and advanced towards goal, but Hawkins made himself big and ensured the ball did not get past him at his near post with a match saving block which helped Brakes see out the remaining moments to secure an important three points in the face of a much improved second half from the visitors.
Attendance: 765
Leamington: 1 Callum Hawkins, 2 Dan Meredith, 3 Josh Quaynor, 5 Theo Streete, 6 Rob Evans, 4 Joe Doyle-Charles, 8 Adam Walker ©, 11 Tim Berridge (19 Anthony Lynn, 70), 17 Ewan Williams (10 Jack Edwards, 46), 11 Will Shorrock (18 Teddy Rowe, 86), 9 Cally Stewart.
Subs not used: 14 George Ward, 15 Caine Elliott.
Rushall Olympic: 1 Paul White, 14 Kornell McDonald, 4 Brad Bood, 5 Ashton Offler, 18 George Wilkinson (2 Cameron McWilliams, 87), 17 Keziah Martin, 16 Paddy McGlinchey (15 Koby Arthur, 75), 11 Danny King (12 Dempsey Arlott-John, 46), 10 Hayden Campbell (3 Jaden Charles, 46), 19 Luke Benbow, 8 Liam McAlinden (9 Gerry McDonagh, 83).
Referee: Mr Jonathon Maskrey
Assistant Referees: Mr Joseph Larkin & Mr Minesh Gupta
Fourth Official: Mr Alex Shaw
Brakes Man of the Match: Adam Walker.
Photos: © Chris Simpson
