Vanarama National League North
Your Co-op Community Stadium 
Saturday 18th January 2025 

By Rachel Gore 

Today’s match began with a celebration of Jack Edwards as he now officially holds the modern day appearance record. To congratulate Edwards, he was presented with a shirt by Chairman Jim Scott prior to kick off. 

Dan Turner returned to the Brakes’ starting line up following his ineligibility to play against his parent club, Chester, on Tuesday. Leamington’s most recent signing, Owen Farmer, was a new addition to the bench.

As a side, Darlington have been in top form as of late; in their last 5 games they’ve earnt 4 wins and 1 draw with their manager, Steve Watson, picking up manager of the month in December. Initially the Brakes took possession with an early shot from Edwards heading straight over the top of Darlington’s goal. This did allow the visitors to take the ball and make a series of strong passes up the pitch. Eventually, Darlington ran the ball down the right hand side leading Callum Hawkins to make his first save of the match. This was immediately followed by a second shot on goal which Hawkins too saved. 

Walker’s strong run into the box allowed the ball to make its way over to Henry Landers who took a powerful header which placed the ball into the back of the net. The strong shot simply could not be stopped by Darlington’s Peter Jameson. Just six minutes in, Landers had put Leamington into the lead.

Just after, Turner ran the ball into the box but an offside call led to boos from the crowd. Ultimately this attempt showed that Leamington were after numerous goals, they weren’t stopping anytime soon.

As the ball fell back to Darlington’s feet, the Brakes continued to press leading to a run into their attacking half from Turner. This resulted in a brilliant throw-in from Leamington’s Rob Evans. The ball made its way from Edwards to Tim Berridge who poked it into the net, doubling the Brakes’ advantage just 11 minutes in.

As the first half progressed, Darlington grew frustrated as the ball kept reverting back into their defensive half. Fans hoped that a second throw in would see a third goal but the ball was cleared away by Darlington. It was not long, however, until Leamington were back on the attack, leading Darlington’s Jameson to make his first save of the game.

Eventually, a Darlington run led to a strong shot on goal from the visitors. This strong ball was plucked out of the air by Hawkins who then took a long goal kick. The ball ended up in the box and Landers took a shot on goal which was saved beautifully by Jameson. Leamington continued to fight but eventually a wide shot from Turner led the ball to fall back to Darlington’s possession.

At 24 minutes, Jameson was forced to make a further save when Josh Quaynor stole the ball from Darlington and took a strike which landed at the visitors’ goalkeepers feet. Following this save, Darlington seemingly came alive as they made a series of strong passes in their attacking half. A shot from Matty Cornish flew beyond the crossbar leading to a second goal kick from Hawkins. This time, the ball landed back in Darlington’s half where a slide tackle on Darlington’s Will Hatfield by Leamington’s Quaynor led to Quayner being given a yellow card and Darlington being granted a free kick.

The next 15 minutes of the first half, saw the ball alternate between both teams’ halves but mainly remain in the centre of the pitch. Leamington seemingly had tired as their attack lessened although, despite this, the visitors still couldn’t get a hold of the ball to formulate many attacking runs.

Just 3 minutes before the half time whistle blew, Hatfield scored a goal off of a deflection. Hawkins was not quite able to make the save taking the score to 2-1 before the second half. 

At half time, Callum Stewart was recognised for his contribution to the Brakes and congratulated for his move into the English Football League.

The second half started off slowly until a foul saw Ewan Williams take to the floor holding his face. Both Walker and Darlington’s Jack Lambert took to discussions with the referee but it was the Brakes who were granted a free kick right in front of Darlington’s goal. Landers swung the ball into the box but it was shot out of the line leading Jameson to take a goal kick.

Darlington then took to the attack with the ball sticking in their attacking half. A shot from the visitors flew well over the crossbar but the ball quickly re-entered their attacking half as the Brakes seemingly struggled to get a grip on the game. This led to the home side making their first substitution, Will Shorrock came on for Time Berridge at 60 minutes. Under five minutes later, Joe Clarke came on for Edwards and immediately a shot from Leamington headed over Darlington’s crossbar.

An attempt at goal by Landers forced Jameson to make a lovely save, resulting in a corner being granted to the Brakes. This corner was received by Jameson who made a beautiful save. Following this Leamington attack, Darlington made two substitutions with Jack Maskell and Jarrett Rivers taking to the pitch. Just some minutes after these initial substitutions, Tom Platt came on for Darlington.

The second half saw a much quieter 45 minutes of football as both teams fought for possession. Shots, and saves, were made by both sides. With just 3 minutes to go, Leamington were given a free kick which was taken by Hawkins. This long ball landed outside of the lines leading to a Darlington throw in. Despite Darlington’s best efforts to get the ball into their attacking half, Leamington continued to clear it away. At 88 minutes, a second yellow card to Toby Lees led Darlington to fall down to 10 players. 

Once the four minutes of stoppage time came to an end, fans were happy to see the Brakes take the victory, especially following their performance on Tuesday. Now attention turns to Monday when Leamington are set to take on Redditch United away in the Birmingham Senior Cup.

Attendance: 723

Leamington: 1 Callum Hawkins, 2 Dan Meredith, 3 Josh Quaynor, 6 Rob Evans, 7 Henry Landers, 8 Adam Walker ©, 10 Jack Edwards (21 Joe Clarke, 60), 11 Tim Berridge (12 Will Shorrock, 64), 14 George Ward, 17 Ewan Williams, 23 Dan Turner

Subs not used: 5 Theo Streete, 16 Jiah Medrano, 24 Owen Farmer.

Darlington: 1 Peter Jameson, 3 Scott Barrow ©, 5 Toby Lees, 6 Elliot Forbes, 7 Matty Cornish (9 Jack Maskell, 72), 8 Will Hatfield, 10 Cedric Main, 14 Will Flint (4 Tom Platt, 75), 19 Jack Lambert, 26 Kallum Griffiths, 34 Caden Kelly (21 Jarrett Rivers, 72)

Subs not used: 2 Ben Hedley, 24 Cameron Salkeld

Referee: Declan Brown

Assistant Referees: David Hinton & Thomas Durno

Fourth official: Mitchell Cartwright

Brakes Man of the Match: Adam Walker.