Vanarama National League North
The Impact Arena
Tuesday 25th March 2025

Leamington made their last midweek jaunt of the season, into Derbyshire to take on Alfreton Town in a rearranged National League North fixture after bad weather had put paid to the game on its original date back in January. 

Brakes found themselves in an unfamiliar position facing what has historically been a difficult opponent over the last few years. Alfreton are usually challenging at the top end of the table, but long term injuries to key players had hampered their season, and they came into this clash ten games without a win, and five places and six points behind Leamington in the table. However, Billy Heath’s team have always seemed to find a way to win in this fixture, and you have to give them some credit for simply refusing to let Leamington get into their stride for the duration of the 90 minutes, despite Paul Holleran’s side working hard to do so. 

There were four changes to the eleven which started the win over South Shields on Saturday; Jiah Medrano, Jack Edwards, Ant Lynn and Will Shorrock all stepping in, replacing Josh Quaynor (who picked up an injury in the late stages on Saturday), Matt Richards, Tim Berridge and Owen Farmer. 

As is usually the case, this was a fractious, full blooded encounter from the off between two physical teams. The hosts, or at least their supporters, felt they had a shout for a penalty on 10 minutes, as Liam Waldock went down inside the box, but Referee Callum Jones was unmoved. Seconds later the man in charge hit the deck himself as he ran into Edwards. 

Nathan Newall screwed his shot horribly wide from a corner as Alfreton enjoyed the early pressure, before Ewan Williams received a harsh booking for falling over the back of the man he was attempting to challenge. 

Alfreton have their own long throw specialist in Adam Lund, and he was presented with plenty of opportunities to hurl the ball into the penalty area in the opening exchanges. One such exocet launched into the box from midway through the Leamington half was hooked over the bar by Jed Abbey. 

The next chance for the hosts forced a super save from Callum Hawkins, as he displayed lightning quick reactions to divert Dwayne Wiley’s half volley over his crossbar after his team mates failed to clear their lines from another long throw-in. 

There was a break in play as Dan Meredith had his head bandaged up after coming off worse in an aerial challenge. Still Alfreton kept coming, and Hawkins was alert once more at his near post to block a low drive with his legs. Meredith was then replaced by Owen Farmer as a precaution.  Concussion protocols dictate that he will probably miss the next couple of games. 

With 35 minutes played Leamington had spent almost all of that time defending, but had worked hard and stood up well to the challenge, reassured by the calming presence of Hawkins at the back. The hosts certainly did not look like a team that hadn’t won a home game in 2025, but as half time approached there was some respite for Brakes as they began to make inroads into the Alfreton half. 

Jake Day’s wild slice somehow earned his side a corner kick as the second half began in a more open fashion, with the home support becoming ever more incensed with the Referee’s decisions against their team. 

Brakes were more in the game than they had been in the first half, but they were still struggling to string any kind of passing moves together in what was undoubtedly the scrappiest game they have been involved in all season. Indeed, so bemused were both sets of supporters with the decision making from those in charge, that both were singing ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ in unison. 

Lund was doing his best to gain an advantage for his team by using the dark arts, and after getting nothing for throwing himself to the ground when challenged by Edwards, he was a little more successful when Lynn challenged him, and the Leamington man was booked. 

This unedifying spectacle was finally punctuated by a goal with twelve minutes remaining; Liam Waldock managing to find a yard of space inside the box to turn and drive wide of Hawkins into the bottom corner. There was a strong hint of offside about it, with even home fans admitting as much, but from the press box and the dugouts it was impossible to tell. 

The game continued to deteriorate as a spectacle; Day hurling himself to the ground inside the box after Hawkins had saved a low drive from former Leamington man Sam Osborne. The Alfreton man was infuriated that he wasn’t awarded a penalty. 

Alfreton smothered Leamington to such an extent that Rob Evans did not get a chance to utilise his long throw until added time, and a glancing header into the arms of keeper George Sykes Kenworthy was the only effort Leamington had on goal all evening. It summed up what was an instantly forgettable game of football, and Brakes will go again on Saturday as they bid to beat their highest points total in the National League North.

Attendance: 409

Alfreton Town: 37 George Sykes-Kenworthy, 2 Josh Clackstone, 3 Max Hunt, 4 Adam Lund, 6 Dwayne Wiley ©, 9 Jake Day (24 Gerry McDonagh, 87), 10 Liam Waldock, 14 Jed Abbey (11 Lewis Salmon, 70), 23 Nathan Newall, 25 Sam Osborne, 30 Owen German. 

Subs not used: 5 Adam Anson, 29 David Solademi, 33 Luke Matheson. 

Leamington: 1 Callum Hawkins, 2 Dan Meredith (24 Owen Famer, 35), 6 Rob Evans, 7 Henry Landers, 8 Adam Walker ©, 10 Jack Edwards (4 Matt Richards, 79), 12 Will Shorrock, 14 George Ward, 16 Jiah Medrano, 17 Ewan Williams, 19 Ant Lynn (21 Joe Clarke, 73). 

Subs not used: 11 Tim Berridge, 20 Jacob Humphries (GK). 

Referee: Mr Callum Jones

Assistant Referees: Mr Karl Donaghy & Mr Joshua Brammall

Fourth Official: Mr Manny Chadwani

Brakes Man of the Match: Callum Hawkins.