Brakes beat league leaders

A crowd of 803 saw Leamington beat league leaders Hednesford Town 2-1 at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon. A thrilling match saw what must be goal of the season from Stefan Moore whose hand I went to shake at the end of the game.

Brakes had an early chance with a free kick on the edge of the 'D', but it came off the wall. Hednesford danger man Nathan Blissett managed to fall over the ball as he powered up the wing towards the goal. Breeden made a poor clearance, allowing the visitors to respond with a shot that was just wide. Brakes were just getting into the game a bit more when Blissett put the Pitmen ahead on 24 minutes.

After a period when the Leamington goal was under siege, Crane in the Hednesford goal had to make a good save and the subsequent corner was unproductive for the Brakes. Lee Moore put in a great ball to Stefan Moore, but he blasted it over.

Half time: Brakes 0, Pitmen 1

I don't know what Brakes had in their tea at half time, but Stefan Moore made a great run down the wing setting up Ricky Johnson to score the equaliser on 46 minutes. Then on 63 minutes Moore scored his super goal with a fierce blast from at least 30 yards out leaving the keeper with no chance.

Stefan Morley had failed a fitness test and David McNamee took his place. He received a yellow card for a foul which look suspiciously like a dive by the Hednesford player. The Pitmen made a double substitution, somewhat surprisingly taking off Blissett, although the hefty Marvin Robinson came on. Leamington brought on Jimmy Husband in place of Johnson and later Stefan Moore gave way to Will Green.

The referee evidently did not get a new watch for Christmas as he added five minutes on when there were only substitutions to take account of. Breeden had to make a great stop. Jimmy Husband won a corner for Leamington. Brakes tried to keep the ball in the corner and this led to an outbreak of handbags. It took some time for the referee to restore order and dish out yellow cards. But then at last the whistle was blown and Brakes had won a great victory.

The points are the point

Leamington secured an important three points with a 2-0 victory over Workington at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon in front of a crowd of 504. Both the home goals were scored in the first half and the visitors looked the stronger side in the second, although the strong wind did not help to produce good football.

Brakes went ahead on 10 minutes with an excellent header from Liam Daly into the top corner of the net which left the keeper with no chance. Visiting captain Anthony Wright earned a yellow card. Ricky Johnson drew a save. He then looked as if he had left it too late to round the keeper, but made 2-0 on 26 minutes. A Johnson pass provided another goal scoring opportunity for Magunda, but the ball was just wide. Johnson, who was in the thick of things, then got a yellow card for a foul.

Leamington gave away a careless corner and the ball had to be cleared off the line by Owen. Stefan Moore was through, but his finish was poor. Anticipating their second half improvement, Workington had a chance late in the half, but put the ball just over.

The second half was much less eventful. Workington made a double substitution. Mace got a yellow card. A Workington free kick led to a scramble in front of goal. Breeden, who had not that much to do, made a good save from a fierce shot from distance. Workington were passing the ball well on the ground whereas we were hit and hope, but they never really came close to scoring.

Three important points

It wasn't a great performance by Leamington against Histon this afternoon, but the 1-0 victory through a Matty Dodd penalty in the 77th minute gives us three points which are an important contribution to our campaign for survival in the Skrill North.

We played better against Gainsborough Trinity and plenty in the larger crowd of 545 expressed their frustration. However, Histon were a better side. They were well marshalled at the back and in the first half in particular released their right back Remy Clamira to forage down the wing. They were also better at finding their man and keeping possession.

Saves from Breeden and a good intervention by Liam Daly kept us in the game in the first half, while Jay Dowie received a yellow card for felling Dodd. Our best chance came when Ricky Johnson was given a good through ball, but he was unable to outwit the keeper. Magunda received a yellow card and an injury which meant he had to be substituted after half time. The resultant free kick came off the wall.

A deflection nearly saw the ball in the net for the Brakes. We were getting into the game more and then we were awarded the penalty. It was a penalty, although a relatively soft one and Dodd made no mistake with his strike. After that we did just enough to prevent an equaliser. As they say, one is enough.

Inept referee adds to bitter feelings between clubs

This appeared in the programme for the Burton game:

A great deal of bad blood existed in 1913 between Leamington Town and C.Y.M.S. from Coventry or the ‘Catholics’ as they were known. This had its origins in the matches in the preceding season for the Leamington Hospital Cup (which Town lost) and the Birmingham Junior Cup (which Town won). Matters were not improved by an away game which ended in a 3-3 draw, the opposition levelling through a goal that was clearly offside in the view of ‘Looker On’ from the Courier.

The referee was seen as completely incompetent and lost control of the game, making matters worse by leaving ten minutes before the end of the match and handing over to a friend. ‘Looker On’ concluded, ‘Saturday’s game was rougher than should have been the case and the referee’s decision concerning that last goal will not in the least mend matters, but rather tend to add to the feelings of bitterness between the clubs.’

‘Looker On’ admitted that although the opposition’s football was ‘crude and inartistic, they bombarded the Leamington goal for long periods in the game. On the other hand, when one took a more comprehensive view of the play, one could see that Leamington were playing much better football, and although the forwards did not receive a great deal of help from the halves – who had difficulty in keeping their feet – they were possessed of a harmony which was not to be found among their more weighty but tactless opponents.’ ‘Looker On’ seemed to be implying that the Catholics had eaten too many pies.

Leamington did not appear to be playing at their best: ‘As a spectator, I was disappointed with the character of the play. There was none of that enthusiasm and virility which have characterised the Leamington team of late. The opening witnessed very poor football.’ Even so, Leamington were two goals ahead within the quarter of an hour. The first came after a well-organised rush with ‘China’ Hill passing to Bert Adams who quickly passed to Ludford. The winger drew the defence on to himself, passing to Holmes who scored. Then Hill got the ball through to Howard Adams to score the second. The Catholics pulled one back before half time.

The second half was characterised by continuous fouling, but the inept referee seemed to have lost his whistle. The home side scored a second and this was followed by the disputed goal which was obtained when Town had stopped playing because the scorer was so blatantly offside. Momentarily, Town considered walking off in protest, but they continued and Holmes scored the equaliser.

Compared with first place at the equivalent time in the preceding season, Leamington were fourth at the beginning of November in the Coventry and North Warwickshire League, Division 1, three points behind the leaders Courtaulds. Cubbington Albion were bottom with just one point. ‘Looker On’ noted that Leamington ‘have spent most of the time so far in choosing the best team available. I think at last they have discovered it, and will now begin to make rapid strides for the top of the league.’ Elsewhere, Bramble suffered a 20-0 defeat at the hands of Siddeley Deasy in the Midland Daily Telegraph Junior Cup.

Brakes Are Up For The Cup

Leamington won a convincing 2-0 victory over Gainsborough Trinity in the FA Trophy at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon. A number of people said to me that the first half was the best performance by the Brakes they had seen this season and a high standard was maintained after the break, only the Trinity keeper preventing a higher score. Matty Dodd and Stefan Moore both had a particularly good game. Unfortunately only 373 people came to the match, although the canine attendance doubled to two.

Ricky Johnson had an effort in the opening minutes when he burst through and hit the advertising hoardings with a powerful header. Trinity then had a chance at the Harbury Lane end with a free header, but put the ball over. Trinity's Josh Wilde was yellow carded for a blatant trip on Dodd as he powered up the wing. Leamington kept up the pressure with two corners and then great work by Moore set up Johnson, but a save was made on the line.

On 32 minutes Moore laid the ball off for Chilton who seized the opportunity with an excellent finish to make it 1-0. Dan Clayton was given a yellow card for a foul on Dodd.

The Trinity keeper kept them in the game with a series of instinctive series in the second half. In particular, he made a great save on the line from Johnson. Then on 77 minutes good work by Dodd set up Moore who calmly slotted the ball in the net to make it 2-0. Barnes in the Trinity goal made another great save at the expense of a Brakes corner.

Brakes switched off a bit towards the end and in the four minutes added on Trinity scored, but it was ruled to be offside. Coming on the back of the midweek victory, this was a very encouraging performance.

Brakes score the decisive goal in time added on!

As the time ticked down at the New Windmill Ground today and the score against Staylbridge Celtic remained at 0-0, those around me feared that we would be struck down by another last minute 0-1 home defeat. But it was the visitors for whom the bell tolled. In time added on, Craig Owen scored to give Leamington all three points in front of a crowd of 676.

Stalybridge proclaimed themselves to be the 'Grand Old Team', as perhaps befits a side who date from the first decade of the 20th century and had a short stay in the Football League. More mysterious, they had a Millwall banner. It's a long way from New Cross to Stalybridge, but perhaps the relevance became clearer in the second half when there seemed to be some trouble on the North Bank which required the attention of the stewards. The scene was perhaps set early in the first half when a drunk schoolboy was helped away by his friends, with the stewards following at a respectful distance.

On nine minutes Chilton advanced well, after being set up by good work by Lee Moore, and put in a great cross but Johnson was unable to connect. Breeden had to make a great save on 16 minutes. Chilton received a yellow card with the referee, who was not on top of the match, pointing to various offences around the pitch. Dodd had to be taken off on 40 minutes to be replaced by Owen.

Brakes had a great spell early in the second half, but were unable to make it count. Celtic's keeper had to make a save on the line and Leamington maintained a spell of good pressure. Lee Moore was working particularly well. As the visitors came back into the game, Breeden had to make another great save from play following a corner.

Danger loomed with a one-on-one, but somehow we were able to clear. After we wasted a free kick, we gave one away, but the ball came off the wall. Visiting charm merchant Adam Pepper showed too much spice even for the referee and finally got the yellow card he had deserved much earlier in the game. With three minutes added on, Owen scored with a 20 yard curling shot after a lay off by Green. The goal was greeted by lightning and torrential rain.

Way Back Then: Town Strengthen Their Squad

Given that there was inevitably, a small attendance at the Causeway United game, I am reproducing my programme article here.

After the unseasonably warm weather had been ended by a severe thunderstorm, ‘football was much more interesting to watch’ in October 1913 than ‘so far has been the case this season.’ Playing away Leamington Town beat Wyken Colliery 2-1. In every game they had played that season they had scored two goals, regardless of whether the final outcome was a win, a defeat or a draw.

With the season having not matched the previous campaign’s success which end in the double for the club, changes were made in the forward line and a new player brought in to strengthen the team. Holmes was dropped and replaced by Howard Adams and new signing Bolton was played at outside left with Key going inside. ‘Looker On’ reported, ‘Naturally, curious eyes followed the new player, who has come from St. Michael’s , and on the whole he impressed Leamington supporters very favourably. His shooting was accurate and hard, while his centres were nicely played.’ There had been some concern that Key might be aggrieved at being asked to change position, but ‘Bolton seemed to get on well enough with Key , and was never slow in darting down the wing from any pass that came his way. Key played up to his usual form at inside left, and was responsible for the first goal after twenty minutes of fast football. ‘ Utilising the ball from a free kick, he shot into the corner of the net.

The enlivened miners equalised almost immediately. Hill was proving to be a ‘capable and dashing leader in the forward line’ and was unlucky to have a good goal disallowed. He then had to go off to receive attention from the trainer and was not able to play an effective part thereafter. Both the Adamses (Bert and Howard) put in some good headers. Curiously enough, the referee was also called Adams. In midfield, ‘the half-backs showed fine form throughout, and are becoming more proficient each week, both as feeders of the front line and defenders of their own goal.’ Striker Gathercole was now playing back in defence and could be relied upon to hoof the ball if danger threatened. Alcock ‘gave some brilliant exhibitions in goal’ saving two ‘hot’ shots from the Wyken centre forward.

The winning goal was created by Bolton who hit the crossbar with a rattling shot. The defence cleared, but Bolton pounced on the ball, tore down the wing ‘and finished a brilliant run with an equally brilliant centre’, allowing Howard Adams to head home.

In the adverts in the Courier, footballers were reminded how important their boots were and how they affected their play. They could get ‘comfortable and reliable’ boots (which look like ankle boots in the illustration) from Amies in Clemens Street and the Parade at prices from 3/11 (20p) to 6/11 (35p). In today’s prices the cheapest boots would be £19.50 and the most expensive ones £34. If one was short one could borrow £5 to £5,000 from premises in Leicester Street at a rate starting at 10 per cent. However, you had to be a lady or a gentleman, a tradesman, a farmer or a householder.

Ground Hopper at the NWG

Ground Hopper from the Non-League Paper visited the NWG for the cup replay against Solihull Moors. According to one contribution to The Banter, he travelled on the Trust minibus from Jephson, but this is not mentioned in his report. Indeed, perhaps it was a case of mistaken identity of a run-of-the-mill ground hopper as he mentions parking in the car park which was 'roomy and free'.

The bar was also roomy and what 'it lacked in a proper bar feel, it made up for in decent prices'. The programme was a 'good read' and well priced. At half time he had a 'decent cheeseburger and chips' which he thought was fairly priced at £3.50. He then stopped at the sweet hut to get a hot chocolate for £1.

'The ground is pretty nice and has two covered stands. However, if you were to describe the ground's location "in the middle of nowhere" would suffice. No real problem with that apart from that it doesn't bode too well for the atmosphere'.

His scores were: Ticket value, 3; Programme, 4; Food, 4; Bar, 3; Toilets, 4; Atmosphere, 2; Match, 3; Overall 3.

Another 0-1 defeat late in the game

As today's game against Gainsborough Trinity at the New Windmill Ground stuttered to a close and I dusted down my 'bore draw' headline, one wag in the stand said, 'can we hang on for a 0-0?' Within a minute or two the inevitable happened and our bottom of the table opposition had won the game with a single goal. We weren't very good, they weren't very good, but they seized their chance. Tony Breeden had kept us into the game up to then with two great saves, but there was nothing he could do in the 87th minute as the ball came back off the post and was put in the back of net with a fierce shot.

We didn't look at all comfortable in the opening part of the first half. The visitors were capable of a turn of speed and broke through more than once. The ball was hoofed up in the air far too much and if it hadn't been for some great defensive work by Paul McCone we could have been in more trouble.

In the last twenty minutes or so of the half we did start to play more coherently. Lee Chilton advanced on goal and put in a strong shot and it is to the credit of Trinity keeper Phil Barnes that he was able to tip it over. Elliot Sandy put in a good header on 35 minutes that hit the post and it is by such thin margins that games are decided.

Claran Toner for Trinity suffered a nasty cut above the eye and had to be helped off the pitch just before half time.

We showed no real signs of making a decisive breakthrough in the second half and Stefan Moore was withdrawn in favour of Ricky Johnson. As Simon Russell set up a good attack for Trinity, Breeden had to make a great save. After some casual defending on our part, the visitors had another chance and put the ball just wide. Lee Moore was withdrawn in favour of Alex Taylor. Lee Chilton looked the most lively player, although not all his efforts were effective, but did hit the post. Breeden had to make another excellent save.

In the four minutes added on, new acquisition Will Green was brought to replace Daly, who still look affected by the tonsillitis referred to in the programme but it was too late for the substitution to have any effect.

We are, of course, badly hit by injuries as the presence of James Husband on the bench showed. But we have to try and score some goals, only two in six games now.

I thought that referee Andy Hendley controlled the game well. For most of the crowd of 561, however, the overall feeling was one of frustration, bordering on despair. This was one of the least entertaining games I have seen at Harbury Lane for quite some time. Brakes are now second from bottom above Oxford City.

Margin not as thin as it looks

Football is a game of thin margins and the 0-1 victory by Solihull Moors at the New Windmill Ground may seem to confirm this impression. However, whereas a draw would have been a fairer result against Gloucester City, Moors deserved their victory last night. With their considerable strength they out muscled Leamington and were quicker to the ball which they kept moving at a fast pace. Two blokes in front of me kept proclaiming that Brakes were merde. However, in my view Moors were the best team we have seen at Harbury Lane this season, even better than Altrincham. They look serious promotion contenders.

That the score was kept down to 0-1 says something for the commitment and work rate of the team, even if it wasn't always sophisticated. Once again I would single out Tony Breeden for praise. He made a number of great saves. The goal wasn't down to him but to a mix up in the defence.

We are still on a learning curve as far as this division is concerned, but it is a league worth playing in. On a damp evening with Champions League football, the attendance of 548 was boosted by a substantial contingent of Moors supporters.

We did have an early flurry with two corners and a shot that came off the bar. Brakes had a bit of a let off early in the half when the visitors managed to waste opportunities from a corner and a free kick.

Full credit to Paul McCone for a great block in the first half. He also made use of a good cross later in the half to put in an effort that was just wide. When Moors charm merchant Jordan Gough brought down the lively Dodd, I was expecting a yellow card and indeed the referee gave one for a similar offence against Brakes in the second half.

Solihull had three corners in succession early in the second half, but were unable to make them count. They then had a free kick in a dangerous position which came off the wall. Ricky Johnson was taken off and replaced by Craig Owen. Solihull's No.10 shirt (Junior English, for it was he) charged into Breeden and received a yellow card. Elliott Sandy, who got himself booked at Stockport, was substituted by Alex Taylor. The ball hit the post as Solihull continued to threaten.

Josh Green was injured and had to be helped off the pitch. On 86 minutes Solihull scored their winner, the ball slipping past Breeden. Brakes then had their best spell of the match, playing less defensively and taking the game to the visitors. Singh in the Moors goal had to tip the ball over the crossbar and another shot went just wide.

For those of you who have been waiting for my history of Leamington Town's 1912-13 season, the equipment at the bookbinders has at last been mended. It will be on sale at Saturday's game, but if anyone living away from Leamington wants a copy please contact me, but I will have to charge 50p postage and packing on top of the £5 cover price or £1 outside the UK.

A game of two halves

When I got out of the station at Stockport, I knew that I was 'oop North as the road was cobbled. A short walk to the ground. Having my bag searched before I went in reminded me that I was at a ground whose team has a different pedigree from ours.

I have seen various figures for the number of away supporters ranging from 152 to 194, but I thought it was about 150. Anyway, the Stockport blog I have read thought we were the best away support this year. We were being peppered with wayward shots before the game and one unfortunate took a direct hit and sustained a cut on the bridge of his nose, being helped away by a steward for some first aid. We were right under the flight path for Manchester Airport and any high balls risked hitting a plane.

Attractive printed programme and quite a lot about Leamington for the first ever meeting between the two towns. The comparison of the leagues we had been in in different seasons was striking, eleven levels when we started out. The programme featured a 2-1 win at Manchester City. One contributor dismissed us as 'Leamington? We are Stockport County.' There was a rather laboured attempt at humour over a cup between spa towns, the writer noting that there would have been only seven entrants, but he had forgotten Tenbury Wells.

Stefan Moore was out injured, but sheer joy on the Railway End when Ricky Johnson put the Brakes ahead on three minutes. He intercepted a poor ball from Charnock and calmly slotted home. Within twenty minutes the referee was telling off Tony Breeden, who had to make a good save from Rhys Turner, for time wasting. County used the wing a lot and they were most effective when they put in long angled balls to one of their wingers. After a quick throw from Morley, Lee Chilton put an effort just inches wide.

County brought on Adriano Moke after the break, Tunji Moses also coming on in a double substitution. Moke was complaining in the programme about being treated as an impact super sub, but whether the speedy winger was the reason, County upped their game and the home support found their voice. Moke misused a chance by driving a shot over the bar. Jordan Fagbola was effective for County in defence. Stephan Morley hit the upright with a fierce shot from thirty yards out. It was not a complete surprise when Jevons equalised for the home side, although still disappointing, but 1-1 is a credible result and the players and Holleran received warm applause at the end of the game.

On the way back the train was invaded by Villa founds drowning their sorrows, together with Pompey fans who had been at Burton and this proved something of a volatile mix.

Here is the Manchester Evening News report of yesterday's game: Stockport

We knew it wasn't going to be easy ...

We knew it wasn't going to be easy, but another 0-1 home defeat still hurts and this time in front of a crowd of 853 on Non-League Day. Altrincham are a promotion-chasing club, although I wouldn't think that the neutral coming on Non-League Day would be that impressed by the overall standard of football.

Nevertheless, Altrincham had the edge over this. They were better able to find their man, better at dispossessing us and better organised defensively. For example, in the second half their left back made a fast run up the wing to collect the ball and no one seemed to spot him. Fortunately, it came to nothing that time, but it was indicative of a problem. No wonder that there seem be to an exchange of views coming from the home dressing room at half time.

We did have chances, but once again we failed to take them. The referee added six minutes on to the second half, but if we had had extra time, we probably wouldn't have scored.

The officials didn't help us much. Unfortunately, because of the Australian general election, there were no Rules games this weekend, so we got a referee who specialises in them. Or that's the way it seemed to me because he was tolerant of shoves and grabs that would be permitted at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (where Rules games are played) but are not usually allowed on a football pitch. Nevertheless, Altrincham had the edge on us.

Tony Breeden made a great save on 10 minutes and there was nothing wrong with his game. For me, Matt Dodd was the best outfield player. On 20 minutes a defensive error let Damian Reeves in and Breeden really had no chance as he scored what proved to be the only goal of the game.

Daly got a yellow card for kicking the ball away as Altrincham were awarded a free kick in front of the 'D', but we survived that threat. Perry had to come on after Walshaw went off. Breeden had to make another great save and a Brakes corner gave temporary hope. Nicky Clee picked up a yellow card. We got into the game more as the end of the half approached, but two corners in succession were ultimately unproductive.

I thought that play was a bit more ragged in the second half from both sides, although we had more possession than in the first half. The Altrincham keeper went down in a collision, but made a miraculous recovery. Mike Williams for Altrincham had to be carried off the pitch after no stretcher was available. The unimpressive Sandy was taken off and replaced by Ricky Johnson, leading to shouts of 'Come on the 11 men'. Later Towers came off for Lee Moore. In time added on, there was a great chance with an open goal, but all that resulted was a corner after their keeper managed to get his fingers to the ball.

As I was waiting in the car park (it seemed to take a long time to get out), Radio 5 announced that Stockport County had got their first win of the season, 3-1 in the six pointer with Gainsborough Trinity.

Apologies to anyone who was expecting to buy a Leamington Town history today, but they didn't arrive as promised. As far as I gather, there has been an issue with the laminated cover.

Bitter blow at Harbury Lane

Gloucester City's 93rd minute winner at Harbury Lane today was a bitter blow and reminds us how hard it is going to be in this division. But I couldn't see how we were going to win the match and halfway through the second half I said to the bloke beside me that it would either be 0-0 or 0-1. He had been at Boston and said we couldn't hit a barn door then so this is two games without a goal. Admittedly it was very hot for an August Bank Holiday, but that is no excuse.

Gloucester City wear the same colours as us, although their team played in blue today. Apparently they call it yellow and black whereas we call it gold and black. It's unclear when we adopted these colours (at least to me). At one time in the past the colours were gold and blue which are the colours of the town. One story is that a set of kit arrived which was gold and black instead of gold and blue and so the change was made, but I can't vouch for that!

There was concern early on when Breeden made a poor clearance under pressure, the visitors won a free kick on the touchline and this led to another free kick near the corner flag, but we were able to clear. We did win three corners in the first quarter of an hour and the third of these led to three corners in quick succession. The last led to a good shot on goal by Daly, but the City keeper, formerly with Bristol Rovers, was able to make the save without much difficulty.

To be fair to the City, they did defend well and seemed to get numbers in the box. Breeden have to make a great save from a fierce shot which would have been too difficult for some keepers. City's Ryan Batten was injured in a collision with Stefan Moore and it was learnt that he had broken his collar bone. The rest of the first half lacked any real pattern with neither side able to dominate.

The Leamington support had been taunted by the City supporters for their relative silence in the first half, but they were in much better voice once they were in the Harbury Lane end for the second half. Craig Owen had to be withdrawn injured and was replaced by Alex Taylor. For a moment I thought that the ball had gone in for the Brakes, but it failed to go over the line. Matt Groves, who had been constantly whingeing to the officials, was taken off and replaced by Scott Wilson who turned out to be our nemesis. Stefan Moore put in a disappointing shot which was way over the bar.

City were beginning to step up their game and they put the ball in the net. It was rightly ruled offside, but sometimes even a disallowed goal gives a team a boost and shortly afterwards they put in a shot that was fractionally wide. Elliott Sandy, who had not impressed me that much, was taken off and replaced by Towers. There was a shout for handball in the box from the Harbury Lane end. They may have had a better view, but it didn't look like a penalty to me. Breeden came nearest to scoring for the Brakes when his goal kick went off the bar as the City keeper back pedalled.

Stefan Moore was taken off and Ricky Johnson came on and for a time we looked more threatening. Breeden had to make another save and put in a good free kick which someone should have connected with. Four minutes were added on and as we sought a winning goal Scott Wilson stormed through and scored. The referee seemed to find quite a few extra minutes, but if we had played another thirty, I doubt whether we would have scored. It's a steep learning curve.

My history of Leamington Town's double winning 1912-13 season is now being printed and will be available in the club shop for the next home game. It is reasonably priced at £5 and as I have met all production costs, all sales will go towards the ground improvement fund. I can arrange to post copies for a nominal fee. I think it's a good read.

Winning start for Brakes

Leamington started life in the Conference North with a 2-0 win over Bradford Park Avenue at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon in front of a crowd of 657. For a team that finished 7th last season, Bradford were less impressive than I had expected, and they certainly disappointed some of their supporters in the stand. However, a strong, blustery wind did not help the standard of football and there was more than a bit of hoofing, although at least the rain held off.

The visitors' coach was arriving at the ground just as I turned up and one of their supporters commented that they had had an awful journey and seen parts of England they didn't know existed. As evidence of the fact that we were playing at a higher level, Radio Bradford were setting up to broadcast from the stand.

Early on in the game Lee Chilton put a shot just over the bar. Then on the quarter hour mark, Stefan Moore was brought down in the box, the referee pointed to the spot and Dodd put the ball decisively past the visiting keeper who seemed to have ate too many pies and had some good banter with the home support on this subject.

Two minutes later, the ball was played out from a corner, Stefan Moore latched on to a long ball and put in an excellent shot past 'Slim' in the Bradford goal to make it 2-0.

After the break Bradford made a double substitution which seemed to initially liven them up a bit. Breeden was tripped by one of the subs who received a yellow card. Stefan Moore put in a shot that was just wide. Lee Chilton had a chance and should have put in a shot.

We were perhaps putting too much emphasis on defending our lead and the forwards were not getting much service. A stinging shot from distance tested Breeden but he was well up to dealing with it. Owen, who had required treatment, was replaced by Adkins. Bradford used their third substitute. Lee Moore came on in place of Ricky Johnson who had not been particularly prominent. Stefan Moore picked up a yellow card. Matt Dodd went off to warm applause to be replaced by Jamie Towers.

A very encouraging start, but still plenty to do, especially in link up play.

Convincing win for Brakes

Leamington secured a convincing 3-0 win over FC United of Manchester at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon who could well have been in the Conference North with us this season. The crowd of 505 included a strong contingent from the fan-run club.

The win follows the 6-0 trouncing of Stratford Town away midweek. However, one downside from that victory was the injury picked up by Richard Batchelor. He was said to be at today's game on crutches and has picked up a cruciate ligamate injury which may keep him out until Christmas.

The visitors play a neat passing game and came out best from the opening phase of the game. Lee Chilton put in an opportunistic rocket of a shot which was not far wide. Tony Breeden had to put in a good save to deal with a fierce shot from distance.

It was difficult to see where the first goal was going to come from other than a set piece. On 45 minutes Liam Daly marked his return with a free kick drilled through the wall to make it 1-0 to the Brakes.

The second half saw 'Roddy' Giggs in action, the spitting image of his brother, but not as skilled. The visitors piled on the pressure and should have scored with the goal open in front of them, but the shot went wide. Then on 80 minutes Breeden fed the impressive Stephan Morley who put in a great pass to Ricky Johnson who headed the ball in the net.

FC United's play became more ragged and there were quite a few incidents that would have received yellows in a competitive game. On 80 minutes Leamington won a free kick and Towers, who had been having a good game, blasted the ball in the roof the net to make it 3-0.

The Alex Rodman story

One time Leamington player Alex Rodman is the subject of a double page feature article in The Non-League Paper today and it hasn't been all plain sailing since the winger left the Brakes.

He went from Leamington to Grantham Town, Lincoln United, Gainsborough Trinity and Nuneaton Borough. However, the two-and-a-half years he spent at Tamworth under Gary Mills was crucial to his development as a player.

He then went to Aldershot Town in January 2011 where he impressed, attracting interest from Birmingham City and West Ham United. But then in the following January, he received a heavy blow. He was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism and was told he couldn't play for the rest of the season or his life would be at risk.

Playing catch up when he came back, he was loaned out to York City in November and was then made redundant by Aldershot's administrator in May. He is still owed money by the club. However, things are now looking up for the 26-year old as he has signed for Grimsby.

Holleran praises Stefan Moore

There's plenty of Leamington content in the latest Non-League Paper with a half page picture of board members with the massive Southern League championship shield.

However, there is also a report about Paul Holleran retaining the services of star striker Stefan Moore. Holleran said, 'Stefan is a bit of a weird one really, in the sense that he is very low-maintenance and has no ego about him. He's played at all levels of football, and it's very normal for someone who has played in the Premier League to have a bad attitude if he drops down to this level. But there's nothing like that about Stefan. He's great on and off the pitch. He could have gone to another club but we're quite local to him and he enjoyed it here.'

Holleran said that he did not believe that Leamington would take on the role of Conference North whipping boys: 'We're not just here to make up the numbers. We'll take it week by week, one game at a time, but we're going to be competitive.'

You can't put brakes on us!

Leamington manager Paul Holleran is the subject of the 'Big Interview' in today's Non-League Paper under the headline used above. Holleran talks about how he decided to quit playing at the age of 26 after two knee operations. He hadn't achieved what he had wanted as a player and was becoming increasingly interested in coaching. The article takes the reader through his career, including his sacking at Halesowen, which he sees as his lowest point in football, and the subsequent restoration of his reputation at Rushall Olympic.

The article notes that Leamington were 'a big name' in non-league football in the 1970s and 1980s. Holleran is quoted as saying, 'Leamington has good history as a football town. This club is run really well by very professional people and it's a nice club to be around. It's an example to most people that clubs can compete at Southern Premier level without a benefactor and without being in debt.'

Holleran emphasises that his strategy has been to recruit players at level three or below, players who were still hungry. Stefan Moore had been 'massive' for the Brakes this season, 'but it's not all about him.' The article concludes by saying that 'the spa town has football on the brain again.' Not sure about that.

Brakes make the ton

Today was all about celebrating and 1,027 turned up at the New Windmill Ground to see Leamington 'lift' the Southern Premier League championship trophy. 'Lift' was the operative word given the weight of this impressive item which has the names of the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town engraved on it. As for the Holleran 'death mask', that can be re-used at Halloween.

It wasn't a classic match, as the minds of the Leamington players increasingly seemed to switch off as the final whistle approached. In the first half, St.Albans pressed hard down the slope in the opening half hour or so. Given the swirling wind, and even a hailstorm, it was difficult to play good football despite the excellent condition of the pitch.

Brakes had a chance to go ahead when an open goal was presented to them and I thought that the angled shot from Dodd was going to go in, but it just missed. Then Dodd put in a great cross, but the ball ended up in the side netting. Daly put in a stinger of a shot from distance, but the visiting keeper pulled off an excellent save.

Then Brakes won a penalty after Dodd was tripped and Batchelor put the ball into the top right-hand corner to make it 1-0 on 36 minutes. Then on 44 minutes Ricky Johnson made it 2-0 to Leamington after confusion in the St.Albans defence left the goal at his mercy.

Leamington were increasingly casual in the second half: I don't think the three substitutions helped, but I guess the players brought on needed a run out. St.Albans didn't give up and they were rewarded with an excellent consolation goal from distance on 89 minutes. Then it was time for the celebrations.

It's going to be a lot harder next season, but for now we can enjoy this year's success. I will be sorry to say goodbye to the Sheepside Stand, but needs must and no doubt many of the characters will find a new place to congregate.

Dampener at Harbury Lane

The problem with building up expectations about a match is that they may be disappointed. That is what happened at the New Windmill Ground today with Leamington drawing 1-1 with Weymouth. However, the Brakes would not have won the Championship today anyway with Stourbridge forging ahead at a faltering Gosport, eventually winning 3-1. Leamington are now six points ahead of Stourbridge with a game in hand.

The match certainly drew in a crowd with a record attendance for the season of 891, including quite a few Terras who celebrated their away point as if it was a win. However, they hardly saw a feast of football. The Terras were very physical, but Brakes played some flowing football for at least parts of the first half. Even so, they did not always impose themselves and they missed a number of chances, finally going ahead on 40 minutes through the tireless Batchelor.

In the second half the play was very scrappy and Brakes seemed vulnerable to Weymouth counter attacks down the slope to the Harbury Lane end, the visitors equalising on 78 minutes. Some newcomers in front of me commented that Leamington relied on the long ball too much. Certainly we need to keep the ball on the ground more, rather than resorting to hoof and hope.

It had been a sunny morning in Leamington, but the clouds soon built and the rain arrived just as the game kick off. The increasingly slippery surface did not help quality play, but it is not a reason for the result.

Leamington's first chance came early in the game when the ball was cleared from just in front of goal. Batchelor fired in a scorcher of a shot from distance and it was only just over. The Terras keeper dropped the ball, but we were unable to take advantage and score. Craig Duff picked up a yellow card for the Terras. Batchelor then scored from close range, but in the minutes left the Terras nearly scored with a shot that was just wide in what was their most significant attack of the half.

In the second half, a back pass put Walker in the Brakes goal under pressure. Jamie Richards fouled Dodd in a challenge that in the Premiership might well have attracted a red card, but he only got a yellow. Dodd tried to play on but had to be replaced by Lee Moore. There was an outbreak of handbags in which Matt Groves for Weymouth seemed to be the aggressor, but he got a yellow card along with Daly.

A rush of blood to the head saw Walker charge out of his goal, allowing the Terras to equalise. Some of the referee's decisions had been odd and there were shouts of 'chicken' after he failed to award a penalty to the Brakes after an apparent foul by the keeper on Chilton. Indeed, at first some thought that he had pointed to the spot rather than for a goal kick. However, it was marginal as the contact was minimal. Weymouth charm merchant Ed Palmer picked up a yellow card. Leamington made a real effort to get the winner in the closing minutes, but to no avail, the frustration showing on Daly's face.

Thanks for the memory

There's only one Wayne Blossom and he was back at the NWG

There was a good turnout of Banbury supporters in the 734 crowd which saw Leamington win today's derby game 4-1, a match that was more tightly contested for much of the time than the scoreline suggested. I suppose that if you were a Puritan you would call it the M40 derby because that would be the easiest way of reaching the New Windmill Ground, while I prefer the title the Chiltern Line Derby as Banbury's ground is so close to the station. There have been some entertaining contests over the years, but now it looks as if the Brakes are on their way to the Blue Square North and we won't be meeting for a while.

It was Liam Daly who opened the scoring for the Brakes on three minutes. I thought the corner had been overhit, but Daly was not marked and he made good use of his free header. Brakes had a chance to go two ahead, but under pressure from Stefan Moore, the visiting keeper grabbed the ball in the end. Magunda picked up an avoidable yellow card, which I think leads to a suspension.

It was getting a bit tasty in true derby fashion and the goofy referee often seemed a bit hesitant in his decisions. Brakes were two on one on the keeper, but instead of firing in a shot looked for a tap in which didn't come. As more trouble broke out, one time Brakes player Wayne Blossom (who I think has also appeared for Oxford City) got mouthy with the referee. The overall story of the first half was one of missed chances which I thought we might rue in the second.

Half time: Brakes 1, Puritans 0

Stephan Morley was taken off immediately after the break and I assume this was for an injury (I think he got a kick in the first half) with Martin Naylor coming on. Banbury were looking lively and we were looking a bit flat. We gave away an unnecessary free kick on 50 minutes and from some distance out then shot from Michael Hawkins went through the wall and just evaded the hand of the generally impressive Lawrie Walker in goal. Sheepside hero Ricky Johnson picked up a yellow card. Playing down the slope towards the Harbury Lane End, the Puritans broke well and Walker got the tip of his finger to a fast ball at the expense of a corner.

Brakes went into the lead when Daly took a free kick from just outside the box. It took a deflection on the way in and was really an own goal but was credited to the impressive Daly. Johnson blasted over when he had a chance to score from six yards out. Charm merchant Blossom got booked, as did another Banbury player. Banbury had a great chance to equalise, but Walker pulled off the save of the match.

Then on 83 minutes Dodd burst through with great speed and accuracy to make it 3-1. For me that was the goal of the match. Ricky Johnson then played Stefan Moore in to make it 4-1. There were some calls for the 'old five', but the main remaining action was a double substitution for the Brakes. All that was then left to do was to chant 'Viva Holleran!' and to start thinking more seriously about the end of season champagne.

Brakes accelerate to decisive win

Leamington continued their progress towards the title with a 3-0 win over Bedford Town at the New Windmill Ground last night. Some have said that it was 'easy' and the scoreline would certainly suggest that. However, virtually all the teams in this division are competitive and Bedford showed that they could play football, with their speedy Number 11 (Joel Gysai?) being particularly impressive (sorry for using numbers but I didn't get a team sheet).

The Eagles are not in contention for promotion, nor are they in danger of relegation, but they were certainly up for this match. They brought a small group of vociferous supporters ('there are only three of you singing' was one chant) and all credit to them for making the journey up to Leamington on a cold night. Bedford were certainly up for the match, so much so that things started to boil over and their charm merchant wearing the No.8 shirt was justifiably sent off in the first half which left the visitors stretched.

The teams changed ends at the start of the match with the Brakes playing down the slope towards the Harbury Lane End. The visitors threatened to open the scoring and on ten minutes a powerful shot went just wide of the post. On fifteen minutes a cross skimmed off the crossbar. Magunda picked up a yellow card (and may now face a suspension for two games for ten yellows) and I have to say I thought that on the whole the referee (David Avent) knew what he was doing. The call for a penalty when Stefan Moore went down in the box wasn't one. He often had a word or a joke with the players.

Brakes were coming into the game more and I thought that Batchelor had a great first half (he was substituted in the second, we don't want to risk any injuries to on form players). Ricky Johnson, the target of some complaining in the Sheepside, put in a speculative shot from distance which the keeper tipped round the post. On 28 minutes it was skipper Liam Daly who scored emphatically from the corner provoking a chant of 'He scores when he wants to.' Moore missed a chance to make it 2-0 when clear. On 39 minutes the impressive Lee Chilton burst through to make it 2-0, was one on one with the keeper and scored a great goal. Joel Gysai looked really crestfallen. The sending off incident happened not long after and the foul (difficult to see from the Sheepside, but probably a high and dangerous challenge) led to an outbreak of handbags but the referee decided to keep things calm by not making any more bookings.

The second half was less eventful and possibly Brakes took their foot off the accelerator, but they were still very much in control of the game. Indeed, in the match of the whole, they played some of the best football I have seen from them recently, keeping the ball on the ground and passing well, often in diamond shapes. Stefan Moore looked as if he had a goal in him and made it 3-0 with a great strike on 56 minutes after Johnson had provided the assist.

The attendance was 381, 80 up on the last night game. When you remember that Leamington Town were getting 2,000 one hundred years ago in a much smaller town, it gives pause for thought, although there were far fewer leisure options in 1913. For my part, I am going to redouble my efforts to brush up my Portuguese so that I can try and encourage people in the town's Portuguese/Brazilian community to come. They must like football.

The Brakes go marching on

Leamington consolidated their lead at the top of the Southern Premier League with a 2-0 win over Redditch United in front of a crowd of 301 at a cold New Windmill Ground tonight. It wasn't always straightforward, but all the teams in this division are competitive, particularly if they are in a relegation struggle.

The first half was a story of missed chances. Playing towards the Harbury Lane end, the visitors applied some early pressure. Then the ball was cleared off the line from a Brakes corner. Cooper in the Leamington goal had to make a good save. Then Stefan Moore rounded the keeper and seemed certain to score, but a defender manabed to put the ball over. There appeared to be a handball from the corner, but the referee saw nothing. A second corner followed but eventually the pressure faded. Chilton had a screamer tipped over by the Redditch keeper who had a good game.

One Sheepsider turned up after the break having been to the races at Cheltenham in good time to see both goals. Jamie Hood put Leamington ahead on 64 minutes. Then Brakes were awarded a penalty on 77 minutes, although former Leamington player Asa Charlton got away with a yellow card although he was the last man. Ricky Johnson, who had been upended dispatched the penalty efficiently to the surprise of those around me. Brakes kept up the pressure, but there was no third goal, but two were certainly enough.

Viva Holleran!

That was the chant that rang round the New Windmill Ground after Leamington celebrated a 4-1 win over Bashley in front of a crowd of 464 on a cold afternoon. But it was very much a game of two halves with a much better second half performance by the Brakes.

It was just like being in SE7 when the Charlton song Into the Valley was played just before the teams came out. After five minutes Stefan Moore put the Brakes ahead by lobbing the keeper.

The game then became rather scrappy with Leamington failing to keep the ball on the ground and the midfield going awol. Their failure to impose themselves on the game led to the inevitable consequence on 27 minutes when Bashley scored with a cracking shot, but they shouldn't have been given so much space. Bashley then had a chance to go 2-1 ahead with an open goal in front of them, but failed to take it.

A small knot of Bashley supporters had been singing the praises of their left back 'Olly', a chant that was taken up ironically by the Sheepsiders. He was then booked just before the break with the teams going in 1-1.

Brakes stepped up a gear in the second half and a move that started with a free kick ended with a goal for Daly on 50 minutes, his shot coming off the underside of the bar. A rather nervous period followed for the home fans as the visitors were still very much in the game and were capable of looking dangerous, even though Leamington were playing more football with some neat passing. Lee Moore got a yellow card for dissent.

A double substitution saw both Moores going off and Ricky Johnson and Sam Adkins came on. Batchelor then made it 3-1 in time added on 87 minutes following on from a rocket shot from Dodd. He was substituted in the dying minutes and received warm applause for his efforts througout the game. Johnson scored the final goal after the keeper had smashed a clearance against him to make it 4-1 in time added on.

Congratulations to the Sheepside linesman on an excellent game.

Ten man Brakes out of cup

Leamington went down to a third home defeat at the New Windmill Ground when they went out of the Red Insure Cup 1-2 to Aresley Town, but it was an honourable defeat after they had played with ten men for most of the match and battled away for the tie. We had the company of the Aresley manager in the Sheepside for most of the match as he directed a string of expletives at his players.

Brakes had gone 1-0 ahead in the first minute after Storey had burst through in impressive fashion to put the ball in the net. However, playing towards the Harbury Lane end, Aresley then started to pile on the pressure with a succession of corners. The turning point in the match came after 14 minutes with the sending off of James Mace. He went in with a two footed tackle in the box and although the referee seemed to hesitate at first and might have gone for a yellow, he flourished the red card after five Aresley players had surrounded him. Aresley then converted from the spot to make it 1-1.

Brakes worked hard to contain the visitors for the rest of the half. Cooper had to make a good reaction save at short range. There was a blow when Owen went down and had to be helped off the pitch, we have enough injury problems with the crucial game at Gosport coming up. Batchelor came on in his place.

Naylor was brought on in place of Stefan Moore after the break. Aresley stepped up the pressure and Cooper had to make some good saves. We also created some good chances, one out of nothing when Stephan Morley put in a shot from near the half way line which their keeper had to tip over the bar. But the failure to take the chances from corners counted against us and on 74 minutes Aresley went ahead. In the meantime, the officious referee had booked Daly for dissent after he complained about the failure to give a penalty. The referee said it was a yard and a half outside the box, but some thought he needed to go to Specsavers.Hood got a yellow for a clash of heads.

We continued to battle away with Morley putting in another of his long range speculative efforts and there was a flurry of corners and free kicks in the closing minutes, but to no avail. It was a good, open game, relatively sparsely attended (the attendance was not announced). As the Sheepside wags said at the end, 'That's half of the double gone' and 'We won't be going to Wembley this year.' Now we can focus on the league and one good piece of news was that Hemel Hempstead went down 6-1 at St.Neots.

Cup tie with Rugby Town in 1913

This Way Back Then article would have appeared in the programme for tonight's postponed match

Leamington Town were well placed for an attack on the title in the Coventry and North Warwickshire league Division 1 in mid-February 1913. Although they were three points behind Longford at the top of the table, they had three games in hand and most of their remaining fixtures were at home. Great Heath were also on 18 points, but had played two more games than Leamington. Of the twelve teams in the division, nine were from Coventry, the two from the county apart from Town being Bedworth Town and Rugby Town.

Meanwhile, Town had been in cup action, qualifying for the semi-final of the Leamington Hospital Cup and boosting their hopes of retaining the trophy. However, they had a ‘narrow squeak’ as they only beat Rugby Town by the odd goal out of three. The team was slightly weakened as Pritchard wisely decided to give his injured leg a rest and Jonas was still away working in Devon.

Town had to use their ‘reserve enclosure’ on Old Warwick Road, the main field still being waterlogged. Once again, the rain poured down and this ‘spoilt play to a great extent, but a well-contested game was witnessed. The home forwards were more prominent than the visitors’ attacking line in the first half, being superior both as regards shooting and combination. The first goal fell to Key, who was in particularly good form. The visitors then rallied, but the home defence proved impenetrable up till half-time.’

The Courier reported that ‘The visitors played up much better in the second half, and but for the wretched shooting of the forwards, who would probably have been theirs.’ Town had also suffered an injury to Gardner who had ricked his knee in the first half.’ However, Key was able to put Town two goals ahead from a difficult angle ‘as the result of a splendid piece of combination.’ The visitors continued to press hard and scored their goal.

Elsewhere, ‘Leamington North End, one of Leamington’s most promising new junior teams, were very unlucky to be beaten at home by Coventry Humber last Saturday in the second round of the Whitnash Charity Cup. Although an injury to Sennett necessitated the Northenders playing with only ten men during almost the whole of the game, it took the Humber all their time to win by one goal to nil. The homesters were literally bombarding the Coventry goal in the first half, but over excitement on the part of the forwards had a bad effect on their marksmanship, and time and time again they shot wide when the goal was absolutely at their mercy.’

Another junior team, Leamington United, ‘were about to lose their clever and popular left-half, Roberts, who is sailing for Canada.’ In the schools cup, the weather struck with the game between Leicester Street and St. Peter’s being abandoned because of fog.

Four men from Southam appeared in court for playing football in the street. The arresting constable had cautioned them and had returned shortly afterwards to find that play had resumed. The case was dismissed, but the Chairman of the bench warned that cases of a similar nature would be dealt with more severely in the future.

Do we play in too many cups?

That is the question posed by Brakes fan G Hobbins in a letter to The Non-League Paper. Unfortunately, the accompanying photo of a snowbound pitch in yesterday's issue is not of the New Windmill Ground.

Mr Hobbins calls for a reduction 'in the number of pointless cup competitions that our teams are forced to compete in, such as county cups and league cups etc. Owing to FA Cup and FA Trophy draws, my club Leamington FC did not have a home fixture for seven weeks and now face the daunting task of having to fit in 24 matches in the last 14 weeks of the season.'

'Why should we be penalised for the success of other clubs? Let's cut out these meaningless fixtures and free up time for football people want to watch.'

Of course, it would have been good for all sorts of reasons, not least financial ones, if we had had a bit of a run in the FA Cup or the FA Trophy. I have actually enjoyed our games in the Birmingham Senior Cup against the likes of West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City. They were hard fought contests in which we acquitted ourselves well.

Admittedly, the one cup we are left in, the Red Insure Cup, is a bit underwhelming, but I will be disappointed if we go out to Cinderford. If we do win, and there is a pitch invasion someone tweeeted that it would not be treated as part of the 'magic of the Cup' as happened at Oldham.

Arctic weather hit matches in 1913

With today's match postponed, here is the 'Way Back Then' article that would have appeared in the programme

Arctic weather interrupted football in Leamington and throughout the country one hundred years ago. An attempt was made to play several matches, but a snow storm brought them to an end. Leamington Town went to Stoke in Coventry for a league match ‘but found that the meterological conditions there were worse than those in Leamington. A plucky start was made in a blinding snow-storm, but it was impossible to continue for longer than twenty minutes.’

Fans were looking forward to the Saturday game against Cradley Heath in the Birmingham Junior Cup. The Courier noted, ‘It is difficult to say what chances the local club have of winning, but it is certain they will give the Black Country team a good game. Both players and officials are keenly desirous of bringing the trophy to Leamington for the first time, and providing the team shows the form of which we know it to be capable, there is no reason why this should not be achieved.’

But the Courier cautioned, ‘Cradley Heath are, without a doubt, a very formidable obstacle to surmount. In the Smethwick League this season, they have lost one match only.’ The game had an outcome which no one had anticipated, ‘ending in a fiasco which will not be forgotten by those who witnessed it.’

‘In the first place, the ground was in a truly wretched state. It reached the absolute limit of muddiness, even for a cup tie. ‘ It was admitted that the FA Cup at Coventry had been played on a ground that was all mud and water, but at least that was flat. On the Old Warwick Road enclosure, we get a layer of thick ooze, combined with a series of pools of water. To reach the stand in the reserved enclosure one had to perform feats on a series of planks which squelched as one trod upon them. If the ground was fit to play, it was hardly so. A large quantity of sawdust had been strewn on the worst parts, but it seemed to make very little improvement.’

Town started to kick towards the Municipal School end and ‘it was one of the toughest struggles we have seen at Leamington this season. It was not a brilliant or scientific game by any means. What was the point of trying to do clever things with a ball that rarely bounced, and utterly failed to respond to those delicate touches necessary for good dribbling?’ The score was 0-0 at half time, but in the second half Town ‘had the better end for shooting’ and their star striker Gathercole pounced to make it 1-0.

Then disaster struck. The outside right for Cradley had a violent collision with Jonas and broke his left leg. An immediate collection was taken for him and raised £3-12-6d which was made up to £4 by Town players. However, Cradley then refused to continue playing and the match had to be abandoned, to the considerable annoyance of the large crowd of spectators. The referee insisted that he had nothing to do with the decision. If the condition of the ground was the problem, it was hoped that Town would be awarded the match as Cradley had declared it playable in the morning.

Let's have Moore of that

Brackley Town are said to have been prepared to pay him £1,000 per week not so long ago and Stefan Moore certainly showed his value with a fine hat trick in Leamington's 6-1 demolition of Bedworth United at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon in front of a bank holiday crowd of 643.

<>Brakes applied early pressure on the visitors and it was from what was their first effective attack on 15 minutes that Bedworth scored their first and only goal, Cooper just getting a finger tip to it as the drive went into the net.

A move that started with a free kick saw an exchange of headers between Leamington players in front of goal with Stefan Moore heading the ball into the back of the net. It was not quite Moore of the same when Lee Moore made it 2-1 on 42 minutes with a shot along the ground. Daly, who had been in some good defensive headers, got booked for dissent and a free kick for the visitors was wasted, Brakes going in 2-1 ahead at the break.

On 58 minutes Chilton made it 3-1 with a great goal, but there was more to come. Stefan Moore's angled strike on 67 minutes was worthy of a former Premiership player. It was one of the best goals I have seen at non-league level. He then made it 5-1 a few minutes later and was subsequently withdrawn to give Tom Berwick some action.

The keeper saved from Lee Moore when he was one on one with him and the energetic Dodd missed a chance to score. Leamington's final goal came in the 94th minute scored by James Mace from a Brakes corner.

Read more about Stefan Moore here: Moore