Saturday 20 July 2013

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.

Sunday 14 July 2013

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.