Points shared with Stour

In a high tempo, no holds barred game with Stourbridge at the New Windmill Ground last night Leamington secured a 1-1 draw. I wouldn't argue that it was an unfair result, although the referee took a benign stance towards cynical fouling by the visitors, only awarding two yellow cards to the visitors and one to Brakes at the end.

Stour turned up with a rag, tag and bobtail self-styled Red Army who informed us that 'We are Stourbridge.

Leamington showed some real moments of skill, but the way the midfield sometimes disappeared in the face of an admittedly high tempo Stourbridge attack was a matter for some concern.

Sawyer in the Leamington goal showed once again that he is an excellent acquisition and made some great saves, showing real agility that one might not necessarily expect in someone of his size, most notably in dealing with a chaotic situation following a Stour corner. He also made a great save with his feet just before half time. He could not be blamed for the Stour goal.

Our goal was scored by Berwick on 10 minutes. Stour rattled the crossbar with some force in the second half. Their goal on 71 minutes came from a move that started with a free kick.

We threatened from a corner at the end of the game, then Stour broke away and got a free kick and then a corner, but it ended all square.

An acceptable result against a side that are something of a bogey team for us and will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. Hopefully we can get three points on Saturday to move us up the league.

Good pre-season continues

A good pre-season for Leamington in which they have competed well against higher league opposition continued with a 2-2 draw against Blue Square North outfit Worcester City at the New Windmill Ground in front of a crowd of 246 this afternoon.

Pre-seasons are not necessarily any guide to the season itself but the standard of passing has been good and for most of the time Brakes have kept the ball on the ground with less hoofing than was evident last season. New giant but agile keeper Kevin Sawyer has slotted in well.

Good work on the right created an opportunity for Brakes on 7 minutes and Worcester City Welsh international Owen Goal was on hand to put the ball decisively into his own net. Worcester equalised on 34 minutes after they had sped down the wing through former Port Vale player Danny Glover.

On 59 minutes Brakes won a penalty taken by Matt Dodds who for me was man of the match. He slotted home but Worcester stepped up a gear and equalised on 78 minutes.

Things got a bit niggly in the second half and after a clash between Batchelor and Worcester's Matt Symons the latter, who looked as if he was on loan from the rugby club, left the field of play.

Nathan Vaughan

Sorry to hear of his departure to Kidderminster, that's the second keeper we have lost there. Tony Breeden has since moved on to Kidderminster. But, of course, if players are any good they are likely to go higher up the non-league pyramid.

The news from a Kiddy angle here: Vaughan

Not sure who his replacement will be, the guy we had last Saturday was ok, but not as good as Vaughan.