Seven goal thriller at the New Windmill

Leamington beat Aresley Town 4-3 in front of a crowd of 539 at the New Windmill Ground despite the best efforts of a penalty happy referee.

Paul Holleran had talked up Aresley before the game and they were certainly impressive going forward, showing considerable pace and passing well. They also had two big centre backs.

Brakes went ahead after 7 minutes. Tom Berwick burst through, controlled the ball well with his chest and put in a decisive strike. Ten minutes later, however, the visitors equalised. A casual attitude in midfield meant that Leamington lost possession and Aresley took advantage with Dillon finding the back of the net.

After another ten minutes two players collided whilst going for the ball in the area and the referee pointed to the spot, Roberts scoring for the visitors by putting the ball into the far corner of the net, although Sawyer nearly made contact with it.

Two minutes later 'goal a game' Liam Daly rose well to a corner and headed the ball into the net to make it 2-2. The remaining quarter of an hour wa a bit scrappy, but Berwick missed a golden chance to make it 3-2 when he was one on one with the keeper but blasted the ball over.

Another 50-50 challenge, this time by the keeper saw Sawyer given a yellow card and Roberts stepped up to make it 2-3 on 54 minutes. Brakes made a double substitution with Dodd and Chilton coming off and Taylor and Husband coming on, notwithstanding a note in the programme that Husband would be rested due to lack of sleep.

A Aresley goal was ruled offside and then Abbey in their goal saved on the line after I thought the ball had gone in. The match was increasingly about the referee who delighted in giving long lectures to errant players. The referee was advised from the Sheepside to get in the box when Aresley had a free kick and to get back when Brakes counter attacked.

However, he did award Leamington a penalty, after Berwick was brought down allowing Magunda to make it 3-3. Then in the dying minutes of the game, Brakes managed to make it 4-3. Good work by Moore set up Daly who headed the ball into the roof of the net. An incredible match.