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.