Festive cheer despite awful weather

Driving rain which turned to sleet did not stop Leamington providing festive cheer at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon as they beat Oxford City 4-0 in front of a crowd of 512 and one dog. Their task was made easier by Oxford's No.3 being sent off for a second yellow card in the first half, but they showed their intent by forcing an early corner. Despite the poor weather, the ball was played along the ground much more than has been the case in recent games and the passing was accurate.

Goddard opened the scoring for the Brakes, although admittedly the ball might not have gone in but for a lucky deflection.

The keeper was brought down, producing the second yellow for the Oxford No.3, although the referee had to consult his linesman and the offending player tried to hard. The board was prepared to sub the keeper who was down for some time, but fortunately he was able to continue.

Brakes were 2-0 up at the break after the keeper had come rushing out, as he was prone to do and Dodd scored in time added on. The television results services showed them to have a half-time score of 3-0. It was not long before Fry confirmed this score and he scored the fourth, but the old five was not to be secured. Oxford showed their frustration by increasingly resorting to fouls and earned some more yellow cards.

Despite messing up a good chance in the first half, Matty Dodd proved to be handful for the Oxford defence.

The visiting Germans must have been lucky for us. If the result was not enough, festive cheer was provided by the voluble referee (who would not win the 'Yes, No' interlude and the difficulties the announcer experienced with the names of the cosmopolitan Oxford team.

Better as time went on

After a poor start, Leamington improved as the match went on to secure a 1-1 draw with Hednesford Town at the New Windmill Ground on a cold afternoon. In the first half it was far from clear what the game plan was or, if it did exist, it was not being put into practice with any energy or enthusiasm. Hit and hope seemed to be the motto, either hoofing the ball into an empty space or hitting it upfield to Stefan Moore who was wandering lonely as a cloud with two defenders in attendance.

The Pitmen came out of the blocks quicker and went ahead on 3 minutes through Glenn Walker. They advanced down their left and then it was the familiar story of Brakes failing to control the ball in the box.

Trueman had to make a great fingertip save to stop the Pitmen getting a second while Brakes scarcely threatened in the first half.

Whatever Paul Holleran said at the break, there was more determination and a bit more skill in the second half. Leamington got their first corner of the game shortly after the break. Danny Newton made it 1-1 on 65 minutes.

The vociferous visiting supporters pleaded for a 'winner', but Brakes looked more likely to score in the last ten minutes, although they lived dangerously in the three minutes added on.

Attendance was stated to be 528 (probably about 100 Hednesford) plus one dog.

Brakes outplayed

Leamington were outplayed as they went down 0-2 at home at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon to Stockport County in front of a crowd of 855. They were livelier in the second half as is shown by the fact that the half time scoreline did not change. However, a number of chances to score were not taken throughout the game.

The visitors went ahead on 11 minutes with a bullet header from a corner delivered into the net by Scott Spencer. The second goal was scored on 26 minutes, Collett fumbling the ball.

Stefan Moore let a chance slip when he dithered in front of goal. Newton just missed from close range, but it would have been offside anyway.

Bearded County charm merchant Steve O'Halloran received a yellow card for a foul.

After the break Newton somehow missed an open goal. Spencer hit the crossbar for County. The referee waved away a Leamington penalty appeal for handball. A double substitution for the Brakes saw Dodd taken off who had been one of our more effective players at least in terms of penetrating the County defence even if the final product was often not there.

Newton put a shot straight at the keeper and the crowd started to drift away as it was evident that even a consolation goal was not going to come.

Brakes in the draw

Leamington will be in the draw for the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup on Monday after they secured a 1-1 draw with Worcester City at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon in front of a crowd of 755.

Worcester were dominant in the first half and went ahead through a shot that deflected off Batchelor. Ellis Deeney was a menace down the wing and helped to set up the goal. They continued to pepper the Brakes goal with shots and Collett had to make a particularly good save on 25 minutes.

Brakes came out early for the second half and looked livelier. A free kick led to Newton equalising on 52 minutes. It was then end-to-end stuff with some dangerous moments, Collett saving then the ball having to be cleared off the line. However, a draw increasingly looked like the likely and fair outcome.

So it's a replay at Aggborough on Tuesday and, as someone said, 'with the same crap referee.'

BBC website features Stefan Moore

BBC runs story about Stefan Moore prior to the cup game against Worcester City: Moore, Moore, Moore

Yellow submarine springs a leak

I don't know whether the playing of Yellow Submarine at the beginning and end of games does much for player or spectator morale, particularly given that we play in gold, but it is evident that the yellow submarine has sprung a leak in home waters. Leamington went down 1-3 at home today to Harrogate Town in front of a crowd of 482. Although we were treated to a display of poor refereeing, it has to be said that Harrogate deserved their victory.

Brakes keeper Collett is clearly no Tony Breedon, in fact he is much worse. It could be said that all three goals conceded today were down to him. Mind you, he didn't get much protection from our central defenders with Pierpoint failing to put a noose round the opposition. In contrast their central defenders largely kept Stefan Moore out of the game.

I occasionally go to Harrogate for work reasons and usually pass their neat ground. They were well supported considering the distance, although the chant of 'Harrow-gate' got a little monotonous. Paul Holleran had got his alibi in first by saying that their position in the table underestimated their strength and he seems to have been right.

The game started with controversy when Collett handled the ball outside the area. Some insisted that the rule book means that this is a red card, but I have seem a yellow given more than once, e.g., local lad Dean Kiely playing for Charlton at Newcastle. Perhaps the keeper's momentum carried him forward, but in any event he was fortunate. The resultant free kick came off the wall.

Harrogate's first goal on 14 minutes was the result of poor defending. The ball came down the left and our defender thought that it would run out, but the visitors were able to put in a cross and Harrogate scored through Callum Hassam with a tap in which Collett really should have got hold of.

Bloomer got booked for a professional foul on Morley. With Stefan Moore wandering on his own out in front of a team that was far too deep it was difficult to see where a goal was going to come from but Batchelor connected with a free kick to head the ball home on 42 minutes.

The referee increasingly lost his grip on the game, but Brakes supporters could feel at half time that there was some hope, even if the first 40 minutes had very poor. Indeed, we started off the second half reasonably well with Danny Newton having a shot.

Harrogate's Craig Nelthorpe had the appearance and manners of a Neanderthal (he did eventually get booked), but he possessed quite an engine and on 78 minutes he put a shot through a crowd of players that found the back of the net. Possibly Collett was unsighted.

Brakes looked for an equaliser, but on 86 minutes a ball played back in from a corner allowed McGurk to score at the far post. Again, Collett should have done better.

The referee continued to issue yellow cards and there was a quick whip round for a Specsavers voucher, but apart from the consolation goal it was Colwyn Bay all over again.

Moore! Moore! Moore!

That was the chant that rang out round the New Windmill Ground after Stefan Moore had scored a hat trick in Leamington's 4-1 victory over Gloucester City. They were all excellent goals as well. The other goal was scored in the 46th minute by the well-known Welsh international, Owen Goal. Leamington thus went in 2-0 up at the break and the visitors scored their consolation, itself a great goal, when we were 3-0 ahead.

We showed our intent by rattling the bar after five minutes. We did have some chances we failed to take, so those who were hoping for at least 'the old five' were disappointed. Moore's first goal was sublime and showed his coolness, composure and confidence. For his second he turned the last defender and put in a curler. The third was also a curler.

We were told at the Open Forum last week that the team were playing better away, but this was by far the best performance at home this season, finally putting to rest the nightmare of the Colwyn Bay. The game was played at a high tempo, but we out paced Gloucester City. We made particularly good use of the wings and there was precision passing rather than hoofing the ball (although there were some good and accurate long balls as well).

The game was presided over by a beautiful full moon, what used to be known as a Harvest Moon, although it's a bit late for the harvest. Unfortunately, it affected the linesman on the stand side who made some bizarre decisions, but all his efforts to redress the balance for Gloucester came to nothing. I thought that the referee had a good game.

The attendance was 457 plus one dog, with quite a few Gloucester fans in attendance. We are now 7th in the table. Of course, we shouldn't get too excited but at least we are away from the relegation battle.

Barrow have had an injection of cash following their takeover, their American-based owner having been brought up in the town: Barrow

I was not far from there last weekend and I hope the good weather holds.

Bay Watch

Talking to someone about the game earlier in the day, I said that Leamington should win. I should know better than to read results off the table at this time of the year, or indeed at any time of the year with the Brakes going down 0-3 at home to Colwyn Bay.

Reading the programme, they had the look of a makeshift side with a lot of references to players 'showing potential'. In fact, at the very least, as the Bloke Behind Me put it, 'They are better rubbish than we are.' They decided to make a go of it and seemed to want it more. They at least tried to play football. We did at times, but mostly it was hit and hope, with the hot line to air traffic control glowing red as the ball sailed into the air. Why not play the ball along the ground which makes it easier to control?

It was also a tale of two keepers. Josh Ollerenshaw for the Bay was outstanding, making a series of great saves to preserve a clean sheet. Breedon is a hard act to follow, but Collett is too inclined to rush out of his goal and seems to exhibit nervousness, although today's result will do nothing for his confidence.

There was danger when Collett rushed out of his goal early in the game. Dodd won a free kick on the edge of the area, but the scramble in front of goal was unproductive. Stefan Moore put in a curling shot which nearly found the back of the net. Aaron Ray scored for Colwyn Bay on 21 minutes, Collett getting a hand to the ball but just pushing it into the back of the net.'

Pierpoint could feel the noose tightening around the Brakes and urged his fellow players (in more vigorous language), 'We've all got to wake up.' However, the sleep walking continued and after an inadequate save by Collett, Ray was able to find the back of the net again to make it 0-2 on 31 minutes. Goddard put in a good ball from distance, but Stefan Moore's effort was ruled offside. Chris Noone put in a rugby tackle and received the only yellow card of the game.

Both teams assembled on the pitch after the break, but there was no sign of the officials. The referee may be a postman, but he is clearly often late with his deliveries. Eventually he ambled out to shouts of 'Have you had enough, ref?

Ollerenshaw made a great save to deny Leamington. Newton had been on the bench, presumably because he was not fully fit, but he was prepared to come on, then stayed on the bench for some time as those around me called for a change. Eventually he did come on to replace Batchelor. Following a Brakes corner, Ollerenshaw made a great save on the line. Lee Moore was taken off and replaced by Wint who did add something. However, on 77 minutes Colwyn Bay were awarded a penalty scored by Barbados international Moss. The game was then effectively over although Brakes huffed and puffed, although it was nearly 0-4.

I missed last week's game because I was catching a play to Beijing where I was performing the role of 'elderly foreign person'. I am sure it wasn't just jet lag that made this seem like a poor performance. In fact it's the worst home performance I can remember since the midweek defeat by Vauxhall Motors and Bay's Noone used to play for them.

Not that relaxing

'Relax! Relax!' was the repeated cry of the referee at the New Windmill Ground. But it wasn't that relaxing as Leamington went down 0-1 at home to Guiseley with the referee and his incompetent linesman ignoring a handball from an extended arm in the area. The assessor ran out before the end of the game, but I hoped he noted the error in his report.

Having said that, I did not think our performance was all that good in a rather dull match. Stefan Moore is a cut above the other players, but the midfield still seems to fail to function properly. Of course, they may be because the ball is soaring over their heads. There was too much reliance on a rather predictable long ball. In the second half, moreover, we failed to get a really convincing shot on target. At times there were potential chances, but the advancing player failed to take a shot which might at least have led to a corner.

Some silky skills were shown early in the half when Danny Newton released Stefan Moore but the Guiseley keeper managed to save. A good Leamington attack then broke down through ball watching. Guiseley started a spell of pressure with two corners. It was a bit worrying that Guiseley's Gavin Rothery was virtually able to walk through the Brakes defence. Towards the end of the half Collett had to make a diving save, but it was one that a good keeper should have been able to make.

The new first aid facility was useful at half time when a number of fans in the crowd of 523 and the customary dog had to be treated for over excitement at the spectacle they had seen.

Guiseley had a near miss early in the first half. Danny Newton failed to make use of one of the best chances of the game for Leamington. On 57 minutes the visitors scored with a shot from distance. Collett seemed to be rooted to the spot, only making a slight movement as the ball went in the net.

The home crowd set up a chant of 'Richard Batchelor' and the 'impact player' came on and he certainly put himself about. Collett made a good save. We then had the handball incident which led to the rather unusual chant of 'You're not fit to run the line.'

The visitors were not really being troubled by Leamington and it was difficult to see where a goal would come from, although one late effort by Lee Moore was just wide of the post. Not a surprising result, but still a disappointing one.

Sending off ends match as a contest

Paul Holleran has made it clear that he doesn't like pre-season matches, stating in the programme today that they were a ritual that had to be gone through. He will be even less happy after Joe Magunda got sent off in the first half for a reckless tackle. The Nuneaton boss has claimed that it was a potential leg breaker, but arguably the referee was influenced by a worse tackle by James Mace shortly beforehand. I have seen referees just ask for the offending player to be replaced in such circumstances. Let's hope that the referee doesn't make a report and Magunda ends with a ban. The referee is a leisure centre manager, so probably gets lots of chances to be officious in his day job as well.

Nuneaton were already in a commanding position before we went down to ten men and it spoilt the match as a spectacle. Indeed, the greatest excitement was caused by a thunderstorm and heavy rain in the second half which caused the floodlights to be switched on. After the sending off, all Brakes could do most of the time was defend and they can claim some credit for keeping the score line to a respectable 0-2, both Nuneaton goals being scored in the first half. We were better in the second half, but whenever anyone broke forward they simply lacked enough support to achieve anything.

This was the first pre-season match I have been to and there is evidently still some work to do. The midfield can't keep possession well and as a result we are hoofing the ball forward. However, from time to time, we did pass the ball quite neatly. Good to see Richard Batchelor back, but he doesn't look match fit.

Breedon will be a hard act to follow, he saved us a number of points last season. The new keeper is not of the same calibre, but I wouldn't blame him for the two goals and he did make a couple of very good saves.

It will be a tough start against Guiseley next week.

Draw was no bore

Leamington played out a 0-0 draw with Boston United at the New Windmill Ground in front of a crowd of 792, but it was no bore draw. More was at stake for Boston United who were hoping to keep their play off hopes alive, but both sides battled away in what was often an end to end match. Both goalkeepers had an excellent game, although Boston's Lewis King looked as if he had injured himself at the end of the game by landing heavily.

Boston won an early corner, then Lee Chilton shot wide after good work by the tireless Danny Newton. The visitors hit the crossbar after they burst through, but their player looked offside, but the lino on the stand side had difficulty in raising his flag. Tony Breeden had to make a good save from a fiercely driven shot from distance. Nathan Hicks had a great run which led to a corner. Boston charm merchant Ricky Miller got a yellow card for dissent after disputing a Brakes free kick. Ryan Higgins picked up an unnecessary yellow card for a foul. Tony Breeden had been kept busy throughout the half with a number of on target shots but always dealt with them confidently.

In the second half the vociferous visiting contingent kept up their interventions, appealing for a penalty more than once. Boston headed over from a corner and then had their best chance of the game after another corner when they were gifted a free header but were not able to make use of it. Leamington had their best chance of the game when Danny Newton was one on one with the keeper, but somehow he managed to make a fingertip save. The referee somehow found five minutes to add on, but although most of the play was in Leamington's half, they stood firm. Liam Daly was solid in defence throughout.

The result and the performance shows how much progress we have made since a poor 2-0 defeat at Boston back in August. The day was only spoilt by a poor choice of music on the PA about which a number of people complained.

Brakes hold league leaders

Leamington held league leaders Telford United to a 2-2 draw this afternoon in front of a crowd of 843 at the New Windmill Ground. They may be league leaders, but Telford were exponents of a hit it hard and hope style of play, along with physicality and unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Brakes faced some early danger and the ball had to be cleared off the line. Then on 15 minutes Daly for some reason best known to himself handled the ball, conceding a penalty. Farrell scored decisively from the spot for the visitors.

However, their lead only lasted 12 minutes with Newton equalising after Telford had failed to clear a Flanagan corner, temporarily silencing the cocky Telford supporters. However, what looked like a miss kick led to Telford going 2-1 ahead in a crowded area. Their supporters were now boasting of 4-1 to them in the second half. On 40 minutes Newton and Chilton combined well, but Wint shot wide.

In time added on, there was a copy of the earlier handball incident, this time on the part of the visitors, and the referee pointed to the spot, Hicks scoring for Leamington. That was the way the score stayed, but there was plenty of incident in the second half.

Leamington's Reece Flanagan once again showed his skill on the ball and his anticipation of where it might go. However, he got involved in some exchanges with Telford charm merchant Shaun Walley and referee Michael D'aguillar, who had a good game, came over and told them to 'relax'. Dodd came on in place of Wint and soon showed his skill on the ball.

A push in the area on Magunda led to a penalty call for Leamington. I think that the referee was right not to award it, but presumably Magunda got his yellow card for dissent. Moogan cynically fouled Dodd and got a yellow card for his trouble. The Brakes free kick came off the wall. A cynical dive by Telford in the area brought a free kick for Leamington but no yellow card. Lee Chilton was withdrawn in favour of Peter Till. Danny Newton picked up a yellow card for dissent and was replaced shortly afterwards by Ricky Johnson.

In time added on, Breeden kicked the ball out when a Brakes player went down, but Telford refused to return the ball to the keeper. Fortunately, it didn't benefit them, but it just about summed up their approach to the game. I have seen better teams at the NWG this season, but the table, they say, doesn't lie. Anyway, a determined and often accomplished game by the Brakes.

Am I at the wrong ground?

That what was one wag asked tonight as Leamington beat Oxford City 4-0 at the New Windmill Ground in front of a crowd of 389 and one dog. I thought that I might be hallucinating as the Brake developed pacey attacks, passing to each other intelligently and even keeping the ball on the ground quite a lot of the time.

The first goal came on ten minutes when Lee Chilton forged through to score after the Brakes provided good approach play. Reece Flanagan then supplied a brilliant goal on 23 minutes, advancing along the goal line and getting past the keeper to score. The third goal came from Hicks on 36 minutes, a low drive into the corner of the net.

Oxford made a double substitution after the break and did look more of a threat. However, Newton put the match beyond doubt on 65 minutes when he scored in a crowded goalmouth following a corner.

There was to be no 'old five', but most fans went home well satisfied.

Brakes creep towards safety

Leamington continued their crawl towards safety in the Skrill North with a 1-1 draw with Barrow at the New Windmill Ground today in front of a crowd of 548, quite a few of whom had made the long journey from Cumbria. The Brakes are 16th in the league and 8 points clear of financially troubled Histon. Gainsborough Trinity, level on points, also drew 3-3 at home today.

The accomplished Ryan Higgins closed down early danger for Brakes with some good defensive work. Then on 14 minutes the visitors scored what had to be admitted was an excellent goal. A good cross found the head of Tom Corner, who has played in Spain, and he made no mistake with his header to make it 1-0 to Barrow.

Barrow's two giant centre backs were causing a few problems for the Brakes attackers, but the home side forced two corners as the half hour approached. On 36 minutes an inspired (or fortunate) substitution saw Peter Till coming off and Matty Dodd coming on.

I couldn't see where a goal was coming from, but just before the break Dodd was brought down in the area. At first I thought the referee was not going to give it, but the lino flagged for the penalty which was taken emphatically by Dodd to make it 1-1.

Leamington provided some early pressure in the second half with three corners in succession. With an open goal in front of him, but not an easy angle, Danny Newton hit the post. Breeden had to make a save at close range from Nick Rushton who had come on as a substitute. Around the 70 minute mark Lee Chilton came off and Ricky Johnson came on to the joy of his claque of followers.

Stefan Morley tested the keeper and won Brakes a corner which led to a second, but despite a goalmouth scramble the ball went wide. In three minutes added on, Barrow did have a penalty call which had more justification than their earlier appeals.

Despite some clogging from the Barrow players, and a certain amount of petulance, no cards were awarded. It was a better performance than on Tuesday, but that set a low benchmark.

Brakes fail to motor

An inept and frustrating display saw Leamington lose 0-1 at home to Vauxhall Motors at the New Windmill Ground tonight. When I saw the Motors coach arriving late, I thought they might be tired. However, when I managed to drop and smash the bottle of wine I had bought for the vice-presidents' raffle in the turnstiles, it was an omen for what followed.

We had three chances to score in the first five minutes and we wasted all of them. Ricky Johnson managed to put the ball wide when he was one on one with the keeper. A corner was cleared off the line. Motors then showed their intent by hitting the post and then burst away on 22 minutes to score the winning goal.

Motors may only be playing for pride, but they certainly played for each other. They passed the ball along the ground and kept possession. Our idea seemed to be hit the ball as hard as we could and hoof it up the pitch.

We used all three substitutes in the second half, but although we showed a little more determination, we never looked like scoring. It was just like the second half at Oxford. Four minutes were added on and Breeden went up for a free kick, but if we had had forty-four minutes we wouldn't have scored.

One point gained or two points lost?

That was the question that faced Brakes fans after this afternoon's 2-2 draw at Oxford City. For me it was two points lost after we sacrificed a 2-1 lead at half time to concede the draw.

I'm grateful to the Brakes Trust minibus for taking me down and getting me back very speedily, as well as a rather battered Nimrod the cardboard dog and a cardboard cat. On the way down this included a tour of some picturesque Cotswold stone villages, but in fact it made sense to go via Islip to position correctly for the stadium located on the A40 with an excellent view of the John Radcliffe hospital. I recalled that the chairman of Oxford City was once Sir Norman Chester, warden of Nuffield College, Oxford, but also author of the Chester Report on football.

We started the game with the usual hoof ball, but started to settle down. We weren't helped initially by the antics of the linesman on the dugout side who gave an early corner to the home team when it should have been a throw in. Increasingly losing his cool with the Leamington bench as the game went on, he later yelled at Holleran to 'Shut up!' Unlike those linos from preserved railways who are always waving their flag, he was reluctant to recognise an offside.

One sensed that a goal was coming and Newton provided one on 25 minutes with a header, although it was poorly defended. Three minutes later City equalised: it was one of those goals where pressure in the box led to a result but no Leamington player was at fault. Newton then put us ahead with an excellent goal: he paused calmly before selecting his shot.

It was very much a game of two halves. On top in the first half, we started to be sloppy and casual in the second half with Ricky Johnson often at fault. Then Breeden had a rush of blood to the head and left his goal exposed. With no one on the line, City scored. Breeden did redeem himself not long afterwards with a spectacular save.

Matty Dodd collided with the keeper and got a harsh yellow card. The keeper continued after treatment, but not long afterwards he collapsed while taking a kick. Both female physios came on, leading the wag beside me to shout that he also had a bad back. The keeper had to be stretchered off and a paramedic ambulance later appeared.

I am told that the substitute keeper was a midfielder, but we never really tested him. A free kick from Stephan Morley in a promising position went wide when he could have fed the well positioned Daly. One of the best moves was when Richard Batchelor intercepted the ball as it went out of play, leading to an appreciative chant of his name from the Brakes supporters. It looks like we are staying up but not with much glory.

I think I heard that the crowd was 239, and at least a third of those attending were from Leamington. There were two dogs who had come together.

The disapperance of the works team

The impending resignation of Vauxhall Motors from the Conference North reminds us how much works teams have declined in non-league football. Read more here: Works teams

Brakes see off County

It doesn't seem so long ago that I was watching Charlton play Stockport County in what is now the Championship. Today I was able to go to the New Windmill Ground and see Leamington beat County 2-1 in front of a crowd of 1048 plus two dogs.

It was a valuable three points for the Brakes, but I must admit that at times I had doubts whether we could secure them, particularly after the visitors scored their opening goal. I and others thought that there was too much of the long ball and the ball was in the air too much, sometimes to such a height that air traffic control needed to know. Above all, we did not seem creative enough and I couldn't see where a goal was going to come from. Fortunately, I was wrong.

I knew it was going to be a different day when a steward came into the vice-presidents' 'lounge' with a confiscated drum. She said that she had taken it off a 'gobby little ****' and asked me where she could store it. The County fan had objected that there were no neighbours to disturb, and one could see his point, but then we know what people from the farm quarter of a mile away think. Should we ever move to the town ....

Neither side created that many chances in the first half, although we did put one just wide. The main incident of the half was a serious injury to Lee Chilton which held the game up for five minutes. I heard that he has done his ligaments which would probably mean him out for the rest of the season. Joe Magunda came on in his place.

We seemed to be getting caught quite a lot by the offside trap, but then the very young linesman on the main stand side (one wonders if his mum knew where he was) seemed to be very eager to wave his flag. I only learnt later that he is also a guard on a preserved railway. Having said that, I should say that the referee had an excellent game, firm but fair and no cards issued.

County piled on the pressure after the break and Tony Breeden had to make two excellent saves. We seemed to be happy to play for a 0-0 draw. County's opening goal on 66 minutes was a good one, a cross followed by a header leaving Breeden with no chance. I thought it was going to be another 0-1 home defeat, but then the impressive Danny Newton equalised on 76 minutes. He then made it 2-1 with a header from a free kick. After that we controlled the game reasonably well, even if we were forced back a bit too much at times.

Man of the match for me was Matty Dodd, you see him there, you see him everywhere.

A very full and balanced report with lots of photos from a Stockport blogger here: Hedgegrower. He thinks that their midfield went awol, but describes the NWG as 'small but perfectly formed.'

Way Back Then

For the benefit of anyone who didn't buy the programme here is my 'Way Back Then' article on Stockport County, but with a mistake in one of the dates corrected!

Our opponents today, Stockport County, have a long football pedigree, so it is interesting to see what was happening to them one hundred years ago. The 1912-13 season had not ended too happily for them as they had finished bottom of the second division of the Football League and had had to seek re-election. They also lost 5-1 away to Everton in the first round of the FA Cup.

County made a promising start to 1914. On New Year’s Day, according to the Manchester Courier, the team that had won handsomely away against Bristol City 5-1 faced Birmingham City at Edgeley Park in front of 8,000 spectators. This was above their average attendance of 7,000 for that season which was in itself an improvement on the 5,695 recorded in 1912-13. Only Blackpool (where there was presumably a seasonal factor) and Glossop at 2,750 had worse average attendances in the Football League. Attendances picked up after the war following the formation of the Third Division North. In their first season in that competition County averaged 11,050 rising to 12,440 the following year. Presumably the number of derby matches helped, but County also competed more effectively.

On New Year’s Day 1914 ‘the ground was hard and slippery and falls frequent and Stockport lost the services of Bluer, their centre half, after half an hour’s play’. This was a key position and there were no substitutes, so Rodgers had to fall back. County had the better of the opening exchanges and a run down the right looked promising, but when the cross came in the ball was too far ahead of the advancing forward for him to make contact. Even in the absence of Bluer, County continued to attack in determined fashion, although Birmingham got into the game more against ten men. Finally, they opened the scoring on 40 minutes through Wood. Just before what was referred to as ‘the interval’, Bluer struggled to get back on, but only lasted for one or two minutes.

Ten man Stockport continued to press their opponents after half time, but unfortunately over anxiety led to an open goal being missed. With another scoring opportunity missed, Birmingham launched an attack which drew a good save from Evans in the Stockport goal. Eventually, Stockport were able to score a second to make the final result 2-0.

It was six weeks before Bluer, who was regarded as one of their best players, was able to recover from his injury, appearing in February. This was when County completed the double over another team now playing in the Skrill North, Bradford Park Avenue. Whilst the visitors ‘enjoyed a fair share of the play’, their finishing was poor. Stockport took their chances and were 1-0 ahead at half time. In a ‘fine game’, County went 2-0 ahead in the second half, Bradford replied with a goal of their own, but Proctor scored the third for the home side with the last kick of the match.

Between 3,000 and 4,000 people attended a Manchester Senior Cup game between Manchester City and County, despite both teams putting out reserve sides. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. A crowd of 2,000 attended a Shrove Tuesday match at Edgeley Park between County reserves and Manchester United reserves, United taking the lead. County finished the season in an improved 12th position, managing to beat Woolwich Arsenal 2-0 at home.

Leamington in Swedish

My history of Leamington Town has been reviewed in Swedish. I think that the point that the reviewer is making is that more context is needed for the reader who is not local to the Spa: Leamington Town

Brakes lose Battle of the Spas

It was a frustrating afternoon for Brakes supporters at Harbury Lane as Leamington lost the Battle of the Spas, going down 1-2 at home to Harrogate Town on a cold and blustery afternoon in front of crowd of 608. Following a good draw away at Solihull and a creditable performance against league leaders North Ferriby United, supporters were hoping for more from this mid-table clash.

Leamington started brightly enough and things were looking promising on 19 minutes when Newton burst through on the right wing. For a moment it looked as if the keeper might stop him but Newton got round him to make the score 1-0.

Tony Breeden in the Brakes goal required treatment after making a save from Steve Mallory. Then Ashley Worsfold got the wrong side of Daly and managed to make Breeden, although possibly the keeper should have done better. Breeden then had to make a good save just before half time to keep the score at 1-1.

HT 1-1

Harrogate made the first of a number of substitutions immediately after the break which seemed to serve them well. A great run down the wing by Lee Moore brought chants of 'We've only got one Moore' from the Harbury Lane end. Don't we know it.

The visitors made two more substitutions and kept up the pressure, winning some corners. But then we turned the tables and piled on the pressure with a series of corners. Daly put in a good ball to Ricky Johnson but, in the best chance of the half, he headed the ball just over. If he hadn't had jumped, he might have found the target.

On 79 minutes we failed to clear the ball and Harrogate went ahead through substitute Conor Sellars. Given the quality of our play, with the ball in the air far too much, we seemed unlikely to equalise. Indeed, Hawker picked up the only yellow card of the game, while Breeden had to make another great save to keep the score line respectable. Leamington were not able to make use of four minutes added on. We missed the injured Dodd and Magunda today.

Moore! Moore! Moore!

That was the chant of the Harbury Lane End as Stefan Moore was substituted at the end of Leamington's convincing 3-1 victory over Brackley Town at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon in front of a crowd of 504 and the usual enthusiastic dog. The Skrill North Player of the Month scored two of the goals and created the third.

When I got to the ground I heard that it had been touch and go whether it would called off. Many non-league games were called off, with only that at Ebbsfleet going ahead in the Skrill South. As it was the game was played in torrential rain and strong winds that had the ball swirling around. A kick out by Tony Breeden went into reverse and fortunately went out for a throw in.

Brakes went ahead on 17 minutes when Moore burst down the right after Ricky Johnson had laid the ball off to him. Then Moore made it 2-0 on 26 minutes with another great run. However, Brackley grabbed one back minutes later when Charlie Griffin took advantage of a goalmouth scramble.

HT 2-1

Leamington earned a free kick on the edge of the box with Eddie Nisevic receiving a yellow card for Brackley. Some thought it was inside the box, but I thought it was just outside. On the whole, young referee John Brooks had a good game.

A shot was deflected to produce a Brakes corner, followed by a second. Brackley had a free kick, but it was unproductive. Then excellent work by Stefan Moore on the right wing set up Ricky Johnson to score the third.

Brackley piled on the pressure in the last ten minutes of the game and there were moments of danger with Breeden having to make one save under real pressure. However, Leamington stood firm, with Liam Daly having a good game in defence. It was another excellent result and a great start to 2014.