Monday 28 December 2020

Stalemate

It was a scrappy 0-0 draw between Leamington and Hereford at Harbury Lane this afternoon.  I will take the point as I couldn't see where a goal for us was coming from while I feared another 1-0 defeat. 

Osborne showed the only real quality in attack, but he had little support.  Defensively we did look quite solid.

The bull**** quotient was high with Hereford trying to get players booked.  Then as substitute Andersom burst through in a one on one with the defender, a Hereford player started writhing in agony at the other end of the pitch and the referee stopped the game.  Fortunately he made a miraculous recovery.

Hope for Brakes came with a late corner, but the delivery was poor.   We missed Smith who had a scan in the week.

Sunday 27 December 2020

Viva Holleran!

Leamington manager Paul Holleran is featured in an interview in The Non-League Paper this morning.  He says that the FA Trophy win over Wrexham had all the hallmarks of what Leamington's season had been about.  It was one of the finest days in the club's history since it had been re-formed. 

He said, 'We've had to be resilient and robust, we've been very good in periods and scored good goals, we've been backs to the walls and hung in there.'

He singled out Jake Weaver and Sam Osborne for praise.  Osborne is already in the shop window and could potentially be joined by Weaver.

Sunday 20 December 2020

It doesn't feel right without fans

A journalist visits an eerie Harbury Lane for the game against AFC Fylde.   Unfortunately, it looks like a long time before spectators will be back: https://worldfootballindex.com/2020/12/it-doesnt-feel-right-without-fans-leamington-spar-with-fylde-but-non-league-needs-supporters/?fbclid=IwAR3L7D6b45X3BHgP8cuhkF3O1JIDk7aSZjoXhpStPFlWEbl2Yc5VkdnFlbI

Brakes are front page news

The front page of The Non-League Paper this morning has a picture of the players celebrating with the caption 'Giantkillers!  Leamington players can't hide their delight after knocking Wrexham out of the FA Trophy on penalties.'

The headline inside is 'Tinkerman Keates has no excuse for defeat.'   There is an incomprehensible interview with the supremo on YouTube, but he told the NLP 'We didn't overlook Leamington.'

He added, 'Take nothing away from Leamington, but we just didn't do enough to force the game.'

The NLP stated that 'Wrexham's lower tier opponents created the better chances.'

Unfortunately I scared my partner last night by putting on my Paul Holleran mask.

Saturday 19 December 2020

Wow!

Congratulations to the Brakes on a fantastic victory at Wrexham.   Here is the report from Wrexham: https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/match-report-wrexham-0-0-5-6-leamington?fbclid=IwAR1sEJrTIYhsvCAbsI5GLixOHsoIA-K3njMhESiqJIsM3VGMLtCDICALj5E 

One of our best runs of form for many years and we can't see them live, thankfully we have an excellent streaming service.

Tuesday 15 December 2020

The old five with a Lance Smith hattrick

Leamington beat St. Ives Town 5-0 at the Community Stadium in the FA Trophy tonight, earning an away fixture at Wrexham.   Lance Smith scored a hattrick.   It was the tenth match unbeaten in all competitions for Leamington.

It was an assured performance from the Brakes, but the visitors were competitive and looked threatening in the first ten minutes of each half.

It was a blustery, cold evening at Harbury Lane, but thanks to the streaming service I was able to watch the game from the comfort and privacy of my own home.

It was a cagey and somewhat lacklustre start for Leamington while St. Ives showed some composure and confidence.  Former Leamington player Nathan Hicks looked like a potential danger man.  Weaver had to make a couple of early saves.

Osborn flashed the ball across the face of the goal, but there was no one there to connect.  A good ball from Waldron saw Smith's effort go just wide.

The first goal on 31 minutes was a Route 1 effort. A free kick from Weaver was picked up by Waldron who made it 1-0.  A few minutes later Smith made it 2-0 with a poacher's goal.

Clarke had to defend well.   An Osborne header hit the outside of the post.  Weaver made a good save from Richards.

HT: 2-0

Meredith came on for Martin and had a good half.  Brakes had a lot of defending to do in the opening minutes.  St. Ives had plenty of attacking impetus, but there was no end product.

On 62 minutes Osborne turned provider for Smith who made it 3-0.  Osborne was then replaced by Anderson and three cars left the car park.

Brakes hit the post twice, the second time from Anderson.   English replaced Edwards.   On 76 minutes Waldron's shot squirmed through the keeper to make it 4-0.  A Waldron header was just off target.

On 87 minutes Smith made it 5-0 to claim the ball.

In the second half, Leamington's passing was accurate and fluent and the ball was moved well from one side to another.



Six figure sponsorship for non-league club

Fan owned non-league club Lewes FC have attracted a six figure sponsorship from a fashion brand: https://www.soccerex.com/insight/articles/2020/lewes-fc-announces-groundbreaking-partnership-deal-with-fashion-brand-lyle-scott 

Wednesday 2 December 2020

Scouts target Osborne

Sam Osborne scored another great goal at the Community Stadium last night and it is no surprise that he is attracting the attention of scouts.  Accrington Stanley (for whom we are almost a nursery club) and Derby County are among those said to be interested.

Although the late equaliser last night by Brackley Town was frustrating, I will take the point.  They are a well-organised side as we saw against Tranmere Rovers last Friday and pose a considerable attacking threat.   Their keeper also made some great saves.