Fans vote with their feet

Leamington got three points this afternoon with a 2-1 win over Histon, but they made hard work of it and it was painful to watch much of the time. Admittedly, they weren't helped by a referee who was determined to give everything to the visitors.

It was a bitterly cold afternoon, but the attendance of 312 reflects what fans think of the current standard of football, even if we are in the play off positions.

The game was preceded by a minute's silence for the victims in France. In the latter part of this week, I was working in Brussels, using the Metro and everything seemed relatively normal. Today the city is in lockdown.

The Brakes had a few early half chances, but their efforts well off target. At times the game degenerated into a succession of throw ins for either side. The ball control by the Brakes was poor.

The young referee is obviously seen as a bright hope, but didn't have a clue. Tony Breeden won the ball with a tackle, but was shown a yellow card. The free kick came off the wall. Then Chilton was picked out well to score the opener with a tap in. All credit to Ben Mackey who pulled the ball back across the goal.

For reasons that were unclear, Histon withdrew captain Rogan McGeorge and brought on Lewis Clayton, one of only three subs on their bench. The referee gave Ogleby (or was it Magunda?) a yellow card for reasons that were unclear. The free kick deflected off the wall and was gathered by Breeden. Oulton then got a yellow card, allegedly for leading with his elbow.

After the break Chilton put in a couple of great balls across the front of the goal, but no one was able to connect. Histon were starting to get their act together, but fears of an equaliser were put to rest when Mackey scored (at least that's what it was announced as, but it may have been an own goal).

Luke Trotman replied almost immediately with a goal for Histon. The Luton Town loan player had been a real menace on the wing and he continued to be. He needed man marking, but was given acres of space in which to operate. Late on, he had a penalty claim.

A countdown had begun in the stands for the appearance of Will Green, but he came on as a very late substitution, Taundry having already been brought on in place of Mackey.

In the closing minutes, Chilton put the ball over the bar when he had an open goal in front of him. For a moment it looked as if the referee would book him for kicking the ball away.

Histon were there for the taking, but they nearly claimed a point. Given that we are second, this may all sound a bit negative, but I still think that we are hoofing the ball too much, although there was some good passing. Credit to Jamie Hood for some solid defensive work.

Another page out of the book of excuses

Paul Holleran will need another page out of his book of excuses after Leamington suffered their second home league defeat in a week on a wet but mild night, going down 1-2 to Cambridge City at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium. The answer is actually quite simple: stop playing hoofball and start playing football.

Brakes did actually play quite a lot of football in the first half, getting the ball along the ground. Lee Chilton sparkled. Indeed, he was the best player throughout.

Jack Edwards put in a good effort, redeeming an earlier agricultural effort. It was rather against the run of play when Kay put the visitors ahead, blasting the ball into the net and giving Breeden no chance.

A call went out for a BMW with the lights on and the boot open. In fact, a mystery player hiding in the boot had escaped when he realised what the prevailing standard was.

Rob Ogleby equalised for Brakes on 39 minutes with a well-taken goal after a defensive error.

Ben Mackey had two chances to put Brakes ahead early in the second half. First, he had a free header from a Taundry free kick which he didn't know what to do with it. Then he did all the hard work, breaking through and rounding the keeper. He should have scored, but put the ball wide.

Brakes looked as if they were tiring. Possession was surrendered too easily and there was an increasing resort to the aimless long ball.

Leamington were outwitted at a corner in the closing minutes, City broke away and scored the winner.

Edwards seemed a bit out of sorts and told Breeden to Foxtrot Oscar after one of the keeper's assists was not utilised.

I saw a Danish friend at the end of the game and he said it was his second visit and he thought it was quite good!

The attendance wasn't announced, but was said to be 251, plus Jack the Dog.

Brakes play football to win 6-1

In a complete contrast with Tuesday night, Brakes played football this afternoon to beat Barwell 6-1 in the FA Trophy. A hot line had been set up with air traffic control, but it soon proved unnecessary as Leamington start to play the ball along the ground with neat passing movements. Admittedly, Barwell's defence was not up to the standard of Redditch but, as they say, you have to play whoever is in front of you.

Barwell looked threatening in the opening exchanges. They won an early corner and continued to apply pressure as they sought an early goal. Brakes were forced back and some resolute defending was called for. It was Ben Mackey who showed what Leamington were capable of with a run which put him one on one with the keeper, but Barwell's experienced Liam Castle was able to claim the ball.

Then a good pass set up my sponsored player Lee Chilton in the left and he was able to provide the cross for Jack Edwards who scored a good goal to make it 1-0. Some more defending was then called for from Leamington. Barwell suffered a setback when injured Eddie Niscevic had to be replaced by Liam Kay.

On 29 minutes the keeper punched the ball out under pressure but Lee Chilton was there to pounce and make it 2-0. Then on 35 minutes Big Ben made it 3-0 for the Brakes. One time Leamington player Jamie Towers got a yellow card for a foul on James Fry.

Immediately after half time Barwell withdrew Cameron Powell and brought on one time Sky Blues bright hope Iyseden Christie, who also played at Mansfield. Brakes took off the returning Connor Gudger and brought on Rob Ogleby.

In the second half Brakes seemed to step off the gas a little and calls for the 'old five' sounded a little forlorn. Barwell suffered another blow when Alex Tomlinson was injured and Brady Hickey had to be brought on.

Ben Mackey made it 4-0 with a brilliant goal from a tight angle. Joe Magunda came off and was replaced by Jamie Tank. This gave Barwell captain and charm merchant Richard Lavery to have a go at the linesman on the stand side who wore shades throughout.

On 75 minutes Barwell scored their consolation through Anthony Carney after good work on the wing. Ben Mackey was taken off to warm applause and chanting and replaced by Will Green. A good run by Jack Edwards then enabled Lee Chilton to score and provide the old five. Will Green burst through to make it 6-1. Let's hope we can continue to play football on Tuesday.

I was pleased to see two visiting dogs and a very witty interview from our very own Jack the Dog in the programme. Attendance was 291. For once, Leamington decided to play to win a cup.

Chilli con carne!

Brakes won a cup game at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium tonight, beating Bishops Cleeve 2-0. Lee Chilton was impressive, provoking a cry of 'Chilli Con Carne' from the crowd. (Another view was that his runs went nowhere, but I think that they unsettled the opposition). However, on a chilly evening, only 143 and one dog were there to witness the triumph.

The Villagers were no push over and were lively in attack, particularly down the wings from where some good crosses came. Right winger Ed Major, an acquisition from Winchcombe Town, was particularly impressive. Breeden, for his part, had to make some good saves.

Bishops Cleeve did not use keeper Matt Wieczorek with his experience of 1st division Polish football, but stand in Sam Gilder was well up to the job, having been the youth goalkeeper and then gone on to Cinderford Town.

However, after a spell of fluent football, Brakes went ahead on 19 minutes through Rob Ogleby.

The Villagers made a double substitution after the break. Three corners in succession seemed to offer the chance for Leamington to increase the score, but the third one was cleared. Tank came off and Reece Mitchell came on.

A concern was that the visitors might equalise, leading to extra time and even penalties. However, on 69 minutes, Welsh international Owen Goal came to Leamington's aid, although Hood can take much of the credit.

Will Green, who had required prolonged treatment earlier in the game, was replaced by Lee Moore. Bishops Cleeve didn't give up, but Brakes moved a step nearer a trophy that was once theirs. Some evidently thought that it was a dreary game, but I found it more entertaining than Merthyr Town on Saturday.

Bishops Cleeve

As a full programme was not published for this game, I am adding the notes I wrote on Bishops Cleeve:

Turning to tonight’s visitors, in 1903 a dinner was held at the Royal Oak in the village for the combined cricket and football club, although most of the emphasis seemed to be on the cricket. After a toast had been drunk to the ‘Imperial Forces’, Colonel Bennett was asked to address the assembled company on his experiences in the Boer War. However, he had not got long into his speech, before a heckler shouted, ‘What about the flogging in the Guards?’ Colonel Bennett was not put off his stride, however, and replied calmly, ‘I have no information on that matter.’

By 1935 the football club was well established as an independent entity. They had won the Cheltenham League Division 1 cup, the Winchcombe Hospital Cup and the Cheltenham Town Cup. The secretary reported a balance of just under £5. By 1937, when the annual meeting was held at the Old Elm Tree, there was a balance of £12 8s 1d. It was decided to run one team only and to apply for inclusion in the First Division of the Cheltenham League and all cup matches for which team might be eligible. It was also decided to ask Mrs Bellinger to place the ground in Gotherington Lane at the disposal of the club.

In a match against Cheltenham Town Reserves in 1934 in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior Amatuer Cup, they unsettled their opponents with some vigorous tactics. In the first half they were the better side. According to the Gloucestershire Echo, the village side gave their opponents no chance of settling down and ‘playing pretty football. They tackled and shouldered unceremoniously’ in a way that would probably not be allowed today. However, they could not penetrate the Town defence, when they did shoot it was inaccurate, and they got caught by the offside trap. Town went ahead 1-0 from a free kick just before half time and eventually won 3-0.

Brakes Are Up For The Cup

Leamington won a convincing 2-0 victory over Gainsborough Trinity in the FA Trophy at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon. A number of people said to me that the first half was the best performance by the Brakes they had seen this season and a high standard was maintained after the break, only the Trinity keeper preventing a higher score. Matty Dodd and Stefan Moore both had a particularly good game. Unfortunately only 373 people came to the match, although the canine attendance doubled to two.

Ricky Johnson had an effort in the opening minutes when he burst through and hit the advertising hoardings with a powerful header. Trinity then had a chance at the Harbury Lane end with a free header, but put the ball over. Trinity's Josh Wilde was yellow carded for a blatant trip on Dodd as he powered up the wing. Leamington kept up the pressure with two corners and then great work by Moore set up Johnson, but a save was made on the line.

On 32 minutes Moore laid the ball off for Chilton who seized the opportunity with an excellent finish to make it 1-0. Dan Clayton was given a yellow card for a foul on Dodd.

The Trinity keeper kept them in the game with a series of instinctive series in the second half. In particular, he made a great save on the line from Johnson. Then on 77 minutes good work by Dodd set up Moore who calmly slotted the ball in the net to make it 2-0. Barnes in the Trinity goal made another great save at the expense of a Brakes corner.

Brakes switched off a bit towards the end and in the four minutes added on Trinity scored, but it was ruled to be offside. Coming on the back of the midweek victory, this was a very encouraging performance.

Another 0-1 defeat late in the game

As today's game against Gainsborough Trinity at the New Windmill Ground stuttered to a close and I dusted down my 'bore draw' headline, one wag in the stand said, 'can we hang on for a 0-0?' Within a minute or two the inevitable happened and our bottom of the table opposition had won the game with a single goal. We weren't very good, they weren't very good, but they seized their chance. Tony Breeden had kept us into the game up to then with two great saves, but there was nothing he could do in the 87th minute as the ball came back off the post and was put in the back of net with a fierce shot.

We didn't look at all comfortable in the opening part of the first half. The visitors were capable of a turn of speed and broke through more than once. The ball was hoofed up in the air far too much and if it hadn't been for some great defensive work by Paul McCone we could have been in more trouble.

In the last twenty minutes or so of the half we did start to play more coherently. Lee Chilton advanced on goal and put in a strong shot and it is to the credit of Trinity keeper Phil Barnes that he was able to tip it over. Elliot Sandy put in a good header on 35 minutes that hit the post and it is by such thin margins that games are decided.

Claran Toner for Trinity suffered a nasty cut above the eye and had to be helped off the pitch just before half time.

We showed no real signs of making a decisive breakthrough in the second half and Stefan Moore was withdrawn in favour of Ricky Johnson. As Simon Russell set up a good attack for Trinity, Breeden had to make a great save. After some casual defending on our part, the visitors had another chance and put the ball just wide. Lee Moore was withdrawn in favour of Alex Taylor. Lee Chilton looked the most lively player, although not all his efforts were effective, but did hit the post. Breeden had to make another excellent save.

In the four minutes added on, new acquisition Will Green was brought to replace Daly, who still look affected by the tonsillitis referred to in the programme but it was too late for the substitution to have any effect.

We are, of course, badly hit by injuries as the presence of James Husband on the bench showed. But we have to try and score some goals, only two in six games now.

I thought that referee Andy Hendley controlled the game well. For most of the crowd of 561, however, the overall feeling was one of frustration, bordering on despair. This was one of the least entertaining games I have seen at Harbury Lane for quite some time. Brakes are now second from bottom above Oxford City.

Brakes accelerate to decisive win

Leamington continued their progress towards the title with a 3-0 win over Bedford Town at the New Windmill Ground last night. Some have said that it was 'easy' and the scoreline would certainly suggest that. However, virtually all the teams in this division are competitive and Bedford showed that they could play football, with their speedy Number 11 (Joel Gysai?) being particularly impressive (sorry for using numbers but I didn't get a team sheet).

The Eagles are not in contention for promotion, nor are they in danger of relegation, but they were certainly up for this match. They brought a small group of vociferous supporters ('there are only three of you singing' was one chant) and all credit to them for making the journey up to Leamington on a cold night. Bedford were certainly up for the match, so much so that things started to boil over and their charm merchant wearing the No.8 shirt was justifiably sent off in the first half which left the visitors stretched.

The teams changed ends at the start of the match with the Brakes playing down the slope towards the Harbury Lane End. The visitors threatened to open the scoring and on ten minutes a powerful shot went just wide of the post. On fifteen minutes a cross skimmed off the crossbar. Magunda picked up a yellow card (and may now face a suspension for two games for ten yellows) and I have to say I thought that on the whole the referee (David Avent) knew what he was doing. The call for a penalty when Stefan Moore went down in the box wasn't one. He often had a word or a joke with the players.

Brakes were coming into the game more and I thought that Batchelor had a great first half (he was substituted in the second, we don't want to risk any injuries to on form players). Ricky Johnson, the target of some complaining in the Sheepside, put in a speculative shot from distance which the keeper tipped round the post. On 28 minutes it was skipper Liam Daly who scored emphatically from the corner provoking a chant of 'He scores when he wants to.' Moore missed a chance to make it 2-0 when clear. On 39 minutes the impressive Lee Chilton burst through to make it 2-0, was one on one with the keeper and scored a great goal. Joel Gysai looked really crestfallen. The sending off incident happened not long after and the foul (difficult to see from the Sheepside, but probably a high and dangerous challenge) led to an outbreak of handbags but the referee decided to keep things calm by not making any more bookings.

The second half was less eventful and possibly Brakes took their foot off the accelerator, but they were still very much in control of the game. Indeed, in the match of the whole, they played some of the best football I have seen from them recently, keeping the ball on the ground and passing well, often in diamond shapes. Stefan Moore looked as if he had a goal in him and made it 3-0 with a great strike on 56 minutes after Johnson had provided the assist.

The attendance was 381, 80 up on the last night game. When you remember that Leamington Town were getting 2,000 one hundred years ago in a much smaller town, it gives pause for thought, although there were far fewer leisure options in 1913. For my part, I am going to redouble my efforts to brush up my Portuguese so that I can try and encourage people in the town's Portuguese/Brazilian community to come. They must like football.