Brakes beat league leaders

A crowd of 803 saw Leamington beat league leaders Hednesford Town 2-1 at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon. A thrilling match saw what must be goal of the season from Stefan Moore whose hand I went to shake at the end of the game.

Brakes had an early chance with a free kick on the edge of the 'D', but it came off the wall. Hednesford danger man Nathan Blissett managed to fall over the ball as he powered up the wing towards the goal. Breeden made a poor clearance, allowing the visitors to respond with a shot that was just wide. Brakes were just getting into the game a bit more when Blissett put the Pitmen ahead on 24 minutes.

After a period when the Leamington goal was under siege, Crane in the Hednesford goal had to make a good save and the subsequent corner was unproductive for the Brakes. Lee Moore put in a great ball to Stefan Moore, but he blasted it over.

Half time: Brakes 0, Pitmen 1

I don't know what Brakes had in their tea at half time, but Stefan Moore made a great run down the wing setting up Ricky Johnson to score the equaliser on 46 minutes. Then on 63 minutes Moore scored his super goal with a fierce blast from at least 30 yards out leaving the keeper with no chance.

Stefan Morley had failed a fitness test and David McNamee took his place. He received a yellow card for a foul which look suspiciously like a dive by the Hednesford player. The Pitmen made a double substitution, somewhat surprisingly taking off Blissett, although the hefty Marvin Robinson came on. Leamington brought on Jimmy Husband in place of Johnson and later Stefan Moore gave way to Will Green.

The referee evidently did not get a new watch for Christmas as he added five minutes on when there were only substitutions to take account of. Breeden had to make a great stop. Jimmy Husband won a corner for Leamington. Brakes tried to keep the ball in the corner and this led to an outbreak of handbags. It took some time for the referee to restore order and dish out yellow cards. But then at last the whistle was blown and Brakes had won a great victory.

The points are the point

Leamington secured an important three points with a 2-0 victory over Workington at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon in front of a crowd of 504. Both the home goals were scored in the first half and the visitors looked the stronger side in the second, although the strong wind did not help to produce good football.

Brakes went ahead on 10 minutes with an excellent header from Liam Daly into the top corner of the net which left the keeper with no chance. Visiting captain Anthony Wright earned a yellow card. Ricky Johnson drew a save. He then looked as if he had left it too late to round the keeper, but made 2-0 on 26 minutes. A Johnson pass provided another goal scoring opportunity for Magunda, but the ball was just wide. Johnson, who was in the thick of things, then got a yellow card for a foul.

Leamington gave away a careless corner and the ball had to be cleared off the line by Owen. Stefan Moore was through, but his finish was poor. Anticipating their second half improvement, Workington had a chance late in the half, but put the ball just over.

The second half was much less eventful. Workington made a double substitution. Mace got a yellow card. A Workington free kick led to a scramble in front of goal. Breeden, who had not that much to do, made a good save from a fierce shot from distance. Workington were passing the ball well on the ground whereas we were hit and hope, but they never really came close to scoring.

A game of two halves

When I got out of the station at Stockport, I knew that I was 'oop North as the road was cobbled. A short walk to the ground. Having my bag searched before I went in reminded me that I was at a ground whose team has a different pedigree from ours.

I have seen various figures for the number of away supporters ranging from 152 to 194, but I thought it was about 150. Anyway, the Stockport blog I have read thought we were the best away support this year. We were being peppered with wayward shots before the game and one unfortunate took a direct hit and sustained a cut on the bridge of his nose, being helped away by a steward for some first aid. We were right under the flight path for Manchester Airport and any high balls risked hitting a plane.

Attractive printed programme and quite a lot about Leamington for the first ever meeting between the two towns. The comparison of the leagues we had been in in different seasons was striking, eleven levels when we started out. The programme featured a 2-1 win at Manchester City. One contributor dismissed us as 'Leamington? We are Stockport County.' There was a rather laboured attempt at humour over a cup between spa towns, the writer noting that there would have been only seven entrants, but he had forgotten Tenbury Wells.

Stefan Moore was out injured, but sheer joy on the Railway End when Ricky Johnson put the Brakes ahead on three minutes. He intercepted a poor ball from Charnock and calmly slotted home. Within twenty minutes the referee was telling off Tony Breeden, who had to make a good save from Rhys Turner, for time wasting. County used the wing a lot and they were most effective when they put in long angled balls to one of their wingers. After a quick throw from Morley, Lee Chilton put an effort just inches wide.

County brought on Adriano Moke after the break, Tunji Moses also coming on in a double substitution. Moke was complaining in the programme about being treated as an impact super sub, but whether the speedy winger was the reason, County upped their game and the home support found their voice. Moke misused a chance by driving a shot over the bar. Jordan Fagbola was effective for County in defence. Stephan Morley hit the upright with a fierce shot from thirty yards out. It was not a complete surprise when Jevons equalised for the home side, although still disappointing, but 1-1 is a credible result and the players and Holleran received warm applause at the end of the game.

On the way back the train was invaded by Villa founds drowning their sorrows, together with Pompey fans who had been at Burton and this proved something of a volatile mix.

Here is the Manchester Evening News report of yesterday's game: Stockport

Convincing win for Brakes

Leamington secured a convincing 3-0 win over FC United of Manchester at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon who could well have been in the Conference North with us this season. The crowd of 505 included a strong contingent from the fan-run club.

The win follows the 6-0 trouncing of Stratford Town away midweek. However, one downside from that victory was the injury picked up by Richard Batchelor. He was said to be at today's game on crutches and has picked up a cruciate ligamate injury which may keep him out until Christmas.

The visitors play a neat passing game and came out best from the opening phase of the game. Lee Chilton put in an opportunistic rocket of a shot which was not far wide. Tony Breeden had to put in a good save to deal with a fierce shot from distance.

It was difficult to see where the first goal was going to come from other than a set piece. On 45 minutes Liam Daly marked his return with a free kick drilled through the wall to make it 1-0 to the Brakes.

The second half saw 'Roddy' Giggs in action, the spitting image of his brother, but not as skilled. The visitors piled on the pressure and should have scored with the goal open in front of them, but the shot went wide. Then on 80 minutes Breeden fed the impressive Stephan Morley who put in a great pass to Ricky Johnson who headed the ball in the net.

FC United's play became more ragged and there were quite a few incidents that would have received yellows in a competitive game. On 80 minutes Leamington won a free kick and Towers, who had been having a good game, blasted the ball in the roof the net to make it 3-0.