One is enough

I was hoping to have an opportunity to use the historic 'Two nil or not two nil' chant tonight at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium, but in the end I had to be satisfied with a 1-0 victory for Leamington over Stratford Town in a highly competitive match.

In the first half, the Brakes engaging in some fluent play with some accurate passing and good balls forward. An early effort by the energetic Sam Austin was just over. It started to rain heavily, although it later stopped. In a move that started with a free kick, Courtney Baker-Richardson scored the winning goal for the Brakes on 37 minutes.

Leamington nearly scored a second early in the second half when the ball went just over from Lee Moore after two attempts on goal. Breeden nearly sacrificed the slender lead in the second half when he came charging out of his goal in his customary manner, but the effort by the Bardsmen was wide.

The visitors were more impressive in the second half and their vociferous supporters thought they deserved a penalty. Brakes start to play too deep, but they held on for the vital three points.

Attendance was 434 plus the usual dog who looked particularly alert. Leamington are now 6th.

Encouraging signs

Leamington beat Dunstable Town 1-0 at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium tonight and there were some encouraging signs in their play. The game was played at a fast pace and the visitors were a well organised side, leaving aside their inept left back who provoked some laughter.

Brakes stepped up the pressure in the second half, but it looked as if the deadlock would never be broken until Jack Edwards scythed a powerful shot along the ground from distance.

There were some anxious moments in the closing minutes when we were playing far too deep and inviting pressure. Even their keeper was allowed to roam all over the pitch.

A special word for Joe Magunda who made some excellent interventions.

Leamington are now seventh and three points off the play off places and King's Lynn Town whom we play on Saturday.

Two great strikes give victory

Two great strikes by Connor Gudger and Ben Mackey gave Leamington a 2-0 victory over Frome Town at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium this afternoon.

Brakes dominated possession in the first half. They were brisker than usual, possibly because of the very cold conditions, and passed the ball along the ground more often. Three great saves by the visiting keeper kept the score to 0-0 at half time, although Brakes did fade in the last ten minutes of the half.

Lee Chilton was injured in the second half and he had been one of the better players. However, Gudger put Brakes ahead with a great curving ball from 20 yards out. Mackey then made it 2-0 with another great strike from distance.

Frome threatened with a free kick from a dangerous position, but it came off the wall.

Will Green came on for his customary cameo, but there was to be no triumph of the Will.

I have never seen a referee laugh so much, particularly at some of Breeden's antics.

Attendance was 405. The customary dog was absent.

Brakes end with ten men again

Brakes ended with ten men again as they went down 0-1 at home to Biggleswade Town at a very windy Phillips 66 Community Stadium. We played 4-5-1 until switching to 4-4-2 shortly after half time. We are now down to 7th with hopes of the play offs fading.

The Waders had some big players who put themselves about. We were being beaten to every 50-50 ball. Our defence was unravelled as the visitors broke away on 24 minutes and their big No.9 scored with a decisive strike.

Ben Mackey did manage to put in a strong shot on target just after the break. However, Will Green came on earlier than usual in a double substitution. Then James Mace got sent off for a crunching tackle.

I thought that we actually started to look more threatening after the sending off and we nearly got the ball across the line in a goalmouth scramble. However, it was difficult to complain about the result as the 'Green Army' went home happy. Biggleswade are the first team to do the double over us this season.

There were shouts of 'Holleran out' at the end of the game, but as someone said, he is fireproof.

Attendance was 403 plus one dog.

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.

Brakes surge through

Leamington surged through to the next round of the Red Insure Cup with an emphatic 3-0 win over a youthful Bedwortb United side at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium tonight.

Brakes were soon slicing through the visitor's defence and were quicker to the ball. An own goal opened their account on 10 minutes.

Ogleby then took advantage of a mistake by the keeper and took the ball off him to make it 2-0. Will Green was unlucky not to make it 3-0 before half time.

The game went a bit dead in the second half, but then Ogleby scored again with a well-worked and well-struck goal on 66 minutes.

For the last quarter of an hour Edward Cavizei-Cox replaced Breeden in goal.

Attendance was 161 and Jack the Dog wearing his scarf.

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.