A valuable victory

Paul Holleran said in his programme notes that Boston United could be in the top seven at the end of the season. Maybe, but Leamington secured an emphatic 2-0 victory over them at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium tonight in front of 656 and two dogs. Some of Boston's passing was good, but their finishing left something to be desired. They seemed to be specialists at putting headers over the bar.

Boston hit the post early on in the first half, but dodgy work by the keeper contributed to the opener. A great ball into the box was met by a diving header by Matt Stenson. The keeper saved it but it bounced backwards and rolled into the net This silenced the vociferous away contingent.

On 71 minutes a Dunbar corner was converted by Junior English with a volley that left the keeper with no chance.

Callum Gittings got sent off by the rather ineffectual referee. Gittings got a second yellow for an off the ball incident.

Don't overdo the pessimism

Coming away from today's 2-1 victory over Bromsgrove Sporting at the New Windmill Ground today, I heard a fan say 'I didn't like that. I think we're going down. I wouldn't base too much on a pre-season friendly.

We certainly look rusty in the first thirty minutes, often second to the ball while their No.9 looked dangerous. Bromsgrove managed to hit the upright. Then, as the half hour approached, one of their players put a bullet header into the net to open the scoring for Leamington.

With Breeden out of his goal in a vain attempt to challenge their No.11, there was an off the line clearance by Gudger, but then Bromsgrove put the ball into the open goal to make it 1-1.

Just before the break there was a great cross into the box from James Bowen and it was Matt Stenson who rose highest and headed into the corner from 6 yards. He looks very useful.

Much of the interest in the second half came from the lightning and torrential rain with the floodlights coming on. It was all rather scrappy and neither side looked like scoring.

I don't have the attendance, probably less than two hundred (actually 256),but the dog was there.

Breedstar!

Tony Breeden was the hero of the hour when he took a penalty this evening to put Leamington 1-0 up against Chorley. He then wisely did not take the second penalty in time added on, leaving it to Callum Gittings to make it 2-0.

Leamington are not mathematically safe, but they are 15th and it would take a very odd combination of results in the remaining games to see them relegated even if they don't pick up a point from their two remaining fixtures.

It was a feisty encounter with a blizzard of yellow cards and eventually Chorley charm merchant Josh O'Keefe got sent off for a second yellow in the dying minutes of the game.

In the first half Dodd had a one on one chance, but blasted the ball over. Chorley also wasted a good chance by blasting the ball over.

In the second half Chorley put the ball just over from a corner. In the closing minutes they had two free kicks in dangerous positions. The first came off the wall and the second was blasted over.

There wasn't much quality, but a lot of heart and commitment. I agree that we were unlikely to score from open play and the second penalty was a bit soft, but I'll take it.

What can one say about that?

I was asked after the game what I could write about it, and the answer is not very much. The good news is that Tamworth and Telford both lost, although Gainsborough won.

It wasn't a high quality performance. We had difficulty keeping possession. Any shots were mostly straight at the keeper with the best effort by substitute Liam Canavan on 80 minutes.

Curzon Ashton did show some pace on the break and Leamington had to clear off the line in the first half. There were lots of niggly fouls by the visitors, but referee Amy Fearn only issued two yellow cards.

Puzzled that Revan only got on in time added on. What was the point of that?

A vital three points

My first live football for over two months and good to see Leamington secure a much needed three points with a 1-0 victory over FC United of Manchester. It was a tight game, as was to be expected, but we are now six points off the drop zone.

Edwards hit the bar early on with a looping shot. Breeden made a good save to stop the visitors going ahead. Charm merchant Daniel Racchi received a yellow card for a foul. In play following a free kick, Jamie Hood scored a vital goal just before the break. (For me and others he was man of the match). Dunbar sent the ball in and it came off Hood's knee. There was still time for the referee to give Jack Edwards his birthday card and it was yellow.

Dodd replaced Obening in the second half and then Magunda replaced Clarke. Breeden made a vital one handed save. The visitors kept up the pressure through corners, but Brakes were resolute. Racchi finally got a second yellow card and his marching orders.

Attendance 1,005 plus one away dog.

Could we be playing Hartlepool next season?

Hartlepool United are in real trouble. If we stay in the National League North, they could be joining us. It reminds me that our board are right to run the Brakes prudently: Hartlepool on the brink

Well done Brakes!

I wish I could have been at the 1-0 victory over Blyth Spartans in front of a crowd of 524, but I have only just got out of hospital. Leamington have recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this season and are now 15th in the table.

Tony Breeden is the hero for saving a penalty, but all credit to Udoh for his goal.

It seems to have been a real nail biter in the closing fifteen minutes.

Former Leamington player Alex Rodman scored the opener for Shrewsbury against Charlton today.