Villa vanquished

Leamington went through to the final of the Birmingham Senior with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa under 23s at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium tonight.

Villa started brightly and went ahead on 10 minutes through a header from Aaron Pressley. The visitors had tremendous pace, getting quickly from one end of the pitch to the other, but their finishing left something to be desired.

Leamington were stronger in the second half while Villa faded. Ahmed Obeng was tormenting the Villa defence and a free kick was awarded after he was brought down by Villa charm merchant Mungo Bridge who received a yellow card for his trouble. The free kick led to a goalmouth scramble with Junior English scoring.

The winner came from Colby Bishop converting a corner with a header.

We played the ball along the ground more than we normally do and there was less hoofing than usual.

The referee had a good game, particularly to be commended for insisting that throw ins were taken in the right spot.

Three crucial points

Leamington secured three crucial points at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium this afternoon with a 1-0 victory over Southport. With most other games postponed, Brakes moved up to 16th, ten points above FC United in the leading relegation place.

The goal came after seven minutes when a mix up between the Southport keeper and his defender allowed Colby Bishop to score.

The strong wind did not make for accurate football, but Brakes were able to hold Southport at bay.

Doltish Southport defender Matthew Platt eventually picked up the yellow card he had been looking for all afternoon, but then Junior English was booked. A second harsh booking saw him sent off.

It wasn't a quality game, but the win was vital. Attendance was a disappointing 450.

Not good enough

Leamington lost 0-1 to an in form York City at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium in front of a crowd of 801 this afternoon. I didn't think the Minstermen were that marvellous. However, we were often second to the ball and insufficiently clinical in front of goal. And, once again, we relied too much on the long ball. The midfield weren't very evident, but then the long ball game doesn't help them. The windy conditions didn't help accurate passing.

The game was decided in the 10th minute when a cross came in from the right and Breeden unusually fumbled the ball allowing the visitors to score.

We did get better as the second half wore on and had some chances, but we were unable to take them. In particular, we should have scored from a corner but the ball went just over. A late free kick was also unproductive.

Hood put in some good defensive work and one positive was Junior English getting forward more.

The referee didn't do us any favours. Just as well York City had a Pullman coach with a comfy seat for him.

The last three matches against York have ended in 2-2 draws, but we never really looked like getting an equaliser today.

Ashton lost at Alfreton so we are still six points above the drop zone in 17th. Tuesday evening's opponents, Bradford Park Avenue, drew at home with Curzon Ashton.

Score draw with two penalties

A segregated crowd of 1,150 saw Leamington draw 2-2 with Hereford United at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium this afternoon.

The early phase of the match was relatively uneventful with no real chances for either side. Then Obeng was one on one with the keeper, but his effort was deflected for a corner. Tony Breeden made a great one handed save, but before long the visitors stabbed in an opener from close range. An idiot flat capped Hereford supporter ran on to the pitch and had to be shepherded off by one of their players, no sign of the stewards.

Jack Edwards then equalised, but a couple of minutes later Hereford scored from a penalty sending them in 2-1 ahead at half time.

Brakes tried to press in the second half, but to no great effect. Bulls charm merchant James, Waite was then sent off for a blatant elbow. Hereford subsequently brought on their secret weapon in the form of big fat lump Mike Symons.

Holleran brought on Mikey Taylor who did not make much of a difference and then Reece Flanagan who did with some precise passes. Leamington were then awarded a penalty and Colby Bishop stepped up to equalise.

Leamington remain 14th.

Great win for Brakes

Leamington beat West Bromwich Albion 4-1 at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium tonight in front of a crowd of 211 to progress to the semi-finals of the Birmingham Senior Cup.

It was a fluent performance against a Baggies side that had plenty of pace and penetration.

The win included two goals from Jack Edwards and a Colby Bishop penalty.

Brakes bounce back in style

After recent defeats and draws, Leamington bounced back in style with a convincing 3-0 win over promotion hopefuls Altrincham at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium this afternoon. They have now edged up to 13th in the table.

Altrincham looked really dangerous in the first ten minutes. But then a scramble in front of goal followed a corner and Junior English was able to get the ball home on 12 minutes. A great run at the defence by Jordan Murphy saw him brought down and Colby Bishop scored from the resultant penalty. Then just before half time a long pass from Murphy enabled Colby Bishop to head home the third.

Hopes of the old five were dashed in the second half, but Tony Breeden did not have that much to do, although the Robins won a number of corners. They had a tendency to send the ball way over the goal into the trees and the field and also liked to faff around in defence. But Brakes defended well and Jordan Murphy broke up attacks in midfield.

The linesman spotted something by Jordan Hulme, I think it was having a go off the ball at Junior English and northern charm merchant Jordan Hulme was shown the red card. The linos and the referee actually worked as a team for once.

New signing Mikey Taylor had a cameo in what by then were difficult conditions, not enough to take a view about his potential contribution.

Effort was not enough

No one can fault the effort put in by Leamington's players against Stockport County on a cold Tuesday night at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium. However, it was not enough to prevent a 0-1 defeat by high flying Stockport County in front of a crowd of 604 (no dogs seen).

The visitors were often faster to the ball than the Brakes and showed considerable speed down the wings. However, I did hope that we could hold on until half time but a simple header on 37 minutes gave Stockport their winning goal.

If it was not for two brilliant saves by Tony Breeden, the margin of defeat could have been bigger. For me, Ahmed Obeng, with his ability to get round opposition players, was my man of the match.

The first half in particular was relatively free of fouls, but a yellow card was issued to each team in the second half, Colby Bishop for Leamington.

A Stockport fan said that we had given them as hard a time as anyone in the last twenty minutes. Maybe. According to social media there was trouble afterwards in the car park with charm merchants from up north giving it large.