Sat, 10 Nov 2007 @ The New Windmill Ground. vs Berkhamsted Town (2-0). British Gas Business Football League Midland Division. By P Edwards.
Brakes registered a straightforward victory over lowly visitors Berkhamsted Town at the New Windmill Ground, but the overriding feeling from this match was that the goals for column could perhaps have been looking a little healthier. Josh Blake will certainly be disappointed that he did not register a hat trick. Indeed, with a bit of luck he could have been celebrating a treble long before visiting keeper Michael Underwood saved his eighty second minute penalty. However, it was his two first half strikes that sealed another three points for Leamington, and with Richard Morris and the defence looking assured as ever, this was another solid three points to keep the run going at the top of the table.
Brakes looked to carry on from their superb performance at Margate, and Craig Dutton struck an early shot just wide. There was a real buzz around the ground before kick off, and this seemed to transfer itself to the team in the opening half. Ben Mackey hammered in a swerving drive which Underwood managed to cling onto at the second attempt, with Russell Dunkley closing in to pounce on the loose ball.
The first goal was not long in coming, and it arrived on fifteen minutes. Mackey found his route to goal blocked, and showed fantastic awareness to lift the ball through to Jamie Towers, who was goal side of his marker. He clipped the ball past Underwood, and Josh Blake dived full length to head it home.
The in form striker grabbed a second six minutes later, tearing through the Berkhamsted defence to win a long ball, he saw his lob beat Underwood and bounce off the crossbar, but he reacted quickest to head home the rebound.
Aaron Parkinson was unlucky to see his powerful header tipped over the bar soon afterwards, as Leamington looked to extend their advantage. They were creating openings in almost every attack, and Liam Reynolds was denied a shot on goal by a last ditch block, as he looked to be in the clear inside the penalty area.
Marcus Jackson, industrious as ever down the wing, found Craig Dutton in space on the left, and he sent an inviting cross into the area, which both Blake and Dunkley went up for. The ball dropped invitingly for Mackey, but he snatched at his shot and it flew over the bar.
The visitors had seen a couple of early shots go high and wide, and showed very little up front. It was easy to see why they had been struggling at the foot of the table, but it is hard not to feel a little sympathy for them, as they would be more suited to playing in the Ryman League, which is where they thought they were going to be competing this season, until the late withdrawal of Slimbridge saw them placed back in the Midland Division. It must be difficult for them to attract players with all the travelling they have to do.
Sean Biswell struck an ambitious effort well wide for them as the half drew to a close.
Brakes almost snatched a third goal in the first minute of the second half. Some neat one touch interplay between Towers, Reynolds and Adam Cooper saw the latter strike a first time cross into the box. Josh Blake connected with another diving header, but this time it went the wrong side of the post. Liam Reynolds then swept a first time shot just over the bar from a Towers corner.
Slightly more was seen of Berkhamsted as an attacking force during the second forty five minutes, and Scott Priestnall headed just over from a corner.
Jason Cadden utilised all of his three substitutes, no doubt to give some players a rest after Tuesday, and the game became a little disjointed as a result. Leamington were comfortable, and a quiet descended over the ground as the crowd became a little subdued. Martin Thompson almost set up Blake with a neat lay off moments after replacing Mackey, but the shot flashed wide from the edge of the area.
Some fantastic footwork from Jamie Towers out on the right saw him beat his defender twice before accelerating into the area, and sliding the ball across the six yard box, but Blake missed it by inches at the far post.
Josh Blake won himself a chance to bag his hat trick when his run into the area was halted by a clumsy challenge on eighty two minutes, but his spot kick was stopped by a fine save low down to his left by Underwood.
A late flurry from the visitors saw Luke Bartlett flick a header over the crossbar, but in truth this game was won before half time, and should have been over as a contest long before the final whistle.
Assistant manager Darran Tank was satisfied, despite the missed chances. It was a bit of an anti climax after Tuesday, but there were some tired legs out there. A wins a win, and weve kept the run going.
Attendance: 542
Leamington: Richard Morris, Jamie Towers (Ryan Willetts, 70), Arron Parkinson [C], Adam Cooper, Ryan Parisi, Craig Dutton, Liam Reynolds (James Husband, 65), Ben Mackey (Martin Thompson, 62), Josh Blake, Russell Dunkley, Marcus Jackson.
Subs not used: Martin Hier, Morton Titterton.
Berkhamsted Town: Michael Underwood, Andy Mullins, Jack Copson, Scott Priestnall, Andy Hughes, Luke Bartlett [C], Tony Fields (Greg Walsh, 76), Ben Butler (Danny Brumwell,60), Matt Wardle, Graham Hall, Sean Biswell (Samir Amadu, 85).