Wed, 01 Aug 2007 @ The New Windmill Ground. vs Westfields (1-0). The Mayor of Whitnash Cup . By P Edwards. Richard Adams netted the only goal of the game to give Leamington victory over Westfields in the inaugural Mayor of Whitnash Charity Cup at the New Windmill Ground. The popular front man marked his return to our home ground in the Gold and Black by scoring the type of goal we have seen so many times from him in the past, as he was played through on goal, and sped clear of the chasing defenders to slot past keeper Jon Pugh.
Jason Cadden used virtually his whole squad during the game, as they were given the kind of tough workout that we came to expect from the Hereford based side during our two seasons in the Midland Alliance. The match was taking place to raise some money towards helping Westfields rebuild the stand at their ground at their ground after it was destroyed by arsonists, and also to the chosen charity of the Mayor of Whitnash, David Clough.
Trialist Marcus Jackson played the first half, and while he did not see as much of the ball as he had done at Nuneaton, he demonstrated that he has the ability to get behind defenders to deliver crosses in for our front men. Ryan Willetts appeared in the second half, as did Russell Dunkley, who looked useful on the ball. It will be interesting, with the wealth of talent we have up front now, to see which strikers forge the best partnership over the coming season. Hopefully they will all stay involved.
Westfields almost took an early lead when some hesitant defending saw an attempted clearance charged down, but the ball dropped past Chris Gibsons right hand post. The first half was evenly contested, although Brakes went closest to scoring through Richard Adams and Ben Mackey. Jon Adams was also back in the starting line up, and played as though he had never been away, spraying passes around the midfield.
There were wholesale changes on both sides in the second half, but the game as a spectacle was still enjoyable to watch. There were some hard tackles flying in throughout, but the match was played in the right spirit. Westfields pressed forward towards the end of the game, but only really tested Gibson on a couple of occasions.
Avun Jephcott should probably have put the game beyond their reach late on, but Richard Adams goal turned out to be enough to settle the contest.
- MotM Impossible to say- too many players out there! .