Wed, 12 Nov 2008 @ The Scholars Ground. vs Chasetown (3-1). GX Cup (Southern League Cup) Round 1. By P Edwards.
This weather delayed League Cup tie was finally played out in front of a subdued crowd of 352, who saw Brakes cap a decent second half display with another victory at one of their favourite grounds. We have a 100% return from our four visits to The Scholars Ground, but you sensed that our hosts maybe weren't too concerned with this one. With Charlie Blakemore absent due to work commitments, the home side featured nine changes from their league fixture at Woodford, while Jason Cadden also shuffled his pack, with Ryan Parisi and Glenn Webb starting the game, along with debutant Jamie Lenton.
The first effort on goal was thumped against the Chasetown crossbar from a Guy Sanders free kick early on, after Mykel Beckley was impeded as he homed in on goal. Glenn Webb nudged the ball past keeper Ryan Price as he latched on to a ball across the box from Josh Blake, but was unable to keep his footing, and went to ground. James Husband volleyed a cross from Webb high over the bar, as both sides struggled to settle into the game. There were very few stoppages during the first half, but neither side seemed able to take control. Steven Clancy floated a shot wide of the right hand post for Chasetown, while James Welnitschuk screwed another effort wide from a good position. At the opposite end, Andy Penney was taking no chances and put a dangerous cross from Josh Blake out of play as his keeper came out to claim the ball. Both defences appeared hesitant at times, but Richard Morris in the Leamington goal was dominant, getting his hands to everything that came his way. Chris Slater, back at Chasetown on loan from Port Vale, had a great opportunity to open the scoring when he picked up a poor clearance on the edge of the area, and had time to pick his spot, but fired wide. Tony Onokah picked up the ball in midfield and went on a dangerous run, but was well wide with his shot.
There were a couple of comedy moments to cheer the crowd during the half, as Onokah set off on a run, but forgot to take the ball with him as it dropped behind him, and Guy Sanders missed his kick when attempting to play the ball, but fortunately he was able to have another go at it.
The returning Damien Whitcombe tried his luck from distance as half time approached, but there was little to warm the crowd, who were shuddering at the thought of possible extra time.
Mykel Beckley was freed to return to his more favoured striking position with the return of Jamie Towers, and his pace unsettled the Chasetown defence at the beginning of the second half. He was sandwiched between two defenders as he powered into the area, although he was not heading towards goal. Another run down the right saw his shot deflected behind. Chasetown played some good football to try and set up their first chance of the half, but the Brakes defenders were alert.
It was down the right hand side that Leamington were to create their goals, and it was here that James Husband pounced on a back header from Slater on fifty seven minutes, and accelerated towards goal, side stepping a defender before sending a low drive past Price into the net.
The lead really should have been doubled moments afterwards, as with the home defence not quite prepared, Sanders picked up the ball from a free kick, rode one challenge and rifled in a shot that was well blocked by Price. The keeper got down to save another effort, and the ball came out to Jamie Lenton, who tried to set up Beckley from close range, but incredibly his shot hit the inside of the near post and was cleared to safety. The next chance fell to the same player, as Marcus Jackson headed away a cross, and sent the ball out to Towers on the right. Moving up field, he flighted a perfect ball in for Beckley, who cracked in an equally good first time volley that looked destined for the top corner, but the striker looked on in disbelief as he watched Price push the ball over his crossbar.
It looked as though those misses may be costly when the home side equalised out of the blue on sixty eight minutes. A free kick from Mark Branch was curled to the far post, where substitute Danny Smith stole in unnoticed to head home.
The pendulum swung back in Leamington's favour three minutes later, as Jamie Towers left his corner taking duties to James Husband, and was in the right place as the ball missed everyone, to control and slam it into the roof of the net.
Brakes continued to attack, and Husband sent in an inviting cross that was wasted with nobody to meet it. Richard Morris made a smart save from a good first time shot, and Chasetown substitute Richard Batchelor, making his first appearance after a bad injury, hit a shot well over from a good position.
The outcome was beyond doubt four minutes from time, when another cross from Husband found the head of Towers at the near post. His header was parried by Price into the path of Josh Blake, who helped the ball home from almost on the line.
It may have been a low key affair, but the performance was good, and with five of our regular starters able to watch the game from the bench, there will be fresh legs for our first home game in six weeks against Barton Rovers on Saturday. Jamie Lenton had a quiet debut, but his class was evident, and he will no doubt benefit from having more playing time with his new team mates. It was also good to see Steve Palmer out warming up with the rest of the squad before the game. Hopefully it won't be too long before he is able to join the action.
The reward for the victory at Chasetown is a trip to Warwickshire rivals Atherstone Town.
Chasetown: Ryan Price, William Ricketts, Damien Whitcombe Richard Batchelor, 73), Ross Miller, Andy Penny [C] (Richard Teesdale, 62), Chris Slater, Seb Hamilton, Steven Clancy, Tony Onokah, James Welnitschuk (Danny Smith, 62), Mark Branch.
Subs not used: Gary Birch, John Branch.
Leamington: Richard Morris, Jamie Towers, Ryan Parisi, Guy Sanders [C], Martin Hier, Marcus Jackson, Jamie Lenton, James Husband, Josh Blake, Mykel Beckley, Glenn Webb.
Subs not used: Mark Bellingham, Luke Corbett, Jai Stanley, Liam Reynolds, Adam Cooper.
- MotM James Husband.