Wed, 03 Dec 2008 @ Sheepy Road, Atherstone. vs Atherstone Town (1-2). GX Southern League Cup, Round 2. By P Edwards.
December 2nd, 2008
Leamington slipped out of the GX at cup at a bitterly cold Sheepy Road, as the Adders gained a modicum of revenge for Saturdays' defeat at the New Windmill Ground. Inevitably, there were changes from the weekend's teams, Atherstone making three, Brakes making eight, but from our perspective, this was the proverbial game of two halves. If a couple of good opportunities had been taken during the first half, including a penalty, then the second half might have been different, but the home side scored two fine goals which earns them a trip to Premier Division outfit Halesowen Town in the next round.
The match began at a good pace, with play switching from end to end. Luke Barlone headed straight at Richard Anstiss from close range in the opening stages, while Jamie Towers saw a cross blocked by Kyle Storer. Dominic Reece slung over a good cross into the Leamington area, which Anstiss went for but failed to claim, and Storer blazed his shot over the bar. The Brakes keeper then came off his line to claim a free kick from Storer. Richard Williams was called into action for the first time at the opposite end of the pitch, when he was forced to turn a curling cross from Jamie Towers over his crossbar. From the resulting corner, Stuart Herlihy powered in a close range header to put his side in front. Brakes were enjoying what was to be their best period of the game, but they still had to be alert at the back, as Atherstone were working the ball into dangerous positions. Anstiss was a little fortunate as he dived out to claim a cross, when the ball stuck between his legs. Storer shot over again as the home side continued to press, but were met with some no nonsense defending from the Leamington back line.
Mykel Beckley had a quiet game on his return from injury, and shot straight at Williams after being sent clear on goal. Adam Cooper saw his header blocked from the corner kick that followed.
A minute or so before half time, Leamington had the chance to return to the dressing room with a two goal advantage, as Beckley sent Towers racing into the area down the right, where he was bought crashing to the turf by Williams, who presumably did not receive a red card because J.T was not heading directly towards goal. The Adders keeper certainly made up for his error, as he guessed right to save Beckley's spot kick, and then blocked a further two shots in the ensuing scramble.
Striker Danny Gaunt had returned to the Atherstone front line after being suspended for the league game, and he caused problems all night for Brakes, with his pace and ability to run at speed with the ball. He earned a free kick in a good position which was headed behind, and Richard Anstiss got a good fist to clear the ball away after Scott Clamp had headed towards goal from the corner. Williams was also alert as he came out to claim a good cross from Glenn Webb ahead of Beckley and Steve Palmer, who had a solid 80 minutes or so on his return from the injury that has seen him miss the first few months of the season.
Stuart Herlihy was the only Brakes man to be cautioned, for a late challenge as the Adders came away with the ball following a free kick at the beginning of the second half. The first fifteen minutes or so was dominated by the home side, and it was during this period that they equalised, Scott Clamp lashing home a loose ball from inside the penalty area in fifty five minutes which Anstiss got a hand to, but could not keep out. The momentum was now with the Adders, and they looked more likely to add to their tally, as Ryan Parisi intervened with a goal saving clearance. Anstiss hared off his line to clear from the diminutive Gaunt as he bore down on goal.
Leamington's main threat seemed to be coming from the right hand side, and Jamie Towers sent in an inviting cross that was quickly moved out of a crowded penalty area. Dominic Reece then sent Luke Edwards away down the Atherstone left with a powerful header, and the young winger saw his cross scooped away by Steve Palmer. Disaster struck from the corner however, as Anstiss could only punch the ball back to Edwards, and his return cross was met by defender Jamie Hood, who ghosted in to ram a header into the top corner for a fine goal.
With only ten minutes remaining, Leamington needed a quick response if they were to force extra time, but it was Atherstone who nearly scored again, but Martin Hier was on hand to clear away from the goal line. The only response in the closing minutes was a speculative effort from substitute Marcus Jackson that drifted well wide.
It would have been foolish to expect the same result as Saturday, with so many changes to the starting line up, but after the first forty five minutes it seemed that Brakes were more than capable of snatching a result at Sheepy Road. However, in the words of Jason Cadden as he left the pitch at the end, 'That was rubbish, second half. We just weren't at the races'; and Atherstone fully deserved their place in the next round. This defeat means that the league title is now the main focus, and there are many points to be played for before 2008 is out.
Atherstone Town: Richard Williams, James Mace, Dominic Reece (Chris Tullin, 71), Tom Guiney, Jamie Hood, Kyle Storer [C], Ashley Wells, Scott Clamp (Mark Latham, 84), Luke Barlone, Danny Gaunt, Luke Edwards.
Subs not used: Dale Belford [GK], Jamie King, Lee Greenway.
Leamington: Richard Anstiss, Jamie Towers, Ryan Parisi, Adam Cooper [C], Martin Hier, Stuart Herlihy, Steve Palmer (Marcus Jackson, 80), Mykel Beckley, Josh Blake, Glenn Webb, James Husband.
Subs not used: Mark Bellingham, Jai Stanley, Liam Reynolds, Richard Morris.