Bragging rights for Brakes as they double up on Boro'
Wed, 21 Jan 2009 @ Liberty Way, Nuneaton. vs Nuneaton Town (2-0). British Gas Business Southern League Midland Division. By P Edwards. Tuesday January 20th, 2009.
Brakes made a long overdue visit to Nuneaton for their first league match there since September 23rd,1980. They were on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline that day at Manor Park, and although we managed to hang on for another season in the Alliance Premier League, Nuneaton Borough were relegated, and the paths of these two sides from opposite ends of Gods' county have not crossed again, until this season. Although we competed in the Leamington Invitational Cup whilst in the Midland Combination, and visited Liberty Way for a pre season game while Nuneaton were in their previous guise, this season we found ourselves facing them for real. Both clubs have had their trials and tribulations since the last time they met, and both are looking to work their way back up the Pyramid. Leamington have already come a long way, but nobody could have predicted that Jason Cadden's men would still be unbeaten in League fixtures, when Luke Corbett's rocket of a strike swung a keenly contested game in Leamington's favour, back in August.
The anticipation and banter between both sets of supporters had reached fever pitch before the game, with Nuneaton having picked up after a shaky start to life in the Midland Division, and they were now looking like a side hell bent on overhauling their rivals at the top of the table, with a ten match unbeaten run behind them. Brakes were still on track, despite some below par performances of late, and the loss of key players due to injuries, illness and suspensions, but the result of this game could turn out to be pivotal to the chances of both sides of winning the Midland Division title.
Several Nuneaton fans had remarked before this fixture, when hearing that Richard Anstiss would be lining up against them in the Leamington goal, 'he always plays a blinder against us.' They were certainly proved right on that score. The first good chance of the game fell to Justin Marsden, familiar to Brakes fans after a spell on loan with us last season. He was played into space in the penalty area by debutant Erkan Okay, and tried to place his shot across the experienced keeper, but Anstiss gave a taster of what was to come, as he blocked the shot. Marsden had another opportunity to score against his former team mates, but directed a header well wide.
As always, Mark Bellingham was central to most of Leamington's attacking play, and he registered the first effort on goal, sending in a powerful low drive from the left, which was only parried back into play by Darren Acton. However, Gareth Dean rescued his keeper by getting there first to make a clearance in front of an advancing Jamie Towers.
However, moments later, Guy Hadland attempted to play a short pass back to his goalkeeper on the edge of the penalty area, unaware of the danger behind him, as Mark Bellingham intercepted the ball before it could reach Acton, waltzed past the keeper, and fired the ball into the net from the tightest of angles to give Leamington the lead.
The goal sparked Brakes into a strong period of play, and Adam Cooper almost made a dream return to the his home town club when his header from a corner struck the far post, but the ball was quickly smothered by a relieved Acton. The home side had chances to get back on terms before the break, with Anstiss saving well from another shot across his area. The Leamington keeper was then relieved to see a long range strike whistle narrowly over his crossbar.
Luke Corbett received a yellow card for going in on Darren Acton as he chased for the ball, which was not particularly well received by the home crowd. Brakes were able to see out the remainder of the first half reasonably comfortably, as every player stuck to their task, and were alert to every ball played into dangerous areas by the Nuneaton attack.
The home side emerged with renewed vigour for the second half, and continued to press for an equaliser. Jamie Williams looked to have beaten Anstiss with a perfectly struck free kick from outside the box, but the ball struck the bar. Play then switched from one end to the other, as the Referee waved away penalty claims from Rob Foster, and Luke Corbett sprinted away with the ball, working his way to the edge of the penalty area, where he struck his shot across goal, only to see it roll agonisingly wide of the far post.
There was a period where it looked like Brakes may lose their discipline, but fortunately for them the match officials seemed to realise that there may be a few high octane challenges flying in during a hotly contested local derby, and yellow cards were the only ones to be issued to players from both sides. Nuneaton thought they had levelled when substitute David Blenkinsopp swept the ball home from close range after Anstiss had been challenged by Guy Hadland when attempting to collect a cross. The keeper was adjudged to have been fouled by the Boro' player. Blenkinsopp must have thought he had scored when he directed a powerful close range header towards goal, with Anstiss seemingly wrong footed, but the Brakes keeper somehow twisted to pluck the ball out of the air, and save his side once again.
Jamie Lenton was introduced with twenty minutes or so to play, and he scuffed a shot well wide from a promising position when set up by some excellent play from James Husband. He more than made up for it, however, when on 86, Mark Bellingham advanced with the ball over half way as Leamington broke quickly from a Nuneaton attack, something they had done well during the second half. With Luke Corbett running across the area trying to drag defenders with him, Bellingham spotted the pass, and fed the ball across to Lenton, who was advancing from the right, and he took his time and curled his shot low, around the diving Acton and into the far corner, to spark huge celebrations among the travelling support, who had also risen to the occasion, and backed the team loudly for the duration of the game.
Bellingham almost made it three as he tried to trick his way through the Nuneaton back line, but Acton was down to save. At the other end, Anstiss ensured he would be keeping a clean sheet, as he denied Blenkinsopp yet again, pushing out a low shot, with Liam Reynolds quickly in to block Justin Marsden from netting the follow up. Nuneaton pushed forward, desperately trying to claw a goal back, but the majority of their supporters were already leaving the ground, resigned to defeat. The final whistle saw jubilant scenes from players and supporters alike, as another hard earned three points were celebrated. This was a huge test, and Brakes had emerged unscathed. There is still a long long way to go until the end of the season, with many more battles to be won, but this was a significant one. In terms of size, support, and success, Nuneaton have been the best in Warwickshire. It has been too long since the two clubs were regularly facing each other, and hopefully the two meetings this season will be the start of many, over the coming years. A good relationship exists, on and off the field, and the supporters seem to have developed a friendly respect for each other, and have conducted themselves well, which is the way non league football should be.
The euphoria of taking six points from our biggest rivals will take a while to die down, but Jason Cadden and his backroom team will no doubt ensure that the players are grounded for the trip to Stourport on Saturday. Our game there last season was hard fought, and won by a single goal, and this one is likely to be just as tough.
Nuneaton Town: Darren Acton, Rob Oddy, Jamie Williams, Mark Noon [C], Guy Hadland, Gareth Dean, Paul Spacey, Erkan Okay (James Armson, 87), Robert Foster (David Blenkinsopp, 69),Justin Marsden, Lance Gentle-King (Gez Murphy, 77).
Subs not used: Levi Ramsey, Danny Pitham.
Leamington: Richard Anstiss, Jamie Towers (Marcus Jackson, 75), Ryan Parisi, Adam Cooper, Martin Hier, Liam Reynolds, Stuart Herlihy, Jai Stanley (Jamie Lenton, 68), Luke Corbett, Mark Bellingham, James Husband.
Subs not used: Josh Blake, Mykel Beckley, Guy Sanders.
Attendance: 1,355.- MotM Every man gave 100%, but if I have to pick one, it has to be Richard Anstiss. .