Sat, 15 Mar 2008 @ The Causeway. vs Cinderford Town (3-1). British Gas Business Southern League Midland Division. By P Edwards.
Brakes bounced back from the disappointment of those two late Chasetown goals with a hard working performance and a well earned three points from their trip to the Forest of Dean. The predicted heavy rainfall did not materialise until late morning, and it left the pitch at the Causeway stadium looking very heavy in places. The ground staff were working to improve it right up until kick off, but as the ball was not holding up, the Referee made the wise decision to play, and the 222 spectators inside the ground watched an enjoyable game, which was a credit to both sides given the conditions, which deteriorated as the afternoon wore on.
Justin Marsden had been recalled by AFC Telford United, so there were changes made by Jason Cadden as he looked for his side to get back to winning ways. With Craig Dutton and Arron Parkinson out of action, Marcus Jackson and Jamie Towers swapped places, with Martin Hier recalled in defence. James Husband moved into midfield, with Ryan Parisi given licence to roam down the left.
Both sides for the most part tried to play the ball on the ground, despite the sticky pitch, and there were several opportunities for Leamington in the opening quarter of the game. Guy Sanders saw a free kick take a deflection and it was dealt with comfortably by Paul Tassell, the home keeper.
A dead ball at the other end was cleared by the Brakes defence, and Marcus Jackson's effort from out on the right went straight into Tassell's hands.
Ryan Parisi and James Husband were working hard on the left to create openings, and Parisi fired in a low cross which was gathered at the second attempt. Ben Mackey then saw his powerful shot on the turn blocked out for a corner, from which Stuart Herlihy headed wide. The home side then took the lead, somewhat against the run of play, when Jamie Addis swept the ball in from close range on twenty seven minutes. To their credit, Brakes did not let their heads drop, and drew level within three minutes. James Husbands' attempted cross was blocked, but straight to the feet of Parisi, who sent the ball into the penalty area. Ben Mackey was on his own, just behind the crowd, and he had time and space to pick his spot, which he did, with the aid of a deflection.
Cinderford finished the half strongly, and should have gone back in front when too much space was afforded down the left wing, and a dangerous cross from Ben Davies was side footed wide by Ben Gascoyne, who had only Richard Morris to beat. Davies again got clear down the left flank, and his low ball in was parried by Morris and belted clear. Ben Mackey looked to be in with a chance of giving Brakes the half time advantage when he chested the ball down from a corner, but his shot was quickly closed down.
During the half time interval a mist began to descend on the stadium, which grew thicker as the half wore on, and then disappeared towards the end. The rain also returned, to ensure that the conditions were even more treacherous. The home side threatened Richard Morris' goal early on, but Brakes came out in determined mood, and went in front in bizarre circumstances on fifty five minutes. Marcus Jackson received the ball in space out on the right, and he shaped to send a cross into the box. Whether he meant to hit it towards the back post, only he knows, but it looped over the keeper's head and dropped into the far corner. He celebrated his second goal for the club with a spectacular somersault.
Robbie Beard was introduced in place of Stuart Herlihy as Brakes went in search of more goals to make the game safe, and he went close with a strong run and shot, but it was that man Jackson who provided the set up for the third goal. He beat two men down the right, charged in from the dead ball line and threaded a pass into the middle of the area for Ben Mackey to slot home.
Cinderford were nearly handed a lifeline when Morris came haring off his line to try and claim the ball, but was unsuccessful, and he was fortunate that Martin Hier was on hand to clear the resulting shot off the line. At the other end, Mackey's quick footwork created space for a shot, but he curled it just over the bar. Ben Gascoyne saw a shot blocked for Cinderford, as he charged across the area looking for an opening, but it was Leamington who looked the more likely to add to their tally as the game drew to a close. Tassell denied Mackey his treble when he finger tipped the strikers' rasping free kick onto the post, and Sanders saw another shot from a similar position whistle past the far post.
This was an important three points for Brakes, as with Evesham being held to a draw at Barton Rovers, the gap is now six points with a game in hand. This one promises to run right to the end.
Attendance: 222
Cinderford: Paul Tassell, Kristian Whitcombe, Tom Davies, Steve Cowe, Marvin Thompson [Capt], David Wilkinson, Ryan Parker, Ben Davies, Jamie Addis, Ben Gascoyne, Jamie Hammonds.
Substitutes: Sean McKeon, Olly Holder, Scott Green.
Leamington: Richard Morris [Capt], Marcus Jackson, Guy Sanders, Adam Cooper, Martin Hier, Stuart Herlihy (Robbie Beard, 57), Liam Reynolds, James Husband, Josh Blake (Jamie Towers, 80), Ben Mackey, Ryan Parisi.
Substitutes not used: Andy Harper, Morton Titterton.
- MotM Marcus Jackson stood out for his goal, and assist for the third. .