Sat, 16 Aug 2008 @ The Meadow, Chesham. vs Aylesbury United (2-1). British Gas Business Football League Midland Division. By D Hucker. Liam Reynolds struck with Leamington's 1,000th goal since their relaunch eight years ago to give last season's Midlands Division runners-up a winning start.
Three of the new signings made the starting line-up with ex-Atherstone Town midfielder Jai Stanley partnering Liam Reynolds and Mark Bellingham and Luke Corbett being paired up front.
The pitch, which wasn't in the best of conditions last season, had been re-seeded and the grass left long, which held up the ball and made passing difficult to judge. Despite this, Brakes had a good chance to open the scoring on five minutes when Jamie Towers put debutant Jai Stanley through, but home 'keeper, Tom Vincent, was quickly out to save with his feet. Then, Martin Hier put the ball over the Aylesbury defence to hot-shot Mark Bellingham, but Stuart Cattell intercepted and cleared.
Brakes were having the best of the opening exchanges, but Aylesbury nearly scored on ten minutes when Stuart Maynard's goalbound free-kick was well saved by Richard Morris. The home side did get the ball into the net just two minutes later as Stuart Maynard ran unchallenged into the penalty area to lob Morris and give Aylesbury the lead.
However, Brakes were back on level terms just five minutes later, as Vincent was caught off-guard by a 35 yard strike in the 17th by Jai Stanley which is an early contender for the goal of the season award.
Aylesbury were let-in by a mistake by Liam Reynolds and Morris had to get down to save from Glen Hawkins. In another home attack, Ben Stevens sent a cross from the right which Adam Cooper cleared over his own crossbar. Despite the Aylesbury pressure, Brakes could have gone into the interval in the lead as, on the stroke of half-time, Bellingham crossed low from the right into the goalmouth, but nobody was able to get a toe onto the ball.
Aylesbury opened up brightly in the second period with Kevin Mealor putting in some difficult crosses from the left. Bellingham had a shot blocked after Luke Corbett had headed on, but neither goalkeeper was really tested and it looked as if the match was heading for a draw.
All this changed on 86 minutes. Bellingham was fouled out on the left and Liam Reynolds met Marcus Jackson's free-kick at the far post to steer the ball home.
Martin Hier, sporting a large bandage as a result of last week's head injury, was very much in the wars again, but had a solid match. Adam Cooper would have been the pick as Man-of-the-Match, but Reynold's late strike got him the nod for an excellent overall performance.
Jamie Towers was booked for dissent on 89 minutes as had Aylesbury's Sam Swonnell in the 40th.
The team still looked a bit ring-rusty despite the pre-season friendlies and there is certainly more to come. It was good to see Mykel Beckley make his first appearance and he will strip a lot fitter next time. Steve Palmer's injury is progressing and Stuart Herlihy trained for the first time after his operation last Thursday.
Manager Jason Cadden was banished from the dugouts, but able to watch from the stands with new Chairman, Jim Scott. He said afterwards:
It was a great start to the season and sets us up nicely for Tuesday. I would have settled for a point in our first match away from home, so am well pleased with all three.
Aylesbury Tom Vincent, Stuart Cattell, Ross Taylor, Sam Swonnell, Nick Leach [Capt.], Stuart Maynard, Ben Stevens, Liam Smyth (Matt Butler 59), Nathan Graham, Glen Hawkins (Craig Henney 78), Kevin Mealor
Subs Not Used: Carl Kavanagh, Mark Jones, Anthony Kew
Brakes Richard Morris, Jamie Towers, Martin Hier, Adam Cooper, Guy Sanders [Capt.], Liam Reynolds, Marcus Jackson, Jai Stanley (James Husband 63), Luke Corbett (Mykel Beckley 58), Mark Bellingham, Josh Blake
Subs Not Used: Ryan Parisi, Shay Morgan, Richard Anstiss