Big game looming against fellow strugglers for Leamington
Leamington Town have a great chance to ease out of the Southern League Premier Central drop zone with two home games in four days against fellow strugglers Leiston on Saturday and 10th-placed Halesowen Town on Tuesday.
After a much-needed 1-0 derby win at Banbury on Saturday, the Brakes went 2-0 up at home to second placed Bromsgrove Sporting before losing 3-2 in added time and sit 20th.
Manager Scott Easterlow said: “We do need to bounce back now.
“But, as much as we were disappointed with Tuesday night, games against sides near the top of the league wont dictate our season.
“It's more about the games against teams lower down than the play-offs and around us, and we have one of those on Saturday so it's another big game for us. We had one last Saturday against Banbury and managed to win it, so we need to do the same again on Saturday against a side that, like us, is in the thick of it.
“On Saturday we played well and for the first 45 minutes we were really good.
“We were away from home and the squad was quite stretched through injury and suspension. So it was a good away result in the end.
“I though we defended really well. We stood up to the task well as second half you expect the home side to come at you, especially 1-0 down.”
He continued: “We kind of continued that for 45 minutes on Tuesday night.
“Bromsgrove hadn't lost in 13 games or so but we went 2-0 up and fully deserved it. We were actually sensational for 45 minutes.
“We should have and could have easily added one or two more goals to that maybe.
“But we didn't, and second half they came out and showed why they are second and penned us in a little bit.
“We then showed similar frailties that have cost us points earlier in the season, though that's taking nothing away from Bromsgrove.
“They are a good outfit and I imagine they will be in or around the play-offs come the end of the year.
“We had a couple of players back in the side and a couple back on the bench.
“But we still showed a lack of experience and probably need some more experienced heads in there to help us through those moments – but the problem is those experienced lads come at a cost.”
Kai Tongue grabbed the winner in Saturday’s derby clash at Banbury for a first victory and clean sheet in seven games.
Tongue and Kyle Finn then had them 2-0 up against Bromsgrove only for the game to end in late hearbreak.