Brakes 0 Nuneaton Town 2: Leamington retreat into their shells after Magunda dismissal

Brakes’ final preparations for their season opener at home to Guiseley were hampered after a red card for Joe Magunda left them to play for more than 70 minutes with ten men, writes Paul Edwards.
Danny Newton goes close against Nuneaton, only to be denied by Reice Charles-Cook. Picture: Morris TroughtonDanny Newton goes close against Nuneaton, only to be denied by Reice Charles-Cook. Picture: Morris Troughton
Danny Newton goes close against Nuneaton, only to be denied by Reice Charles-Cook. Picture: Morris Troughton

Conference neighbours Nuneaton Town were already a goal to the good at this point and added a second shortly afterwards but the match became little more than a training exercise after the dismissal.

“It was not the ideal way to end pre-season,” said Brakes boss Paul Holleran. “At one point it looked like it might be a cricket score but we dug in in the second half.

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“It was shame really, because after the sending-off it became a non-event for Nuneaton and for us.

“We were forced to play deep to deny them the space behind us, and they had a lot more of the ball because of that.’’

Neil Collett was certainly the busier of the two goalkeepers against one of his former clubs, making an early save from the head of Connor Franklin and then from Magno Vieira, while Danny Newton’s neat footwork on the left edge of the Town area led to a curling shot that was saved by Reice Charles-Cook.

Stefan Moore tried his luck from further out with a similar result before Jack Dyer drove wide after his first shot was blocked.

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Aron Wint fired just off target for Leamington following a corner, but it was Nuneaton who went in front in the 18th minute when a shot from outside the box was deflected into the path of Andy Brown, who had time and space to fire across Collett and into the corner of the net.

In the 23rd minute Magunda, making only his second appearance of pre-season, was sent from the field by referee Martin Dexter after an undeniably late challenge in midfield.

Collett was forced into action again when he pushed Brown’s header over the bar before Nuneaton made it two with a simple goal, Vieira slotting in at the far post from Franklin’s low centre.

Jorrin John headed across goal and wide after some neat interplay from the visitors early in the second half, while Stefan Moore took on three defenders on the left just outside the box before seeing his shot saved.

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James Armson struck the post for Nuneaton, but it was Leamington who looked brighter in the closing stages, with the introduction of Luke Hubbins adding some spark.

However, they could only fashion half-chances.

Brakes: Neil Collett, James Mace, Stephan Morley, Joe Magunda, Stuart Pierpoint, Jamie Tank, Aron Wint (Matt Dodd, 46), Jordan Goddard (Lee Moore, 62), Stefan Moore (Luke Hubbins, 65), Danny Newton (Luke Connolly, 46), Richard Batchelor (Jack Edwards, 46). Sub not used: Liam Maher.

Nuneaton Town: Reice Charles-Cook, Delroy Gordon, Gavin Cowan, Jack Dyer, Gareth Dean, Adam Walker, Jorrin John, James Armson, Magno Vieira (Ben Hutchinson, 73), Andy Brown, Connor Franklin. Subs not used: Ryan Quinn, Ryan Smith, Hernan Zanni, James Wren.

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