Brakes fail to push on after Blyth’s second-half leveller

Leamington failed to capitalise on their promotion rivals dropping points after being held to a disappointing New Year’s Eve draw by Frome, writes William Winthrop.

Leamington began in the ascendancy but failed to test Frome keeper Darren Chitty, with their best opportunity coming when Jacob Blyth just failed to connect with Stephan Morley’s low cross.

Frome gradually worked their way back into the game and came close when Mike Reaney’s throw was headed on to his own crossbar by Lee Downes.

With a strong wind behind them, Frome’s set-pieces were unsettling Brakes’ defence and they broke the deadlock from a dead ball five minutes before the interval, Matt Smith heading Mark Cooper’s deep free-kick into the top corner.

With the elements in their favour, Leamington came out for the second period with a much more attacking mind-set and levelled in the 51st minute when an inswinging Craig Owen corner was misjudged by Frome’s defence, allowing Blyth to head into the empty net from close range.

The hosts failed to build on their early leveller and the game descended into a midfield battle, with goal-scoring opportunities at a premium.

Brakes had to wait until the 65th minute to create another meaningful chance. Owen’s free-kick was only partially cleared and Luke Corbett’s follow-up shot was deflected wide. The resulting corner from Morley was headed just over by Asa Charlton.

Frome brought on fresh legs up front and Leamington looked susceptible to the counter attack, but the visitors wasted their best opportunity when Luke Ballinger produced a poor free-kick in a dangerous position.

Leamington pushed for a winner late on with Liam Francis just failing to make contact with Downes’ corner.

Batchelor’s clever lob in the third minute of injury time threatened to claim all three points, but Chitty produced an excellent diving save to deny him.

Brakes: Lee Evans, James Mace, Stephan Morley, Lee Downes, Liam Francis, Asa Charlton, Michael Tuohy, Craig Owen (David Kolodynski, 78), Jacob Blyth, Luke Corbett, Richard Batchelor. Subs not used: Sam Adkins, Dior Angus, Arthur Byrne.

Frome Town: Darren Chitty, Mike Reaney, Mark Cooper, Ryan Bennett, Tom Evans, Matt Smith, Luke Ballinger, Dean Evans, Shaun Benilson (Ricky Hulbert, 72), Mike Perrot, Kris Miller. Subs not used: Ben Thomson, Josh Brigham, Alex Lapham, Dean Flockton.