Brakes’ new brand of attacking football will bring back the fans, says Scott

A run of 11 games without a win at the turn of the year dealt a near-fatal blow to Brakes’ play-off hopes and saw attendances tumble.

And, despite Holleran’s side now being in the midst of a ten-game unbeaten streak, crowds have failed to match the upturn in form.

Only 373 were at the New Windmill last Saturday for the 3-1 defeat of Hemel Hempstead and Scott says the current brand of football being played by Brakes is deserving of a far greater audience.

“Paul recognised changes needed to be made and knows that he was probably overly loyal to one or two players,” said Scott.

“But he’s now brought in players who have had an impact.

“We’ve now got a completely new midfield and Lee Chilton is looking better and better with every game.

“Matty Dodd is exciting and then there’s Neil Barnfield and Craig Owen.

“The players are playing a more open style of football and enjoying it and it bodes well for next season.”

The three points against Hemel kept alive Leamington’s slim chances of reaching the play-offs, but it would need an unlikely combination of results for them to make the top five.

However, should Brakes claim all three points at Banbury tomorrow, while Chesham lose to Frome and Stourbridge fail to beat AFC Totton, then there would still be all to play for on the final day of the season when Chesham are the visitors to the New Windmill.

Scott admits it would provide an exciting conclusion to the season but says fans used to a succession of Leamington promotions needs to become more realistic in their expectations.

“Leamington fans are used to being top of the table and one or two aren’t used to it when we’re not.

“Not seeing us at the top and being disappointed in the football being played has had some effect [on attendances].

“But against Barwell and Hemel the players played a more attacking brand of football, while we’ve got goals all across the team - we’ve scored 18 in our last nine and conceded eight.

“Some fans may have given up on us getting in the play-offs, but the players haven’t.

“And if we keep on winning I’m sure the fans will return.”

n Leamington’s Development Squad under-15s are in action at the New Windmill tomorrow when they face Rushall Olympic in the Open Cup semi-final (10:30am).

Entry to the game is free.