Crowd-pleaser Flanagan is tipped for a big future

“There will be a lot of people coming down just to see Reece Flanagan,” said Holleran of his loan signing from Walsall.

Flanagan struggled to impose himself in the 1-1 draw at Histon with a rock-hard pitch making ball control a lottery.

However, he announced himself to the New Windmill faithful with a memorable solo effort in the 4-0 win over Oxford City on Tuesday night and Holleran says Brakes fans should take the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the 19-year-old while they can.

He said: “I knew how good he was - I’ve been chasing him for 18 months.

“He’ll be playing League One next season and I’ve no doubt he’ll go on to have a great career.

“The goal he scored on Tuesday night was something else.

“Players at this level just don’t score goals like that.”

Tuesday night’s three points took Leamington through the magic 40-point barrier and Holleran admits the shackles are off following a display he labelled “as good as we’ve been in my five years in charge”.

Flanagan was joined in an attacking line-up by Aron Wint and Nathan Hicks, who were both making their first starts for the club.

But while Holleran was quick to praise the new faces, he said the established players deserve credit too for the vibrant display.

“We tinkered with it tactically, played ten to 15 yards higher up the pitch and took a few more gambles,” he said.

“The message from me was to take a few more risks and we gave an absolutely fantastic performance.

“From 1 to 11 we were top- drawer.

“We brought some players in but there was a good response from the other boys. The attacking six were breathtaking at times with some of their one-touch stuff.

“Oxford are a team full of decent players despite what their league position says.

“It’s a tough, tough league to get a 4-0 in if you’re not one of the top teams.”

The visit of the Conference North’s top team tomorrow will provide a stern test for Brakes’ new-found attacking flair.

Telford are now a point ahead of North Ferriby at the top of the table having played a game less and opposite number Holleran cannot speak highly enough of the job Liam Watson has done since taking over the side who finished rock-bottom of the Conference Premier last season.

“They’re a great club and Liam has done a great job.

“The amount of games they lost last season, the team was demoralised.

“He’s rebuilt them from scratch and it’s one of those games, alongside the Stockports, that you really look forward to.

“I think they’ll go on and win it, but Liam will know that Leamington away will be one of their toughest games of the run-in.”

Brakes have no fresh injury worries for tomorrow’s clash with Peter Till and David McNamee having both returned to the bench in midweek.