Gainsborough 1 Brakes 1: One point Gained as Leamington more than play their part in an 
all-action draw

Leamington returned home with another precious point towards their Skrill North survival tally after an entertaining game at The Northolme, writes Paul Edwards.
Lee Chilton nods home Brakes opener. Picture: SallyEllisLee Chilton nods home Brakes opener. Picture: SallyEllis
Lee Chilton nods home Brakes opener. Picture: SallyEllis

The strong swirling wind made conditions difficult as it had done the previous Saturday at Barrow, but this time it did not stop both sides from producing what was, at times, a rousing encounter with plenty of chances.

Gainsborough quickly got into their stride as they looked to get their thrashing at local rivals Boston out of their system.

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A strong run from Ciaran Toner set up Darryn Stamp for a smart turn and shot that brought an early save out of Tony Breeden, Bradley Barraclough’s follow-up effort taking enough of a deflection to see it tamely back to the Brakes keeper.

Toner sent another first-time shot hurtling over the bar from a loose ball just outside the penalty area before Leamington began to make their own impression on the game.

Lee Moore’s run was halted by Taylor McKenzie 20 yards from goal but Stephan Morley’s free-kick was blocked by Simon Russell, who almost put Gainsborough in front after a fine passage of play where he swapped passes twice with Stamp, only to let himself down with a shot that lacked the power to trouble Breeden.

Peter Till showed more than a glimpse of his quality in his second appearance for the club, causing plenty of problems for the Trinity defence with his mazy runs down the left wing, the first of which saw him cut inside and drive a shot towards goal that was diverted over the bar by an unorthodox save from Phil Barnes, the ball spooning up off his arm as he attempted to claim it.

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Dominic Roma drove another shot over for the hosts before a fine run from Till saw him lift the ball into the path of Moore, who beat Barnes at his near post with a lofted shot that dropped across the goalmouth before being cleared.

Josh Hawker then stormed into the area but seemed to hesitate as he went through, though his shot still bought a good save from Barnes, Liam Daly heading wide from the resultant corner.

Till was seeing plenty of the ball and another jinking run produced a low shot from the edge of the area that Barnes saved well.

The winger’s next contribution led to the opening goal as he took on Roma again on the edge of the box before hanging a cross to the far post which Lee Chilton nodded in off the post from close range.

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The goal came during Leamington’s best spell of the half but either side of that Gainsborough had been the better side.

However, their leveller four minutes from half-time could have been avoided, withDaly bringing down the terrier-like Jamie Wootton after a brief battle for possession in the area. Russell stepped up to send Breeden the wrong way from the spot.

After the break, Toner’s free-kick was held by Breeden before Leamington lost Joe Magunda to injury, David McNamee replacing him.

Till’s sliderule pass sent Moore in on goal but the angle was acute, Barnes coming off his line well to block the shot.

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Moore felt he had a penalty shout when he was challenged by McKenzie but there was nothing forthcoming, while Hawker had a powerful effort charged down.

The hosts still looked dangerous, particularly when breaking at speed, and a splendid crossfield pass out of defence found Wootton on the right, who set off on another driving run before cutting inside and crashing a low drive into the side netting.

At the other end, Ryan Higgins picked up the ball from Dodd on the right and fired just past the post.

Till did not see quite as much of the ball as he had done in the first half but still looked dangerous, breaking clear on the left only to screw the ball over the bar as he tried to beat Barnes at his near post.

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Barraclough headed just wide from a Gainsborough corner as the home side finished the game strongly.

Stamp forced a fine save out of Breeden, cracking in a fizzing half-volley that Leamington’s keeper sprang full length to push away from goal.

Trinity substitute Ashley Burbeary had the best chances to snatch victory for his side late on, digging out a shot in a crowded penalty area that Breeden clawed away as it headed for the top corner and then missing an inviting ball played right across the face of goal at the far post.

Defeat would have been cruel on Leamington, though, as they more than played their part in an absorbing game.

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Gainsborough: Phil Barnes, Dom Roma, Michael Leary, Jamie Wootton, Callum Howe, Taylor McKenzie, Simon Russell, Ciaran Toner (Ashley Burbeary, 76), Darryn Stamp, Bradley Barraclough, Caine Winfarrah. Subs not used: Adam Martin, Jonathan Williams, Lynton Karkach, Ward Wisdom-Lockwood.

Brakes: Tony Breeden, Ryan Higgins, Stephan Morley, Joe Magunda (David McNamee, 47), Liam Daly, James Mace, Matt Dodd, Josh Hawker, Lee Moore, Peter Till (Ricky Johnson, 87), Lee Chilton. Subs not used: Will Green, Josh Green, Lewis Fenney.