Holleran is in the results business

Brakes boss Paul Holleran said it was a case of banking the three points and moving on after his side laboured to a 2-1 win over back-from-the-dead Kettering on Tuesday night.

Packed full of youngsters, the Poppies proved lively opponents in only their second match since being granted a stay of execution by the Southern League.

And, in an open first half, Holleran admitted his side struggled for focus.

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“It wasn’t the best time to play them while they’ve still got energy, optimism and are full of beans,” said Holleran.

“Make no mistake, at our level on a Tuesday night they’ll take points off teams.

“We know we can play better and we will be better - too many players in the first half wanted to do it all themselves.

“But we came through it unscathed and got minutes into players who needed it.”

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Richard Batchelor continued his comeback from injury with a start on Tuesday night, but with Craig Owen nursing a troublesome hamstring and Jamie Hood having sat out a long suspension, several players still look woefully short of game-time going into tomorow’s top-of-the-table clash with St Neots.

Jimmy Husband was also an absentee in midweek due to family issues, while Joe Magunda is banned tomorrow.

However, Holleran said Brakes have come through hardships before on their 22-match unbeaten league run and backed his players to do the same again against the free-scoring Saints.

“I’d like to be going into Saturday fully at it,” he said.

“But we’ve gone into other games this season when we’ve not been firing and we’ve got through them.

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“I’ve seen St Neots this season and they are an open, attacking side - on paper they’ve got some very good players.

“But we’re resolute and have good experience at this level and it promises to be a good clash.”

Brakes will be operating a free park and ride for tomorrow’s game.

For further details, log on to www.leamingtonfc.co.uk