Leamington’s late show breaks the hearts of Arlesey

Brakes twice came from behind to beat Arlesey and further highlight the battling qualities and never-say-die attitude Paul Holleran has instilled in his squad this season, writes Paul Edwards.

The visitors could, and probably should, have killed the game off after Drew Roberts’ second penalty of the afternoon put them back in front with around 35 minutes to play.

Having a goal ruled out and hitting the inside of the post with a free-kick along with several other efforts that were too close for comfort, the Bedfordshire side more than matched Leamington for endeavour and attacking ability, but lost their discipline when they should have been looking to close the game out.

The standard was set for a frenetic afternoon early in the game. Liam Daly’s long clearance from the back turned into the perfect through ball for Tom Berwick to latch on to, and the in-form striker held off two defenders before firing low past Nathan Abbey in the Arlesey goal.

Daly powered a header just wide from a corner before the visitors drew level in the 17th minute. Former Nuneaton Town striker Chris Dillon left the Brakes defence in knots, feinting one way but moving the other to create space for a well-taken shot into the corner of the net.

Daly continued to be a threat from set-pieces, thumping in another headed effort on goal that was saved by Abbey.

Leon Hibbert was then sent sprawling in the box to allow Roberts to put the visitors in front from the spot.

Brakes were soon level. Lee Chilton played in a superb cross that was nicked away from the advancing Matt Dodd by a defender. From the resulting corner, Daly rose to crash home Lee Moore’s delivery.

There was a gilt-edged opportunity for Berwick to bag his second of the game when he was played clean through on goal, but he blazed the ball high and wide.

Leamington started the second half well, creating several half- chances, but Arlesey continued to pose a threat and when Roberts sprinted clear in the 54th minute he was sent crashing to the turf under a challenge from Sawyer.

The keeper saw yellow as a result and despite guessing right he was unable to keep out Roberts’ second penalty of the afternoon.

There was a huge let-off for Brakes as a well-struck free-kick hit the inside of the post before being cleared behind. From the corner, Roberts fired in another low shot that Sawyer parried but could not hold and the ball was turned into the net. However, the Arlesey celebrations were cut short by the raised flag of the assistant referee on the far side.

Leamington’s powers of recovery then came to the fore in the final ten minutes.

Arlesey failed to clear inside the box and Berwick was sent crashing to the turf by Aston Goss.

Joe Magunda stepped up to take the penalty and curled the ball low into the corner to bring Leamington level again.

The momentum was now firmly with the home side and, with the Harbury Lane End in full voice, they delivered a stunning finale. Moore chased the ball to the byline and cut it back for the lurking Daly to thunder a header into the roof of the net and nearly bring the roof off the New Windmill in the process.

Brakes: Kevin Sawyer, James Mace, Stephan Morley, Joe Magunda, Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Matt Dodd (Alex Taylor, 68), Lee Chilton (James Husband, 68), Tom Berwick (Sam Adkins, 87), Lee Moore, Richard Batchelor. Subs not used: Michael Tuohy, Liam O’Neill.

Arlesey Town: Nathan Abbey, Jordan Browne (Phil Draycott, 78), Sol Davis, Shane Blackett, Ryan Frater, Jeanmal Prosper, Chris Marsh (Luke Thurlbourne, 84), Leon Hibbert, Chris Dillon (Harry Hunt, 84), Drew Roberts, Aston Goss. Subs not used: Jordan Patrick, Nick Bussey.