Leamington FC: Brakes end successful 2024 with work to do

Leamington FC ended their losing streak of six league games with an emphatic victory over leaders Curzon Ashton before slipping to defeat against Brackley on the final matchday of a successful 2024.

Manager Paul Holleran was quick to praise his players after their performance on the 21st, as his side ran out 4-1 winners over a Curzon Ashton side enjoying a high-flying campaign. ‘I think everybody probably needed that. It’s not so much been the performances but the results.’

With this group of lads, I don’t fear anybody

– Paul Holleran, Leamington FC Manager

Having scored just five league goals since the beginning of November, the match was a vindicating return to goalscoring form for Holleran’s team. After early pressure from the Brakes, a poor clearance sat up nicely for Leamington forward Dan Turner, whose well-handled volley slipped out of the goalkeeper’s grasp and into the net. Leamington doubled their advantage in the 36th minute, as top scorer Cally Stewart smartly turned home Turner’s rebounded shot with a looping header.

Half-time saw Curzon make changes, with player-manager Craig Mahon taking matters into his own hands and entering the field of play. The away side pulled one back in the 58th minute with just two touches of the ball – Bobby Jones’ goal kick bypassed all but striker Stefan Mols for a simple finish into the bottom corner.

Leamington remained resilient and at last got their reward for remaining in the ascendancy throughout the second half. Another spill from Jones in the 83rd minute allowed Stewart to prod home his second from close range before completing his hat-trick late in the game through a tidy finish on the breakaway.

‘With this group of lads, I don’t fear anybody,’ said Holleran to club media after the game. ‘It gives you an idea of what we’ve got here, today, because teams on the run we’ve been on, they can crumble. But we’ve not crumbled, we’ve managed the situation well, and I thought we were tremendous today.’

There is more work to be done by Holleran’s side to ensure a comfortable league finish

Holleran would have hoped his side could have pushed on from Saturday’s result with a Boxing Day victory, but it was not to be, as the Brakes were beaten on their travels by Brackley Town.

In what would prove to be a frustrating afternoon, the hosts took the lead through a disputed penalty originally waved away by the referee. Brackley doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time through a commanding header by Connor Hall, and although substitutes Jiah Medrano and Tim Berridge combined late on to pull one back for Leamington, it was not to be.

After a promising start to the season, Leamington’s recent form leaves them 18th in the table with a game in hand over many of the teams around them. A positive goal difference of three speaks for the Brakes’ defensive acumen, while Cally Stewart’s return of 14 goals makes him the National League North’s joint top scorer and a key part of future success.

Although the current eight-point cushion over the relegation zone will offer reassurance to the Brakes faithful, there is more work to be done by Holleran’s side to ensure a comfortable league finish in their first season back in the sixth division. With a run of four big home games in January and student ticket prices of just £8 per fixture, there’s no better time than the New Year to support your adopted local club and experience non-league football at its chaotic best.