Brakes relinquish lead against fellow mid-tablers Hereford

After a lengthy sojourn the Brakes returned to the New Windmill ground with a home fixture against Hereford. The month-long break in home fixtures meant that supporters’ most recent home memory was Ewan Williams’ spectacular bicycle kick, although the ensuing away games had been disappointing for Paul Holleran’s side.

Both teams had suffered 3-0 defeats at the earliest hurdle in the cup, with Hereford losing a replay at home to Hemel
Hempstead Town midweek. Visiting manager Paul Caddis said his team were ‘angry and devastated’ following the result.

Leamington were seeking a repeat of last year’s 2-1 home win, secured by a last-minute Callum Hawkins penalty save. The afternoon’s blustery weather did little to dampen supporter turnout, as the New Windmill came alive with an attendance approaching four figures. However, the conditions were more noticeable on the pitch, where long balls frequently held up. The consequences of the wind were clear to see around the stadium too, with a hat spotted flying off a supporter’s head in the Mick Brady stand.

This was the first opportunity for the home faithful to see new signings Archie Crowther and Will van Lier in action. The only change from the abandoned game against Fylde was Demico Burton coming in for Will Shorrock. Burton, who had hitherto featured as a marauding left-back, was now allowed to ply his trade further up the pitch.

The Bulls, who sat one place below the Brakes at kick-off, looked threatening down the right-hand side from the offset

Before the game kicked off, the whole ground united in a celebration of Hereford fan James Plumridge, who tragically passed away last month aged just 22. A minute’s applause was followed by the presentation of a Leamington shirt with James’ name on it to the away fans.

Just a few minutes into the game, a yellow card was produced for a firm challenge on Owen Farmer, who attempted to soldier on despite a heavy limp. However, it was soon clear that Farmer’s race was run, with Shorrock replacing the industrious forward on thirteen minutes, leaving Tim Berridge as the sole striker.

The Bulls, who sat one place below the Brakes at kick-off, looked threatening down the right-hand side from the offset, catapulting several crosses in which failed to find their target.

Brakes goalkeeper Rogan Ravenhill’s already powerful long kicks were further boosted by the strong winds. It looked like he might be the unlikely breaker of the deadlock, as a few early punts landed near away goalkeeper Theo Richardson’s goal.

Although Ravenhill did not get a maiden goal, he made himself useful with solid handling from a number of early Hereford chances. A skilful swivel and shot from I-Lani Edwards was straight down the throat of the home keeper. This was followed by a free header for away striker Remaye Campbell, who sent a chance over he should have done better with.

A score draw at the interval seemed a fair reflection of the first half

Much of Leamington’s early threat came through centre back Rob Evans, who found his forward players through a succession of long throws and accomplished passes from defence. Leamington’s first real sight of goal came from an Ewan Williams through ball which released Burton, but his left-footed shot was blocked on the edge of the area by the Hereford backline.

Down the other end, a dangerous cross from Omari Sterling-James on a 3-on-3 break forced Leamington into conceding a corner. It was clear the visitors were well-versed in playing fluid counter-attacking football. Hereford, perhaps believing the wind would aid their pursuit of the spectacular, attempted several long-range efforts. Around the half-hour mark, Lawson D’Ath fired straight at Ravenhill from the edge of the area.

However, for all Hereford’s pressure, it would be Leamington who would send their fans into raptures. Keeper Richardson initially made a brilliant from a flicked Williams header yet was unable to prevent Leamington’s opener from the next phase of play. Berridge fired into the new corner from a tight angle following a Shorrock cutback. Following the goal the fans’ chants made light of the team’s recent goalscoring struggles.

The Bulls upped the ante after going behind, with D’Ath’s scuffed effort falling straight into the grateful Ravenhill’s hands. The Hereford midfielder followed this up by curling wide, having been afforded too much space at the end of a slick move featuring flicks and one-touch passing.

Shorrock, perhaps experiencing a goalscorer’s high, then hit an effort which went well wide. This seemed to be the last meaningful action of the first half in which three minutes were added. That was until the wily Edwards, wearing 27 for Hereford, gave the referee no choice but to award a penalty following a Williams challenge on him.

Ravenhill earned himself a booking for his gamesmanship in the lead up to penalty being taken. His tactics were in vain as Campbell calmly dispatched the penalty to the keeper’s right on the stroke of half-time. A score draw at the interval seemed a fair reflection of a first half in which both teams carved out a number of chances.

From the moment the second half kicked off, Brakes faced the same problem Hereford had in first half, as the ball consistently held up in the wind. Nevertheless, they began the half encouragingly. An impressive give-and-go from Dan Meredith and a blocked Adam Walker shot showed the team was not content with a draw.

Home dreams were quashed when Aaron Skinner’s dangerous ball was diverted into his own net by Archie Crowther on his home debut

Then, away winger Sam Osborne (who astute Brakes fans will remember played for the club during the Covid era) engaged in a shooting contest against Ravenhill, trying to give his side the lead with a succession of shots. The Brakes keeper stood firm against the efforts.

Ant Lynn replaced Burton just before the hour mark, the hope being that he could provide an outlet for long balls. However, at this point it was clear Leamington were firmly under the cosh. Hereford skipper Lewis Hudson hit the ball just over the bar from shot not dissimilar to the Brakes goal in the first half. Then Edwards for Hereford fired a shot straight at Ravenhill, who will have been grateful for the placement of many of the visitors’ shots.

Despite the away side being in the ascendancy, Leamington had some cause for hope. A brilliant block on the line by Hudson denied Shorrock shot from captain after Berridge’s cutback had been pushed away by the away goalkeeper. Joe Clarke replaced van Lier on his home debut, and immediately put a legal yet crunching tackle in.

However, home dreams were quashed when Aaron Skinner’s dangerous ball was diverted into his own net by Archie Crowther on his home debut, which is not how he will have wanted to introduce himself too home fans. Crowther felt compelled to make a clearance but inadvertently deflected the ball into the left side of the goal.

Straight after the goal Luke Shaw replaced Berridge. Ewan Williams almost made himself the hero for the second consecutive home game, putting a ball across goal that trickled across the goal, and there was agonisingly no Brakes player to tap home and hit the post. Meredith, later announced as Brakes’ player of the game, then saw his shot loop over after being blocked.

The away side then made two substitutions in quick succession to eat up time, with the ever-threatening Edwards and Osborne replaced by Andy Williams and Preston Bitemo. The announcement of five added mins was a cause for optimism, but the home fans were not rewarded with a late winner, as Hereford managed the game to the full extent of their capabilities. The wind played into this, as Ravenhill’s kicks had been an asset allowing the team to get further up in the first half, but they struggled to clear the centre circle in the second.

In fact, it would be the Bulls who would come closest to adding another goal to the scoresheet. A brilliant free kick from Sterling-James that hit the post was turned in on the rebound by Williams, but the assistant raised his offside flag. This turned out to be the final action of a game which left home fans frustrated at a lead thrown away and Hereford content with a win which propels them into top ten. The Brakes now face AFC Fylde in a rearranged fixture on Tuesday.