Leamington losing run continues with defeat to Chester

On a mild Saturday afternoon at the Your-Coop Community Stadium, Leamington sought to avenge their heavy defeat at home to Chester in the same fixture last season. With both home and away fans both in good attendance it promised to be a lively tie. The visiting Seals had battled with inconsistent form that had stifled their promotion hopes while Leamington were seeking to close the gap to other teams above them. It was a new look for the Brakes in defence as Eddie Brearey replaced the departed Rogan Ravenhill, while Ben Blythe and Will Glennon played their first game as a partnership in central defence.

Unfortunately, it took only three minutes for the visitors to break the deadlock. Chester countered quickly as Iwan Murray released Pat Jones with an incisive through ball. The forward slotted past Brearey into the bottom-right corner, a nightmare start for the Brakes. Chester’s onslaught didn’t end there as they pinned Leam into their own half in the minutes following the goal.

However, the home side began to grow into the game with a number of promising attacks that put Chester on alert. Industrious work from the front line paid off, as Eric Yahaya’s harrying won his side a free kick thirty yards out. Max Brogan almost took advantage, with his shot only going slightly over. Tim Berridge was then unable to capitalise on pinball in the box, with the Chester backline making a number of solid blocks.

Will Glennon’s shot which flashed over from distance was the only chance of note

Chester then had a chance to make to make it two, as a creative flick from Lewis Leigh almost caught Brearey out at the front post but the Brakes keeper remained attentive to parry the effort away. Around the half hour mark, the game was paused for several minutes as Joe Clarke received treatment for a head injury, although the midfielder was eventually able to carry on.

Brearey then came out quickly from his goal to claim a loose ball in the box after a blocked shot. Soon after, Connor Woods found himself in space on the edge of the area, but his shot was straight down the throat of Brearey. Yahaya almost completed a successful swivel while under pressure, but the Seals defence managed to put the striker off before he could get his shot away.

While Leamington played some nice football towards the end of the half and in the four added minutes, Will Glennon’s shot which flashed over from distance was the only chance of note.

The Brakes were left with a mountain to climb to try and get back into the game

The second half started evenly, with both sides seeking a game-defining goal. Eddie Brearey was required to make a vital intervention in the Brakes net as he smothered Woods’ one-on-one attempt. Clarke then received the first booking of the game as he took down Murray who was seeking to orchestrate a fast counter. The ensuing free kick found its way to centre-half Tom Davies, who cut inside from the right of the penalty area and produced a sublime curling shot which flew into the top-left corner.

The Brakes were now left with a mountain to climb to try and get back into the game. Brearey then made a brilliant save low to his left to keep out a Woods volley from inside the area. A few minutes later, he raced out of his goal to close the angle on another one-on-one.

The visitors seemed relatively content with their two-goal leads

Chris Knott made a double substitution on the hour mark, bringing on Miro Pais and Owen Farmer to try and give his side some attacking impetus. Shortly after, a stinging drive from Leigh after having cut inside was denied by Brearey’s diving parry. Seals skipper Michael Kelly then received a booking for lashing out at Owen Farmer having already fouled him. Five minutes later, Farmer entered the book for repaying the favour.

As the game got tetchier, Frank Tattum replaced Yahaya who had put in a great shift up front. Leamington were struggling to break Chester down, while the visitors seemed relatively content with their two-goal lead. Demico Burton then replaced fellow left-back Josh Quaynor. A couple minutes after his introduction he was required to make a goalline clearance following Brearey’s strong save to keep the difference at two. Shortly after, Chester then had a numerical advantage from a counter-attack, which they were unable to make the most of.

Four added minutes past without note, meaning an unfortunate fourth consecutive defeat for the Brakes. They now seek to go again at home against Merthyr Town on Tuesday night.