BRAKES ARE OFF IN QUEST FOR REVENGE

LEAMINGTON boss Paul Holleran reckons home advan- tage will be crucial for his side as they look to return to Step 2 with victory against Hitchin Town on Monday. The Brakes were only 25 minutes away from an instant return last term, but two late Hungerford Town goals in the play-off final meant another season in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier. Unable to keep up with runaway leaders Chippenham Town, Leamington finished second this year before beating Slough Town 1-0 in their semi-final on Wednesday. Holleran, pictured, took his men to Redditch and then Hungerford last season and the boss says hosting both play-off games this time around could prove to be the difference.

“We didn’t get the second goal on Wednesday and with the firepower Slough have got, you’re always thinking they’ll get a chance,” he told The NLP.

“We played really well and in the end, and I thought we deserved to win.

“We’ve got to try and learn from last year because we got close, but ultimately failed. There is a good side standing in our way and it all comes down to those 90 minutes – it should be a great occasion.”

The Brakes have a fantastic home record and have conceded just once in their last nine games at the New Windmill Ground.

Hitchin are one of only three teams to beat Leamington on their own patch in the league and the Canaries will be full of confidence after their penalty shootout victory at Merthyr Town on Wednesday night, thanks to goalkeeper Michael Johnson, who saved two Merthyr spot-kicks to book their place in the final.

Town boss Mark Burke knows that his team won’t be the favourites, but says promotion would cap off a fantastic season for the club after having lifted the Hertfordshire Senior Cup. “I was very proud of the performance of all the players who put their bodies on the line to ensure we reached the play-off final,” he said. “We possibly rode our luck at times and there were a couple of phenomenal saves to keep us in the game. “But we stuck to our task and in the end it came down to our clinical penalties. “The play-off final will see us conclude a very enjoyable season and it would be brilliant if we could finish off with a victory and promotion to the National League, but it will be a very difficult task.”