DRURY: WE WERE BULLIED IN LOSS
LEAMINGTON collected a vital three points in their chase for the play-offs as they defeated a Stamford side making a late charge of their own.
The Daniels arrived in Warwickshire on the back of an impressive victory at champions Needham Market on Tuesday night but manager Graham Drury admitted they were well beaten here.
“I think we got bullied today. It looked men against boys if I’m honest. We tried to play around Leamington but they looked an organised outfit, which I knew they were,” he said.
“I think the first goal was crucial for both sides. It allowed Leamington to sit in and play on the break and they probably should have been three or four ahead by half-time. They were deserved winners.’
Dan Meredith had to clear a dangerous ball into the box early on, while Josh Quaynor took a thunderous strike from Jack Duffy full in the face but it was the hosts who bagged the opener on 15 minutes.
Quaynor’s right-wing corner was nodded back towards goal by the outstanding Tyrone Barnett in the centre and Jack Edwards got his head to the ball, sending it looping over keeper Michael Duggan into the net.
Leamington hoisted themselves two goals ahead six minutes later when captain Adam Walker danced into the box on the left before sending a curling drive towards goal that took a last-second deflection to send the ball into the roof of the net.
Brakes created a flood of further first-half chances that really should have seen them into the dressing-room out of sight. Henry Landers probably should have at least had a brace, as he fired off-target with two chances before coming mightily close with shots across goal having been set up by Will Shorrock and Barnett.
The second period was always likely to be open but Leamington defended confidently, restricting their visitors to some well-struck efforts from distance.
Duffy, Harry Vince and Tom Siddons all saw shots held by Callum Hawkins, while Tendai Chitiza headed over the bar from a corner but the Stamford man gave away possession in added time and Walker led the counter-attack, feeding substitute Cally Stewart, who teased his marker before dragging a right-footed shot wide of Duggan to complete a satisfying afternoon’s work for Leamington. “It was a good day at the of fice,” said Brakes boss Paul Holleran. “We’ve put a really polished performance in, creat ed lots and lots chances. “To keep a clean sheet against Stamford and be struc turally so sound... there were some massive individual per formances today. It’s really pleased me.” STAR MAN: Tyrone Barnett (Leamington) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★