Leamington 3 Barwell 0

Holiday Woes for the Canaries as the Brakes Fire Three.

There can be few complaints about the scoreline as Leamington dealt best with the adverse weather conditions to overcome a Barwell side that did not cope well with a well marshalled Brakes team.

A goal before the break and two after were enough to seal the victory and the Canaries will put this one away as a game to be forgotten.

Barwell did have a few chances but were unable to convert and in general found it difficult to penetrate the Leamington central defensive pairing who included former Canary Liam Daly amongst them.

After 6 minutes, Barwell’s first attempt came from distance from Scott Lower but his effort was easily defended away.

Leamington took the lead on 13 minutes with their first serious attempt on goal as a ball in from the left was directed past Liam Castle by Alex Taylor from 12 yards.

Five minutes later the home side again had the ball in the net as David Kolodynski ran through and slotted home but he was given offside and it did not count.

After 22 minutes a free kick taken by Liam Daly which cannoned off the Barwell wall was followed up by Lee Chilton whose effort was blasted over the bar from ten yards.

Ten minutes later a long ball into the Barwell box found Chilton who nodded it into the path of Kolodynski but Liam Castle was alert to the danger and gathered at the feet of the attacker.

After 40 minutes, a ball from the right from James Mace found Craig Owen who shaped for a shot but a well placed Scott Hadland made an excellent block for the visitors.

As the game approached the break, Barwell had their best chance of the half as a ball from deep found Scott Hadland on 18 yards. He volleyed but the ball looped over the bar.

Although the home side had the lead at half time, Barwell were still in contention.

The second half proved tougher for the visitors as the home side turned up the pressure.

After 47 minutes, Barwell had their first shot of the second half as a ball from Guy Sanders was set up by Scott Hadland for Nigel Julien but his shot could only find Nathan Vaughan in the Leamington goal.

After 52 minutes the home crowd were appealing for a penalty as a ball was driven into the box against Scott Lower but referee Mr. Wilkes was not interested in the appeals.

Leamington extended their lead after 52 minutes as Kolodynski latched onto a ball from deep and rounded Castle. He had a simple task of slotting into an empty net from 8 yards.

On the hour, a free kick won by Nigel Julien in the left corner was driven into the box by Jai Stanley but it just eluded the head of Scott Hadland on the far post and went out for the goal kick.

A minute later, a shot from Hadland was blocked by Jamie Hood amidst shouts of handball from the away fans but again Mr. Wilkes was not convinced.

After 63 minutes a long throw from Tom Weale was flicked towards the goalline but Vaughan was alert and dived at his near post to gather.

Two minutes later Barwell could have scored as Weale lobbed Vaughan in the Leamington goal but the home keeper pedalled back and launched himself at the ball managing to push it over the bar.

The third goal for Leamington came after 66 minutes as a ball from Chilton found Kolodynski just inside the box on the left hand side. He took a first time volley which flew into the right top corner of the net giving Liam Castle no chance.

The Brakes could have gone further ahead after 69 minutes as Taylor tried to slip a ball through the Barwell defence for Chilton but an excellent interception from Mason Rowley allowed Barwell to play the ball away from danger.

After 81 minutes a threatening ball in from the Leamington left wing by Chilton was well intercepted by a diving header from Scott Lower.

With four minutes remaining a well placed cross from deep by Danny Scheppel found the head of Jamie Towers on six yards but Vaughan was once again able to push the ball over the bar.

In the last minute of normal time, Jamie Towers made a positive run through the Leamington defence but as he shot an outstretched foot from Jamie Hood deflected the ball away for the corner.

Barwell were made to work very hard today as they found it hard to penetrate the Leamington back line. The pace of the attacking pairing for the home side also made life tough at the back for the Canaries. In the end, Barwell rued missed chances where Leamington took theirs.

Team: Liam Castle, Scott Lower, Guy Sanders, Rikki Bains, Mason Rowley, Jai Stanley (Danny Scheppel 76), Jamie Towers, Scott Hadland, Matt West (Tom Weale 55), Kevin Charley, Nigel Julien (Pete Saunders 76).

Subs not used: Rob Oddy, Chris Anastasi.

Yellow Cards: None

Attendance: 370