Brakes well rested ahead of Hednesford test

With the 3-2 win at Oxford City on Saturday confirming Leamington’s place in the play-offs, Monday’s clash with Stourbridge offered them the chance to leapfrog Cambridge City and finish fourth.

However, Holleran admitted he saw little chance of Cambridge losing their game against Bedford City, allowing him to rest key players ahead of Thursday night’s vital play-off semi-final.

James Rowe (strained calf), Stephan Morley (knee) and Jacob Blyth (hamstring) all sat out the Easter Monday clash, leaving Brakes with a clean bill of health ahead of the trip to Hednesford.

“We did so well at Oxford that I expected a keep-ball session against Stourbridge,” said Holleran. “That might have been our attitude but they caught us on the hop.

“The hairdryer had to come out at half-time and we put Stourbridge firmly in their place.

“We were still able to rest the players we needed to rest and we could have run out more comfortable winners in the end.”