Resolute Brakes warm to the task at Banbury

Brakes braved freezing conditions to escape with a point from the Spencer Stadium after spending large parts of the game on the back foot, writes Paul Edwards.

There were doubts over whether the match would go ahead after overnight snow, but the pitch was passed fit by a local referee, and the 476 in attendance were treated to a full-blooded derby from two committed sides.

Tony Breeden was forced to save a rising shot inside the first minute and Liam Hynes’ low drive shortly after as the home side showed their intent early on.

Guy Sanders bent a free-kick in from a central position after Richard Batchelor was fouled just outside the box, but the ball was held by Joe Murrell.

The home side opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Adam Learoyd rose unchallenged to head home a right-wing corner.

Declan Benjamin had a good chance to double the lead when he sped towards goal, but he scuffed his shot wide.

Crucially, Brakes took just four minutes to get back on level terms. Matt Lewis nodded on a cross from the left and James Rowe swivelled to volley first time across Murrell and into the far corner.

Liam Daly sent a free header straight at the keeper from a corner as Leamington clawed their way back into the contest.

Both sides were committed to attack, leaving little room for error on the rock-hard surface.

Puritans skipper Delroy Gordon headed a right-wing centre just over the bar, and Banbury saw another shot cleared off the line. Joe Coleman saw his low drive gathered by Breeden at his near post, and Mitchell Bryant’s rising drive from distance was watched all the way by the Brakes keeper.

Jamie Hood shot over as Leamington pushed forward, but Bryant took the ball past Breeden at the other end, only to put his shot wide of the empty net.

Hood epitomised everything that was good about the performance of the defence in this game, putting in a timely block to stop a dangerous Banbury attack.

Shortly before the interval, Rowe looked to suffer a recurrence of the knock he picked up against Hyde and was replaced by Jamie Sheldon.

Manager Paul Holleran was forced into a second change for the start of the second half with Michael Tuohy, who was making his first start since his appendix operation, replaced by Alex Taylor.

Taylor was quickly involved, playing a neat one-two with Hood to create space for the defender to charge down the right and play a low cross into the penalty area. Batchelor did well to get a diving header in despite pressure from Learoyd, but Murrell made the save.

Bryant was played in on goal again but was denied by a fine save from Breeden and Coleman shot across the face of goal from a free-kick.

Banbury were looking the more threatening, with Brakes failing to create clearcut opportunities, despite looking solid in defence.

Lewis was played in but could not get his shot away, while Alex Taylor was inches away with a 30-yard curler after Sheldon’s initial effort was blocked.

Time and again the home side were playing the ball into dangerous positions, but the deep-lying Leamington defence continued to get vital challenges in to deny them.

At the other end, Batchelor saw a shot deflected behind and a smart turn in midfield from Lewis allowed him to move forward and play in Corbett. However, the ball spun away off the striker’s boot and the the last chance of a positive outcome disappeared.

Banbury United: Joe Murrell, Ollie Stanbridge, Henry Owen, Delroy Gordon, Adam Learoyd, Malachi Farquharson, Joe Coleman, Declan Benjamin, Mitchell Bryant, Liam Hynes (Robert Maddox, 85), David Staff. Subs not used: Ross Oulton, Marvin Martin, Luke Cray.

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Michael Tuohy (Alex Taylor, 46), Stephan Morley, Guy Sanders, Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Marcus Jackson, Matt Lewis, Luke Corbett, James Rowe (Jamie Sheldon, 44), Richard Batchelor. Subs not used: Craig Wilding, James Husband, Arthur Byrne.

n Brakes are holding a race night at the New Windmill tomorrow evening.

The Leamington players and management team will be in attendance for an eight-race card, with all 64 horses having already been sponsored.

The evening will go ahead even if tomorrow’s clash with Swindon is postponed, with the first race getting underway at 6.30pm.