A chilly Saturday afternoon saw Moors come back from a goal down to grab three important points against Leamington at The Brewery Field.
An opening goal from Leamington’s Henry Landers saw the away side score their first ever goal on Moors’ soil. However, a curling effort from Glen Taylor coupled with an unfortunate own goal from goalkeeper Callum Hawkins saw Moors come back to win.
The away side began the game strongly, with defender Ben Beals called into action almost immediately as he had to thwart a dangerous cross and put it out for a corner.
It took just 11 minutes for The Brakes to forge ahead. Dan Turner carved a ball through to Landers in the penalty area, who took a touch and smashed home with his right foot from close range.
Moors struggled to get a foothold into the game but slowly but surely began to look more dangerous; Taylor went close to grabbing an equaliser, but his shot was calmly stopped by Hawkins in the away goal.
Moors really started to gain control of the fixture, with an in swinging freekick from Matty Dolan ricocheting goalwards, almost crossing the line, before a Leamington defender managed to smash it clear.
The captain Taylor went close again, smashing over from close range after some good play from Ramshaw.
Moors’ best chance of the first period came on 37 minutes with Taylor involved yet again. Staunton’s inviting cross into the penalty area found the captain who, at full stretch, powered his header just over the bar.
Pressure continued to mount on the away side as Moors pressed forward. Fletcher saw his shot float over the bar after a good flick on from Ramshaw, before Ramshaw himself had his shot blocked by Taylor of all people.
The second 45 began in the same fashion that the first ended, with Moors firmly in control. An early chance for Olly Dyson saw the right-back smash over from close range, after some great work from Taylor to flick the ball into his path.
Moors looked destined to score, and who else but Glen Taylor stepped up to equalise in the 57th minute. A brilliant curling effort from the edge of the 18-yard box saw the ball fly past Hawkins and into the back of the net, the captain finally grabbing his first goal since his strike at Farsley Celtic.
The away outfit couldn’t get themselves back into the game after the goal, with Moors continuing to rain down on their backline.
It took just 12 minutes for Moors to find their second, and it came through an unorthodox mistake. Dyson’s corner from the left into the box seemed routine for Hawkins in the Leamington net, but he appeared to misjudge it completely, spilling the ball into his own net to give Moors the lead.
Chances for The Brakes had been few and far between throughout the second half, yet they almost managed to claw level, had it not been for a lucky offside decision. James tipped the ball up into the air from a powerful shot, where it was tapped home by an oncoming Leamington player, only for the goal to be chalked off.
Substitute Tim Berridge smashed over on the 87th minute as the away side began to throw the kitchen sink at Moors
However, it was Lee’s side who would have the final chance of the match, with on-loan striker Sam Fishburn latching on to a loose ball and bearing down on goal. Hawkins stood his ground, however, and prevented the young forward from adding to Moors goal tally.
A battling win for Moors who now focus their attention on an away trip to Oxford City next Saturday.
Full Time: Moors 2 Leamington 1
Moors: James, Ledger, Dolan, Beals, Dyson, Shrimpton (Mondal 72), Ross, Staunton, Ramshaw, Fletcher (Rutledge 84), Taylor (Fishburn 90+1)
Subs not used: McGinley, McKeown
Booked: Ross (64)
Leamington: Hawkins, Ward, Evans, Streete, Quaynor, Williams, Walker, Edwards (Clarke 87), Landers (Lynn 76), Turner (Berridge 76), Stewart
Subs not used: Shambrook, Medrano
Booked: Edwards (41), Evans (28)
Referee: Ben Robinson
Attendance: 1064
Match Report: Noah Betts
