Saturday 2 February 2008

Stalemate at Kayte Lane

Leamington's title hopes were dented by a 0-0 away draw at Bishop's Cleeve (essentially a suburb of Cheltenham) this afternoon. The authorities decided to send a referee from nearby Tewkesbury and, along with his incompetent linesman on the Tai Stand side, he managed to ruin the match with his inept decisions, accompanied by a blizzard of yellow cards. Having said that, although I did not see the Brakes at Chasetown on Tuesday, they played much better then - so I am told by those who went.

At least Richard Morris kept a clean sheet on his 250th appearance for the Brakes. This included tipping one ball over the bar, the incompetent referee awarding a goal kick. Later Mozza burst into laughter at one of Mr Eaton's more ludicrous decisions and got a stern ticking off.

The match turned sour for Leamington in the 1st minute when Liam Reynolds was scythed down, depriving them of a key linking player. Reynolds had to be carried off, although I understand that nothing is broken.

Cleeve's 17-year old keeper Sam Gilder rushed out of his goal and collided with the advancing Jamie Towers. The ball ended up in the net, but the referee carded Towers and gave the home side a free kick.

Brakes applied more pressure in the second half, but this simply led to more cynical fouling by the home side, while the shots that were put in were largely off target or straight at the keeper.

As the players made their way towards the snazzy extending tunnel at this neat but modern ground one Brakesman expressed his opinion of the foul play of their No.12 which drew the response '**** off mophead.' The refree marched off wearing an inane grin in response to the jeers that greeted him. With Evesham United winning 3-0 at Willenhall, it was not a good day for Leamington.

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