Champions!
It was a bitter sweet day for me today as Leamington secured promotion to the Southern Premiership with a convincing 8-0 win over Malvern Town. Charlton could only manage a 2-2 draw against Blackpool and, as long anticipated, were relegated to League 1.
Joma's colour advert in the Brakes programme notes that they supply Sevilla and Racing Santander. They are also 'delighted to bring the most demanding quality of European team apparel and footwear to Leamington Football Club.' No mention of another club they supply, Charlton.
Nerves were jangling before Leamington's encounter with Malvern Town despite the fact that the opposition had already conceded 110 goals this season and scored only 26. The home fans, making up almost all the crowd of 1,080, were quickly calmed by a second minute goal from Mark Bellingham converted from a corner.
Malvern won a couple of corners in quick succession, but Brakes made it 2-0 on 10 minutes with a conversion by captain Guy Sanders from a free kick. Leamington had some more chances with Luke Corbett putting the ball just wide with the goal at his mercy.
A good build up led to Jai Stanley stroking in the ball from the left on 24 minutes. Two minutes later Bello made it 4-0. A free kick put in from the wing by Jimmy Husband was slotted into the net on 36 minutes to make it 5-0.
Half time: Brakes 5, Watermen 0
The mascot has a go in goal at half time
The popular and impressive Marcus Jackson was withdrawn on 46 minutes, probably because he had picked up an injury and Chris Murphy came on in his place. Subsequent substitutions saw Luke Corbett and Martin Heir taken off to warm applause and Josh Blake and Ryan Parisi brought on.
Brakes decelerated in the second half, although still playing some neat exhibition football. It was not until 77 minutes that the popular Josh Blake, who has been with the club since its revival, made it 6-0. James Husband was rewarded for his considerable efforts for the 7th goal on 81 minutes and then Bello got his hat trick on 85 minutes.
Chris Kiely had had little to do throughout the match, but had to make one great save to deny Malvern a consolation.
Then it was cue the celebrations and the presentation of the trophy. I was able to shake manager Jason Cadden by the hand. Which club will face the greater challenge? Leamington in the Southern Premiership or Charlton in League 1?
3 comments:
Today's match at The Valley pretty much summed up our season. 2-0 up and coasting, then we threw it all away. Shelvey ran the game, the highlight being his shot from just inside the Blackpool half which went narrowly over. If we can keep him, he will easily score 15 goals next season. He is already too good for the Championship.
Congrats for Leamington's success. As a former Warwick Uni student I lived in Leamington for a year, your reports have made me wish I took up supporting them whilst I was there!
Looks like another new blogsite title then Wyn!
Yes, you did say that you hoped it would only be Addick's Championship Diary for a short while!
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