Sunday 28 October 2007
Next Round
So I'm a bit late posting this since I've known for nearly a week but our nex game will be Leamington v Margate on Saturday. Looking forward to more quality football.
Monday 22 October 2007
First Qualifying Round: Leamington FC Vs Banbury United
October 20th 2007
After my very pleasant first trip to the New Windmill Ground (NWG) two weeks ago, I was very pleased when Leamington FC were drawn at home in the First Qualifying Round.
Despite Banbury being a tier above Leamington in the football pyramid, I was quietly confident that the home side could pull off a small upset. The Brakes went into the game sitting top of the Southern League Midland Division, with Banbury struggling in the league above.
The early stages of the game saw Banbury looking slightly the better team, but they failed to create any clear chances. This was largely due to some generally impressive and disciplined Leamington defending.
Half an hour in and still nothing had happened in the way of goalmouth action. Jake had managed to travel all the way from Nottingham to watch this match and I sensed that he was starting to think it was a bad idea.
Half way through the first half, Leamington began to dominate proceedings. They started to keep the ball much better than they had previously, and the visitors were looking very short of ideas when they came forward.
It still took until the 37th minute for the first shot on goal. Not that it was particularly memorable. A weak header from a freekick was taken comfortably by home ‘keeper Richard Morris.
Inspired by the home support, who were becoming increasingly vocal, just two minutes later, Leamington had the lead. A firm shot from striker James Blake was blocked on the edge of the area, and fell kindly for Ben Mackey, who slotted the ball coolly into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
The goal seemed to knock any remaining wind out of the Banbury sails, and there appeared to only be one winner from that moment on.
The final few minutes of the first half saw the home side pressing for a quick second. First Russel Dunkley saw a low shot well saved, and Mackey also fired over before the 45 minutes was up.
The second half picked up exactly where the first half left off. Only a last ditch tackle prevented Mackey extending the lead after a brilliant Dunkley through ball. Mackey had the beating of the defence from this point on, and lost his marker almost at will in and around the box. He got the second goal the team deserved on 50 minutes. A first time cross from Dunkley found Mackey in the penalty area, and he made no mistake as he struck the ball crisply into the corner of the net.
The result from here was never in doubt. Brakes had a few more chances which they failed to convert. Most notably, Blake fired just wide after brilliantly turning his marker in the box.
The final 20 minutes were almost played at walking pace, with Banbury offering nothing in the way of attacking football, with many of their attacks being snuffed out by the commanding Stuart Herlihy.
The home support was in party mood throughout the second half, and we were treated to a large repertoire of songs. My personal favourites included, “We hate cribbage, we are the cribbage haters.” And a very strange ditty about a disillusioned Labrador made of cardboard. If anyone could explain to me the meaning of the lyrics then please let me know!
2 – 0 was how it stayed, and Leamington deservedly progressed to the Second Qualifying Round. Again, thank you to the Leamington home support, who again proved themselves to be a very friendly bunch of people.
Final Score: Leamington 2 Banbury United 0
Attendance: 704
After my very pleasant first trip to the New Windmill Ground (NWG) two weeks ago, I was very pleased when Leamington FC were drawn at home in the First Qualifying Round.
Despite Banbury being a tier above Leamington in the football pyramid, I was quietly confident that the home side could pull off a small upset. The Brakes went into the game sitting top of the Southern League Midland Division, with Banbury struggling in the league above.
The early stages of the game saw Banbury looking slightly the better team, but they failed to create any clear chances. This was largely due to some generally impressive and disciplined Leamington defending.
Half an hour in and still nothing had happened in the way of goalmouth action. Jake had managed to travel all the way from Nottingham to watch this match and I sensed that he was starting to think it was a bad idea.
Half way through the first half, Leamington began to dominate proceedings. They started to keep the ball much better than they had previously, and the visitors were looking very short of ideas when they came forward.
It still took until the 37th minute for the first shot on goal. Not that it was particularly memorable. A weak header from a freekick was taken comfortably by home ‘keeper Richard Morris.
Inspired by the home support, who were becoming increasingly vocal, just two minutes later, Leamington had the lead. A firm shot from striker James Blake was blocked on the edge of the area, and fell kindly for Ben Mackey, who slotted the ball coolly into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
The goal seemed to knock any remaining wind out of the Banbury sails, and there appeared to only be one winner from that moment on.
The final few minutes of the first half saw the home side pressing for a quick second. First Russel Dunkley saw a low shot well saved, and Mackey also fired over before the 45 minutes was up.
The second half picked up exactly where the first half left off. Only a last ditch tackle prevented Mackey extending the lead after a brilliant Dunkley through ball. Mackey had the beating of the defence from this point on, and lost his marker almost at will in and around the box. He got the second goal the team deserved on 50 minutes. A first time cross from Dunkley found Mackey in the penalty area, and he made no mistake as he struck the ball crisply into the corner of the net.
The result from here was never in doubt. Brakes had a few more chances which they failed to convert. Most notably, Blake fired just wide after brilliantly turning his marker in the box.
The final 20 minutes were almost played at walking pace, with Banbury offering nothing in the way of attacking football, with many of their attacks being snuffed out by the commanding Stuart Herlihy.
The home support was in party mood throughout the second half, and we were treated to a large repertoire of songs. My personal favourites included, “We hate cribbage, we are the cribbage haters.” And a very strange ditty about a disillusioned Labrador made of cardboard. If anyone could explain to me the meaning of the lyrics then please let me know!
2 – 0 was how it stayed, and Leamington deservedly progressed to the Second Qualifying Round. Again, thank you to the Leamington home support, who again proved themselves to be a very friendly bunch of people.
Final Score: Leamington 2 Banbury United 0
Attendance: 704
Wednesday 17 October 2007
This Coming Weekend
Yes that's right, the rumours are true, this weekend the other half of the trophy adventure team will be arriving in Leamington. Despite the prospect of missing both the Rugby final and the Nottingham beer festival I will be standing in the terraces (are there terraces?) of The New Windmill Ground!
Also I'm hoping the fabled half time food tastes as good as my accomplice suggests.
Also I'm hoping the fabled half time food tastes as good as my accomplice suggests.
Monday 8 October 2007
Draw for First Qualifying Round
The draw for the First Qualifying Round sees Leamington drawn at home against Banbury. The game will be played on Saturday 20th October.
Sunday 7 October 2007
Preliminary Round: Leamington FC Vs Marlow
October 6th 2007
Being a Warwick Uni student, and currently living in Leamington, it made sense to choose Leamington Vs Marlow as the place to start our little adventure. I expected it to be remarkably easy to attend. Unfortunately, Jake could not make it back from Nottingham where he is currently based, so poor old me had to go alone.
I seemed to get pretty lucky with the people I met over the course of the day. The regulars that I spoke to on the short coach journey to the ground, in the clubhouse and at the match were all very friendly people. I learned that Leamington FC has had a pretty turbulent recent history, which the fans seemed to be very proud of, and instilled a sense of community amongst them.
Leamington were a member of the Southern League Midland Division as recently as 1987, and were denied promotion to the Alliance Premier League despite winning the title, due to the standard of their ground. At this stage in their history, the club had strong ties with a manufacturing firm in the town. When the company sold the ground to property developers, as it hit financial trouble, AP Leamington, as they were then called, were forced to resign from the football pyramid.
A band of committed individuals managed to acquire the land which has since become the New Windmill Ground, and Leamington FC rejoined the pyramid in the 2000/01 season. Following several promotions in recent years, last season the club regained it's place in the Southern League Midland Division, and currently sit atop it, seven games into the new season.
I was very impressed with the set-up at the club, and the progress it has obviously made in such a short space of time. The clubhouse was excellent, with a big screen to watch England beat Australia in the Rugby World Cup, and very reasonable bar prices.
The pitchside burger van also treated me to probably the best football match grub I've ever had. Jumbo sausage, chips, and a very impressive curry sauce, all for £2. Even dropping half of my sausage on the floor could not stop my enjoyment of it.
As for the match itself, Leamington were far too good for Marlow throughout. Centre forward Russel Dunkley and midfielder Liam Reynolds both missed excellent chances early on, after some good passing football. Most of Leamington's best chances involved ex-Coventry City youngster Ben Mackey in some way. He displayed brilliant footwork at regular intervals, and Marlow seemed to have no answer to him. The visiting side were let in a couple of times during the first half due to some slack Leamington defending, and only a fantastic, Pele Vs Gordon Banks-esque save from 'keeper Richard Morris denied Marlow from taking an undeserved lead into the half-time break.
The home team started the first half much as they did the first, immediately creating a great chance following some good work on the wing, only this time the chance was put away confidently by left-sided midfielder James Husband. The goal knocked all the stuffing out of Marlow, who offered nothing of attacking note for the remainder of the match. Husband was instrumental in the second half, and a cross from the left on 53 minutes was headed onto the post by Richard Adams. 15 minutes later Leamington made the result safe. A misjudgement from Marlow's Jack Smilie allowed Husband in to round the 'keeper and make it 2 -0. A scoreline that the visitors could have no complaints about at that stage.
Leamington deserved more goals in truth, but a string of excellent saves towards the end of the match from Marlow 'keeper Ian MacTaggert kept the scoreline respectable.
Huge respect must go to the Leamington's 'North Bank' who sang constantly throughout the match, and no doubt helped the players along on their way to victory.
I am really looking forward joining Leamington again in the next round. It is a great little club, with a really sense of pride and community amongst it's fans. Special thanks go to Katie, Brendan and Roy for making an me feel very welcome at the New Windmill Ground. I hope to see you again in the next round!
Final Score: Leamington 2 Marlow 0
Attendance: 522
Being a Warwick Uni student, and currently living in Leamington, it made sense to choose Leamington Vs Marlow as the place to start our little adventure. I expected it to be remarkably easy to attend. Unfortunately, Jake could not make it back from Nottingham where he is currently based, so poor old me had to go alone.
I seemed to get pretty lucky with the people I met over the course of the day. The regulars that I spoke to on the short coach journey to the ground, in the clubhouse and at the match were all very friendly people. I learned that Leamington FC has had a pretty turbulent recent history, which the fans seemed to be very proud of, and instilled a sense of community amongst them.
Leamington were a member of the Southern League Midland Division as recently as 1987, and were denied promotion to the Alliance Premier League despite winning the title, due to the standard of their ground. At this stage in their history, the club had strong ties with a manufacturing firm in the town. When the company sold the ground to property developers, as it hit financial trouble, AP Leamington, as they were then called, were forced to resign from the football pyramid.
A band of committed individuals managed to acquire the land which has since become the New Windmill Ground, and Leamington FC rejoined the pyramid in the 2000/01 season. Following several promotions in recent years, last season the club regained it's place in the Southern League Midland Division, and currently sit atop it, seven games into the new season.
I was very impressed with the set-up at the club, and the progress it has obviously made in such a short space of time. The clubhouse was excellent, with a big screen to watch England beat Australia in the Rugby World Cup, and very reasonable bar prices.
The pitchside burger van also treated me to probably the best football match grub I've ever had. Jumbo sausage, chips, and a very impressive curry sauce, all for £2. Even dropping half of my sausage on the floor could not stop my enjoyment of it.
As for the match itself, Leamington were far too good for Marlow throughout. Centre forward Russel Dunkley and midfielder Liam Reynolds both missed excellent chances early on, after some good passing football. Most of Leamington's best chances involved ex-Coventry City youngster Ben Mackey in some way. He displayed brilliant footwork at regular intervals, and Marlow seemed to have no answer to him. The visiting side were let in a couple of times during the first half due to some slack Leamington defending, and only a fantastic, Pele Vs Gordon Banks-esque save from 'keeper Richard Morris denied Marlow from taking an undeserved lead into the half-time break.
The home team started the first half much as they did the first, immediately creating a great chance following some good work on the wing, only this time the chance was put away confidently by left-sided midfielder James Husband. The goal knocked all the stuffing out of Marlow, who offered nothing of attacking note for the remainder of the match. Husband was instrumental in the second half, and a cross from the left on 53 minutes was headed onto the post by Richard Adams. 15 minutes later Leamington made the result safe. A misjudgement from Marlow's Jack Smilie allowed Husband in to round the 'keeper and make it 2 -0. A scoreline that the visitors could have no complaints about at that stage.
Leamington deserved more goals in truth, but a string of excellent saves towards the end of the match from Marlow 'keeper Ian MacTaggert kept the scoreline respectable.
Huge respect must go to the Leamington's 'North Bank' who sang constantly throughout the match, and no doubt helped the players along on their way to victory.
I am really looking forward joining Leamington again in the next round. It is a great little club, with a really sense of pride and community amongst it's fans. Special thanks go to Katie, Brendan and Roy for making an me feel very welcome at the New Windmill Ground. I hope to see you again in the next round!
Final Score: Leamington 2 Marlow 0
Attendance: 522
Introduction
Hello world. You have stumbled across Gary and Jake's FA Trophy adventure, where Gary and Jake (that's us up the top there) will epically chronical our journey around the country, following the FA Trophy.
Starting in the preliminary round, we will watch one match. The victors of that match will be graced with our company in their next fixture, wherever and whenever that may be. This cycle of glory hunting will proceed all the way to the final at Wembley.
We aim to meet lots of friendly locals, savour many local pies/burgers, and generally have a good time watching non-league football. We will report back to this place to let you know how things are going.
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