BRAKES reaped another three points with ease at Sharpenhoe Road, scoring a goal in each half to see off lowly Barton.
In what was a low key affair, Jason Cadden’s men never really had to hit top gear, and looked comfortable for practically the entire 90 minutes, with Chris Kiely hardly having a save to make.
The opening twenty minutes or so passed by without incident, and neither side had a serious effort on goal.
The first real chance arrived when a long kick up field by Chris Kiely was missed by Barton’s Ashley Daniels, and Mark Bellingham judged the bounce well, homing in on goal, but Rhodes-Winsor did well to block the shot. Jai Stanley then struck a long range free kick over the bar.
Midway through the first half, Leamington began to enjoy a concerted period of pressure, that culminated in them taking the lead on 35 minutes. Jai Stanley, sporting a nasty looking black eye, which he sustained in last weekends’ game against Bedworth United, sent in a cross from the right. Chris Murphy helped it on inside a crowded penalty area, and Mark Bellingham turned to slam a shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle. This was the 100th competitive goal scored by the team this season.
Chris Kiely was forced to sprint from his line to head a long ball out of play, as Barton tried to find a way through. At other end, Marcus Jackson did superbly to wriggle away from a challenge on the touchline, and cut into the area before firing a shot against the outside of the post.
However, it was not long before a second goal arrived. Again it was Jai Stanley who played the ball towards the penalty area, and Chris Murphy who helped it over a crowd of players to Luke Corbett, in space on the far side, and he delivered a cracking first time drive into the far corner.
There was a momentary scare for Brakes, as a cross from the right by Scott Orphanou landed on the roof of the net, but the likelihood of more goals being scored at the opposite end was far greater. Guy Sanders saw a header from a James Husband corner kick cleared from the goal line by Ashley Daniels. Adam Cooper and Colm Keirans were both cautioned following what looked like an accidental clash following a corner, but it unfortunately means that Cooper will be suspended shortly, for accumulating ten bookings.
This result sees Leamington right back in form, and with the business end of the season firmly in sight, they’re back in the winning habit. More points dropped for the likes of Atherstone and Nuneaton will see Brakes destiny firmly in their own hands, if they can pick up points in some tricky remaining fixtures.
Barton Rovers: Edward Rhodes-Winsor, Ashley Daniels, Lee Wilson (Russell Preston, 75), Ross Hanley, Ricky Geraghty, Kevin Randell, Ryan Robb (Daniel Rose, 58), Colm Keirans, Alex O’Brien, Scott Orphanou (Nat Liburd, 68), Dennis Fennemore.
Subs not used: Phil Feakes, Ashley Harewood.
Leamington: Chris Kiely, Chris Murphy, Martin Hier, Adam Cooper, Guy Sanders [C], Liam Reynolds, Marcus Jackson, Jai Stanley (Mykel Beckley, 66), Luke Corbett, Mark Bellingham (Josh Blake, 74), James Husband.
Subs not used: Ryan Parisi, Glenn Webb, Richard Anstiss.
