LEAMINGTON slipped to a narrow 2-1 pre-season defeat against Rugby Borough on the club’s first-ever visit to the Warwickshire side, writes Jacob Scandrett.
The Brakes only goal of the game came from Kyle Finn after Borough had taken a two-goal lead which proved too much for the visitors to overturn.
The defeat to the Step Four side saw Leamington lose a second successive friendly, following an encouraging four-game unbeaten run at the start of pre-season.
Brakes boss Scott Easterlow handed a debut to summer signing Cian Tyler in goal, with fellow arrival Kai Tonge among the substitutes for the first time.
Borough created the first chance of the game with Cameron Collins firing a shot over the crossbar from the left hand side of the penalty area.
Leamington bounced back shortly after as a trialist forced a good save out of the home goalkeeper Marcus Bald.
Brakes keeper Tyler then sprang into action, as he denied Wes York twice and held Collins’ powerful header on the line.
And Borough eventually broke the deadlock moments before half time as Collins touched home a cross from the left after Tyler denied the same player seconds earlier.
The Brakes made three changes at half time but Borough remained on top as Tyler touched Manny Nnaji’s bouncing effort behind.
And Rugby’s continued pressure led to the home side doubling their lead on 53 minutes as Corey Armeni slotted a low effort into the net after Raj Palit lost possession 20-yards from the Leamington goal.
However, the Brakes responded on 70 minutes when Finn controlled Owen Farmer’s cross and skipped past a couple of challenges before finding the back of the net.
Leamington looked to restore parity with a close chance coming from Palit who drove a shot inches past the post.
In the closing stages, the visitors pushed for an equaliser but could not find a leveller as Farmer headed into the side netting and Palit lashed a late free-kick over the bar.
Leamington travel to Guernsey FC’s Victoria Park on Saturday, July 25 with kick-off at 3pm.
