The National League North 2022-23 season starts this week, with Leamington’s first game taking place on the 6th of August. The Brakes will be taking on Farsley Celtic at the New Windmill Ground. The last time these two teams met in Leamington, the home side secured three points along with three goals. The season before that, however, Farsley Celtic were victorious, winning by three goals to nil.
Last season, Leamington finished 15th in the league with 48 points. They’ll be hoping to build on their performances last season, and the club has been busy during the preseason. Several new players have come in, and performances in friendlies have been promising. You can find the full list of National League North fixtures online, including all the scheduled matches for Leamington FC this season.
Can Leaming Start Their Season with a Win?
Leaming FC take on Farsley Celtic this Saturday at the New Windmill Ground. It’s a relatively easy opening fixture for the Brakes, as Farsley Celtic narrowly avoided relegation last season. In addition, the last time these two sides met, it ended in a resounding 3-0 win for Leamington FC. However, their head-to-head record does go in Farsley Celtic’s favour. The West Yorkshire-based side has won three of their five matches played, with Leamington winning just once and the remaining game a 1-1 draw.
Despite the head-to-head record, the signs do point to this being a relatively straightforward game for Leamington. They have the home advantage, and Farsley Celtic were in poor form last season. The new signings will also help Leamington out, with left-sided defender Louis Hall providing a welcome addition to the squad.
A win would be a great morale boost for the team and would help to continue their momentum from preseason. In July, Leamington have won their last two preseason friendlies, losing the first and drawing the second. The team now has good match fitness and should be ready to play in front of their home fans once more.
What Changes Have Leamington Made?
Once the season ended and the summer break started, Leamington FC has worked hard to ensure they have the right players for the upcoming season. There have been several new signings arrive and there have also been a few players leaving. In addition, many players who were key parts of the squad have agreed to new contracts to play for the Brakes once more.
Ben Usher-Shipway was the first new signing of the summer, with the 23-year-old recently leaving Solihull Moors. He’s a highly versatile player who can function in attack and defence, often playing as a winger or as a fullback. As a young player, he still has time to develop further, and manager Paul Holleran was pleased to bring him in.
Leamington have also brought back former loanee Alex Prosser for the 2022-23 season. He made eight appearances for the Brakes last season, although he was unfortunately out for a while with an injury. He still impressed Holleran enough to bring him back on a permanent basis though, with the 23-year-old midfielder likely to gain a lot of first-team experience.
Veteran defender Theo Streete was another important signing for Leamington this summer. The 34-year-old has experience in spades, including at higher levels of football such as playing in League One. He’ll be an excellent addition to the young squad, bringing in some much-needed experience to help shore up the defence.
One player who won’t be on the team sheet for Leaming this season is goalkeeper Jake Weaver. Unfortunately, his time at the Brakes was hampered by injuries, though the club wishes him the best for his career.
