BRAKES bounced back from their midweek defeat at Southern League Premier Division leaders Slough Town in devastating fashion as they put newly promoted Cinderford Town to the sword at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium, reports Paul Edwards.
The visitors came into Saturday’s game bottom of the table and the Brakes produced their best performance of the season to move up to second in the table thanks to goals from Robert Thompson-Brown (2), Courtney Baker-Richardson (2), Darren Pond and Jack Edwards.
Ryan Rowe came close with Leamington’s first opportunity but he was denied as keeper Ben Fletcher got down well to block his first time shot.
The opening goal on 16 minutes was a thing of beauty. A well crafted move which started in defence saw Rob Thompson-Brown pass to Gittings who played in Gudger and he pulled the ball back for Brown to beat a defender before firing past Fletcher.
Rowe could count himself unfortunate not to add his name to the scoresheet when Jack Edwards played him in again and he clipped a shot past the advancing Fletcher, only for the ball to strike the outside of the far post.
The visitors felt they had a shout for a penalty but Hill was muscled off the ball fairly in the eyes of the match officials
Rowe was left frustrated once more as Fletcher palmed his goalbound effort over the bar as Leamington had to settle for just the one goal advantage at half time.
Edwards went close when Fletcher just managed to hold his looping header from a left wing corner before a second goal arrived just before the hour mark with Pond netting his first goal for the club from 20 yards out.
Rowe was unlucky again when he screwed a first time effort wide following a driving run down the left from Gittings, while Baker-Richardson felt he had a shout for a penalty as Lewis Fletcher challenged him inside the box.
Fletcher was beaten for a third time however when Baker-Richardson drove home at the second attempt after Fletcher blocked his first effort and three swiftly became four as Thompson-Brown curled a shot beyond the diving Fletcher.
Edwards then added his name to the scoresheet in truly stunning style. Edwards advanced with a couple of touches away from the centre circle and launched a sumptuous effort that soared over the stranded Fletcher and into the top corner.
There was further punishment for the beleaguered visiting defence as Baker-Richardson netted his second and Leamington’s sixth with two minutes remaining, latching onto a lovely pass down the right from Gittings before nicking it past the advancing Fletcher and firing into the empty net.
Cinderford were denied a consolation goal at the death with Breeden saving well from substitute Callum McConie and Hood did superbly to acrobatically head off the line as Hill fired the loose ball towards the net.
Attendance: 402
Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Richard Taundry, Connor Gudger (16 Tom James, 82), Darren Pond (14 Joe Magunda, 80), Jamie Hood, James Mace, Courtney Baker-Richardson, Jack Edwards, Ryan Rowe (12 Ben George, 69), Rob Thompson-Brown, Callum Gittings.
Subs not used: 15 Zak Lilly, 17 Ryan Quinn.
