LEAMINGTON can have no faults with their start to the new National League North campaign as they picked up four points in the space of four days.
The Brakes enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Boston United on Tuesday night, the first time Paul Holleran’s men have beaten the Pilgrims at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium.
Leamington broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when Matt Stenson’s diving header crept over the line, despite the best efforts of United keeper George Willis to keep the ball out.
Holleran was forced into a substitution just before the break as the injured Connor Gudger was replaced by James Bowen.
Just past the hour mark Leamington were reduced to ten men after Callum Gittings was given his marching orders after picking up two yellow cards in the space of a minute.
Despite being a man down, Leamington doubled their advantage 19 minutes from time when Kieran Dunbar’s corner was volleyed home at the back post by Junior English.
Victory over Boston followed Saturday afternoon’s 2-2 draw away to Altrincham.
Brakes opened the scoring after 28 minutes when Jack Edwards was on hand to tap into an empty net after Stenson’s initial header from Dunbar’s cross cannoned off the far post.
Altrincham levelled two minutes after the break through Jordan Hulme who somehow managed to squeeze a close range header inside the far post.
Within a flash the visitors were back in front as Gittings lashed home a powerful effort from outside the area with a little help from the inside of the post.
Not long later Hulme was celebrating again when he drove a low effort into the far corner to level the scores at 2-2 and complete the afternoon’s scoring.
Although a little frustrated at twice giving away a lead, boss Holleran was satisfied to take a point from the game.
He said: “Altrincham have got a way of playing through the pitch and they do it well.
“I thought we managed it really well in the first half, we had two or three great opportunities.
“We’ve had two or three players missing throughout pre-season and this was a tough one to start with playing against a side which are possession based and it told after half time.
“What disappointed me was the first ten minutes of the second half.
“One or two players were arguing about the corner and when it was over hit one or two think it’s gone out of play.
“You’ve got to be better at this level, we’ve allowed a cross to come in and they were queuing up at the back post.
“When you get in front in this division you’ve got to work hard and there’s key periods in the game you’ve got to manage better.
“We’re disappointed with that spell after half-time and we’ve had to hang on a bit at the end but any point won is a good point in this division.”
Brakes entertain Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday before travelling to Hereford on Tuesday night.
