Football
Berwick strikes to boost Leamington

TOM Berwick’s early strike proved enough to give Leamington a 1-0 Southern League Premier Division home victory against Cambridge City on Saturday.

Brakes, who travelled to Frome Town last night (Wednesday) knowing a win would see them go top of the table, made it three wins on the spin with their success against Cambridge and also continued their unbeaten start to the campaign ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup First Qualifying Round clash at home against Stourbridge (3pm).

It was a closely contested affair at the New Windmill with Leamington keeper Kevin Sawyer having to be alert in the opening stages before Berwick scored the only goal of the game in the fourth minute.

Sawyer’s long clearance was collected by Berwick who then capitalised on a mistake from City’s Dave Theobald before poking past visiting stopper Enol Ordenez.

Cambridge were intent on imposing their passing game on the hosts but Leamington’s midfield worked tirelessly to keep opportunities down to a minimum.

Berwick thought he had made it 2-0 when heading home a high ball into the box but the referee deemed Ordenez had been fouled in the build-up and ruled the goal out.

The closest Cambridge came in the first half was a volley from midfielder Robbie Nightingale but his effort cleared the bar whilst Leamington saw a penalty appeal turned down when Richard Batchelor felt he was fouled when trying to get a shot away.

Matt Dodd soon got Brakes on the front foot again as the second half began. He weaved his way between two players and crossed for Lee Chilton to unleash a powerful shot that brushed the top of the bar.

Chilton posed problems for Cambridge throughout whilst Dodd forced a corner which ended up landing on top of the bar as the hosts piled on the pressure.

Cambridge were looking increasingly devoid of ideas going forward and ending up trying to use the long ball as a way of creating openings but Liam Daly and Joe Magunda proved solid at the back.

Back at the other end, Berwick and strike partner Lee Moore were combining well, with the former sending a shot just wide, but the second goal would not come.

The closing stages saw Cambridge fire a number of balls into the Leamington box but the home side stood firm to secure a deserved three points and maintain their fine start to the new campaign.

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