BRAKES warmed up for Tuesday’s South Warwickshire derby against Stratford Town by picking up a point at home to one of the Southern League Premier Division’s in-form teams King’s Lynn, reports Paul Edwards.
Manager Paul Holleran was left disappointed that his side did not make more of the chances they created over the 90 minutes but he was pleased at the way they came back to level after going behind midway through the first half.
A spot of head tennis in the King’s Lynn penalty area saw Rob Ogleby nod straight at keeper Alex Street from close range early on while Courtney Baker-Richardson got himself into space on the right and sent a shot across goal and wide.
Sam Austin showed great technique to volley a dropping ball first time from the edge of the box towards goal, but again it landed safely in the arms of Street.
But it was the visitors who moved in front on 24 minutes with their first effort on goal after skipper Sam Gaughran crashed an unstoppable shot in off the bar after Leamington failed to clear a free kick into their penalty box.
The hosts attempted to hit straight back with Richard Taundry curling a cross past the far post before pinging an inch perfect diagonal pass to the feet of substitute Ben Mackey but he was disappointed not to have worked the opposition goalkeeper more.
Smith sliced a rare chance high and wide for the visitors while Mackey was denied again, a defender deflecting his shot behind for a corner as the first half drew to a frustrating conclusion.
Mackey’s cross from the left wing saw Jack Edwards’ header pushed over the bar by Street early in the second half, the same player heading wide from the resulting corner.
Smith had a decent opportunity to double the Kings Lynn advantage when the ball was worked in to him from the right, but hit his shot first time straight at Tony Breeden.
He was left to rue not making more of the chance when Leamington levelled things up shortly afterwards when Edwards pushed the ball into the path of Mackey who turned home his 20th goal of the season.
Baker-Richardson shot agonisingly wide before forcing a save from Street at his near post late on but the score remained 1-1 at the final whistle.
