LEAMINGTON go into their penultimate friendly away at Hednesford Town on Saturday with spirits high, having held League Two opposition in Forest Green Rovers to a credible draw last weekend.
The goalless affair at the Your Co-Op Community Stadium, in which former Brakes favourite Taylor Allen appeared from the bench in a strong Rovers side, was marked by the opening of the Mick Brady Stand prior to kick-off.
It was an affair which missed the visitors’ central figure in Josh March, who departed Leamington for Forest Green in January 2020, but brought an encouraging, concerted effort from the hosts – if not an abundance of goals – nonetheless.
A first effort of the afternoon had to be kept out by the Gloucestershire side’s goalkeeper Lewis Thomas to deny a Brakes trialist, while Kieran Cook also drew a low save later in the half.
Forest Green grew into the game and were close to going in front, but for the outstretched glove of Jake Weaver to produce a timely save and keep out Jordan Moore-Taylor’s header.
Jake Young’s free kick came even closer still when rattling the hosts’ crossbar before the break, a moment which signalled further Leamington goalmouth action in the second half.
Opi Edwards should have done better for Forest Green with a drive that flashed wide, prior to a Weaver double save to deny Young and then Jamille Matt’s follow-up header.
With time dwindling, substitute Kane Wilson conjured up the final effort of the afternoon – again one which Weaver was equal to – as the game ebbed out into a goalless draw.
After the trip to Keys Park this weekend, Leamington host Solihull Moors on August 7 before kicking off their National League North campaign a week later at home to Gateshead.
