Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to pick up a third consecutive victory against a Leamington side renowned for being formidable at home.
The West Yorkshire side hadn’t succumbed to a defeat in their previous eight games when they last visited the Phillips 66 Community Stadium, but were beaten as goals from Kieran Dunbar and Ahmed Obeng cancelled out James Knowles’ opener.
However, when the Brakes visited the Horsfall Stadium in April, Adam Boyes notched the winner in the first minute and Steven Drench saved a penalty in the second-half.
Today’s hosts have made an impressive start to the season, holding Altrincham to a 2-2 draw at Moss Lane on the opening day before dispatching Boston United on Tuesday night.
GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:
The Gaffer:
Paul Holleran
Holleran took charge of the Brakes in November 2009 and has guided them to promotion to the National League North twice since his appointment. He also led Leamington to their first Birmingham Senior Cup win in 45 years in 2017. He joined the club in 2009 having previously managed Kings Norton Town, Solihull, Halesowen Town and Rushall Olympic. As a player, he represented Birmingham City and the Republic of Ireland as a schoolboy, before moving into senior football with the likes of Alvechurch and Solihull Borough.
One To Watch:
Matt Stenson
24-year-old forward Matt Stenson put pen to paper on a one-year contract with the Brakes yesterday, having netted his first goal for the club in their shock win over Boston United on Tuesday night. After ascending the youth ranks of Coventry City, Stenson made 23 appearances for Hinckley United as a midfielder before suffering a hip injury that sidelined him for over two years. He returned with Leicester Road as a striker and caught the attention of Barwell after scoring a remarkable 42 goals in 25 games. The forward found the back of the net on 20 occasions in the Northern Premier League with Barwell last season, earning a move to Paul Holleran’s Leamington.
Today’s hosts have provided an ‘Away Fan Guide’ and you can take a look at some key information from the guide right here…
FOOD AND DRINK:
Behind the Harbury Lane End stand, there is the Brakes Bar which is open to all fans unless the ground is segregated. If the ground is segregated, then you can find beer in the temporary bar in the away end. You can consume alcohol pitchside if it is in a plastic cup. Food is available from either the burger bar or the refreshment and sweet shops found as you enter the ground.
THE GROUND:
Whilst being a widely ‘open’ ground, the capacity of our ground is 2,300 with 254 seated. As you walk into the ground on a non-segregated match, on your right is the Main Stand, housing most of the seats, and the terrace on the right is the Harbury Lane End Terrace. If you walk past the Harbury Lane End Terrace and turn left you are on the Sheepside Bank which occupies a small open stand and standing open terraces overlooking the dugouts. If you carry on and turn left again, you are on the open standing North Bank, which is used as an away end if the game is segregated. Away fans also get the West Terrace, next to the main stand and 50 seats on the away stand. The capacity in the away end is around 800, and can be maximised to 1,000 with half of the Sheepside Bank.
PARKING:
Follow the postcode on the first page of this fan guide to get directions to the ground but please note that the stadium has limited parking with no road parking nearby. For high profile matches we run a Park and Ride from Leamington Train Station to the ground, so keep an eye on our social pages and website for any news of that!
DRUMS:
Please also note that the ground has a no drum policy as
neighbours have complained at the noise before. Make sure
you bring your singing voices down and make as much noise
as you can!
ADMISSION PRICES:
Adults: £12
Concessions: £8
Students: £6
Under-18s: £3
Under-12s: Free
Kick-off: 3pm