Brakes smiles better after seeing off sorry Salisbury

After the heartbreaking defeat at Stourbridge, a goal in each half against a disappointing Salisbury side brought smiles back to the faces of the Leamington faithful, writes Paul Edwards.

There was little for either set of supporters to shout about until the 21st minute when Jamie Sheldon swung in a free-kick from the left for Jacob Blyth to power a header past Tommy Smith for his third goal in four starts.

Liam Daly went agonisingly close to quickly doubling the advantage when his header cleared the bar by a whisker, while at the other end, Salisbury were restricted to shots from distance by a solid wall of gold and black.

Leamington fashioned an early opportunity in the second half but Jamie Turley was on hand to clear the ball off the line after Sheldon’s shot had beaten Smith.

The defender was warming the showers shortly afterwards, though, after being sent off following an altercation with Rowe which resulted in the Brakes striker seeing yellow.

The dismissal galvanised the visitors and they bossed possession with Kayne McLaggon screwing a shot well wide and Daly heading away a dangerous cross. From the corner, Ryan Tafazolli headed just wide.

Blyth sent a first-time shot after latching on to a through ball before the visitors began to lose their discipline.

Player-manager Darrell Clarke was incensed as he was forced off for treatment to a head wound, which he indicated was caused by an elbow, while Whites skipper Stuart Anderson was booked for a late challenge on Neil Barnfield.

Tafazolli saw another header from a free-kick saved by Breeden, before Leamington began to create late chances of their own.

Barnfield shot was crowded out and substitute Richard Batchelor, making a welcome return after ten weeks out, blazed the rebound over the bar.

However, Rowe was not so profligate in the 86th minute, dinking a shot past the advancing Smith to put Leamington firmly in command after being put through by Luke Corbett.

After clearing the bar with a header at one end, Tafazolli was fortunate the referee did not spot a tug on Alex Taylor’s shirt as the substitute tried to win a high ball on the edge of the area, but it mattered little as the final whistle sounded moments later.

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Scott Lycett, Stephan Morley, Lee Downes, Liam Daly, Jamie Hood, Luke Corbett, Neil Barnfield, Jacob Blyth (Richard Batchelor, 80), James Rowe (Adam Newbury, 88), Jamie Sheldon (Alex Taylor, 70). Subs not used: Chris Knight, Lee Williams.

Salisbury City: Tommy Smith, Ben Adelsbury, Josh Casey, Stuart Anderson, Jamie Turley, Ryan Tafazolli, Kayne McLaggon, Chris Shepherd (Jack Boyle, 83), Adam Kelly (Darrell Clarke, 60), Jake Reid, Charlie Knight. Subs not used: Dan Fitchett, Ryan Brett, Michael Neish.