Holleran brings in new number one

David Kolodynski’s late strike could not prevent a 2-1 defeat at St Albans last Saturday, which saw Leamington slip out of the top five for the first time since October.

And, with Stourbridge and Chippenham just a point further back with games in hand, it leaves Brakes desperately in need of three points from their trip to Hitchin Town tomorrow to get their play-off push back on track.

Lee Evans looks set to be the first casualty after shipping eight goals in his last four outings, with former Evesham United keeper Nathan Vaughan joining, while Holleran is also expected to add creative reinforcements ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Top Field.

“Lee has done well for us, but in the last few games he has struggled,” said Holleran, who signed the keeper from AFC Telford at the end of October.

“We need to take him out of the firing line and Nathan has got experience and great presence.”

Vaughan, 30, was sacked by Evesham in October following his sending-off in their FA Cup defeat to Stourbridge, but has a reputation as one of the best keepers in the Southern League.

He turned out for Kidderminster on non-contract terms in December, replacing the cup-tied Tony Breeden for the FA Trophy clashes with Vauxhall Motors.

Away from league action, Brakes gave themselves a useful boost in midweek with a 2-1 win over a youthful Birmingham City side in the quarter-final of the Birmingham Senior Cup.

Second-half strikes from Asa Charlton and Luke Corbett sent Brakes through to the last four for the first time since 1980 and Holleran said the victory was important to help maintain belief among his squad.

“They were the most difficult opposition we’ve played in the cup, full of pace and power, but I was pleased with the way we controlled long periods of the game,” he said.

“We had lots of chances and it was thoroughly deserved. It was the lift everyone needed [after recent results].

“Even on Saturday, without playing poorly we were punished by a rocket of a shot and one that just crept in.

“It’s just not happening for us at the moment, but the only time I have been despondent is in the last 30 minutes against Redditch when we lost our shape.

“Other than that we haven’t been doing much wrong.”

 Midfielder Neil Barnfield remains in Holleran’s thoughts despite having signed for Southern League Division One South and West side Halesowen.

Barnfield has struggled to recover from the broken ankle he received in last season’s play-off semi-final at Hednesford and Holleran says the opportunity to test his ankle out at a club local to him made sense for all parties.

“It has taken longer than expected [for Neil to recover],” said Holleran. “But now he’s ready to step it up.

“He still doesn’t feel 100 per cent, though, and he’ll try a month of games there and see how it goes.

“It would be nice to get him back, but it may be a long while before he’s ready.”