The silly little errors are killing us, admits Leamington boss

Leamington manager Paul Holleran admits it was hard to pick his players up after a heartbreaking home defeat to Tamworth last Saturday.
Contrasting emotions as Tamworth celebrate their winner last Saturday. Picture: Morris TroughtonContrasting emotions as Tamworth celebrate their winner last Saturday. Picture: Morris Troughton
Contrasting emotions as Tamworth celebrate their winner last Saturday. Picture: Morris Troughton

The Lambs came into the Conference North fixture on the back of ten successive wins but it was the hosts who enjoyed the better of proceedings in front of a bumper New Windmill crowd.

However, Brakes were left empty-handed after Brendan Daniels pounced on a poor piece of control from keeper Ross Atkins to secure all three points for the visitors with five minutes remaining.

“To get nothing was deflating for everyone,” said Holleran.

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“They’re the form team in Britain and it would have been another point on the board and a nice platform.

“In the end it was another kidney punch but we’ll deal with it and move on.”

The 2-1 reverse was Brakes’ eighth defeat of the season by a single goal and Holleran said his side need to keep their points tally ticking along with draws as well as wins.

“The silly little errors are killing us,” said Holleran, who felt Dominic Langdon was equally culpable for the backpass which put Atkins under pressure.

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“The second half of last season we picked up our points but this season there have been a dozen or so games where we haven’t done that.

“It’s the difference between being mid-table on 34 points and being on 26 points.”

But despite being critical of Brakes’ play in the run-up to both Tamworth goals, the Leamington boss said there was little else to bemoan in last Saturday’s display.

A stunning reflex save from Lambs keeper James Belshaw to deny Danny Newton was bettered only by an outrageous goal-line clearance from defender Javan Vidal as Brakes penned back their high-flying opponents.

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And, Holleran said it is just that little bit of luck which is deserting his side at the moment.

“I thought that performance was better than against Oxford and Bradford - we didn’t do a lot wrong.

“Tamworth have got a resolve and they’re hanging on in games.

“They’ve got a good keeper and he produced a great save from Danny and there were a couple cleared off the line. The one from Mace, well you start to think it’s never going to go in.”

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Brakes were denied a chance to quickly atone for their defeat when Tuesday night’s trip to Chorley fell foul of a frozen pitch.

However, they head back up the M6 tomorrow when they make the trip to Edgeley Park to face Stockport County.

And having picked up four points against the former Football League club last season, Holleran says there will be no inferiority complex despite the contrast in surroundings to the New Windmill.

“No matter who you are in the league, you always look forward to going to Stockport, it’s one of the biggest grounds in non-league football.

“We were bitterly disappointed to lose the home game and we’re well aware our away form has to improve and we need to start that on Saturday.

“But where we are at the moment, we don’t fear anybody.”

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