Colin Stoner's report on the playoff semi-final win

Sanders puts Leamington through
by Colin Stoner, Birmingham Post

It was a downpour drenched night more suitable for Gene Kelly and his dancing feet but instead it was the clunking left boot of Guy Sanders which had Leamington Singing in the Rain last night. The defender’s 49th minute goal – his fifth goal of the season – proved enough to edge out Rushall Olympic in their British Gas Business Midlands play-off semi final and set up a final date on Saturday at home to Stourbridge.

The dismal conditions of incessant rain – combined with the fact that Rushall boast the best goals-against record in senior non-League – meant one mistake or a set-piece would settle matters and so it proved. Justin Marsden and Jamie Towers combined with a short corner move on the right and as the ball bobbled around in the six-yard box Sanders found half a yard to ram in the winner.

Leamington had threatened through efforts from Ben Mackey and Justin Marsden early on and Sanders fired a 25-yard free-kick just over, though Rushall more than matched their hosts and Neil Barnfield should have given them the lead when Junior Brown’s pass ricocheted into his path but he skewed his shot wide.

After the goal, Leamington were content to absorb the Pic’s pressure, but they almost paid the price, only for keeper Richard Morris to twice save his side. Craig Marshall burst forward onto Brown’s pass but Morris kept out his low shot with his leg on the hour and 15 minutes from time Lee Gough raced through one on one but Morris again stood his ground to save with his leg.

Our thanks for this article to Colin Stoner at the Birmingham Post

Back to previous page