Holleran predicting a tough start for Leamington

Leamington manager Paul Holleran believes any complacency the club may have felt ahead of the Southern League Premier Division campaign has been banished by their opening four fixtures.
Paul Holleran says the opening four league fixtures will give Leamington a good gauge of how the season will pan out. Picture: Morris TroughtonPaul Holleran says the opening four league fixtures will give Leamington a good gauge of how the season will pan out. Picture: Morris Troughton
Paul Holleran says the opening four league fixtures will give Leamington a good gauge of how the season will pan out. Picture: Morris Troughton

Brakes begin their bid to gain promotion back to the Conference at the first attempt with a home clash against Chesham United on August 8.

Holleran’s side then travels to St Neots Town the following Tuesday before a visit to Histon and a home clash with Kettering complete a hectic opening period.

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And Holleran, speaking immediately after the release of the fixture list this morning, said they could not have had a much more testing start.

He said: “You get a bit of a buzz when the fixtures come out.

“Three of the first four teams we play will be looking to get promotion themselves.

“It’s going to be a good gauge of where we need to be.

“Chesham we’ve battled with for years, St Neots were 90 minutes from promotion and with Histon you don’t know what to expect.

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“Kettering will have ambitions to win the league. It’s a tough start.

“Sometimes you drop down a division and people look at you as favourites (to go straight back up).

“But the Southern League is a strong league. We did exceptionally well to win it last time.”

“We’ll need to be at it straight away to be where we want to be.”

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Other highlights from the fixture list include a trip to Bedworth United on Boxing Day and a derby clash at home to Stratford Town on January 2.

The return clash with Town is on Monday March 28.

Leamington will complete their campaign at home to Hungerford Town on April 23.

Brakes, who beat Racing Club Warwick 4-1 in midweek, continue their pre-season campaign on Saturday with a trip to Northern Premier League outfit Rushall Olympic.

 Leamington have been drawn at home to Bishops Cleeve in the first round of the Red Insure Cup.

The tie will be played in the week commencing October 12.

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