Devasting Moore gives Brakes back-to-back wins

A devastating display of finishing from Stefan Moore earned Leamington back-to-back wins for the first time this season, writes Paul Edwards.

They warmed up for the long trip to early pacesetters Barrow with a commanding performance at the New Windmill Ground although the scoreline 
was possibly a little harsh on visitors Gloucester City who didn’t play badly themselves.

It did highlight just how invaluable a proven goalscorer can be at any level of the game, though.

Brakes made a similar start to the one at Stalybridge, moving play quickly and attacking their visitors.

Moore thumped an early header against the barandSam Avery prevented Danny Newton from latching onto the loose ball.

Tom Webb then stung the palms of Neil Collett, the Leamington keeper parrying the powerful drive into the air before safely claiming the ball.

Aron Wint was left holding his head in his hands after he side footed a first-time shot inches over the bar as Moore pulled a great cross back to his team-mate inside the box.

The opener arrived with 12 minutes played, Moore showing his trademark calmness as he latched on to a pass down the left, waltzed past Mike Green and slotted the ball into the empty net from an acute angle.

Gloucester were inadvertently handed an opportunity to level when Collett, hurried into clearing a backpass outside his area, sliced his clearance into the path of Charlie Griffin.

But he was unable to add to his five goals this season as he fired into the side netting with the goal at his mercy.

Brakes built on this slice of good fortune. Moore had a curling effort blocked seemingly by the arm of Matt Williams and tried his luck again with a lob that dropped just over the bar.

They were handed a two -goal cushion to take into half-time when the unfortunate Mark Preece fired Goddard’s left wing cross past his own keeper in first half injury time.

Buoyed by their helping hand, Leamington extended their advantage three minutes into the second half as Moore outpaced the Gloucester defence to a ball played up the right, muscled past Preece and beat him for speed before curling a shot around Green into the far corner.

The visitors weren’t finished, however, and scored arguably the goal of the game eight minutes later when Adam Connolly latched on to a half clearance to loop a superb volley over Collett and under the bar.

Batchelor, growing into the Conference North with every game, lifted a shot just over the bar while Newton was almost rewarded for chasing a lost cause but struck the legs of keeper Green.

Gloucester substitute Elliott Chamberlain headed well wide from a good position and Collett saved Matt Groves’ low, curling effort but the game was effectively put out of reach for the visitors with 20 minutes remaining.

Goddard’s driving run from halfway saw him slip a pass to his left for Moore 
who completed his hat-trick with a sublime first-time curling shot into the far corner.

Goddard saw a low drive from 30 yards gathered safely by Green but Leamington had the points wrapped up by the this stage, and can travel to Cumbria on Saturday in good spirits on the back of two impressive performances.

Leamington: Neil Collett, James Mace, Stephan Morley, Joe Magunda, Stuart Pierpoint, Jamie Tank, Aron Wint (Matt Dodd 73), Jordan Goddard, Stefan Moore (Lee Moore 83), Danny Newton, Richard Batchelor (Jack Edwards 69). Subs not used: 16 Luke Connolly, 17 David McNamee.

Gloucester City: Mike Green, Sam Avery, Billy Jones, Mark Preece (Mike Green 55), Matt Williams, Adam Connolly, Tom Webb, Chris Jones (Scott Wilson 64), Charlie Griffin, Adam Mann (Elliott Chamberlain 55), Matt Groves.

Attendance: 457