Harrogate Town’s first visit to Leamington ended in a hard fought 2-1 victory.
The tall,physical Leamington side,playing with a strong breeze at their backs subjected Town to a first half aerial assault.
Shane Killock made a vital block to cut out Danny Newton’s dangerous cross after he had been sent clear by Lee Chilton.
But it was Clinton who created an opportunity for Town by conceding a free kick,but the giant Liam Daly was on hand to head clear from Dave Merris.
On twenty minutes,Leamington took the lead when Killock failed to cut out a lofted cross and Newton shot past Craig MacGillivary from close range.
Another Merris free kick found Steve Mallory but his low cross was claimed by Tony Breeden at the foot of the post.
However,ten minutes before the break,Breeden was beaten as Ashley Worsfold turned in a cross from new loan signing from Lincoln City,Adi Yussuf.
Yussuf made way for Chris Hall at the break and Town began to apply pressure immediately, with Hall heading across goal and Mallory having a powerful shot blocked by the defence.
Leamington hit back strongly with Josh Hawker firing at MacGillivray and Killock and Matt Heath making last ditch blocks to keep the scores level.
Cleveland Taylor and Conor Sellars replaced Mallory and Worsfold and Town began to play some excellent football.
A superb cross field pass by Adam Nowakowski almost played in Taylor,but he was beaten to the ball by the onrushing Breeden.
Jahmal Smith was the next to try his luck with a fine run and shot which was deflected for a corner.
But Town were not to be denied and with only ten minutes left the ball rebounded off the back of Ryan Higgins into the path of Adam Bolder and Conor Sellars was the first to react to head home his centre.
The “Brakes” seemed devoid of ideas and relied on pumping high balls into the Town defence and Harrogate had no difficulty in lasting out for a good win.
Leamington 1 Harrogate Town 2
Town
1 MacGillivray, 2 Samuels, 3 Merris, 4 Bolder, 5 Heath, 6 Killock, 7 Mallory (Taylor 58 mins), 8 Nowarkowski, 9 Worsfold (Sellars 65), 10 Smith, 11 Yussuf (Hall 45).
Unused subs, 14 Nelthorpe, 16 Bloomer. Bookings nil
Scorers, Worsfold 34, Sellars 79. Att.608
By John Harrison.
