Vanarama League North side Leamington FC stand between Witton Albion and a place in the Buildbase FA Challenge Trophy First Round, when the two sides meet in the final qualifying stage on Saturday afternoon at The Phillips 66 Community Stadium. Witton have already surpassed last season’s campaign which was halted at the very first hurdle by fellow Evo-Stik Premier Division side Workington. Both teams go into the game in good form with Witton winning three of their last four games and keeping clean sheets in the last two, whilst Leamington have won their previous three league games. The two clubs have met once before in the FA Trophy back in 1983/84 at the Central Ground but our opponents were then playing under a former name - AP Leamington and the Midlands club prevailed on that occasion, beating Witton 4-3. The club have long had connections with the automotive industry in the past but and are known as “The Brakes.” Leamington FC currently sit tenth in the Vanarama League North table but have yet to feature in the Buildbase FA Challenge Trophy due to being exempt until the Third Qualifying Round of the competition. Witton have performed well in cup competitions against higher-ranked opposition so far this season accounting for Spennymoor Town & FC United of Manchester already in the Emirates FA Challenge Cup so will not be fearful of competing against another team from the same division again. Leamington FC’s last three victories have all been tight affairs and won by the odd goal, two of them being decided in the last ten minutes. So this game will be keenly contested and who’s to say that Witton can’t reach the first round proper for the second time in three seasons. Kick off at The Phillips 66 Community Stadium is 3pm.
LEAMINGTON FC,
THE PHILLIPS 66 COMMUNITY STADIUM,
HARBURY LANE,
BISHOP’S TACHBROOK,
LEAMINGTON SPA,
WARWICKSHIRE,
CV33 9QB.
Directions: From North: Take M42 to Junction 3A and travel southbound on M40. Exit M40 at Junction 14 and follow A452 towards Leamington. Continue straight on at 1st roundabout to next roundabout. Take the 2nd exit A452 (Europa Way) towards Leamington. At next roundabout, take the 4th exit (Harbury Lane) signposted Harbury & Bishops Tachbrook. At roundabout, take the 3rd exit and continue on Harbury Lane. At traffic lights, continue straight ahead into Harbury Lane. Stadium is on the left after 1.5 miles. (Total Distance - 101.5 miles).
Parking: There is a fair sized Car Park at the ground, which holds 350 cars and is free. Please make sure though that for the bigger games that you arrive at the ground early, as once this car park is full there is no street parking available near to the stadium. Also take care on exiting the stadium car park onto the main road, as local traffic tends to race along it.
Admission Prices: Adults £12, Over 60’s £8, Students (with NUS Card) £6, Under 18’s £3, Under 12’s Admitted Free.
Matchday Programme: £2.50
Social Club: The Social Club is at the Harbury Lane End of the stadium. The bar is open from 1pm. Please note: Alcohol is NOT permitted inside the stadium for this fixture due to FA regulations.
Refreshments: The Tea Bar is in the corner of the stadium near to the Social Club.
Travel Information: There is a Supporters coach departing from The Clocktower at 11am. Please contact: Jim Powell on 07760 482922 for further details.
Additional Information: The Clocktower have agreed to open at 9am on Saturday morning and will be serving full english breakfast at a cost of £5. These must be pre ordered and orders no later than Thursday. Please contact: Jim Powell on 07760 482922.
Should the game be drawn after normal time, the replay is scheduled to be played on Tuesday, 27th November at Wincham Park with a 7.45pm kick off where the game will be played to a finish with extra time and penalties if required.