Football VAVEL

Leamington vs Farsley Celtic: How to watch, kick off time, team news, predicted lineups and ones to watch

Leamington host Farsley Celtic in the opening game of the Vanarama National League North, as Paul Holleran's side look to upset the bookies who are tipping them for relegation.

Leamington vs Farsley Celtic: How to watch, kick off time, team news, predicted lineups and ones to watch
Leamington will look to player of the season Dan Meredith to ignite the Brakes' season. (Photo courtesy of Glenn Alcock)
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By Max Passantino

Leamington will be looking to start their season with a strong performance as Farsley Celtic make the trip from West Yorkshire for the opener in the Vanarama National League North.

Paul Holleran's Brakes are yet to win at home following pre-season, however their three friendlies at Your Co-op Community Stadium included Coventry City's first team and Walsall's first team, along with Aston Villa's u23s which featured first teamers. 

There were a trio of wins away from home though, as Boldmere St Michaels, Halesowen Town and Stratford Town were defeated by Warwickshire's highest ranked side.

Farsley Celtic have also emerged victorious in three of their pre-season games, losing the other three - most recently a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Scunthorpe United.

  • Team news

Paul Holleran announced five additions to his squad, with Callum Hawkins joining on loan from Burton Albion, Ben Usher-Shipway from Solihull Moors, centre back Theo Streete from AFC Telford United, former Leamington loan man Alex Prosser arriving from Brackley and most recently former Newport County man Louis Hall.

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Leamington will be without Callum Gittings who joined Stourbridge, Jake Weaver who has gone to Rushall Olympic, Joe Parker who's work commitments forced him to move further south to Chippenham Town and youngster duo Manny Olaloko and Josh Beeson who have joined Alvechurch and Atherstone Town. Paul Holleran also confirmed that they are battling injuries and won't be full strength for this encounter.

Saturday's visitors have also made changes to their squad in the summer with Max Dearnley their latest signing. The 6ft5 custodian joined after impressing on trial against FC Halifax Town in pre-season. 38 year old former Doncaster Rovers captain Andy Butler also joined to steady the ship defensively for the Celt Army, a crucial aim for Butler's former teammate Russ Wilcox who is now in the dugout at The Citadel.

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  • Predicted lineups

Leamington: Hawkins, Meredith, Hall, Walker, Mace, Lane, Kelly-Evans, Maye, Turner, Edwards, Cook

Farsley Celtic: Dearnley, Turner, Clayton, Butler, Butroid, Atkinson, Hornshaw, Parkin, Gratton, Mulhern, Spencer

  • Ones to watch

Voted not only fans' player of the season, but also players' player of the season - Dan Meredith will be looking to impress again at Your Co-op Community Stadium this season. 

The former Scottish youth international made 49 starts last season for the Brakes, with the right back being included in various National League North team of the season selections. 

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Frank Mulhern is a well known name in the National League North and joined the Celts in February last campaign. The former Stockport man will spearhead the Celtic attack this season.

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  • Previous meeting

A shock was on the cards last time the two sides met, with Leamington falling to a 1-0 defeat to Farsley on a Tuesday night towards the back end of last season.

Luke Parkin capitalised on a goalkeeper error by Jake Weaver early on to seal all three crucial points points helping the Celt Army's battle against relegation.

  • What the managers have said

Leamington manager Paul Holleran told Leamington's media team after their win against Stratford Town that it will be "a really hard challenge against Farsley. We've got two training sessions to prepare for that test."

Russ Wilcox instantly mentioned Leamington's style of play to Farsley's YouTube channel, saying "it'll be a really tough game. We know how they're going to play, they are direct - this league's a tough league and we'll have to play that way sometimes too."

There was also praise for Holleran from Wilcox, as the Celt Army manager said "They've got an excellent manager in Paul, (he's a) good guy as well - a real football man."

  • How to watch

There will be no live stream of this National League North fixture, but live commentary is available on BrakesLiveFM with Shaun Cashmore making his debut as lead commentator.

Kick off at Your Co-op Community Stadium is 3pm.