HARRIERS were held to a goalless draw by Leamington in Aggborough's first National League North clash of 2022-23 on Saturday. 

The Reds dominated the vast majority of the afternoon but were left to rue a rut of missed chances, from a saved penalty, two clatters of the woodwork and plenty more other strong saves from visiting custodian Callum Hawkins.

The Brakes defended resolutely throughout and in, in turn, put in a defensive showing that that warranted something by way of reward as they kept the home side at bay.

In sweltering hot conditions, Harriers flew out of the traps and almost netted after just over a minute - Hemmings letting fly from fully 30 yards and forcing Hawkins into a solid low stop.

Caleb Richards supplied the ammunition with ten minutes on the clock as he lifted a cross into the box that Tom Owen-Evans met for the first of his many chances of the afternoon, the Number 7 firing over.

A superb double-stop from Hawkins four minutes later displayed the custodian's qualities. First, he threw himself at Ceesay's distance effort - the ball falling to Foulkes who promptly levelled it back where it had come from, Hawkins repositioning to save from the other direction.

Dan Turner kept Tom Palmer alert at the other end with 20 minutes played, Harriers countering in a matter of seconds, Ceesay fouled by Hawkins to the award of of a penalty. Hemmings stepped up, but Hawkins again did the honours and kept the ball out with a strong palm.

Hawkins denied Hemmings once more before being beaten by a low Owen-Evans drive - only for his post to intervene and deny Harriers an opener.

After the restart, Palmer tipped a good Turner header over the bar before Harriers edged back into the ascendancy, Hawkins saving from Hemmings and Owen-Evans.

Arguably the best Leamington chance of the day saw Lane's effort met by Palmer - all this coming before the hour. Seven after it, the woodwork came to Leamington's rescue again as Owen-Evans was once more at the point of the attack, his drilled, angled effort pinging off the foot of the far post.

Sub Ethan Freemantle showed great speed to turn on the ball on 76 minutes but saw his shot pull wide of the post, Gabby Rogers then hitting over before the final chance of the afternoon, on 90 minutes, saw the electric Ceesay set up Rogers once more, whose firm effort smacked agonisingly wide.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS