Leamington FC Academy secured a win in the first round of the AOC league cup by beating Cirencester College 2-0 at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium.

The game started frantically with both teams looking to assert their dominance, but after 10 minutes Leamington began to settle into the game, got the ball down and started to play some excellent football.

Reece Rawlings grabbed the opener mid-way through the first half from the penalty spot to send Leamington into the lead, before striker Billy Gatfield doubled Brakes’ advantage before half-time.

Leamington FC Football Academy is run in partnership with WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group), and based at Moreton Morrell College.

Coach Kieran Dunbar said: “We were extremely pleased with the performance.

“We have come a long way since the first week of the season in a very short space of time and this performance shows exactly that.

“Everything we have been working on in training was evident on the pitch today. Tactically the boys got it spot on and adapted really well in the game to ensure we were able to get the win and move on to the next round.

“The lads have set themselves a very high standard now and it’s important we aim to continue building and improving on this.”

Wingers Jake Bradley and Liam Walsh started the game well and proved a threat to the Cirencester backline, troubling the back four on numerous occasions.

Walsh was responsible for creating Leamington’s first goal. He received the ball and played a quick one-two with Gatfield, who was fouled and awarded a penatlty.

Leamington captain Rawlings stepped up to take the penalty sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and slotted it into the bottom right corner.

Cirencester looked to respond but were unable to capitalise on a defensive error, with Leamington goalkeeper Joshua Bryan thwarting the striker who was through on goal.

Brakes looked to regain control and did so through the electric wing-play of Bradley. The left sided player beat his man and pulled the ball back to Gatfield and the striker calmly side- footed the ball into the roof of the net for Leamington’s second of the evening.

A late first-half scare saw centre-back Luca Cardelino spring into action with an excellent block to ensure his side kept their two-goal advantage.

Cirencester started the second half on the front foot but were unable to create any clear-cut chances.

Midfielders Ryan Unitt, Tyler Bradley and Joshua Allen worked tirelessly moving side to side on the pitch ensuring there was no way through, backed up by fantastic defensive play from full-backs Ollie Wilkes and Reece Myatt.

Leamington made five changes in the second half and the fresh legs were a key factor in pushing the home side to victory and moving Brakes into the next round of the cup.

The next set of trials to join the academy will be taking place on Monday, October 28 and Friday, November 1 at Moreton Morrell College. To sign-up contact Mark Fogarty at mark.fog@hotmail.co.uk or on 07564 926231.

For more information about upcoming trials for the Leamington FC Academy visit www.wcg.ac.uk/leamingtonfc