Report

FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Saturday 31st October 2015

Brakes cruised into the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy with an accomplished display against Barwell at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium.

Paul Holleran had lamented that his side had not been clinical enough in their previous two league games against Paulton Rovers and Redditch United, but was delighted with the response as they rediscovered their goalscoring touch in spectacular fashion.

The visitors may well have had their minds on a forthcoming FA Cup 1st Round tie against Welling United next weekend, but this should not detract from Leamington's own performance as they racked up their biggest win in this competition since a 6-0 hammering of Boston back in 1982.

Jack Edwards and Jamie Hood were both facing their former club for the first time, and it was evident that neither were in the mood to finish on the losing side. Edwards played Ben Mackey clear early on, the striker's second touch of the ball favouring Canaries keeper Liam Castle, who got there first to claim.

The visitors had looked the brighter side in the opening minutes as Brakes survived a possible handball as the ball was played into the penalty area, but after this the home side seized control. Edwards started and finished the move that led to the opening goal, playing a pass over Barwell right back Callum Woodward for Lee Chilton to tear onto. The livewire winger, who tormented the visiting defence all afternoon, drove into the area before firing the ball across goal, where Edwards had sprinted to the far post to drive a shot across Castle into the net.

Tony Breeden was forced into his only real save of the match shortly after this, getting down well to save a well struck shot.

Hood produced his usual polished performance at the back, getting in well to prevent what could have been a free header for the visitors at the far post before his team mates turned the screw at the other end as the half hour mark approached. Castle was only able to half punch the ball away from his goal after it was played into the box following a throw on the right, and Edwards headed it back across for Chilton to steer a shot into the empty net with the outside of his left boot.

Six minutes later and Leamington were in unchartered territory as they went three goals ahead. Ross Oulton did superbly to stay on his feet as he was challenged inside the box on the right, and it paid off as he delivered the ball into the centre, where Ben Mackey launched himself at it to head home.

The confidence was seeping through the team now, and some great combination play between Edwards and Chilton saw the latter play the ball just behind Mackey as he charged into the box. Chilton then played Mackey in on the left with a cheeky backheel, the striker drawing a good save from Castle with a powerful curving drive.

Edwards saw an early second half header held by Castle as Leamington gradually got back into their rhythm again. The fourth goal arrived on 66 minutes out of nowhere, Mackey receiving the ball with his back to goal on the right, almost on the touchline. The angle was still against him as he turned his man superbly before rifling an unstoppable effort almost through the eye of a needle into the far corner before Castle had chance to move - a fantastic goal.

Edwards was in the right place to inadvertently block a header from Barwell substitute Iyseden Christie before Barwell grabbed a goal back, Anthony Carney sweeping home Nigel Julien's right wing cross. Any hopes of a late comeback were thwarted inside the final ten minutes however as Leamington struck twice more.

Pouring forward once more, Edwards almost played Chilton clear, but substitute Will Green picked up the ball on the left inside the box and found his team mate again, Chilton firing in a  first time shot that Castle got a strong hand to, but could not prevent the goal as the ball looped into the net.

Green then got in on the action himself, rounding off the scoring when he was played in on goal, doing well to hold off a defender before sliding the ball past the beleaguered Castle.

Holleran was understandably delighted with the display, saying 'The main difference between today and the last couple of games is that we were more clinical in and around the box. Our attacking players did ever so well, especially in the first half. Chilton, Mackey, Edwards and Ross Oulton were really on the front foot.

'Barwell are a decent side. Possibly one or two of them might have had their minds on next week but that shouldn't take anything away from our boys today. It was a good performance, a good victory and we're delighted to be in the hat for the next round draw on Monday.'

Attendance: 291

Leamington: Tony Breeden, James Fry, Connor Gudger (12 Rob Ogleby, 46), Joe Magunda (15 Jamie Tank, 75), Jamie Hood, James Mace, Ross Oulton, Richard Taundry, Ben Mackey (14 Will Green, 77), Jack Edwards, Lee Chilton.

Subs not used: 16 Lee Moore, GK Eddie Caviezel-Cox.

Barwell: Liam Castle, Callum Woodward, Eddie Nisivec (15 Liam Kay, 24), Jordan Wakeling, Declan Towers, Richard Lavery © , Alex Tomlinson (17 Brady Hickey, 53), Cameron Powell (14 Iyseden Christie, 46), Jamie Towers, Nigel Julien, Anthony Carney.

Subs not used: 12 Scott Lower, 16 Danny Gaunt.

Referee: Mr Dan Middleton

Assistant Referees: Mr Kieran Hatfield & Mr Trevor Sharratt

Brakes Man of the Match: Lee Chilton.