Report

Birmingham Senior Cup Semi Final
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Wednesday 20th March 2019

Brakes ensured that the final of the Birmingham Senior Cup would be an all Warwickshire affair as they stormed back from a half time deficit to beat a young Aston Villa side on a memorable night at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium.

Early strikes from Junior English and Colby Bishop were the catalyst for an entertaining second half after Leamington had enjoyed plenty of possession but trailed at the break to a well worked goal from the Villa youngsters. However, they found their range in the second half and could have added to their tally as they booked an end of season date with county rivals Nuneaton Borough.

With all of his recent signings cup tied manager Paul Holleran’s options were limited, but he was able to welcome back Jack Edwards after suspension, while Connor Taylor started his first game for some time after a niggling injury, and was extremely lively early on. Callum Gittings was also on the bench again having recovered from injury, along with young Academy starlet Connor Carson.

Mark Delaney’s side started brightly, moving the ball around well, and capitalised on being allowed to play the game at their own pace by opening the scoring on ten minutes. Bradley Burton was allowed to bend the ball into the penalty area from an almost central position to the right of goal, and Aaron Pressley cushioned a well placed header wide of Tony Breeden into the far corner, a very well worked goal but a poor one to concede from the hosts perspective.

Brakes looked sluggish, but soon began to show signs of life. Colby Bishop was a constant thorn in Villa’s side all evening, and he dispossessed Dominic Revan before seeing his shot blocked behind for a corner.

Taylor looked as though he had a point to prove against the club where began his career, and received the ball before taking a touch and driving low at goalkeeper Matija Sarkic. He then picked up a half cleared corner and crashed in a first time drive that was deflected just over the bar.

The visitors looked to have engineered an opportunity to double their lead when they went three on one following a swift break from what looked a high footed challenge on Ahmed Obeng, but Cameron Archer screwed his shot well wide.

Bishop then broke up the left for Leamington, cutting back inside and finding Reece Flanagan who sent a powerful drive whistling past the upright.

The sense of frustration at half time that Leamington hadn’t quite found their rhythm, but the home support would soon have something to cheer. Bishop came very close early on when he hooked in a shot that bounced off the inside of the post and acros goal.

Edwards and Flanagan made rather a mess of another attack before Mungo Bridge went into the Referee’s notebook for pulling back Obeng as he skated past him on the right. Flanagan delivered the free kick into the box and it wasn’t dealt with by the young Villains, Jamie Hood miscuing a shot across goal that was met at the far post by the sliding Junior English to level things up.

The momentum was firmly with Brakes now, Edwards crashing in a powerful effort that was held claimed at the second attempt by Sarkic. Confusion reigned as a second ball appeared on the pitch, and as the crowd focussed on the game again Flanagan whipped in a dangerous cross that was met by an unmarked Jamie Hood at the far post, who much to his frustration miscontrolled the ball from a glorious position.

There was little time to dwell on that however, as the visitors gave away a corner, Flanagan’s delivery perfect for Bishop to rise at the near post and power a header across goal into the net to the delight of a packed Harbury Lane End.

Now in the ascendancy Leamington looked to add to their tally, a quick throw in catching Villa napping and Flanagan driving a low shot just wide, while substitute Connor Gudger headed a bouncing throw in from English inches wide.

The visitors were presented with a couple of chances to fashion a leveller late on but Brakes stood firm to reach their second final in three seasons.

Attendance: 512

Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Junior English, Jack Lane, Joe Clarke, Jamie Hood, James Mace, Connor Taylor (12 Connor Gudger, 62), Reece Flanagan, Colby Bishop, Jack Edwards (15 Connor Carson, 89), Ahmed Obeng (14 Callum Gittings, 79).

Subs not used: GK Ben Newey, 16 Tom James.

Aston Villa: Matija Sarkic, Bradley Burton, Mungo Bridge (12 Colin Odutayo, 64), Isaiah Bazeley-Graham, Dominic Revan, Lewis Brunt, Jake Walker, Jack Clarke © (15 Jack Birch, 84), Kelsey Mooney, Aaron Pressley, Cameron Archer (16 Charlie Farr, 76).

Subs not used: GK Sam Meek, 14 Michael Tait.

Referee: Mr Scott Tallis

Assistant Referees: Mr Harley McKittrick & Mr Mitch Cartwright

Brakes Man of the Match: Colby Bishop.