Report

Brakes eased into their second Birmingham Senior Cup Semi Final in three seasons as they comfortably despatched a young West Bromwich Albion side at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium.

The Black Country club had ended Leamington’s run as holders of the competition in the First Round last season, but here current Brakes loanee Sam Wilding captained a visiting side made up mainly of Under 18’s players with the Baggies’ Under 23 side due to play on Wednesday, and while the youngsters showed plenty of good touches and movement throughout as you would expect, they were put to the sword by some clinical finishing as Paul Holleran’s side followed up their convincing win over Altrincham in the league ten days ago with another good display.

The visitors were the first to show, Julian Lamy making space before firing a low shot into the arms of Tony Breeden, while a Leamington free kick on the left sailed over everyone in a crowded penalty area.

Jamie Hood prevented Lamy from opening the scoring with a very well timed challenge as the striker went through on goal, the ball ending up back with Breeden.

Jack Edwards was deployed in a slightly different role to normal, and appeared to enjoy his evening as he bagged two goals. His first chance saw a left wing corner given away by the visitors, Edwards winning the header but directing it just past the post as keeper Ben Pierce left his line but failed to claim the ball.

The midfielder’s next effort was spectacular. Ahmed Obeng did well to keep possession but had to turn back towards his own goal, Reece Flanagan losing it in midfield but it rolled kindly for Edwards, who from fully 30 yards connected with a thunderous first time strike that looked to be rising into the roof of the net only to be denied by a very good save from Pierce, who tipped the ball onto the bar and over. The young goalkeeper almost blotted his copybook from the resulting corner, punching the ball onto the roof of the net.

Edwards was not to be denied however and his next effort found the back of the net to open the scoring on 34 minutes, the ball falling nicely for him on the edge of the box as Breeden’s free kick into the box was only half cleared to drive a low effort beyond Pierce.

The same player had Leamington’s next opportunity, heading just over the bar as Colby Bishop headed a right wing corner into his path.

Connor Taylor unfortunately had to substituted after a hard but fair challenge saw him land heavily, but Bishop raised spirits again as he extended Leamington’s lead right on half time, Edwards heading Jamie Hood’s free kick from just past half way into his path, the striker controlling and shooting low into the net.

Edwards thought he had added a third before the half time whistle as he met Bishop’s lofted cross from the left at the far post, but was flagged offside. He was on target again 10 minutes into the second half however. Junior English’s right wing centre was not cleared by the Albion defence, Obeng, rising to head it back towards goal where it was helped on by Bishop to Edwards, who hit his shot into the ground and past Pierce from just outside the six yard box. He appeared to expect an offside flag, but the goal stood.

West Brom’s youngsters forced a good save from Breeden as Lamy drove forward and found Callum Morton, who spread play wide to the right and substitute Stanley Asomugha, who returned the ball low to his team mate inside the box only for the attempt to be blocked by Breeden at his near post. Asomugha forced another save from the Leamington captain soon afterwards with a driving run into the box and a powerful shot from a very tight angle which Breeden parried up and away from goal.

With 25 minutes remaining young Academy prospect Connor Carson was introduced for his first team debut, to the delight of a large group of his friends behind the goal. Having scored 18 goals in 12 games for Brakes’ Under 18’s been training with the first team along with many of his team mates. His every touch was cheered to the rafters, particularly when a neat trick took him past his marker on the right. A confident young man for sure, who on this showing may well be one to watch in the future.

Albion pulled a goal back with 14 minutes to play, good work again from Lamy saw him find substitute Alex Gilbert in the centre, and he confidently stroked his shot past Breeden, but the glimmer of hope lasted only 7 minutes. Leamington moved the ball forward quickly, Reece Flanagan reading the run of Bishop between two defenders and finding him with a superb through ball. Bishop’s run was halted just inside the box by Pierce, who as last man brought him down but was spared an early bath by Referee Alan Cox. Bishop stepped up and found the bottom corner from the spot despite Pierce getting a hand to the ball.

Attendance: 211

Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Junior English, Connor Gudger (15 Connor Carson, 65), Reece Flanagan, Jamie Hood, Jack Lane, Connor Taylor (12 Callum Gittings, 41), Jack Edwards (16 Joe Clarke, 70), Colby Bishop, Ahmed Obeng, James Bowen.

Subs not used: 14 James Mace, GK Ben Newey.

West Bromwich Albion: Ben Pierce, Aksum White (12 Stanley Asomugha, 46), Zak Delaney, Peter Taylor, Kevin Healy, Max Melbourne, Sam Wilding ©, Eoin Ashton, Callum Morton (15 Toby King, 85), Julian Lamy, Nick Clayton-Phillips (16 Alex Gilbert, 73).

Subs not used: 13 Brad House, 14 Carrick Hill.

Referee: Mr Alan Cox

Assistant Referees: Mr Callum Fisk & Mr Fabio Greenwood

Brakes Man of the Match: Jack Edwards.