Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Replay
The Scholars Ground
Tuesday 24th September 2019

On a dramatic evening when those watching from the sidelines experienced the full spectrum of footballing emotions Leamington dug deep to somehow emerge victorious from an FA Cup replay they had been seconds from losing.

It could be argued that Chasetown had used their get out of jail card on Saturday having come back from two goals and a man down to set up this replay, but amidst the euphoria among the travelling contingent at full time it was difficult not to feel a little sympathy for the gallant Scholars, who during the 90 minutes particularly had just seemed to want it that little bit more, and looked set to go through courtesy of a truly stunning goal from Will Whieldon, only to have victory ripped from their grasp.

Paul Holleran was forced into at least one change from Saturday as Gift Mussa replaced the injured Callum Gittings, while Alex Melbourne, sent off for his challenge that put the Brakes midfielder out of action, started for the hosts. Ravi Shamsi stepped in for Kaiman Anderson to make his first start for Leamington as Holleran looked for his side to take the game to their hosts, and for the opening few minutes it looked as though they might just do so, but the game soon settled into an unpleasant pattern that made for uncomfortable viewing for those in the crowd from Warwickshire.

Heavy rain for large parts of the day did not look to have affected the playing surface at Church Street, and an expectant home crowd filed in hoping to see their side pull of another upset.

Chasetown almost hit the front with their first shot of the game, George Cater’s effort producing an unbelievable save from Jake Weaver who somehow pushed the ball onto the post and away when it looked to heading into the net.

Brakes tried to get Shamsi running at the home defence, Jack Edwards setting up his team mate for a low drive along the wet turf that was straight at keeper Curtis Pond, who claimed the ball at the second attempt with Kieran Dunbar charging in looking to capitalise.

Two blocked shots led to the first of a number of corners for the home side, who looked dangerous almost every time they moved forward, while Leamington seemed to lack ideas at times, and were frustratingly surrendering possession with alarming frequency.

Shamsi’s rising drive proved simple for Pond, while at the opposite end Chasetown skipper Ryan Wynter, who had headed the equaliser on Saturday, sent in another good effort from a half cleared corner which Weaver held under his crossbar.

The home side were clearly looking to play Leamington at their own game and Pond plucked a corner kick out of the sky to set up a swift counter attack with a quick kick out to the right wing, with Cieron Keane forced to take one for the team and receive a caution for a late challenge.

There was an air of despondency as Brakes gifted the ball back to their opponents when they had a chance to break, resulting in another shot to the near post that was eventually gathered by Weaver.

The sense of inevitability that seems to haunt Leamington’s games in the FA Cup was heightened further when Chasetown moved ahead four minutes before half time, Whieldon connecting with a blistering first time strike as a corner was half cleared to him some 25 yards from goal, the ball thundering into the top corner to the delight of the home crowd.

The travelling support clung on to the hope that some inspired words from the manager would see Leamington emerge a different side in the second half, and although Joe Clarke thumped a shot well wide and a neat move across the edge of the Chasetown penalty area saw Josh March curl a strike into the arms of Pond, the pattern of the game remained the same.

Anderson replaced Dunbar in an attempt to freshen things up, Edwards saw a shot deflected behind for a corner while Jack Langston shot straight at Jake Weaver. March looked to be through on goal when Keane played him in with a delightful pass, but the striker appeared to hesitate momentarily, and Pond scrambled to the edge of his box to claim the ball.

The evening looked to be going from bad to worse when Clarke marked his 100th appearance for the club with a straight red card, apparently for dissent. Cater attempted to capitalise but saw his shot deflected behind as Chasetown attempted to go for the jugular. They received a huge let off when a free kick into their six yard box saw Wynter smash his clearance against a team mate, the ball looping out for a corner kick.

The sides were level at ten a piece with around eight minutes remaining when Lewis Riley-Stewart, who had been impressive again in central defence for the hosts, received a second yellow card and followed Clarke off for an early shower.

Cater was booked as he trudged off the pitch having been substituted with Chasetown seemingly seeing out what remained of the game, but somehow deep into added time Leamington found the resolve they needed to save themselves, March running on to a through ball to scuff a shot under the despairing Pond into the net to the disbelief but utter delight of the travelling support behind the goal.

The home support, particularly those on the main stand side of the ground who had been mercilessly barracking any Leamington player who came near them, suddenly went very quiet, and you sensed that maybe there might be more drama to come.

Chasetown almost regained the lead early in extra time when Levi Reid’s free kick took a deflection which saw the ball clatter back off the crossbar.

The hard working Mussa was forced off which meant an unexpected first appearance in a while for coach Tom James, who relished the opportunity to pull his boots on again, almost playing March in with a fine ball forward.

As extra time moved into the second half it was apparent that while both sides looked dead on their feet, there were gaps starting to appear in the previous infallible Chasetown defence. March almost found an opening when he connected first time with Jack Lane’s left wing cross, sending the ball fizzing across goal and just wide of the upright.

Wynter was a relieved man again when he got away with another wild miskick in his own six yard box, but Chasetown’s luck seemed to have run out with just three minutes remaining when Jack Lane cut inside to fire in a shot that took at least two deflections off tired defenders to wrongfoot Pond and nestle in the back of the net.

The travelling support couldn’t quite believe what they were seeing, but there were still several more nail biting moments to suffer before they were able to celebrate properly, Weaver needing to make at least one fine save as Chasetown rained shots in on his goal.

The final blast on the Referees’ whistle signalled utter delight from players and fans alike as the dejected Chasetown players sank to the turf. They probably didn’t deserve to lose, but it is Brakes who will host National League North rivals Darlington in the next round. What a night!

Attendance: 339

Chasetown: Curtis Pond, Alex Melbourne, Alex Curtis, Levi Reid (16 Bradley Carr, 100), Ryan Wynter ©, Lewis Riley-Stewart, George Cater (15 Callum Lovatt, 90), Jack Langston, Liam Kirton (12 Kieran Brown, 90), William Whieldon, Joe Brown (14 Danny Cocks, 70).

Subs not used: 13 Charlie Baker.

Leamington: Jake Weaver, James Mace, Cieran Keane (14 Junior English, 79), Joe Clarke, Jamie Hood, Jack Lane, Kieran Dunbar (12 Kaiman Anderson, 54), Gift Mussa (16 Tom James, 100), Josh March, Jack Edwards, Ravi Shamsi (15 Connor Taylor, 71).

Subs not used: 13 Ben Newey.

Referee: Mr Andrew Humphries

Assistant Referees: Mr James Cox & Mr Ashley Clarke

Brakes Man of the Match: Jack Lane.