Buildbase FA Trophy 2nd Round
King George’s Field (Corinthian Casuals FC)
Saturday 11th January 2020

It was perhaps symbolic of the day as a whole that Brakes were denied progress to the last 16 of the FA Trophy by a something of a freak last minute equaliser, but nevertheless they maintain their interest in the competition ahead of the draw on Monday.

Leamington had gone ahead with a rather fortunate goal themselves eleven minutes into the second half, but the Isthmian League side piled on the pressure in the closing stages and got their reward at the death.

Skipper Jack Edwards headed an early chance over the bar and the lively Dexter Walters saw two shots blocked as he danced into penalty area, while fellow Coventry City loanee Callum Maycock saw his strike from the edge of the box held by keeper Rob Tolfrey.

Jake Weaver denied Reece Hall twice as the pacy front man got low shots in on goal, while a free kick from way out by Tom Kavanagh was fiercely struck just over the bar.

The Brakes bench were frustrated as Edwards stabbed a good chance over the bar in a lively opening period for both sides. Weaver was forced into another save before a strong run into the box from Maycock saw him attempt to pull the ball back into the six yard box, but he could only find the arms of Tolfrey at his near post.

The best chance of the half arrived for the visitors towards the end of the first half, and was the result of some great hold up play by Kaiman Anderson, who did well to get the ball back to Connor Taylor, who saw his first time effort well blocked by Tolfrey, who let rip at his defenders afterwards.

Junior English headed wide from an early secons half free kick before some neat interplay on the edge of the Kingstonian box between Walters, Maycock and Taylor saw the latters’ cross deflected towards goal where Anderson nipped in ahead of Tolfrey to clip in a shot that hit the post then struck a defender and flew just over the bar.

Frustration turned to joy minutes later however as Fabio Saravia turned the ball into his own net from a right wing corner played short by Anderson to Joe Clarke and whipped into the six yard box to hand Leamington the lead to the delight of well over 100 travelling supporters.

New signing Kyle McFarlane was introduced early in the second half for his debut after Walters had taken a knock, and almost grabbed a second goal when he went one on one with Tolfrey only to be denied by a last ditch challenge from Harry Osborne.

Kingstonian pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing minutes, but just when it looked like they were about to run out of time Dan Hector sent in a cross from the left which, possibly aided by the swirling wind, sailed over everybody in the penalty area, struck the far post and went into the back of the net.

Paul Holleran was understandably frustrated soon after the game, but pleased with the performance. ‘On reflection we’re disappointed not to have put the game to bed. We’ve had enough opportunities in the final third.

‘There was so much of our performance that was very good today. Coming to a team that has been very good in cup competitions this season and have beaten a number of sides from higher levels already, and you can see why. They play a nice brand of football, look a threat, but it was a good away performance from us, we were very solid, very concentrated, and played from good football. Throughout the 90 minutes today the thing that’s let us down is that we haven’t been good enough in their box. We’ve had three, four, five good opportunities, whether it was to get the second goal or the first goal earlier, and we haven’t taken them, and that’s what we’ve paid the price for. When you’re only 1-0 down, a bit like us last week, you’re going to push an extra man up and throw caution to the wind. I think what we got wrong in the last ten-fifteen minutes was, it became a bit, we had the ball - they had the ball. I think there was times when we needed to take the momentum out of the game. It was a bit too much back to front from both teams. We needed to play a bit of percentage football - get up the pitch and pin them in a bit, and we didn’t do that.

‘99 times out of 100 that cross doesn’t go in the net, but it has and we have to deal with it We’re disappointed but not with the performance. There were lots of good performances today, lots and lots of plusses. At the moment it’s tough to take. We’re a matter of moments away from progressing, we had a good following there today who I can’t thank enough. There was a great atmosphere, but in general it was a good performance. Before the game I would have taken it, bringing them back to our place but after it I’m disappointed - over the 90 minutes we’ve done enough to win the game, but we’ll take that on the chin. We’ll have a few days rest, look forward to the draw and do everything we can to finish the job on Tuesday night.’

Attendance: 529

Kingstonian: Rob Tolfrey, Sean Clohessy, Fabio Saravia, Simon Cooper ©, Harry Osborne, Tom Kavanagh, Gus Sow (16 Jerry Puemo, 83), Kenny Beaney, Dan Thompson, Reece Hall (12 Callum Davies, 25), Dan Hector.

Subs not used: 14 Lewis Pearch, 15 Cameron Reardon, 17 Tutu Henriques.

Leamington: Jake Weaver, Junior English, Stephan Morley, Joe Clarke, James Mace, Jack Lane, Kaiman Anderson, Callum Maycock (14 Callum Gittings, 80), Connor Taylor, Jack Edwards ©, Dexter Walters (16 Kyle McFarlane, 52).

Subs not used: 12 Kieran Dunbar, 15 Jordan Murphy, 17 Reece Rawlings, 18 Tom James, 19 Josh Allen.

Referee: Mr Carl Brook

Assistant Referees: Mr Craig Simpson & Mr James Hurst

Brakes Man of the Match: Callum Maycock.