Buildbase FA Trophy 2nd Round Replay
Phillips 66 Community Stadium
Tuesday 14th January 2020

Captain fantastic Jack Edwards bagged the only goal to send Leamington into the last sixteen of the FA Trophy as Paul Holleran’s side ensured that they would not be added to Kingstonian’s impressive list of cup scalps this season.

On a foul evening when torrential rain and stormy conditions throughout the day saw games up and down the country postponed, superb work by Idris Elms and his ground staff saw the Phillips 66 Community Stadium pitch pass an inspection mid afternoon, and the players made sure that all the hard work was worth it as they reached the Third Round of the competition for the first time since the 1983/84 campaign when they enjoyed their best ever run, reaching the Quarter Final.

Both sides were forced into one change from Saturday’s initial encounter due to injuries, Dexter Walters missing out for Brakes and Reece Hall for the visitors, who started brightly, an early corner coming to nothing.

Coventry loanee David Bremang was heavily involved throughout on an impressive debut for Leamington, and linked up well with Callum Maycock, the latter poking a shot wide.

Fabio Saraiva, scorer of the own goal that had put Brakes ahead on Saturday, was playing in a far more advanced role this time, and drove in a low effort that was always travelling wide.

Brakes saw Stephan Morley and Jack Edwards pick up yellow cards in the opening half hour, the latter looked to be a little unfortunate with what on first viewing seemed a decent challenge, but if it angered the skipper he channeled it in the best possible manner as he scored what turned out to be the only goal of the evening just moments later. Bremang slipped him in with a neat pass on the left and Edwards drove into the box before slamming the ball low across Rob Tolfrey into the net.

The visitors certainly enjoyed plenty of possession and played some attractive football at times, but a mistake from Jake Weaver almost handed them the opportunity to level when he was unable to hold a weak shot from Callum Davies, allowing Tom Kavanagh to find Gus Sow, whose cross was cleared off the line by James Mace.

Both sides continued to push forward and look lively in the closing minutes of the first half, Dan Hector dragging a shot wide for the K’s while Maycock drove over the bar and Morley fired a fierce 30 yard free kick straight at Tolfrey. It was Bremang who almost grabbed a second however when Leamington broke forward, the Referee having played advantage as Edwards was caught as he played the ball into the Kingstonian half. Bremang took the ball past Tolfrey but still had plenty to do, Oliver Cook clearing his shot off the line.

Edwards swept a first time effort just over the bar from the edge of the box early in the second half as Leamington tried to press home their slender advantage. They were the width of a post from adding to it when Morley’s low driven cross from the left struck the far post.

Saraiva thundered in a long range free kick which Weaver did well to save, but Brakes continued to forge the more clear cut opportunities, Edwards stinging the palms of Tolfrey with a powerful drive from the edge of the box having been set up by Maycock.

Mindful of being caught out at the death for a second time Brakes used their heads as the game entered stoppage time, keeping possession well away from their own goal and frustrating the visitors. The final whistle brought great relief at having managed to hold off a very good side, and progression to face either Bath City or Concord Rangers, whose replay was postponed, was assured.

Managers’ Reaction

‘When you look at all the games that have been called off in the Midlands this evening you have to give huge credit to our ground staff and everybody else that has been up here today. It’s not just a case of getting the pitch ready, it’s played well too, and even after the game it’s still not in bad nick. Fantastic effort by everybody, especially Idris and his men.

‘This Kingstonian side, and I had a good look at them on Saturday and prior to tonight - they are such a good side. You’ve only got to look at their results in the cups this season. They got to the second round of the FA Cup, they’ve beaten Football League sides, National League sides, Step 2 sides. They play a good brand of football and it has been a really tricky tie for us. I thought we edged it Saturday but fair play to them, they showed a lot of character and grit to nick something at the end. I think over the two games we’ve been the better side, I don’t think anybody can deny that, but they’re missing a few players which has thrown their balance a bit, but we have also had to rebuild a little. When you look at the last round of the Trophy, we had George Carline one side, Dexter Walters the other side and Josh March down the middle, so we’ve had to make a lot of changes as well, which is not ideal. It’s great that George is back in Solihull’s first team, it’s great that Josh is playing full time football in League 2, but at this stage of the season when you’ve got to try and rebuild in attacking areas, it’s really difficult. You’ve seen tonight what David Bremang adds, he gives us something different and his link up play is brilliant. He’s had a good start.

‘I think to keep a clean sheet against a team like this is a massive compliment to the players. It’s the old guard isn’t it - Mace, Junior, Steph Morley, Joe Clarke, Jack in there, Gitto…. They’re priceless really. It’s great for the fans, and we now go into the last sixteen against another Step 2 football club, so it’s all to play for.’

Attendance: 308

Leamington: Jake Weaver, Junior English, Stephan Morley, Joe Clarke, James Mace, Jack Lane, Kaiman Anderson (14 Kieran Dunbar, 90), Callum Maycock (12 Callum Gittings, 86), David Bremang (16 Kyle McFarlane, 90), Jack Edwards ©, Connor Taylor.

Subs not used: 13 Josh Allen, 15 Jordan Murphy, 17 Reece Rawlings.

Kingstonian: Rob Tolfrey, Sean Clohessy, Harry Osborne, Simon Cooper ©, Oliver Cook (14 Jerry Puemo, 84),Tom Kavanagh (12 Dan Thompson, 65), Gus Sow, Kenny Beaney, Callum Davies, Fabio Camacho-Saraiva, Dan Hector.

Subs not used: 15 Ben Harrison, 16 Lewis Pearch, 17 Tutu Henriques, 18 Cameron Reardon.

Referee: Mr Danny Middleton

Assistant Referees: Mr Richard Walker & Mr Andrew Genders

Brakes Man of the Match: Jack Edwards.