Birmingham Senior Cup Semi Final
Your Co-op Community Stadium
Tuesday 8th March 2022

Leamington edged out a strong Burton Albion side courtesy of a second half goal from Callum Gittings to reach the Birmingham Senior Cup Final for the fourteenth time, where they will face either Stourbridge or Alvechurch from the Southern League Central Premier Division.

As the last winners of the competition back in 2019 Brakes were bidding to reach a second consecutive final, and their third since 2017, and although this game never came close to the drama of their most recent semi final victories Paul Holleran’s side still had to overcome a Brewers side containing 11 members of their first team squad.

There were five changes from Saturday’s squad, with Jake Weaver, James Mace, Callum Gittings, Sam Wilding and Joe Parker all stepping into the starting eleven, while Kyle Morrison was rested and Jack Edwards and Devon Kelly-Evans took their places on the bench. On loan keeper Callum Hawkins was cup tied having played for his parent club in their win over Nuneaton Borough in the previous round.

Dan Turner fired an early warning shot as his powerful low drive whizzed past the post, while Kelsey Mooney had his first chance of what was to be a frustrating evening, turning well but scuffing his shot through to keeper Matej Kovar following a promising attack.

Mooney then won a free kick some 30 yards from goal, Steph Morley lining up for a strike which bounced off Burton’s defensive wall. The visitors then broke away and Louis Moult’s strike was well saved by the returning Weaver.

Burton quickly followed this up as a dangerous cross from the left by Charlie Williams was blazed onto the clubhouse roof by Moult from six yards out. Harry Chapman then sent a free kick inches over the crossbar.

Gittings put in a tireless display in central midfield, and did superbly to win the ball and keep it in play on the half way line before playing Mooney in down the left; the young striker opting to try and square the ball for Turner when he had plenty of space to advance into ahead of him for a potential strike at goal.

There was a scare for Leamington when Weaver came off his line but was unable to claim the ball, Moult getting to it ahead of him and laying it back for Tom Hewlett to slice a first time effort wide with the goal gaping.

The same two players were then involved againfor Albion - Hewlett striking the post with a shot before Moult screwed the follow up into the side netting from a good position.

There were further chances for Leamington before half time. Mooney did superbly to hold the ball up before turning and beating two defenders, bending in a shot that Kovar spilled before claiming at the second attempt.

The striker then headed over the bar from Joe Parker’s left wing cross after the ball had been recycled back out to the left wing following Mooney’s initial blocked shot.

The first attacking action of the second brought the only goal of the game on 49 minutes when a right wing corner was met by Gittings, who scored a rare headed goal from close range as a static Burton defence stood and watched.

Mooney was continuing to work his socks off, getting into good positions, but unfortunately it just wasn’t his night in front of goal. He was sent scampering clear down the left by a great pass, but curled his shot wide before blazing his next effort over the bar, perhaps not realising he had time to compose himself when played through on goal.

He then agonisingly missed his kick in front of goal as Turner nudged the ball down to him inside the penalty area, before going as close as he had done all evening when he dragged a shot across goal and a whisker wide of the far post.

Burton’s threat dimmed a little in the second half but they came close when Charlie Lakin cracked in a low drive that Weaver parried before claiming at the second attempt.

Gittings curled another shot wide for Leamington before the visitors went close again, Charlie Williams firing wide.

Brakes continued to forge more of the chances however; the luckless Mooney displaying some fantastic footwork inside the box before forcing a good save from Kovar, who shortly afterwards saved another effort from the front man. Adam Walker then saw a shot blocked on the edge of the box, before whipping in a cross late on which Mooney headed just wide as the offside flag was raised.

Chapman fired Burton’s final effort of the evening straight at Weaver, who was able to mark a satisfying comeback with a clean sheet as Brakes eased through to another Senior Cup Final, giving them a date to look forward to at the end of the season.

Attendance: 304

Leamington: Jake Weaver, Dan Meredith, Stephan Morley, Callum Gittings (17 Jack Edwards, 90+3), James Mace, Jack Lane, Dan Turner (16 Devon Kelly-Evans, 85), Adam Walker, Kelsey Mooney, Sam Wilding, Joe Parker.

Subs not used: 12 Junior English, 14 Jack Sang, 15 Josh Beeson.

Burton Albion: 1 Matej Kovar, 34 Luke Redfearn, 18 Frazer Blake-Tracey, 26 Ryan Leak, 21 Finn Delap (32 Joe Nydhwema, 63), 10 Harry Chapman, 29 Jacob Maddox, 31 Louis Moult (38 Jacob Neimczyk, 78), 27 Tom Hewlett (8 Callum Niven, 72), 33 Charlie Williams, 40 Charlie Lakin.

Subs not used: 28 Daniel Moore (GK).

Referee: Mr Rob Massey Ellis

Assistant Referees: Mr Simon Kavanagh & Mr Ryan Wiliams

Fourth Official: Mr Kurt Bartlett

Brakes Man of the Match: Callum Gittings.