Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Jakemans Community Stadium
Saturday 16th September 2023

Leamington’s participation in the FA Cup came to an end on a sunny afternoon in Lincolnshire that left a bitter taste for those who had travelled from Warwickshire, and not because of the performance of their team.

Paul Holleran brought Joe Clarke in for his first start in five games, while Callum Hawkins would have been a surprise name on the team sheet for many Brakes fans, having signed for the club on a permanent basis after completing his rehabilitation from a ruptured ACL in a match against Blyth Spartans 19 months ago. With Cally Stewart taking his place on the substitutes bench, Devon Kelly-Evans also returned to the starting eleven.

Brakes engineered the first chance of the afternoon with five minutes played when Henry Landers pounced on a loose touch by Boston skipper Michael Bostwick to advance towards goal before crashing a low drive against the inside of the right hand post.

Unfortunately, this was to be the highlight of the first half for Leamington, as any chance of this cup tie being an interesting one was destroyed inside the opening quarter of an hour.

Firstly Adam Walker received an instant yellow card despite taking the ball first in a robust challenge in the middle of the pitch. Then minutes later the game descended into complete farce. Hawkins made a fantastic save to help the ball on to the frame of the goal, before Theo Streete looked like he had prevented a goal as he hacked the ball off the line whilst grounded. There was a brief scramble before the Referee brandished his red card, but to whom, nobody seemed to know. Confusion reigned, but eventually Jack Lane left the pitch. However, the general consensus was that the wrong man had been dismissed.

The travelling support were seething, and their anger was intensified as Martin Woods beat Hawkins from the resulting penalty that had been awarded.

Four minutes later the inevitable occurred, as Kelsey Mooney squeezed a shot under Hawkins to double Boston’s lead. The former Brakes striker disappointingly opted to celebrate rather than showing a little respect to his former club for supporting him through his rehab after an ACL injury.

The comedy continued; Boston being awarded a corner when their player clearly ran the ball out of play.

There was more injury concern for Leamington when Landers had to be replaced by Connor Taylor after going down injured. Tyrone Barnett had already been replaced by Dan Baldwin shortly after the opening goal.

Mooney had the chance to double his tally for the afternoon when he sent clear on goal, but Hawkins produced another fine save to deny him.

Another shot for the home side flew high over the Leamington goal into the car park, while Hawkins held a free kick from Woods.

Baldwin was clattered heavily midway through the Boston half without so much as a free kick awarded, while Jack Edwards inexplicably turned to play a stray pass that sent Mooney in on goal again, but he lifted his shot wide.

Understandably, Holleran attempted to speak to the officials as the half time whistle sounded, but was kept away from them by stewards.

Taylor laid the ball back for Edwards to curl high and wide early in the second half, before being involved in a hefty challenge with Jordan Richards which led to brief concern at a potential second red card being brandished, but in the event it was the Boston man who was booked.

Hawkins saved again from Mooney, but Leamington’s misery was compounded when Edwards slammed a powerful low right wing cross from Jimmy Knowles into his own net.

Knowles himself added a fourth for Boston after good work from Finley Thorndike, while Hawkins prevented a fifth when he saved low down from Mooney, but ultimately this was a day to forget for Brakes which could maybe have been better under different circumstances.

Attendance: 1,130

Boston United: 1 Cameron Gregory, 4 Brad Nicholson, 5 Michael Bostwick ©, 8 Martin Woods, 9 Kelsey Mooney, 10 Keziah Martin, 11 Jimmy Knowles, 12 Michael Gyasi (33 Finley Thorndike, 64), 19 Jordan Richards (7 Keaton Ward, 64), 24 Dylan Hill (21 Sam McLintock, ), 29 Tyler Knowles.

Subs not used: 25 Sam Essien, 26 Will Hall, 27 Ryan Hand, 28 Oliver Wilson.

Leamington: Callum Hawkins, Dan Meredith, Josh Quaynor, Joe Clarke (15 Jiah Medrano, 72), Theo Streete, Jack Lane, 7 Adam Walker, 8 Jack Edwards, 9 Henry Landers (16 Connor Taylor, 35), Tyrone Barnett (18 Dan Baldwin, 25), Devon Kelly-Evans.

Subs not used: 12 Callum Stewart, GK Callum Smith, 14 Junior English, 17 Ben Usher-Shipway.

Referee: Mr Dane McCarrick

Assistant Referees: Mr Michael Trevethan & Mr James Cliffe

Brakes Man of the Match: Callum Hawkins.