Emirates FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round
The Beehive
Saturday 28th September 2024

The anticipation was as high as it had been for an FA Cup tie for many years, but unfortunately Leamington came up short once more in their quest to get past the 3rd Qualifying Round. The wait will now go into a twentieth year. 

The travelling support was as raucous as it had been for a long long time before kick off and during the first half, but despite an improved second half performance from Brakes the frustration was palpable both on and off the pitch.

Josh Quaynor’s free kick that just cleared the crossbar was the first effort on goal for either side, on 10 minutes. Joe Doyle Charles then cracked a first time strike towards goal that took multiple deflections before landing safely in the arms of Bees keeper Elliott Taylor. Unfortunately Doyle Charles was unable to continue after going down twice for treatment, and was replaced by Jack Edwards. 

Cally Stewart was presented with a glorious opportunity to fire Leamington in front when the Harborough defence allowed a lofted ball from Quaynor to drop into their penalty at the feet of Stewart, but he placed his shot straight at Taylor. 

The only goal of the afternoon arrived on 23 minutes. The hosts won a free kick some 20 yards from goal, former Stratford Town man Ben Stephens fired a decent effort towards goal but it was met by an equally good save from Callum Hawkins, who pushed the ball acrobatically over his crossbar. The resulting corner was only half cleared to the edge of the box, where Ben Starkie rifled it back towards goal with a fierce left footed drive that whistled into thre bottom corner. 

The officials incurred the ire of the travelling support when a clear header behind by a yellow shirted player from a corner saw a goal kick awarded.  

Hawkins was alert to a neat exchange of passes between Dan Forbes and Tendai Daire, darting from his line to collect the ball. 

Leamington made a much better start to the second half, and Stewart struck a free kick goalbound after a handball, but the strike was matched by the save from Taylor. 

Skipper Adam Walker drove a low strike just wide, while Ewan Williams was a little more off beam with a volley. Hawkins was forced into another flying save to keep his side in the tie, while Brakes substitute Tim Berridge almost scored his first Leamington goal just seconds after entering the action, sending a looping header towards the top corner only to see Taylor paw the ball behind. 

Connor Kennedy was booked for a foul on George Ward just outside just Harborough penalty area before the ball had even been played in, and was inches from being punished for it as substitute Rob Evans was denied by a combination of the crossbar and the fingertips of Taylor. Harborough broke quickly from this, Stephans and Kai Tonge combining, but the latter blazed his shot high over the bar. 

Leamington were applying some good pressure now, but with time running out it was becoming more desperate. Taylor made a superb claim ahead of Edwards as Williams played a dangerous ball in from the right. 

Edwards had the last clear cut chance, sending a good header spinning just wide from a great ball in by Williams, but Harborough stuck to their guns and deservedly saw the game out. We wish them well in the next round of their history making cup run.  

Attendance: 614

Harborough Town: Elliott Taylor, Dan Forbes, Josh Walsh, Dan Cooper (Amavir Sandhu, 37), Ben Williams ©, Alex Morris, Kai Tonge (Luis Rose, 83), Connor Kennedy, Tendai Daire (Riley O’Sullivan, 70), Ben Stephens (Freddie Robinson, 80), Ben Starkie (Paul Malone, 90+2). 

Subs not used: Jutorre Burgess, Ryan Inman. 

Leamington: 1 Callum Hawkins, 2 Dan Meredith, 3 Josh Quaynor, 5 Theo Streete, 14 George Ward,  4 Joe Doyle Charles (10 Jack Edwards, 19), 8 Adam Walker ©, 17 Ewan Williams, 7 Henry Landers (6 Rob Evans, 71), 19 Ant Lynn (11 Tim Berridge, 71), 9 Cally Stewart. 

Subs not used: 12 Will Shorrock, 15 Harry Lloyd, 19 Ted Rowe, 20 Jacob Humphries. 

Referee: Mr Jack Hall

Assistant Referees: Mr Martin Chester & Mr Klajdi Shkurta

Fourth Official: Mr Kian Soulsby

Brakes Man of the Match: Dan Meredith.