Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Your Co-op Community Stadium
Saturday 14th September 2024

Brakes edged into the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the first time in three years thanks to Ewan Williams’ first goal of the season. 

Visitors Carlton Town, of the Northern Premier League East Division, had already pulled off a giant killing in the previous round when defeating Step 3 Stamford, and the Nottinghamshire club arrived looking to pull off a Warwickshire cup double, having beaten Rugby Town in the FA Trophy the previous weekend. 

They certainly looked capable of doing that in the early stages as they buzzed about the pristine playing surface, not allowing the Brakes players to settle into the game. 

George Ward sent a glancing header into the arms of keeper Felix Annan, but the pivotal moment of the afternoon arrived on 18 minutes. Rob Evans arrowed one of his trademark long throws into the Carlton penalty area from the right touchline. Dean Freeman was the first to connect, but headed it straight back towards the taker, and Evans set himself before curling a delightful ball into the six yard box which was met by the diving Williams, who sent his header flashing into the back of the net for his first goal since that dramatic play off final winner back in May. 

The goal saw the confidence of both teams alter, and Dan Meredith almost set up a second after getting the better of Niall Hylton on the Leamington right, before firing a dangerous ball across the goalmouth that Anthony Lynn just failed to connect with. 

The visitors were winning a lot of free kicks, and one dead ball was curled into the arms of Brakes keeper Callum Hawkins. Adam Walker then fired just wide at the other end before Pau Holleran received a booking from Referee Matthew Scholes as he became frustrated with some of the decisions going against his side. 

The game began to get a little scrappy, and Will Shorrock was left raising his arms in disbelief as he was shoved to the floor off the ball, with no free kick forthcoming. 

Carlton hadn’t been able to get forward so much since conceding, and Leamington went close once more as Cally Stewart held the ball up well inside the box for Shorrock, whose half volley flashed over the crossbar. 

Another good delivery into the box from Shorrock was headed behind by Freeman. Ward glanced another header onto the roof of the net at the back post from the resulting corner. 

The home support were quick to direct their ire at the man in charge after he waved away another heavy challenge on Shorrock just before half time, but Brakes retreated to the dressing room with a slender advantage to defend. 

Another potential turning point came and went as Stewart was sandwiched by two defenders inside the Carlton penalty area early in the second half; neither of whom won the ball, but again nothing was given. 

The visitors saw a corner kick travel across the face of goal, before a shot was fired over the bar as they began to build up a head of steam in search of a way back into the game. There were plenty of balls going into the Leamington penalty area, but the back four, led by man of the match Josh Quaynor, were proving to be an impenetrable barrier for the majority of the afternoon. On the one occasion the visitors were able to carve out a gilt edged chance, Liam Moran saw his close range header kept out by a fantastic save from Hawkins, though the offside flag was quickly raised. 

Shorrock had dragged another shot wide early in the second half, but Leamington almost fashioned a second goal with a fine move. Meredith’s ball in from the right was cushioned back to Walker by Lynn, and the skipper thumped in a half volley that zipped inches past the post. 

A great turn from Meredith to beat his man saw him play in a cross that was headed just over by Ward. The next ball into the box from the right wing back forced Annan to paw the ball out from under his crossbar. 

Both sides applied pressure in the closing stages, but Brakes were mercifully able to see the game out to secure a welcome victory in the FA Cup. 

Speaking after the game, the manager said ‘I thought they were stubborn, well organised opposition. We’ve won ugly today I think, it’s fair to say. We’ve had moments - the goal was a good phase of play - we’ve had other little moments where we could have nicked a second - we could have had a penalty. 

‘I think what you learn with the players in the second half is, we were getting a bit frustrated, so we keep on top of that; keep the back door shut, keep a clean sheet, and move into the next round. It would have been nice to get that second goal, play with a bit more freedom at times. They didn’t allow it, and probably our quality didn’t allow that, but you have to find ways to win football matches. We deserved to win the game, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. It’s cup football, and we’re just delighted that we’re in on Monday, because there’s been plenty of times where we’ve played ok and got knocked out.

‘The FA Cup’s got loads of angles to it. Win a couple more games and it gets big then. It’s financially rewarding . There was a good crowd and atmosphere here today. There’s a lot to like about the FA Cup. Every round gets bigger - it’ll be bigger again in the next round, and if we can get somebody here, we’ll be happy. 90 minutes away from the fourth qualifying round, which is a nice round to be in.’ 

Attendance: 434

Leamington: 1 Callum Hawkins, 2 Dan Meredith, 3 Josh Quaynor, 6 Rob Evans (5 Theo Streete, 63), 14 George Ward, 8 Adam Walker ©, 4 Joe Doyle-Charles (10 Jack Edwards, 78), 17 Ewan Williams, 12 Will Shorrock (7 Henry Landers, 90), 9 Cally Stewart, 19 Ant Lynn (11 Tim Berridge, 84).   

Subs not used: 15 Caine Elliott, 18 Ted Rowe. 

Carlton Town: Felix Annan, Shea Thompson-Harris (12 Osa Soloman, 78), Niall Hylton (17 Musa Ndaw Jawarra, 84), Dan Brown, Dean Freeman, Nathan Watson, 7 Niall Davie © (15 Neo Saunders, 70), 8 Michael Ford (16 Lord Marfo, 46), 9 Liam Moran (14 Sam Hooper, 70), 10 Alex Howes, 11 Lamin Manneh. 

Subs not used: 13 Louis Richardson. 

Referee: Mr Matthew Scholes

Assistant Referees: Mr Craig Thompson & Mr Brendan Jones

Fourth Official: Mr Michael Pattison 

Brakes Man of the Match: Josh Quaynor.