Angus double helps Brakes ease past plucky Highgate

Leamington left it late to kill off the plucky challenge of visitors Highgate United in the Birmingham Senior Cup, but the scoreline did not flatter them as they spurned several opportunities to make the game safe long before they did, writes Paul Edwards.

Tony Breeden fielded a couple of early long-range efforts on his goal, before Liam Daly, pictured, opened the scoring for Brakes, powering home a far-post header in the 16th minute.

Home debutant Dior Angus did not have to wait too long to make his mark, latching on to a fine through ball from Sam Adkins in the 27th minute which put him clear on goal. United keeper Shaun Edwards parried the initial shot, but Angus slotted home the rebound.

Brakes looked comfortable at this stage, but were given a jolt just past the half-hour mark when Highgate reduced the arrears with a fine strike from Liam Florey. A ball into the penalty area was only partially cleared and the midfielder connected sweetly with a tremendous first- time volley to give Breeden no chance.

James Husband should have made it 3-1 in the 68th minute, but after Edwards parried Angus’ shot to him, the midfielder could only steer the rebound wide from two yards.

Another chance went begging when Angus picked up the ball out on the left touchline and picked out Tom Berwick inside the area, but he hit his shot across the face of goal.

Husband appeared determined to make up for his miss and Edwards did well to parry his stinging drive as Brakes upped the tempo in the last 15 minutes.

A third goal finally arrived with eight minutes remaining, Berwick unselfishly squaring the ball to Angus, whose sidefoot effort went in off the post.

With two minutes left, the game was up for the visitors. Berwick drove the ball into the six-yard box and Husband rammed the revound into the roof of the net after Angus’ initial effort had come back off the post.

Brakes: Tony Breeden, Scott Lycett (Stephan Morley, 68), Michael Tuohy, Lee Downes, Liam Daly, James Mace, Craig Owen, Sam Adkins (Richard Batchelor, 68), Dior Angus, Tom Berwick, James Husband. Subs not used: Jacob Blyth, Lee Williams, Liam O’Neill.

Highgate United: Shaun Edwards, Trevor Edwards, Ben Judd, Ian Mitchell (Daniel Cremin, 77), Jack Slevin, Toby Checketts, Liam Florey (Matthew Steeley, 54), Tom Reynolds, Elroy Bennett, Karl King (Michael Skerrett, 59), Daniel Povey. Sub not used: Ayad Yousaf.