Blyth the fall guy as Brakes pay penalty

After extra-time, 2-2 after 90 minutes. Brackley won 5-3 on penalties

Paul Holleran made four changes for the visit of Premier Division rivals Brackley in the first round of the much-maligned Red Insure Cup and his charges responded with one of their best performances for some time before losing out on penalties to their big-spending visitors, writes Paul Edwards.

Leamington carved out two good chances inside the opening quarter of an hour. A swift break saw Tom Berwick feed strike partner David Kolodynski on the left, and he cut inside to drive a shot across goal and agonisingly wide.

Another gilt-edged opportunity was to go begging minutes later. Alex Taylor’s cross to the far post caught out the Brackley defence and dropped to James Husband just a couple of yards from goal, but he could only steer the ball wide of the upright.

With the game 15 minutes old there was a lengthy break in play as referee Andrew Tonks was forced to hand over the whistle after picking up an injury. Fortunately, a replacement assistant was found to run the line and the game continued.

Kolodynski saw another shot deflected wide from the edge of the box as the first half ended scoreless, though Brakes had looked the more likely of the two sides to break the deadlock.

The hosts made a bright start to the second half, penning Brackley in their own half and Sam Adkins sent a skidding drive inches wide.

However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring against the run of play in the 57th minute.

Jefferson Louis, who is something of a footballing nomad having turned out for around 25 clubs during his career, picked up the ball in midfield and set off on a powerful run which finished with a shot that left Lee Evans rooted to the spot.

Leamington responded well and Kolodynski almost provided a goal when he beat two defenders before sending in a curling effort which was superbly pushed aside by substitute keeper Paul Walker.

However, from the resulting corner, Brakes were level. Richard Batchelor flicked the ball on to the far post, where substitute Jacob Blyth was lurking to thump home a close-range header.

The visitors then stunned the New Windmill crowd by snatching a second goal with only eight minutes to play, Tom Kemp powering in an unstoppable header from a corner.

Still Brakes fought back and with time almost up, Asa Charlton pounced in the six-yard box to head home a free-kick and take the tie into extra-time.

Brakes were left cursing their luck as they struck the frame of the goal twice in the first 15 minutes of the first period.

Husband led Ellis Myles a merry dance on the left before playing the ball into the back post where Blyth headed down for Craig Owen, who saw the ball crash off a post and deflect off a defender for a corner.

Then Kolodynski beat his man on the right and floated an inch-perfect ball across to the left edge of the penalty area, where Stephan Morley connected first time with a powerful volley which cannoned back off a post with Walker beaten.

However, with no further additions to the scoreline, it came down to penalties to decide the tie.

Batchelor, Kolodynski and Morley all put away their spot-kicks, but Tommy Jaszcun, Tom Kemp, Steve Diggin, James Clifton and finally Louis, after Blyth had uncharacteristically blasted his kick over the bar, dispatched theirs to book Brackley’s passage into round two.

Brakes: Lee Evans, Michael Tuohy, Stephan Morley, Sam Adkins (Lee Downes, 102), Jamie Hood, Asa Charlton, Alex Taylor (Jacob Blyth, 67), James Husband, Tom Berwick (Craig Owen, 89), David Kolodynski, Richard Batchelor. Subs not used: James Mace, Dior Angus.

Brackley Town: Billy Turley (Paul Walker, 58), Ellis Myles, Tommy Jaszcun , Joe Magunda (Tom Kemp, 58), Chris Willmott, James Clifton, Matthew Gearing (Carl Palmer 58), Paul Dempsey, Steve Diggin, Jefferson Louis, Michael Chennells. Sub not used: Matthew Hammond.

 Brakes Trust are holding an open forum in the clubhouse at the New Windmill on Friday November 18 (7.30pm).

The evening will follow a Question Time format, with the panel comprising Leamington chairman Jim Scott, manager Paul Holleran and Trust chairman Peter Davis.

Representatives of Leamington Lions and Brakes’ junior sides will also be on hand to comment on issues raised.

Questions need to be nominated in advance and should be emailed to [email protected]