No joy for Leamington on a wet night in Walsall as Rushall Olympic triumph

Brakes made the journey through the rush hour traffic to the Walsall suburbs to take on high-flying Olympic at Dales Lane, a ground where they have not enjoyed much in the way of success over the years.

Boss Scott Easterlow stuck with the XI that started Saturday’s defeat to Needham Market, and the game started at a blistering pace, with the hosts zipping the ball around rapidly on the artificial surface, slick with almost a full day's rainfall.

Brian Okonkwo made an early save low down at his left hand post, and another low ball in from the right was poked wide for the Pics.

But on 22 minutes Leamington edged ahead.

Owen Farmer was bought down right on the touchline inside the box, but a corner was awarded.

The ball ricocheted around the six yard box as Chris Wreh had a couple of attempts before Josh Flanagan stabbed into the net from close range for his first goal of the season.

The lead lasted only five minutes.

The Rushall bench were incandescent as Charlie Lutz was clattered from behind by Nathan Kabeya, but with Nat Kelly ahead of him the Brakes man was shown only a yellow card.

However, punishment was meted out from the resulting free kick, with Todd Alcock bending a low strike beyond Okonkwo into the bottom corner on 27 minutes.

Okonkwo made a super save at his near post to prevent a quickfire second before Kai Tonge was played clean through for Leamington to finish past Ollie Taylor, but was ruled narrowly offfside.

Instead, Rushall kept up their pressure and were rewarded with a second goal, Carter Lycett spanking one into the top corner from just outside the box 10 minutes from the break.

Finn forced Taylor into a save and Farmer saw a low effort from 25 yards held by Taylor as the sides went in at half-time with Rushall holding a slender advantage.

Tonge headed an early second half corner over the bar as Easterlow’s men started well, while Kabeya crashed a low drive just wide from distance.

However, they found themselves further behind on 54 minutes when Okonkwo was unable to hold a shot to his near post, and former Leamington striker Kaiman Anderson was on hand to finish it off.

There were almost two former Brakes players on the scoresheet in a matter of minutes as Sam Wilding arrived at the far post only to be denied by a fantastic block from Kabeya.

Okonkwo then blocked another shot with his face before saving another seconds later.

Substitute Andre Wright nodded a close range header straight at Taylor following fellow sub Cameron Eubank’s scuffed shot as Leamington began to build a spell of pressure late on.

Belmonte, spotting Taylor off his line, tried his luck from 40 yards; the ball flying just wide.

Farmer then curled a well struck free kick just over the angle of post and crossbar, but Rushall were content to largely sit back and soak up the pressure.

BRAKES: Okonkwo, Cockerill-Mollett, Kelly, Tonge, Wreh (Wright 69), Farmer, Fuseini (Eubank 58), Flanagan, Palit (Belmonte 69), Kabeya (Arthur 80). SUB NOT USED: Pennell.

REFEREE: Mr David Constable.

ATTENDANCE: 302.

BRAKES MAN OF THE MATCH: Owen Farmer.