By Tommy Hynes

Claridge Books Brakes for Round 2

Solihull Borough Council did their best to stop Brakes and their supporters from finding the ground by putting "Road Closed" signs at both ends of the approach road and Highgate United might wish that they had succeeded after being knocked out of the league cup by another battling performance from Brakes' Youth.

Highgate settled better and forced a number of corners in the first 15 minutes making better use of a huge pitch but Brakes also had their chances and Claridge went close after a good run by Webster. Lee Scott was showing well and, with both defences on top, Brakes took an unlikely lead in the 39th minute when Claridge seized on a defensive error to stroke the ball wide of the keeper into the corner of the net.

In the second half Tolley came on for Collen and Nik Kyriacou made his debut, replacing the fading Claridge, but Brakes could not find another goal in a game that had become a midfield stalemate between two well matched teams. Another good performance from Stuart Poole in defence and some intelligent holding play at the front saw Brakes through to round 2 with midfield honours even.