Plenty of Welly as Young Brakes Lose on Penalties in League Cup

Young Brakes started like a team who'd just had a long coach journey, which indeed was the case. On a pitch that got harder, and more uneven, as the temperature plummeted there was some uncharacteristic defending where the ball was given away. But shot-shy Wellington didn't use their gifts and Brakes seemed to have weathered the storm with Crowley smashing a shot just wide and Kyriacou going close from a Coleman cross.

There was a footballing gulf between the two teams with Brakes playing all the good football, without the killer touch, and Wellington's approach being more of the "give it some welly" school of football. But it was Wellington who took the lead, 1-0 in the 25th minute when Brakes defence failed to clear and the ball was smashed home from close range.

Brakes continued to play good football with Coleman playing a starring role and it seemed that a goal must come, though when it did it was from a penalty. Alex Taylor was floored in the area and McKinley despatched the kick with ease for 1-1 in the 63rd. Alex Taylor, Coleman, Anderson and Thompson were stroking the ball about and creating openings as Brakes went for the winner that would save the huddled fans from another, freezing half-hour. But though Tolley and Iain Groves went very close, the 90 minutes was up at 1-1.

With the night getting colder there had been talk of going straight to penalties, but such had been Brakes' superiority that they insisted on extra time. No frost was actually visible so the request could not be refused. But it was Wellington who made the most of the first period as Brakes started playing the same game as their hosts. A good turn over the bar from 'keeper Kerr in the 101st minute kept Brakes in it and, as Brakes gradually reasserted their authority, Tolley had a header cleared off the line and extra time ended with Brakes shooting in and the Wellington defence in disarray.

And so to penalties. Tolley smashed in the first with Wellington replying. McKinley, Anderson and Phil Thompson also scored but Brakes' 3rd was struck wide and Wellington lined up for their 5th to win it having scored all of theirs thus far. A brilliant save from Kerr was thought to have put Brakes back on par but the linesman ruled he had moved off his line and the retaken kick was slotted home to earn Wellington a tie at Kidderminster Harriers in the next round and leave Brakes with another long journey home in the small hours.

Leamington Youth: Dan Kerr; James Taylor; Martin Groves; Ben Halstead-Smyth (Philip Thompson 53); Andrew McKinley [Capt.]; Alex Shaw (Josh Tolley 74); Kyle Crowley (Mark Anderson 60); Iain Groves; Nik Kyriacou; Alex Taylor; Jamie Coleman
Sub(s) Not Used (3 From 5): Chris Lewis