Fri, 05 Oct 2007 @ The New Windmill Ground. vs Studley (0-1). Birmingham Senior Cup. By C Baker. The lack of depth to Brakes current squad was exposed when taking on Studley in the second of three games in a five day spell. In what was admittedly the least important of the sequence, a depleted side lost 0-1 despite pressing throughout the match and creating numerous opportunities.
Running out to a crowd of 262 on a clear, cold night at the Windmill, Leamington's line-up had a very odd look to it, with key players being rested for Saturday's FA Trophy clash with Marlow and others sidelined by injury. Brakes midfield included two players who have not played a competitive match this season: both stars of last season's double success, coach Morton Titterton and one-match returnee from AFC Telford, Jon Adams, continued to show the skills and vision the New Windmill faithful have come to expect but ultimately could not unlock Studley's back line. Elsewhere, triallist Ryan Willetts stepped into the right wing back position and striker Avun Jephcott looked less than comfortable on the opposite flank. Keeper Chris Gibson made his competitive debut for Leamington.
The pattern of the game was set in the first ten minutes, in which the tireless Josh Blake twice came close to scoring. His first effort, in the 8th minute, was denied only by the trailing foot of Studley's stopper Lee Ross. Brakes pushed forward throughout the first half, with Martin Thompson as usual making himself a nuisance with some surging runs. He was unfortunate when one effort on the stroke of half time came off the left hand post. Half chances and blocked long-distance shots were numerous, but in truth there were few on-target attempts. Studley's defence worked well as a unit and individually were not afraid to go in for robust tackles. Brakes simply could not break them down. Gibson got down smartly to save from a rare Studley foray in the 38th minute but for long periods was a virtual spectator.
As the entire ground returned from the half time teas and burgers with every expectation of a win, Studley nicked the game with a sucker punch, Ryan Field placing a shot past the stretching Gibson in the Harbury Lane end goal in the 46th minute.
Brakes pressed forward for most of the second half, but while a number of shots and chips whistled over the Studley bar or into side netting, never created a clear-cut chance. By the end of the game, Leamington had played all of their cards. Ryan Willetts, who had showed great potential, left the field to be replaced by Marcus Jackson on 69 minutes; Ben Mackey came on for Ryan Parisi - who left the field with a bloody face after stooping into a Studley boot that went unpunished in the 78th; and finally Richard Adams replaced the evergreen Titterton a minute later. There were so many Brakes forwards on the pitch they were almost falling over each other. In fact, Studley had a chance to kill the game in the 83rd minute, but Keenahan pulled his shot wide. But it was all too late and made no difference: Studley deserved their victory and it seems no one in Leamington colours was too worried about it.
Leamington's squad was further depleted on the news of midfielder Tom Fountain's return to former club Woodford United.