Banbury frozen out of the cup by Brakes

Brakes eased through to the quarter-final of the Birmingham Senior Cup on a bitterly cold evening in front of 176 hardy souls at the New Windmill, writes Paul Edwards.

Those who opted for an evening in front of the TV missed three good goals and a team performance that was pleasing on the eye.

Both sides made changes from their weekend fixtures, Banbury in particular, but it was Leamington who adapted better to the blustery conditions.

Michael Tuohy’s drive was deflected behind by Tommy Kinch and Alex Taylor headed the corner wide.

Another opportunity was presented when David Kolodynski was bought down 25 yards from goal. Taylor’s free-kick was parried by keeper Andy Kemp and in the ensuing scramble, Tuohy appeared to be tripped inside the penalty area but nothing was given.

Kinch was in the right place again when he deflected Taylor’s drive behind and saved his side from going behind minutes later. Batchelor and Kemp challenged for the ball on the edge of the area and Luke Corbett was able to head towards the empty net, only for the left-back to spectacularly hack the ball off the line.

It was not long before Leamington did gain the advantage, however, Kolodynski pouncing on a loose defensive header before expertly lifting the ball over the advancing Kemp.

Three minutes later the lead was doubled. Sam Adkins picked up the ball on the edge of the box and powered a low drive through a crowd of players to beat the unsighted Kemp.

Taylor drove just wide from a good position and Corbett blasted a shot against the post as Brakes looked to finish the tie before half-time.

Early in the second half, Kemp saved a towering header from Batchelor after Corbett had forced a corner.

The third goal arrived on 68 minutes when Taylor was barged over in the penalty area by Cole Hinchcliffe and Corbett stepped up to smash the spot-kick high into the net for his first goal since returning to the club.

At 3-0 down, Banbury finally began to fashion some chances, the best of which saw Lee Evans push Aaron Woodley’s header over the bar.

Brakes: Lee Evans, Michael Tuohy, Stephan Morley (James Husband, 58), Lee Downes, James Mace, Asa Charlton, Alex Taylor (Dior Angus, 72), Sam Adkins, Luke Corbett, David Kolodynski (Craig Owen, 52), Richard Batchelor. Subs not used: Lee Williams, Arthur Byrne.

Banbury: Andy Kemp, Joe Coleman, Tommy Kinch, Ben Thackeray, Cole Hinchcliffe, Nick Kingson, Steve Blackwood (Danny Edmond, 58), Josh Cole (Liam Richardson, 52), Ricky Johnson, Aaron Woodley, Ben Polk. Subs not used: Ryan Howell, Anton Sambrook, Ady Fuller.