Worcester City 0 Leamington 3: Clinical Brakes make the most of their chances to get back on the victory trail

The fact City are based at the home of the club who took the Alliance Premier League place Graham Allner’s AP team thought they had earned 30 years ago gave the occasion even more significance and Paul Holleran’s side responded with three well-taken goals and a stern defensive display in front of a raucous travelling support.

An early scramble in front of the Leamington goal saw the ball put behind for the first of a raft of corners for the hosts during the opening 45 minutes, with the alert Matt Dodd hooking the ball off the line.

Ricky Johnson headed over the bar under pressure from a defender at the other end, but the next attack was to prove more fruitful.

Dodd made a nuisance of himself throughout the first half and broke clear down the centre. He looked to have missed his chance to test Lewis Solly as he was forced wide by a defender, but the Brakes winger made space to turn and scoop in a cross that was met by a powerful header from Stefan Moore at the far post which the former Stourbridge keeper was powerless to keep out as he scrambled across his goal.

Leamington were using the wide open spaces of the Aggborough pitch to good effect as they swarmed about their hosts, galvanised by the opening goal.

Moore headed over the bar after a surging run down the left by Lee Chilton, who then swept home a second goal from close range in the 23rd minute, connecting with a raking right-wing ball from Joe Magunda after good work from Moore and Dodd on the right.

The opening half-hour was almost all Brakes but Worcester began to build up a real head of steam before half-time.

A corner kick sailed through a packed penalty area untouched and Ellis Deeney’s hopeful cross-shot from the left forced Tony Breeden to punch clear.

Danny Glover flashed a well- struck first-time volley over the bar before Niall Thompson cut in from the right and drove in a shot that was deflected behind for another corner, from which Breeden saved a headed effort.

Glover had a shot deflected behind with Deeney curling another in from the corner that Breeden helped over the bar.

City continued their assault as the second half kicked off, forcing Breeden into another smart stop.

Deeney cracked a low shot wide of the target and Thompson shot straight at the Brakes custodian after being played in by Kidderminster loanee and former Brakes youngster Dior Angus.

Thompson then created a great opportunity for himself as he outmuscled Josh Green inside the area only to be denied by the legs of Breeden.

Brakes survived the onslaught and then proceeded to administer what proved to be the knockout punch in what was a rare attack.

Having forced a corner, Daly powered in a header towards goal that struck the arm of a defender on the line. It looked a little harsh but referee Andy Hendley signalled a penalty and Dodd stepped up to send Solly the wrong way from the spot.

Although the third goal knocked the stuffing out of the hosts they continued to plough forward and create chances. Glover looped in a header that was held by Breeden, while Deeney fired another free-kick over the bar.

There was a real sense of togetherness as the Worcester bombardment continued, with some superb defending and fine last-ditch challenges put in to protect Breeden’s goal, and when the ball did get through the Brakes keeper was in imperious form.

Tyler Weir pulled the ball back for Richard Taundry to fire in a low first-time shot that looked to be heading for the bottom corner but Breeden watched calmly as it trickled the wrong side of the upright.

Daniel Nti proved to be a handful for the Leamington defence when he came on, powering in a header from a right-wing cross that was punched away by Breeden.

Another Worcester free-kick from a good position evaded everyone in the box, while substitute Luke Bottomer almost embarrassed Solly at the other end when he lifted a shot towards goal, the keeper claiming the ball as it threatened to evade him.

Worcester City: Lewis Solly, George Williams, Tyler Weir, Sam Smith, Graham Hutchison, Ellis Deeney, Dior Angus (Steven Leslie, 58), Richard Taundry Danny Glover (Ethan Moore, 70), Aaron Williams (Daniel Nti, 53), Niall Thompson. Subs not used: Reece Halls, Ebby Nelson-Addy.

Brakes: Tony Breeden, James Mace, Stephan Morley, Joe Magunda, Liam Daly, Josh Green, Matt Dodd, Josh Hawker (Jake Heath, 78), Stefan Moore (Lee Moore, 64), Ricky Johnson, Lee Chilton (Luke Bottomer, 83).Subs not used: Liam O’Neill, Lewis Fenney.