Leamington FC win the Birmingham Senior Cup

Goals from Devon Kelly-Evans, Dan Turner and James Mace lead to Paul Holleran’s Leamington side running out victors in a great game at Villa Park.

The Warwickshire side became the most successful non-league club in the competition’s history with Wednesday’s victory being the Brakes’ 8th time lifting the trophy.

After a good victory over Kidderminster on Monday, Leamington started the brighter side with chances for Morley and Walker coming close to breaking the deadlock early on. The National League North side wouldn’t have to wait for long though, with Kelly-Evans sending a defender the wrong way before curling a shot into the roof of the net, just outside the reach of Charlie Price in goal for Stourbridge. 

Although both teams had chances, Leamington had a goal advantage as both teams entered the changing rooms for half time. Strong counter attacks from Stourbridge failed to connect to their target and this was punished just more than 10 minutes into the second half with a second goal for Leamington. This time, Turner capitalised upon poor communication amongst the Stourbridge backline and rounded Price to double the Leamington lead. 

Leamington were close to getting a third when Turner hit the post after poor defending from a cross. The game then shifted substantially when Stourbridge wouldn’t fail to convert down the other end, with Styche scoring a sensational overhead kick more akin to the Champions League than the Senior Cup. Darryl Knight’s corner found the experienced forward’s boot just 10 yards off the goal line with the ball sailing into the top corner past Weaver in the Leamington goal. 

However, with 15 minutes to go this comeback wouldn’t be substantial, and with both teams tiring as the game drew to a close, Leamington managed to return to their two-goal margin. James Mace, on the ground of his boyhood club, netted with just three minutes to go to ensure that Leamington’s 14th Birmingham Senior Cup final would end with some silverware.

Final Score Leamington FC 3-1 Stourbridge FC