LEAMINGTON strode into the semi-finals of the Birmingham Senior Challenge Cup with a 4-1 thumping of West Bromwich Albion Under 23’s on Tuesday night.
A crowd of 211 oversaw Paul Holleran’s side dazzle against their youthful opponents, with braces for Jack Edwards and Colby Bishop brushing aside the Baggies.
It proved a positive point for the Brakes after last Saturday’s trip to Bradford Park Avenue was postponed, falling foul to the winter weather as per a number of leagues across the country.
Despite the eventual outcome, it was Albion who looked brightest from the first whistle.
They looked like going close through Julian Lamy – who should have put away his effort, but he was denied by Jamie Hood’s last-ditch tackle as he was about to unleash a shot at goal.
Leamington had their first effort on goal in the 19th minute, Edwards popping a shot from 35 yards out which had to be tipped over by Ben Pierce.
15 minutes later, he had his name on the scoresheet when a clearance straight to his feet was put away from 12 yards to break the deadlock.
Colby Bishop’s strike on the stroke of half-time allowed Leamington to take a commanding hold of the tie, when he turned away and hammered the ball home on his weaker foot.
Ten minutes after the interval, Edwards fired his second.
Another poor clearance from West Brom’s defence was headed on by Ahmed Obeng, and the Brakes midfielder promptly slammed the ball in from close-range.
Substitute Alex Gilbert pulled one back for the Baggies with 14 minutes left to play, but Colby Bishop’s penalty in the 83rd minute put the seal on the win.
The striker expertly swept the ball into the bottom corner from the spot to put Leamington into the last four, to face either Aston Villa, Nuneaton Borough or Stourbridge/Halesowen Town.
A large attendance is expected when Hereford make their first ever visit to the Phillips 66 Community Stadium on Saturday (3pm), currently sitting two points and two places behind the Brakes in 16th.
