LEAMINGTON put up a brave fight against a second string Birmingham City side but eventually fell to a 1-0 defeat on Saturday afternoon.
Young Irish striker Ronan Hale netted the only goal on the half-hour mark with a neat finish at the near post, following Kyle McFarlane’s surging run.
With several first team players in action elsewhere, Birmingham’s Development Squad Coach Richard Beale put a youthful side out against the Brakes.
Speaking about the game, he said: “Leamington are a very big and strong side that play a very direct game and rely heavily on set-pieces.
“That was why we took the game, because it’s good for the young players to be exposed to more football like that, which is the real game.
“We managed to keep a clean sheet by scrapping and putting our bodies on the line and that is often more important than the tactical side of it.
Leamington are next in action this Friday when they travel to Highgate for another friendly (7.30pm) before hosting Worcester City a week on Saturday.
