Saturday 16th September 2006 – F.A. Cup 1st Qualifying Round

Rocester 1 Leamington 0

David Brown was the toast of Rocester on Saturday evening after he had produced a little piece of F.A. Cup magic to upset the form book and dump Leamington out of this season’s competition.

His spectacular 80th minute free kick stunned the highly rated visitors and their army of followers into silence, and they could have no complaints after a solid, determined Romans side had more than matched them on the day.

Sitting proudly at the top of the Midland Alliance table with an unbeaten record and having reached the First Round Proper a year ago, the Brakes arrived as overwhelming favourites to progress into the next round. However, the Romans were up for the cup and ready for anything they had to offer.

Straight from the kick off Rocester took the game to their opponents. Kevin Millward’s forceful running on the right flank earned several corners, which were comfortably dealt with until Wayne Johnson met one with a strong header in the 15th minute that was just too high.

Three minutes later some trickery from Chris Rowley opened up the Brakes’ defence but Marc Hubbard’s loopy header came back into play off the right-hand post and as Leamington struggled to clear the danger Nick Ward, racing into the area, could only direct his header into the arms of goalkeeper Richard Morris.

The visitors then enjoyed a spell in the ascendancy and might well have gone in front on the half hour when Martin Thompson met a Jamie Towers cross with a decent header, however it was straight at Paul Wood.

Towers was the provider of several dangerous crosses during the second period, but this was a game dominated by the two defences and both goalkeepers remained well protected and largely untested.

Then, with a replay looking inevitable, Rocester were awarded a free kick the best part of 30 yards out on their left.

Morris, along with his team mates, prepared to defend a cross into the area but the quick-thinking Brown spotted the unprotected near post and struck the ball superbly into the top left corner, sending the Rocester players and their outnumbered supporters wild with delight.

There was still work to be done though, and a frantic finish saw the visitors throw everything forward, including Morris, who almost set up a late leveller by heading a corner back across the goalmouth before the ball was scrambled to safety.

Well into stoppage time another Towers cross was met by Stuart Herlihy at the far post, but Wood pounced on the goalbound header and Rocester were through.

Rocester: Wood; P.Johnson; Allen; Owen; W.Johnson; Brown; Millward; Rowley; Ward (Ruddock 83); Moran; Hubbard (Douglas 76). Subs not used: Gadsby; M.Ede; P.Ede.

Leamington: Morris; Towers; Cudworth; Knight (Hier 76); Gregory; Dutton; Titterton (Pearson 70); Herlihy; Adams; Thompson; Blake (Husband 76). Subs not used: Mackey; Pearcey.

Yellow Cards: Brown (Rocester). Gregory (Leamington).

Referee: Mr. P. Bailey (Matlock)

Attendance: 267