Badgers sent back to their sett

After all the talk of Retford United being a major threat, Leamington beat them comfortably 5-1 in the 5th round of the FA Vase in front of a ground record crowd of 1,380 at the New Windmill Ground. Alleged danger man Neil Harvey, a Barbados international, and formerly with Chelsea, Fulham and West Ham had to be withdrawn, so great was the dominance of the Brakes.

However, to start with it looked as if the match would be as tight as predicted. Brakes hit the post on 6 minutes, but it was ruled to be offside anyway. Brakes looked a bit nervous at the back. Brakes supporters responded to taunts of 'You're supposed to be at home' with 'You're just a small town in Worksop.'

Then home nerves were settled on 29 minutes when in a brilliant move Jamie Towers evaded two Badgers defending their sett and turned provider for Ben Mackey who slotted the ball home.

Shortly afterwards Josh Blake lunged at Ollie Chappell away from the ball and the Retford charm merchant retaliated. Both linesmen ran on to the pitch as a general melée broke out, but clearly the officials did not have a clear view as the referee awarded two yellow cards.

Half time: Brakes 1, Badgers 0

Mackey put Brakes 2-0 ahead on 49 minutes with a shot driven along the ground. After he had been withdrawn in favour of Dave Pearson, he had scarcely been on any time at all when made it 3-0. Jon Adams then took good advantage of some space he was given to make it 4-0 on 64 minutes. Pearson then slotted home his second on 74 minutes to make it 5-0.

The crowd were now looking for six, but a lapse of concentration allowed Retford back in to score a consolation goal. With the police guiding traffic out of the ground, the rest of us waited for the buses for the highly effective park 'n' ride service. Brakes now face Curzon Ashton away in the quarter finals.