LEAMINGTON won the inaugural Ilum Davis Foundation Trophy following a penalty shootout victory against hosts Guernsey FC.
The Brakes made the trip to the Channel Islands to face Guernsey in a special pre-season fixture at Victoria Park.
And following a 2-2 draw at the end of 90 minutes, Leamington triumphed 8-7 on penalties.
Despite a strong start from the Brakes, Guernsey broke the deadlock on 16 minutes when Callum Le Lacheur’s volley found the net via the underside of the crossbar.
The Brakes spurned a gilt-edged chance to draw level after the break when Owen Farmer inexplicably blazed over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.
And Guernsey doubled their lead on 56 minutes when Charlton Gauvain fired a powerful effort into the corner of the net.
However, the Brakes halved the deficit on 73 minutes as Raj Palit cut in from the right and found Kyle Finn who finished from close range.
And Leamington drew level deep into injury time when Palit’s free-kick from the left travelled over the head of Guernsey goalkeeper Josh Addison and into the net to force a shootout.
Finn stepped up to take the first penalty of the shootout only for Addison to deny the winger from the spot and Guernsey took full advantage by scoring their first effort.
Both teams scored their next three penalties before Tyrese Kelly fired wide for Guernsey which allowed Leamington defender Nat Kelly to send the shootout to sudden death.
And the scoring continued until the officials deemed Ben Solway’s penalty had not crossed the line despite several Guernsey protests as the Brakes won the inaugural Ilum Davis Foundation Trophy.
Leamington finish their pre-season schedule with a first-ever meeting against Yate Town on Saturday, August 1 with kick-off at 3pm at the Your Co-op Community Stadium.
