RACING Club Warwick booked their place in the final of the Birmingham Senior Cup with a stunning 2-0 win against local rivals Leamington.
The Racers, who play two levels below the Brakes, claimed the local bragging right thanks to goals from Charlie Jones and Connor Mort at a sold out Townsend Meadow.
Warwick will play either Aston Villa or Coventry City in the final after dumping out eight-time winners Leamington.
Separated by just seven miles, the semi-final clash represented the first competitive fixture between the two clubs since April 2007.
Racers boss Scott Easterlow, who spent a brief spell with the Brakes as a player in 2003/04, took charge of his 250th game at Warwick in his second stint as Racing boss.
Leamington created a couple of early chances as Warwick goalkeeper Paul Hathaway comfortably held Tyrone Barnett’s tame shot before the same player sent a half-volley narrowly wide moments later.
And the Brakes spurned a glorious chance to take the lead on nine minutes when Cally Stewart poked the ball wide after good work from Barnett.
More chances came and went for the visitors as Jiah Medrano fired narrowly over the crossbar before Henry Landers dragged an effort wide.
Warwick threatened the Leamington goal shortly before half time as Brakes goalkeeper Callum Hawkins punched clear from underneath his own crossbar.
Moments later, a thunderous effort from a corner deflected inches over the bar as the first half ended goalless.
And Warwick broke the deadlock on 50 minutes when Jones stabbed the ball into the far corner of the goal after the home side saw an initial effort blocked inside the penalty area.
The Racers continued to push forward as Archie Hamp exchanged passes with Louis Monaghan before seeing his shot deflected behind.
From the resulting corner, Racers captain Kyle Barnett headed over the bar after Jones nodded the ball into the six-yard box.
Warwick wasted a golden chance to double their lead when Stewart inadvertently played the ball into the path of Monaghan only for the Racing striker to blaze his shot well over the crossbar when one-on-one with Hawkins.
However, the Racers sealed their place in the final 81 minutes as Mort sent a superb diving header into the left corner of the goal from Callum Carsley’s floated cross from the right.
The Brakes were left frustrated by the referee after Medrano stayed down on the ground following a challenge with a Warwick player moments before the Racers doubled their lead.
Leamington goalkeeper Hawkins then made an excellent save at full stretch to keep out another Mort header before Stewart shot narrowly wide at the other end.
Warwick saw out the remaining minutes to seal their place in the Birmingham Senior Cup final and leave their Southern League Premier Central visitors stunned.
