RACKEEM Reid’s first Leamington goal helped the Brakes to a 1-0 win against Bishop’s Stortford and into the third round of the FA Trophy.
Reid scored the game’s only goal on 49 minutes as Paul Holleran’s side ended a run of five successive draws in the league with a narrow win at the Your Co-Op Community Stadium.
In the first ever meeting between the two teams, Leamington went close early on as Jack Edwards’ low first time shot from the edge of the penalty area was cleared off the line by Jay Porter.
Reid caused the Stortford defence plenty of problems as he saw a close range effort blocked before Dan Meredith and Adam Walker were also denied a clear sight of goal.
The home side tried their luck again later in the half as Edwards first time volley flew over the crossbar from Dan Turner’s knockdown.
However, the deadlock was finally broken four minutes into the second period when Reid turned sharply inside the box and drove an effort past Jack Giddens in the Stortford goal at his near post.
The visitors responded after the goal as substitute Darren Foxley’s long range effort was destined for the bottom corner only for Callum Hawkins to make a crucial save to keep the Brakes in front.
And Hawkins then gathered a lofted ball into the area before saving Jonathan Giles’ effort from distance as Stortford pressed for a leveller.
Despite Stortford controlling proceedings for the last quarter of the game, Leamington nervously saw out the remaining minutes to advance to the third round of the competition.
Leamington are next in action at home to Peterborough Sports on Saturday, November 26 with kick-off at 3pm at the Your Co-Op Community Stadium.
