James Collins lead a side consisting of both Wolves under-23 and under-18 players at Tividale in the last round of the competition which has been in existence since 1876, with Wolves recording a resounding 6-0 win against the side from the Midland Premier League.
Wolves have a long-established history in the Birmingham Senior Cup, winning the competition for the first time in seven occasions back in 1891/92 with a 5-2 victory over West Bromwich Albion, as well as reaching the final ten times in the past 130 years.
Their opponents this evening are one of the best Birmingham Senior Cup sides of recent years, with Leamington securing the title for the second time in three years last season. Beating Nuneaton Borough 4-1 to take the 2018/19 crown, it was Wolves who the side from Warwickshire beat to earn their first ever competition title in 2016/17.
WHEN
Wednesday 7.45pm
WHERE
New Windmill Ground, Leamington Spa
LAST THREE
Wolves
2-2 vs Birmingham City (A) PLC
0-1 vs Southampton (A)
2-2 vs Liverpool (H) PLIC
Leamington
2-2p vs Concord Rangers (A) FAT
2-4 vs Gateshead (A)
0-2 vs Spennymoor Town (A)
WHAT THE BOSS THINKS
On aiming for the semi-finals
“It’s another competition we want to do well in, another challenge for our young players – because I’m sure we’ll have a young team again – to go to a men’s team who will get in your faces and work hard to stop our rhythm.
“It will be important for us to get off to a good start and control of the game, like we have in our previous two games, but show that bit of quality in the final third.
“We have Leamington on Wednesday and then Liverpool the game after, so it’s two totally different challenges, but two very tough challenges, which pose a really good mixture of players for our young players.”
On developing his young players
“The standard of football played in this competition and by teams in the National League North is probably better than people think, but what Leamington do have, is that they’re used to playing men’s football, when it’s about results, week after week.
“Our players have mainly spent their careers in development football, which is slightly different. So, playing against players who want to win, that will want to get in your faces, get behind you and run hard, are used to playing Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday in a men’s league, comes with its own challenges.
“These challenges are good for our boys, and the beauty of this competition is the mixture of games it gives us. We wouldn’t want them to play these kinds of games every week, but they need this challenge to help their development, as well as playing in the Academy games.”
NEXT FIVE
12/02 Leamington FC (A) BSC
17/02 Liverpool (H)
21/02 Leeds United (A) PLC
25/02 Derby County (H) PLC
02/03 Tottenham Hotspur (A)
