Leamington 5 Boldmere St Michaels 0

I was genuinely looking forward to this clash. For me, an away trip to Leamington represented the first real 'road trip' style experience that I am expecting to have over the next few months. It was also going to be interesting to see how Boldmere could handle a team that was 2 whole divisions above them. As the scoreline suggests, they couldn't, but what was more intriguing about this tie was the discovery of new surroundings, of a club in possession of higher trappings of fame and fortune, and ambitions.

The New Windmill Ground is situated in the middle of nowhere deep in the Warwickshire countryside, and is a very smart set up. Home fans were heard loud and clear in the stand behind the goal, and seen clearly too thanks to the many flags draped over them. The club boasts a large modern clubhouse, where you can enjoy a post match pint with fans and players alike, in the Ed Mullard bar. During the match, should you fancy striking up a conversation with the locals, you could always pop across to the club shop, where you would be served by club stalwart  Debbie Hodgkins. I know this, because I was informed by the professional matchday programme, a snip even at this level, at only £2.

Back to the football, and it was clear right from the start that Leamington were a club who knew what they were doing on the pitch as well as off. They were faster, pacier, sharper and fitter than their Birmingham based opponents, who found it hard to get much possession in the early stages of the game. That said, Boldmere were only 1-0 down by half time, there was every chance of scoring a goal in the 2nd half and the game was by no means over yet.

This changed however, after the Boldmere captain hauled down a Leamington player in the penalty area, the resulting conversion doubling Leamington's lead. From then on it was clearly game over. Boldmere lost their cool, leading to a dramatic collapse in the final 10 minutes, conceding 3 more goals.

It was hardly surprising, but at the same time a fascinating contest, both teams trying to play football, but one team clearly miles ahead than the other in terms of quality and fitness. At the end of the game, I decided to follow the programme's recommendations and sample the atmosphere in the Ed Mullard bar, where I could sit and watch Debbie Hodgkins in action, whilst reflecting on Boldmere's short and sweet FA cup run. The draw is on Monday, and this is where it begins to get really exciting. There are hundreds of teams in the 2nd Qualifying round...I could be traveling anywhere between Leamington and Carlisle......