Wolves U23s 1 Leamington 1 (4–5 on penalties) – Report

Leamington had taken an early lead when Rob Thompson-Brown scored from the spot, with Wolves equalising 21 minutes from time through substitute Andrew Sealy's smart finish, writes Tim Spiers.

With no extra time the game went straight to penalties. The first nine spot kicks were all converted – but Sealy's penalty was saved by keeper Tony Breeden to give The Brakes the trophy.

Scott Sellars selected a young XI, making 10 changes from the under-23 team that had been beaten in the Premier League 2 play-offs on Monday with goalkeeper Jack Ruddy the only one to keep his place.

Wolves were looking to win the competition for the seventh time in their history – and the first time since 1987. Leamington, who boasted former Walsall full back Richard Taundry and ex-Villa youngster Stefan Moore in their ranks, were chasing a sixth triumph and a first since 1972.

This was the sixth time that Molineux had hosted the BSC final and the Leamington fans were going to enjoy their night regardless of the scoreline.

Around 800 of them took over one half of the Family Enclosure and certainly made themselves heard, creating a spicy atmosphere at an otherwise deserted Molineux.

The away supporters will have helped inspired their team in the first half – and they took a deserved 1-0 lead into the break.

Their goal came in the 15th minute when Hakeem Odoffin's clumsy challenge on nippy winger Ahmed Obeng resulted in a penalty which was clinically dispatched by Thompson-Brown.

Wolves wanted a penalty of their own 15 minutes later but referee Simon Barrow judged that a tackle on Conor Levingston after Bradley Reid's clever chest-pass was a legal one. Regan Upton headed the resulting corner not far wide.

The only other chances in the remainder of the half for Wolves came from 20-odd yard free kicks with Ryan Rainey sending one just over and Nicu Carnat flashing one past the post.

Leamington were unsurprisingly winning the physical battle but they were playing some decent football too. Obeng twisted and turned in the Wolves box before shooting wide and then Courtney Baker-Richardson brilliantly met a high ball in the box with a first-time volley but directed it just wide.

Wolves added some much-needed aggression and purpose to their play at the start of the second half and almost immediately Carnat tested keeper Tony Breeden's reflexes with a decent effort.

But that merely seemed to inspire The Brakes to take things up another gear. Baker-Richardson forced Ruddy into a low diving save with a good header – and then Jack Edwards was inches away from doubling their lead but his free head found the post instead of the net.

Back came Wolves with Rainey's dangerous low cross kicked away from his goal by Breeden and then Reid sent a scorching 30-yard thunderbolt whistling over the bar.

Then on 67 minutes the non-league side were a fraction away from making it 2-0. Taundry's cross took out the entire Wolves defence but somehow the unmarked Edwards and substitute Richard Bachelor, both sliding in, failed to make contact from two yards out.

The Brakes were well on top – but just two minutes later Wolves equalised against the run of play. Carnat, the outstanding player on the night for Sellars' side, drove a great ball across goal – Reid just missed it but substitute Sealy make no mistake with a powerful low drive under the keeper.

Neither team created a meaningful chance in the final 21 minutes and with no extra time it went straight to penalties.

Burly shaven-headed keeper Breeden stepped up to hammer Leamington's first penalty into the corner. The first nine penalties all found the net – and then Breeden became Leamington's hero when he saved Sealy's spot kick.

There were joyous scenes as the visitors celebrated wildly with their ecstatic supporters, while Wolves' players consoled a devastated Sealy.

Wolves (4-2-3-1): Ruddy; Odoffin (Sealy, 45), Upton, Leak, O'Hanlon; Levingston (McKenna, 54), Rainey; Carnat, Delacoe (Allan, 85), Breslin; Reid. Subs: Beasley, John.

Goal: Sealy (69)

Leamington (4-2-3-1): Breeden; Taundry, Hood, Mace, Gudger; Magunda (Pond, 59), Edwards; Baker-Richardson (Revan, 82), Thompson-Brown, Obeng; Moore (Bachelor, 63). Subs: James, Revan, Quinn.

Goal: Thompson-Brown (pen, 15)

Attendance: 920

Referee: Simon Barrow

Penalty shoot-out

Leamington pen 1 – Breeden scores

Wolves pen 1 – Allan scores

Leamington pen 2 – Thompson-Brown scores

Wolves pen 2 – Rainey scores

Leamington pen 3 – Pond scores

Wolves pen 3 – McKenna scores

Leamington pen 4 – Taundry scores

Wolves pen 4 – Carnat scores

Leamington pen 5 – Edwards scores

Wolves pen 5 – Sealy saved