Knox in 1973: 'now we can get the club back on his feet

Brakes started their 1973/4 season with a home fixture against Wellingborough.  ‘Jimmy Knox breathed a sigh of relief after seeing his eight-change outfit come through to beat Wellingborough with two late goals.   Confessed Knox: “I am glad that one is out of the way.  Now we can get down to the job of putting the club back on its feet.”   But this satisfactory performance would suggest that AP are poised to leave behind their lean days.  This side, heartened by a first minute goal, chased themselves into the ground with a fire and enthusiasm rarely seen last season. 

They hit the Wellingborough woodwork three times, saw two shots cleared off the line, and generally buzzed around with refreshing honesty.  Hubbard headed Brakes into their early lead and it was another header from the same player that set up Foster’s first goal after Brian Etheridge and Keith Shrimpton’s own goal had put the visitors in front.    And with the minutes ticking out, the impressive Foster outpaced the Wellngborough defence and beat the keeper for the winner.

Away at Corby, the home side ‘were desperate for points with two defeats in their first two games, but both sides looked evenly matched in the early stages.   Corby almost went ahead in the sixth minute, but Gully’s shot was skilfully pushed round the post by Leamington keeper David Jones.   Foster had an opening for Leamington, but he aimed his shot from just inside the box straight at Peter Walters.  

Both goalkeepers were kept busy.   Jones robbed McGowan as he steamed in towards goal, and Walters saved well from Robbie Horn.   Foster scooped the ball over the bar from close range after 19 minutes when he might have scored, and Burns was forced to clear off the line from Stabbard as Leamington got into their stride.  

 But the Steelmen looked hesitant in front of goal – giving the visitors’ defence ample opportunity to cover.     Despite their early lack of form Corby were unlucky not to lead at half time after Dick Walpole saw his shot hit the near post when he lashed the ball over the diving body of Jones three minutes before the interval.   Walters pulled off a rather lucky save shortly after the interval when he stuck out a foot to cut a fierce shot from Hubbard.  

And it came as no surprise when Doug Griffiths put Leamington ahead after 53 minutes when he slammed the ball from close range into the roof of the net at the second attempt after Walters had blocked his first shot.   Leamington won by the single goal.   Brakes: Jones, Shrimpton, Brady, Griffiths, Withington, Boot, Horn, Hubbard, Lee, Forster, Goodfellow.  Sub: Taylor.