Brakes overcome Kiddy across two legs

AP Leamington were involved in a two leg Southern League cup tie with Kidderminster Harriers at the end of August 1973.   At the Windmill Ground ‘Twin strikers Norman Foster and Trevor Hubbard shared the goals to give AP a deserve 2-0 advantage from the first leg of this cracking Southern League Cup tie.  And Kidderminster will need to show a startling improvement in Monday’s second leg if they are to retain any interest in this competition.   AP, unbeaten in four matches, took time to settle against an uncompromising defence which tackled quickly and offered few opportunities. 

 But once Foster had put them in front after 26 minutes there was only one side in it as the Leamington outfit turned up the heat to threaten a runaway victory.  Foster, who is looking a very fine player this season, took his goal with remarkable coolness.   Hubbard’s persistence prompted the chance and the lanky striker made no mistake with a crushing angled drive which left Hingley clutching at thin air. 

The home side really got their game together in the second half and Kidderminster were fortunate to see snap efforts from Foster and Micky Ross smack against the bar and bounce to safety.  But there was no preventing Hubbard’s goal after 52 minutes after the centre forward turned and rifled a low shot past Hingley from 20 yards.  And the season’s largest crowd of 420 were almost treated to two more goals in the last 15 minutes as first Foster and then Bobby Hart saw shots well saved by the gallant Hingley.’

In the return fixture ‘Kidderminster outplayed AP in the first period and raced to a deserved 3-0 lead.  During the first half AP’s attacks were limited but on one occasion they went close when a shot from Goodfellow crashed against the bar.  After the break, Kidderminster went off the boil and AP wasted no time in accepting their chances to hit back.  They made it 3-1 in the 76^th minute when Foster found enough time to fire the ball past keeper Hingley following a corner.  Then, just when it looked as if the clubs would have to fight it out in a replay, Leamington made it 3-2 in the last minute to give them an aggregate 4-3 victory.’

In the league AP continued their early season form with a 2-1 victory over Witney Town who had joined the league ‘after huge successes in the Hellenic League.    Witney were the first to attack but were generally subdued by the taller Leamington defenders.

 In the sixth minute the visitors nearly took the lead when Hubbard drifted in from the left and fired a first time shot against an upward. Leamington were producing all the better ideas, and it was hardly surprising when Foster headed them into the lead in the 17^th minute.  Horne was given far too much room on the right wing and his cross gave Foster plenty of space and time in which to score.  And it was Foster who assured Leamington full points when he netted in the second half.’