After a poor start to the season in August 1975, Brakes staged a recovery with a 2-0 away at Banbury. The Evening Telegraph reported: ‘Adrian Stewart led AP Leamington to an impressive first Southern League victory of the season at Banbury on Saturday. Stewart scored twice in the first half as the Brakes midfield, with former Banbury man Steve Lee outstanding, controlled the game.
Banbury lacked punch
in attack without the injured Tony Jacques and their defence often looked shaky
under pressure. AP should have added to
their tally in the last minute when home full back Geoffrey Welch handled
inside the penalty area but Gerry Kavanagh put the spot kick well wide. ‘ (He never missed a penalty during his time
with Knox at Rugby).
The Banbury Guardian said that the home defenders were
sometimes guilty of ball watching. ‘AP
Leamington took the lead after 12 minutes when a corner on the left found
Adrian Stewart and he had plenty of time and space to lash the ball past Mick
Gilkes from ten yards. Former Banbury
player Steve Lee showed some good touches in the visitors’ midfield and it was
he who set up the chance for Stewart to make it 2-0 just before half time. Stewart drifted past one defender and put the
ball in the far corner. Gilkes pulled off a good save at the feet of Lee in the
second half.’
Reviewing the performance by the Brakes, the Courier noted
that Stewart had been left on the sidelines by Jimmy Knox in Brakes’ opening
home games. He had been transfer listed
after being top scorer in the preceding season, but ‘showed all his old skill
in outpacing a slow home defence time and time again.
In reality Leamington
and Banbury were gulfs apart. Micky
Boot, making his presence felt in an especially one-sided second spell, took
complete control in midfield to pose all kinds of problems for a weak United
outfit. And up front, Bobby Mellor
certainly showed some of the talent that may well bolster AP in future weeks as
soon as he and his colleagues have formed a greater understanding. With
Brakes on top after the turnaround, it could so easily have been six – but
chances went begging as Brakes’ killer instinct failed them.’
However, the victory gave manager Knox only a brief
respite. Brakes faced a league game at
Tamworth, Atherstone at home in the second leg of the first round of the
Southern League Cup and then league newcomers Oswestry Town. ‘But with Dough Griffiths, Roger Brown and
skipper Steve Lee beginning one or more suspensions, AP will treading a tricky
tightrope to field a side for their next two games. With only a 15-strong squad, the bans stretch
AP to their staff limit – leaving just 12 professionals, including two
goalkeepers, available for the two matches.
Knox has been well
aware of the problem for some weeks and although there’s no cash available in
Brakes’ coffers for professional additions to the squad, Knox has taken out
some insurance by signing his son Steven on amateur forms. Steven, who plays in midfield, did have a
run out for AP last term in their charity game against Westlea Wanderers. Nevertheless, Knox is still conscious of the
need for further cover and is keeping his eyes peeled for more amateur talent.’
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