Brakes bounce back in 1976

Roger Draper wrote in March 1976: ‘Battling AP Leamington have made the perfect recovery from their “torrid” time at the hands of Redditch United.  Since that disappointing 3-2 upset at the hands of the Southern League Division 1 leaders, Brakes have taken six points from three matches [fifty years ago it was two points for a win].  And with only eight matches left the Leamington club seem certain of promotion to the Premier Division for the first time. 

Manager Jimmy Knox, who has missed the boat so many times, Is justifiably proud.  “We were upset to lose against Redditch after going 20 matches without defeat, it was a jolt to our plans.  But the team refused to let it get them down and have responded in the best way possible – by winning.”  

There is a tremendous team spirit at the Windmill this season and Knox is convinced this is one of the major reasons behind their development.  “I have always made a point of attempting to sign the right sort of player.  His worth off the field can be just as vital as his ability on it.   I consider myself to be a players’ manager.  They must always come first.  But this season’s squad are a joy to work with.”  

This spirit was graphically underlined during Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat of Stevenage.   Striker Adrian Stewart, who has plundered 43 goals so far, once dashed over 70 yards to get in a telling tackle.  Says Knox: “Ada has been superb for us this season but he Is just as concerned about helping to prevent goals as score them.  All the lads are the same.”’

‘Second place Leamington gained two valuable away points when they defeated Barry with another vitally important goal from goal ace Adrian Stewart.   After taking the lead in the first half, Brakes held on comfortably against struggling Barry.  Brakes controlled the game for long periods and a packed defence was able to absorb heavy pressure from Barry for a 20-minute period in the second half. 

 Stewart netted his 42^nd goal of the term on the half hour.   Leamington showed all-round strength in attack and defence and were particularly quick when going forward.   Barry, always a hard side to beat on their own ground, started confidently.   It wasn’t long, however, before efficient Brakes settled down and dominated most of the first half with some incisive attacks.  Stewart completed a brilliant solo effort by slotting the ball past Barry keeper Trevor Nott from a narrow angle.

After the break the AP rearguard were lucky to escape on several occasions when only poor finishing by the home forwards denied Barry.  Leamington covered well though and still threatened on the counter attack.  From one such move Steve Lee almost put them further ahead but was denied by keeper Nott at the last moment.  In the closing stages AP defended grimly but managed to hang on to their victory.

Against bottom of the table Stevenage, Adrian Stewart scored to bring his tally for the season to 44 goals while Micky Boot ‘cracked home a devastating volley’ from an acute angle.  Both goals came from corners.   Keeley grabbed the third, having earlier hit the bar with an overhead kick.   Stevenage pulled one back in a goalmouth scramble.

Brakes lose crucial top of table clash

In March 1976 ‘Even two goals in the last four minutes couldn’t prevent Brakes slipping to their first defeat in 21 games to champions-elect Redditch – leaving them facing the daunting prospect of a tough end-of-season fight to hold on to their second-place promotion spot.

Leamington can have few complaints about the result.  For leaders Redditch, after a shaky start, settled to serve up the more deadly and penetrating soccer and in the process notch their 12^th consecutive league win.  AP though were never disgraced in front of 985 spectators – their biggest league crowd of the term - yet their inability to piece together devastatingly dangerous moves in the Redditch mould, was their downfall. 

All too often their attacks lacked the breathtaking speed of the visitors’ moves and Redditch’s resilient defence was able to fall back and reform.  Last season AP came unstuck after 23 unbeaten at a similar stage to leaders Bedford, and manager Jimmy Knox has a real task to lift his players for the remaining eleven games with Witney and Worcester hard on their heels.  I

In the first half-hour, it seemed as though AP’s top-scorer Adrian Stewart could become the key figure in the encounter between the two sides who have scored more than 130 league goals between them.  In the opening seconds he rose about the visitors’ defence to trouble Ward with an on-target header, and five minutes later he gave a glimpse of his remarkable acceleration with a rapid turn and burst from the half-way line before Clement cut in to hack the ball back to safety. 

However, Stewart had little other opportunity to frighten the visitors as the home side denied him a worthwhile service – especially after the interval.  It was a different story for Redditch as they gradually worked leading scorer Roger Shaw into the game.  Twice he ghosted up to the far post to scare Leamington before the best chance fell at the other end to Keeley.   AP’s front-runner hit a superb one-two with Stewart and was denied a goal as Ward came quickly off his line to knock Keeley’s drive over with his trailing legs.

 Redditch survived and Shaw finally made his presence felt when he glided on to a Dale header to fire into the far-corner from ten yards.   Four minutes later, Brakes were shocked again as Dale found space to send in a clever overhead kick.  Keeley almost narrowed the gap immediately after half-time as he got up to nod in a great effort from Boot’s corner – but Ward was equally to it with an equally-fine save.    

Leamington began to enjoy an abundance of possession but it came to nothing and Redditch continued to frighten with some lightning raids.  Tuohy almost got in on the act in the 60^th minute, but the best chance of wrapping it all up came to Dale in the 79^th minute when he broke free, rounded Davis but failed to take advantage of an empty net.  However, five minutes from the end, Shaw looked to have it sown up when he s

lipped through to pounce on an inch-perfect through-ball from Tuohy and slot home.  Two minutes later Keeley lifted AP with a fine opportunist overhead-kick goal.  AP pressed hard and in the final seconds they gained a penalty after Lawrence had handled, and Kavanagh put it away – but it was all too late (2-3).

Stewart turns down chance of league football

In February 1976 ‘AP Leamington striker Adrian Stewart turned down the chance of playing League football with Reading.   Stewart, who has notched 41 goals this term, was approached by the Fourth Division club’s manager Charlie Hurley and offered “attractive” terms.  But Stewart, who is a Product Engineer at Jaguar, said a firm “no”.   

He explained: “It has always been my ambition to make the Football League, but although flattered by Reading’s interest, the offer was not good enough to tempt me away from my job.  I had a long chat with Hurley, but looking at it purely financially, I did not feel that the move was the right one.”   

Stewart, who is 26, has been in brilliant form this season and his goals have jetted AP to within sight of the Southern League Premier Division.  Reading, who are challenging for promotion, have been watching him for weeks.  Hurley is understood to be contemplating making a new offer.’

Brakes faced Gloucester City away and ‘despite a spirited display by the home side were never in danger of losing this match. Once again Adrian Stewart was in top form, adding two goals to his “top of the league” tally.   His first came in the 40^th minute, headed past keeper Stow after almost every member of the team had helped the ball up field in a long sweeping movement. 

His second came in the 76^th minute, he coolly pushed past Snow following a long solo run through the heart of the home defence, for his 40^thgoal of the term.  Steve Lee bagged the remaining goal from close range in the 57^th minute.  His shot came from a scramble in the City goal area which had he usually strong defence in complete disarray.  The goal was just reward for Lee, who was in the thick of every Leamington attack.  He was prevented from opening in the 18^th minute by a superb save by Stow.   The ball returned to Lee whose shot rattled off the bar.   Mick Keeley also hit the City bar in the 7^th minute and always looked likely to score before a pulled stomach muscle midway through the second half led to his replacement by Brown.  

Gloucester were by no means swamped in this match.  For long periods they drove play into the Leamington half and had a closing tally of five corners to Leamington’s two.  But it’s goals that count , and Davies, Taylor and Kavanagh did well to draw the sting from the City attack.  And there could be little doubt that in the end the better side won.

Leamington’s next match was against league leaders Redditch away who were three points ahead of the Brakes.    The game was billed as the most important league clash of the season. ‘it seems  likely that Knox will name an unchanged side unless injury or illness lead him to do otherwise.   Newcomer Phil Lines keep his place in midfield after pleasing Knox with his show at Gloucester and keeper John Davis who first “stood in” when the team travelled to Redditch in mid-November prepared for his 14^th game with Leamington.  

According to Knox, AP were brimming over with confidence.  “If they win then the gap opens up to five points, if we win it narrows to one.  we haven’t  any thoughts of losing at all.”’

 

'Scott goes racing on'

That is the headline in the Non-League Paper today with a splash reporting the appointment of Scott Easterlow as Brakes supremo.

The report points out that Easterlow was in the academy before earning a spot in the senior side under Jason Cadden in the noughties.

Easterlow points out that he will no longer have to cross the Portobello Bridge or battle his way along Myton Road as Leamington is his home town.

'It feels like I am at a big club.   Leamington is a huge club.  These last few days have almost given me a new lease of life   I am as ambitious as anyone and the opportunity to move to a club at a higher level was too good to turn down.'

'The benefit of coming in at this point of the season is getting to work with the squad now.  There are some that I don't know. so I get to build relationships with them and if we do go down I will have a bit of understanding about who fits with how we want to do things,'

'Hopefully that will give a foothold to hang on to those we want to keep over the summer.'

'

Brakes feel the pressure

The Coventry Evening Telegraph reported in February 1976: ‘AP Leamington are beginning to feel the pressure as they mount their fiercest challenge yet for Southern League Premier Division status.  Manager Jimmy Knox this week admitted: “It’s to our credit that teams are now only concerned with stopping us but life is becoming more difficult.” 

A haul of 19 goals from their last seven matches would suggest that Knox is being less than fair to his attack and generous to the ability of the opposing defences.  Bur certainly Brakes did find it difficult to master Witney Town’s active rearguard during last Friday’s 1-1 draw at the Windmill, Adrian Stewart’s goal being their only on target effort.   The Leamington side have stretched their unbeaten league record to a splendid 13 wins and five draws to have the supporters cheerfully contemplating the thought of visits from the likes of Wimbledon and Nuneaton Borough next term. 

But Knox is adamant that the hardest hurdles have yet to be overcome.  “The players must realise that from now on every team will be out to beat us.   Fortunately, they have the character and ability to meet the challenge.”    Knox is disappointed by the attitude shown by some opponents.  “I will never asl my players to stop attacking.  I feel very sorry for managers who are forced to adopt such depressing policies”. 

AP joined the rush this week to sign Bermuda and Arley Rectory winger Pete Dawkins.  They put in seven days’ notice of approach and are hopeful that a transfer will be completed.  Says Knox: “Arley came and played a friendly match against us on Tuesday for their big Sunday Cup tie tomorrow.  Obviously, this gave me a chance to see the boy in action and I was extremely impressed.”’

Brakes were hoping to complete a double on Bedworth United to maintain pressure on league leaders Redditch.   ‘However, it will be no easy task.   Despite their modest record, George Awde’s Bedworth outfit are difficult to beat.   They have drawn 19 matches this term and have a disciplined defence.’

It turned out to be a bit of a game of two halves with the Evening Telegraph report which covered the match up to half time much more positive than the Courier report on the game as a whole.   The Telegraph report was headed ‘Bedworth feel AP drive’ and stated that ‘Title chasing AP Leamington dictated their clash with Bedwortb United at the Windmill Ground.  They were worth more than the 2-0 half time score suggested, giving the hard-pressed Bedworth defence a pounding.  AP were the first to show aggression and looked the better side.’  

Their first goal was a simple header from Lee after Keeley worked an opening on the right.   For the second goal, Stewart made use of a midfield mistake, ran 30 yards and rounded the keeper to score.    The Courier warned, ‘The sort of over confidence that allowed Bedworth two late chances could prove costly.’  Ivor Talbot scored the third for Brakes on 65 minutes and ‘it looked all over bar the shouting.’  

However, Bedworth then ‘staged a stunning revival as AP decided to rest on their laurels’, allowing Bedworth ‘the time and space to bounce back.’  In the last 10 minutes the visitors hit the post and bar, threatening to share the points.

Knox gets his man as Brakes battle on

In February 1976 Brakes boss Jimmy Knox swooped for the signature of Banbury United midfield player, 21-year old Jimmy Lines.  ‘Knox has had Lines watched four or five times in recent weeks and wants to sign the midfield player to boost AP Leamington’s bid for Southern League Premier Division  status.

 But Knox’s approach to Lines received a cool reception from Banbury boss Brian Stone who does not want to lose the services of the player.   Commented Stone: “I understand that AP Leamington has placed seven days’ notice of approach on the player but other than that I do not know much about it.”  He added: “I wish Jimmy Knox had come to me first rather than have gone about it like this.  It would have been much more satisfactory all round.”  

But Stone is unlikely to stand in the way o Lines moving to AP Leamington if terms are agreed between the player and Knox, who himself is a former Banbury player.’

Knox did indeed get his man: “Phil is just the sort of player I have been looking for and he will be included in the squad for Friday night’s match with Witney.   I would have played him against Kidderminster on Monday but the game was postponed.”  After his meeting with Knox, Lines said: “Leamington are a good side and I will have to play well to keep a regular place.  But there is a very good chance of playing Premier Division football with them next season.”’

‘Despite struggling with a heavy cold, marksman supreme Adrian Stewart was in the right place for the 37^th time this season when he soared above the Witney defence to give Brakes a 61^st minute lead on Friday.  Skipper Roger Brwn was absent with ‘flu, having missed the last two games with a knee injury. 

 The gritty Oxfordshire side clung on to their promotion hopes with a deserved equaliser 14 minutes later which keeps them snapping at AP’s heels in third position.  The fierce-tackling Witney rearguard soon put the shackles on Stewart, Keeley and Talbot, and with the struggle for midfield supremacy unresolved throughout the match chances were few and far between.

 Indeed the best chance of the match resulted from a careless back pass which fell to Ivor Talbot as early as the tenth minute.  But the winger was unable to add the final touch after rounding keeper Stewart Rennie. 

The remainder of the half was a grim affair with goal scoring efforts restricted to long range shots which never looked likely to break the deadlock.   There was little more enterprise in the second half, but at least there were goals.  

And ironically – in a defence-dominated match – both resulted from moments of slackness.  In the 61^st minute Micky Boot crossed from the left and Stewart rose almost unchallenged to head home from four yards with debutante keeper Rennie rooted to his line.  And Witney’s goal was equally negligent.    A cross from the right gave unmarked Barrie Thomas the time and space to head home a header from ten yards. 

Brakes nearly stole both points in the last minute when Keeley failed by a whisker as he went in on a Kavanagh corner at the far post, but it would have been more than AP deserved.’

Morale high at injury hit Brakes 50 years ago

In January 1976 ‘The precarious tightrope that Brakes boss Jimmy Knox is walking with his depleted squad tautened this week with the injury sustained by midfield man Micky Boot.   With his squad almost at full stretch, Knox now has to sweat it out until Saturday to see whether Boot will be at the ‘derby’ encounter at the Windmill against Banbury. 

Should Boot – whose form this term has been one of the dominant factors in AP’s surge towards the head of Division One North – fail a late fitness test with knee ligament trouble then Knox will be  virtually forced to bring in either defender Doug Griffith or John Brady, neither of whom have creditable experience in midfield.  And that will mean in turn Knox will have no option but to switch around his settled side.

Obviously the AP chief is reluctant to take such a step and possibly upset the rhythm of the team which have now gone 15 consecutive league games without defeat and picked up 26 of the last possible 30 points in the process.  And naturally, Knox is anxious to sign the midfield cover which he has been watching in recent weeks – and is hopeful that the move will come in the next week. 

Meanwhile, the goalkeeper crisis that has beleaguered the Windmill in the past three months is still no easier.  Dave Jones and Dave Garratt, the two AP professionals, are still nursing knee and ankle injuries and a lack of match practice isn’t helping their recovery – a sure sign that reserve soccer is sadly missed at this level of football.   Consequently John Davis is likely to once again take over the keeper’s jersey for the tenth game of the season.  

Despite the problems, spirit in the AP camp has never surely been as high.  Even in his programme notes on Tuesday, Knox was moved to comment: “I can’t praise enough the players’ attitude and the work they put into their game.   We have a wonderful spirit inside the dressing room and outside as well – this is an essential part of any successful team and takes time to achieve it but I feel we have got this now … it will go a long way to get us into the Premier Division.  There’s still some way to go but in our present mood I don’t see anyone stopping us.  It’s the same story from the players.  Ask any one of them and they’re all confident that promotion – if not the championship – is on the way to the Windmill. 

Last night at Birmingham skipper Roger Brown was appealing against a booking he received in the September FA Trophy game at Boston.  Brown asked for a personal hearing against the caution because he believed that should the FA take into consideration with two other bookings he received against Redditch and Bury at the end of last season, he could receive an automatic short-term ban.   Manager Knox was accompanying Brown, who is claiming a case against mistaken identity at the hearing.

As it turned out Brakes had no difficulty in beating Banbury 5-0, although the visitors lost their leading scorer to injury and then their keeper had to go off with a gashed eye.   Brakes were 3-0 up at the interval with two goals by Stewart amd one by Talbot.    He scored again in the second half and then Stewart scored jis 35^th goal in 34 games.