Brakes lacked consistency 50 years ago

Brakes continued to face challenges in February 1973.    ‘Tom Sweenie’s prolonged absence  from the Lockheed team is seen by many as the major reason behind the side’s recent loss of form.  Sweenie has missed six of the last seven matches because of a strained hamstring and the Leamington club have struggled to make any impact in midfield – a position occupied with great skill by the former Leicester City player.   And although Brakes have won twice and gained an away draw without Sweenie’s influence, they have failed to reproduce the form that saw them make such a substantial improvement before Christmas. 

Manager Bill Branston is certain that Sweenie’s spell on the sidelines has a lot to do with the slipping standard.  “Tom is a fine player – one of the best in the Southern League.  We can scarcely afford to be without him at a time when everyone at the Windmill is attempting to get the side into the top half of the table.”  And there is no immediate prospect of Sweenie returning to the side.  He was expected to play against Redditch today but cried off with tonsillitis.  “He could be out for another fortnight” said Branston “and Lockheed will continue to suffer.  Tom makes us tick.”’

‘Caretaker manager Bill Branston could be replaced at Lockheed tomorrow, next week, next month or next season.  But while other people are speculating about who will take over the Windmill reins, Branston is solely concerned with the day-to-day running of the club.   Said the former Aston Villa goalkeeper: “I don’t know how long the committee want me to look after the side, but I must obviously make plans on a long term basis.   I want to be able to hand over a strong squad to the new man and I am, therefore, on the look out for fresh talent. 

Branston is reasonably satisfied with the Brakes’ progress since he took over in October, but he recognises that the side lacks consistency. “You never realise how difficult the manager’s job is until you take it yourself,” he said.   “The lads have played some brilliant stuff in one match and then plunged to rock bottom three days later.  The manager cannot really be blamed for this but obviously I must try to make sure that the team play to their full potential every week.”  And Branston is tight lipped about where the search for new signings is taking him, but it is believed that at least one signing is imminent.’

Facing Redditch at home, ‘Skipper Keith Shrimpston gave Lockheed the lead from the penalty spot ten minutes before the interval.  Lockheed relied on a much more direct approach and Evans was kept busy dealing with a series of hopeful shots.  But he had no possible chance of stopping Shrimpton’s penalty kick.  Moreton was pulled down by Hamilton and the Lockheed captain sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.   Redditch made a fine start to the second half, scoring a deserved equaliser after 47 minutes.     With Pete King stranded, substitute Paul Evans was the scorer blasting home a first time shot from the edge of the penalty area after a corner had eluded the home defence.   

An 85^th minute goal from John Moreton enabled Lockheed to secure their second win over Redditch inside two weeks.   Lockheed deserved their win for one reason – they took the chances offered.  It was fitting that Moreton should be involved in the home successes.   He was the game’s most effective player on a day when skills were at a premium.’

Stevenage outplay Brakes

Brakes faced Stevenage Athletic as they were then called in January 1973.  ‘Brakes went into the match with an impressive record of four successive home wins with no goals conceded. Two goals in the opening four minutes provided struggling Stevenage with a sizzling start.   The visitors snatched the lead in their first attack when Richardson’s low cross was headed in by Pitt at the near post.  It was a shock opening and Lockheed had further problems two minutes later as left back Hull moved up to lash the second goal off Bowden’s outstretched leg.  Brakes were struggling to find any rhythm and Athletic almost made it 3-0 when Pitt sent a powerful shot just wide. 

Lockheed were not in the game at this stage but it came as no surprise when Burton ran 35 yards unchallenged to lash a superb goal from 18 yards.  But two minutes later Lockheed replied when Jessop prodded the ball over the line after right-winger Moreton had directed a shot against the post.  It was a dismal display from the home side, however, and Athletic looked in command of the situation as they continued to press forward against a jittery home defence.   Lockheed need a goal badly and they resumed in brighter fashion. 

But lowly Stevenage were in mood to surrender their advantage.   Spillane weaved through for a simple Stevenage goal on the hour.   In the last 30 minutes lethargic Lockheed attempted to salvage something from a grim display and Steve Sherry and Dennis Walker cut the deficit to a single goal.’  Stevenage secured their first away win of the season 4-3.

‘In one of the most thrilling matches seen at the Valley Stadium this season, Redditch and Lockheed were locked in a thrilling Birmingham Senior Cup tie.   Lockheed took the lead after five minutes when Jessop slid the ball into the net.  Redditch drew level after 11 minutes through Howell.  After 39 minutes Lockheed regained the lead from a free kick.  Dennis Walker headed the ball to Jessop who let fly from 30 yards and sent the ball crashing into the net.  In the first minute of the second half Redditch equalised.  Fleet waiting in the penalty area lobbed the ball into the net.  Both sides struggled madly to get the winning goal, but the result ended in a fairly well deserved draw.’

In the replay ‘Holders Lockheed were forced to survive hectic pressure before disposing of Birmingham Senior Cup visitors Redditch under the Windmill lights.   Given the boost of a sharply-taken goal from Graham Jessop after 10 minutes, Brakes went off the boil to allow a youthful Redditch side to dictate most of the action.   But the defence was again in determined form.   And when a superb two man break conjured up a second goal 10 minutes before the end, Redditch were drained of fire and ambition to allow Lockheed to finish on top of the replay.   Jessop who slammed both goals at Redditch quickly displayed his liking for the visitors’ defence with a crisp hook that drifted over Keith Evans and under the bar. 

However, Redditch gradually gained midfield advantage and most of the play was confined to the home half.   Although there was style in the visitors’ build up, there was little pace and penetration – qualities that combined to produce Lockheed’s second goal.   John Moreton won possession deep in his own half.  He quickly made progress down the wing before feeding Dennis Walker with a superb through ball.  And Walker calmly shot his 10^th goal of the season with a fiercely hit effort taken on the turn.’

Brakes do better in early 1973

Wyn Grant

‘During the early weeks of the 1972-3 season Lockheed seemed almost frightened of playing on their own Windmill Ground.   The Leamington fans became frustrated with some below par displays and Brakes simply weren’t getting the encouragement normally afforded to home teams.  But they finally broke the ice on November 16 – their 10^th home match of the season – when they beat Tamworth 3-2 and their confidence has soared in the last few weeks.     They have not lost a Windmill match since then and following a 2-2 draw with Rugby Town have rattled off four successive victories.  And news of their revitalised form has spread. 

Gates are gradually picking up and caretaker manager Bill Branston is convinced the best is yet to come.  “We are a changed side these days,” he said.  “One certainly couldn’t blame the crowd for losing faith in the team, but I think that the players have now shown what they can do and have earned the right to much better support.”

Lockheed’s committee are delighted with the side’s form at the moment and are in no hurry to appoint a new manager.  They feel that they can now afford to wait for the right man to appear.  When the job was first advertised following Geoff Coleman’s resignation in October, several of the best-known names on the Midlands non-league scene displayed an interest.  And interviews were held with six men as Brakes tried to fill the vacancy with some urgency.

 But the three-man selection panel did not make an appointment and it was agreed to shelve their plans until the ideal personality could be attracted.   Says Branston: “We honestly feel that we have turned the corner.  When an appointment is made the new man will be the best we can afford – everything is geared to putting Lockheed back on the soccer map.”

Three goals after the interval redeemed hard-pressed Brakes against Cheltenham Town at home on 20^th January 1973.   Lockheed spent most of the first half penned in their own half but still managed to be on terms at the interval.  Conditions were appalling when first half heavy rain developed into a snowstorm.  Town opened in bright fashion and were unlucky when a delightful four-man move ended with Williams powering his shot wide.  And in a bombardment on the Lockheed goal Taylor and then goalkeeper King managed to block shots from Gladstone when a goal seemed certain.   Town continued to cut out most of the running with some neat approach play.  

Lockheed’s first serious raid almost brought them a goal, however, as Jessop crashed in a shot which Townsend dived to flick out for a corner.  Casey then weaved through only to see his left foot shot skidded off the post and rebounded into play.   But Jessop almost broke the deadlock with a fabulous volley which goalkeeper Townsend helped out with a fabulous save that brought the smallest crowd of the season to its feet.  Brakes resumed with Salmon on for Sherry.  The newcomer quickly made his presence felt in a driving raid down the right.  But he put his cross into the side netting. 

However, Lockheed were not to be denied and Walker crashed in two goals within two minutes as the Town defence fell apart – an incredible transformation.  In the 70^th minute Moreton put the issue beyond doubt when he ran on to a long downfield ball from Cartwright to score a third goal for Brakes.’   Lockheed were 15^th in the table.