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.