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.’