Brakes progress under Knox

Brakes were hoping for better times following the appointment of Jimmy Knox as manager in March 1973.  ‘Talk to Jimmy Knox on the field and you will find him soft-spoken with a realistic approach to soccer.  Ask him what he wants from his players, and he’ll tell you in one word – WORK.  And don’t the Lockheed players know it!   

Ever since Knox took over at the Windmill four games ago, the Lockheed players have earned their money – by hard graft.   They have not lost under Knox, and capped a promising fortnight with the midweek win over Borough in the Birmingham Senior Cup.  And they did that by combining their skill with sheer hard running. 

Says Knox: “I insist on fitness and the players are finding it out.  I was pleased with the way they worked against Nuneaton, but they were feeling the effects in the closing stages.  Players should come off the field knowing they have been in a match.   They should work on the field, and if they do, it’s half the battle.”  

Since Knox took over, Brakes have drawn at Bury, beaten Corby and Nuneaton, and drawn at home to Enderby.  And if Tuesday’s match is anything to go by, I am convinced the team have had almost 300 minutes of non-stop running.   For they applied pressure on a Borough side, even though below par, should have been capable of snatching at least a draw.  In reality, they were beaten by a stronger, better, more purposeful side. 

 It’s this attitude, instilled in them by Knox, which might carry Brakes into a far higher position in the First Division table next season.   As Knox says: “It’s no use just consolidating.   We must aim to do as well as we can in every game.”   And that means a lot of hard work in store!’

‘Jimmy Knox’s revitalised s Lockheed side tore Corby to shreds with an impressive showing at the Windmill.  Two goals clear at the interval, Brakes played with pace and fire to put an end to Corby’s promotion hopes.  It was encouraging for the new Lockheed manager, who has seen his side take three points from two games.  They ran themselves into the ground and with a little more steadiness would have doubled their tally.   Leading scorer Dennis Walker put them in front with a fine goal against his former colleagues after 36 minutes.  Walker blasted home after Barry Whitlock’s shot had rebounded from the bar.  And four minutes later Tom Sweenie placed a fine pass in front of John Moreton to hit the target from close range.

 Lockheed remained on top in the second half and Whitlock’s goal three minutes from the end was fully deserved.   The tall striker, drafted in to replace Graham Jessop, took full advantage of Walker’s quick thinking and beat Dennis Hill for a neatly taken goal.  Corby were rarely given a look in against a composed home defence and Sweenie and the aggressive Keith Shrimpston pulled the strings in midfield to lay the foundations for a promising success.’

‘Disappointing Lockheed boobed against Enderby – two penalties in the last four minutes enabling the visitors to snatch a shock point.  Brakes never got going, but were still good enough to ease into a 2-0 lead.  John Moreton rammed them in front on the half hour with a neatly taken goal.  Back-to-form striker Barry Whitlock capped a sharp display with a well-struck goal.  

Peter King conceded the first goal when ending a poor personal display with a rash tackle and injury time brought a second penalty when Mel Davis handled the ball.’