FA Cup tie was 'a real test of character'

At the beginning of September 1973 AP Leamington travelled ‘to Redditch for a FA Cup match cursing their luck of the draw and hoping to gain revenge.  The Brakes, dogged by away ties in the FA Cup, went out to Nuneaton in the first round last year.

But AP Leamington have another score to settle in their clash with Redditch.  Last year they were sent out of the FA Challenge Trophy with a 3-0 defeat at The Valley.   Jimmy Knox viewed the FA Cup tie at Redditch United as the first real test of character for his cock-a-hoop AP Leamington squad.  Brakes opened the season in barn-storming fashion by picking up seven points out of eight in their first four League matches.  And in between they threw in a first class 3-0 Southern League Cup win against powerful Kidderminster Harriers.  But they were pulled up in their tracks in Monday’s second leg at Aggborough, when Kidderminster gained a 3-2 success and Knox looks to today’s match at Redditch to prove that his side has the ability to fight back.’

 As it turned out ‘Aggressive AP Leamington proved far too strong for Redditch in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup.   It took only three minutes for AP to make an impression on the weak Redditch defence.  Goodfellow waiting on the edge of the box pounced on a loose ball and gave Blackwell no chance.  However, Redditch were not without their chances.  After 10 minutes Evatt came close when his header whistled past the post.  

Towards the end of the half the game became more and more a matter of kick and rush with both sides taking advantage of the high wind.  It was at this point that Redditch went even further behind with a goal coming from Goodfellow who blasted the ball into the top of the net.  AP almost made it three before half time when a deflected shot from Hubbard went inches wide.  Redditch managed to get one back through Taylor.  But that was that for Redditch for the day.   With minutes to go Hubbard hammered in a shot following a defensive mix up.’

Away at Stevenage in the league, ‘A moment of slackness just before the end of the game robbed AP Leamington of their unbroken record.   It was rough justice on AP who had done their best to entertain in a game that neither side deserved to lose.  Looking to repeat last season’s double over the Brakes Stevenage opened brightly and almost took the lead after two minutes. 

 But Leamington were not without attacking ideas in a fast-moving game and it took a foul to stop Foster as he raced through.   But on 30 minutes Adams took a ball past the advancing keeper and crossed for the unmarked Hatch to head into an empty net.   A swift raid brought the Brakes level, Hubbard firing home after a scramble in the Stevenage goalmouth.     Leamington looked the sharper side after the break and Horne was only inches away from putting them ahead with a pile driver.  AP’s defence failed to spot the danger as Hatch headed into the path of Adams who scored to make it 2-1.’