Glass game was promotion test

In December 1973 AP Leamington ‘took the lead against Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough after 36 minutes through winger Talbot in front of a crowd of just 281.  AP were awarded a free kick in the first minute but Brady’s centre was easily gathered by Harriers’ young keeper Marl Hingley.   AP forced their first corner a minute later.  Goodfellow took the kick but the ball was cleared.   Kidderminster suffered an early setback when Pat Lynch limped off and was replaced by substitute Wayne Jentas

In the 26^th minute AP broke the deadlock.   Slack defensive play by Kidderminster enabled Talbot to collect the ball and fire in a low shot which Hingley could only partially stop before it trickled over.  AP were doing their fair share of attacking and Hingley was called on to make a couple of fine saves.    AP forced two successive corners in the second half but both proved fruitless.    

After the break they allowed Kidderminster to come more into the picture.  Kerton Masterton equalised for the home side in the 67^th minute and Brendan Wassall put them in the lead eight minutes later.  Leamington, however, were stunned back into action and they began to search for an equaliser.  They were rewarded three minutes from time when a cross shot from Mick Boot found its way into the net with the help of a deflection.’

A home fixture against Stourbridge was seen as a test for Leamington’s promotion ambitions. ‘Unbeaten Stourbridge took a strong hold by netting two goals without reply during an entertaining first half against AP Leamington at the Windmill Ground today.  Stourbridge opened at a lively pace and quickly put the home side under pressure.  After only three minutes Hayward put in a teasing shot which Jones did well to push over the top.   The centre forward then burst on a through ball and Jones was forced to dash from his line and collect at the second attempt.

 Leamington were looking nimble in midfield and Boot twice put over fine cross balls to cause concern.  And when the little wing half hammered over a head high centre, Moore clutched at it under pressure from Foster.   Talbot flashed into the picture with a snap drive which beat Moore but swerved into the side netting.  

But it was Stourbridge who eventually broke the deadlock with a superb goal after 20 minutes.   Left back Davies was the scorer, his 25-yard shot giving Jones no chance.   Two minutes later Bates tapped in a second when the home defence failed to clear a loose ball.  Stourbridge were shaping as a talented outfit and the home defence looked quite shaky against some organised attacks.   Only Talbot was proving dangerous on the home front but his bright wing play failed to inspire his colleagues

Classy Stourbridge increased their lead seven minutes in the second half when Bates rose to head home from Booth’s pin-point centre.  Leamington then survived a hectic moment when Stourbridge forwards failed to put the ball home as Jones and Bowden lay injured after colliding in midair.’   Leamington got a late consolation, but the Glass went top of the table.