Brakes strikers impress

Brakes were at home to Bromsgrove Rovers In the Southern League in August 1974.  ’Mick Keeley and Adrian Stewart are two strikers cast from completely different moulds.   But they are set to emerge as one of the most devastating combinations in the Southern League.  Their partnership, forged at Rugby Town, developed at Nuneaton Borough and reformed by Jimmy Knox in the close season, was perfectly summed up by the 68^th minute goal that put Brakes in front. 

Stewart, a dashing, irrepressible young powerhouse, tore down the left touchline and, without breaking speed, clipped over a perfect centre.  Keeley, as ever, shielded the ball beautifully, turned past full back Jamie Tumba, before the full back knew what was happening and calmly slid a low shot wide of Chris Hooper.  Ir was a heartening sight for every AP supporter.  For if Keeley and Stewart can sharpen their complementary skills, no defence will be safe.   They could have shared half a dozen goals on Tuesday night as AP took the game to their rivals. 

But although Brakes were always the more inventive side, their build ups were hurried and jerky, lacking the fluency that should come in the next few weeks.   The twin strikers were well supported by Ivor Talbot, looking happier in his favourite left wing role.  He was always ready to take men on, and frequently dragged two Bromsgrove defenders to the flank.   Steve Lee was again the pick of the midfield men, constantly breaking up threatening Bromsgrove moves.

But Micky Boot was also impressive on his return to the side, adding a welcome streak of aggression to his polished ball skills.   Stewart, Keeley and Bobby Horne all went close in the first half, with Chris Hooper pulling off a great double save from Stewart after the centre forward had pivoted brilliantly to fool the defence.

Rovers were restricted to long range shots, the best of which was a 35-yard snorter from Brian Kenning that almost took Dave Jones by surprise.  Kenning showed his shooting power again after the break with a glorious free kick from the left wing.   The ball was streaking for the top corner until Jones flew across the goal to deflect it round the post.  

 But Brakes were looking more and more confident and Stewart twice reduced the Rovers defence to complete chaos before finally setting up the vital goal.  Bromsgrove had an equaliser disallowed minutes later when centre half Alan Parsons steered Tombs’ cross under the bar but the referee awarded a free kick for pushing.  And Brakes made certain five minutes from time when Talbot weaved through on the left.  His first cross was blocked by John Wood but he quickly pushed the rebound through to Keeley, who again netted with nonchalant ease. 

Bromsgrove, beaten by AP in the Southern League Cup final last year, went down fighting.  And they snatched a consolation goal in the dying seconds when Parsons again rose mightily to reach Keith Partridge’s corner, and Alan Craddock scrambled the ball home.’   Following Jimmy Knox’s appeal for fans to support the side, the attendance of 382 was disappointing.