First home defeat of 1974/5 season

‘AP manager Jimmy Knox was an angry and disappointed man on Saturday afternoon as he watched his side tumble to the first defeat of the season,’ 1-2 at home to Merthyr Tydfil in September 1974.  ‘And although Merthyr deserve full credit for their talented, positive display, it is hard to argue with Knox’s caustic summary, “We made it easy for them.”  

Brakes were subdued and sluggish, especially in midfield where Micky Boot never got going and Bobby Horne was unable to repeat the bustling form he showed against Witney last week.   The strikers were thus denied good service – and they seldom looked capable of carving their own openings.  Mick Keeley was caught in possession all too often; Ian Stewart produced his usual admirable work rate, but failed to put away two good chances, and Ivor Talbot scored a superb goal, but fell short of his true potential.

One has to look to the back for any AP heroes.  And here at least there was rich consolation for Knox in the splendid displays of Roger Brown and Tony Bowden.   The two big stoppers have already forged a fine understanding, and but for them Brakes would have been completely swamped.   Brown missed nothing in the air, Bowden’s covering was first class, and both players used the ball sensibly.  Above all, they showed the heart and commitment that was in such short supply among their colleagues. 

Brakes should have been inspired by the 20^th minute goal that put them in front.   The goal was as good as it was unexpected.   Stewart’s determined challenge saw full back Allan Smith lose possession on the edge of the area – and Talbot pounced on the ball to drive a fierce shot just inside the post.   A fine move between Keeley and Lee gave Stewart a sight of goal minutes later, but he pulled his shot well wide. 

 And Merthyr, who showed a refreshing willingness to attack throughout the game, finally claimed their deserved equaliser minutes before half time.    A free kick was flicked on and former Welsh international Barrie Jones calmly headed over the unprotected Dave Jones.    Nick Deaney was within inches of making it 2-1 after the interval.   And Allan Sullivan hit the winner minutes later with a magnificent goal..   Slipping past John Brady 40 yards out, Sullivan strode through the angle of the box and left Jones standing with a glorious drive into the far corner. 

Horne forced Richard Morse to an excellent save; the goalkeeper dived well to hold a snap shot from Dennis Taylor; and Stewart again shot wide after Rosser had misjudged a high punt from Dave Jones,   But it was Bowden who came closest to snatching a point, picking uo a throw from Lee and weaving past four men before he was finally blocked.

There was a full programme of football in the Leamington League.    ‘Champions Leamington Celtic triumphed 5-4 at Bishops Itchington – a vital win against a side who should prove one of their fiercest rivals for the title this season.  The game was full of entertaining football with neither side able to relax for a second.  Bobby Phillips, Whittle Wanderers’ close season capture, collected a smooth hat trick in the 7-2 demolition of Radford United.  Another hat trick man was Micky Palllis of Itchington Sports, whose smartly taken treble gave the Premier League newcomers a 4-2 win at Leamington Southend.’

Youth Cup offsets League Cup disappointment for Brakes

AP Leamington had won the Southern League Cup in 1973/4 but went out in the first round to Witney Town in September 1974.   The first leg was played at home and ended in a 2-2 draw.   The Courier presciently noted, ‘The Brakes will have to improve their finishing if they are to overcome Witney in the second game next Tuesday.   Leamington were the most impressive side throughout with rugged Witney making clear they were only interested in containing Leamington.   But the visitors took the lead with two opportunist goals against the run of play, and a touch of desperation crept into Brakes’ game before Ivor Talbot finally equalised.   

AP went close several times before going in front after 30 minutes.   Talbot shipped over a corner, Adrian Stewart met it with a splendid header, and Mick Keeley added the final touch.   Town drew level just before the break with a 30-yard free kick converted with a thundering shot and Witney snatched a shock lead just after the interval.  Brakes threw everything forward after this and eventually squared the game in the 68^th minute.’

Brakes lost 3-1 at Witney.  ‘This depressing result aroused all the predictable emotions in the AP camp – anger, sadness, frustration.  But the overriding reaction was sheer disbelief.   For whatever the scoreline suggests, the better side did not win.  Witney again looked a very limited outfit.  They were crude at the back, unimaginative in midfield, and merely hard-working up front.   But the Oxfordshire side boast two priceless assets that earned them a flatteringly high position last term and proved too much for the cup holders this season.  Their noisy enthusiastic supporters kept them alive in the first half when AP were threatening to run riot.   And in the last ten minute, they produced two brilliant goals out of the blue.   

As in the Windmill first leg last week, the goals were in complete contrast to the general quality of Witney’s play.  But they made all the difference, and provided Brakes with a painful lesson – skilful approach play means nothing if it is not coupled with positive finishing. ‘ Brakes went ahead in the first half through Ivor Talbot ‘who cracked a low left-footed shot just inside the far post.   It still looked AP’s game for the first 15 minutes of the second half’ but then Witney levelled, going ahead in the 86^th minute.   ‘Witney then fell back on their Windmill tactics, blithely booting the ball out of the ground at every opportunity’ but managed to score a third goal.

‘AP Leamington earned a place in the second round of the FA Youth Cup with a 2-1 win against Hednesford.   The Windmill juniors attacked eagerly in the opening minutes, and swept ahead when Hednesford were slow to move to a Rob Swain centre.  Paul Coleman calmly steered an unchallenged header into the corner of the net.  AP had chances to increase their lead, but Hednesford hit back strongly and equalised ten minutes from time. 

 Brakes  refused to give up the fight, however.  And they snatched victory when Malcolm McGreavy chased a seemingly harmless ball and hooked home a splendid opportunist goal.   This was a very encouraging performance by the new AP squad, and they are in good spirits for their second qualifying round tie against Nuneaton Borough, at the Windmill later this month.’