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.’