Mixed results in October 1974

Brakes had a mixed start to October 1974.  ‘What a finish AP Leamington’s FA Cup clash with Lye Town provided at the Windmill Ground.   After a goalless first half the game burst into life on the change of ends, and the scoring of three goals in three minutes towards the close set the seal on a typical Cup tie.

 Dennis Taylor made the opening for Brakes’ first goal ín the 57^th minute when he beat three defenders in a run into the box.   His pass was eagerly accepted by Adrian Stewart, whose shot inside the corner of the net gave Walker no chance.  Lye were caught out by a long clearance which gave Bobby Horne unchallenged possession.   A minute later Stewart popped in No.3, but Lye returned straight to the offensive.  And full back Terry Taylor scored from 30 yards with a shot that dipped just under the crossbar.’

‘Two goals in the final 20 minutes sent Leamington crashing to defeat against Worcester City.  AP manager Jimmy Knox said afterwards: “We have learned by our mistakes, we were punished for our slack marking.”    Worcester made the bulk of the first half running, but could only manage a goal in the 44^th minute.  With Tony Bowden off injured, Roger Griffiths slammed in a shot that beat Dave Garratt and went home via the bar.  

AP hit back strongly at the start of the second half and deservedly drew level in the 55^th minute when Mick Keeley headed home a corner from Steve Lee.  But Lee conceded an own goal in the 71^st minute and Barry Kelcher headed home 17 minutes later to see Worcester into third place in the table.’

‘A ruthless Leamington playing as well as at any time this season destroyed Redditch United’s FA Trophy hopes with a sizzling display.  Surviving early Redditch pressure, Brakes came alive through a superb Roger Brown goal and then wrapped up an emphatic victory with three more in the second half.   It was the sort of form Jimmy Knox had been seeking from his team all season  - now he must hope it sticks to wipe out the memory of several below par performances. 

Redditch, who were held to a goalless draw on their own patch on Saturday, opened this replay in flourishing style and for 25 minutes the Leamington defence took a hammering.   Ken Lawrence nailed a shot against a post and Ray Taylor was only inches wide with a stinging volley.   But once the impressive Brown had moved up to power home a terrific header from Steve Lee’s corner there was only one side in it.  

Adrian Stewart took advantage of a fortunate rebound to shoot into an empty net after 32 minutes and six minutes later it was 3-0 as Mick Keeley directed the neatest of headers past Chris Ward from Ernie Wilkinson’s free kick.  Redditch pinned most of their faith on the talented prompting of highly rated Garry Fleet.  But Dennis Taylor did a superb marking job to reduce his threat to a whimper. And with 10 minutes left AP completed the easiest of wins as Ivor Talbot picked up the pieces after a terrible defensive mix-up and coolly slotted home the easiest of goals.’

'Brakes are Hollering'!

That was the headline over an article in yesterday's Non-League Paper.

Holleran said: 'It was probably never meant to be like this' referring to his nearly 15 years in charge. 'You probably think at the start I'll have two or three years at this and take it up a notch or two.  But there's always something going on here.  Every time I've thought the end could be near, something's happened.'

'It does take its toll when you're part time - there is a lot of work and prep each week and I've never really had a summer off.'

'We have a model that's worked for years.  You still need a little bit of luck.  Young players have come here because they've seen what we can do with youngsters.   They see that we can develop players.'

'We had to rebuild our identity in Step 3 and we're really fortunate a couple of players we brought in did really well.'  Referring to the National League North he said: 'It's tough, it is hard, week in, week out, but we love being back in it.  When you come out of the National League you lose lots on and off the pitch. It asks you a lot of questions, but at the moment we are finding the answers.'

Fourth defeat in a row for Brakes

At the end of September 1974, ‘AP Leamington, who began the season with such high hopes, were desperately struggling to find their form and consistency.  Brakes went down 2-0, and lost by the same margin at Bromsgrove on Tuesday night – their fourth defeat in a row.  And with the season barely a month old, Brakes are already out of the Southern League Cup they won so splendidly last term, and have fallen behind badly in the promotion race.

 It is a situation that would cause any manager to worry.  But Windmill chief Jimmy Knox remains convinced that it is not a true reflection of the side’s ability.  Knox said this week: “Naturally, we are very worried about the situation.  We have struck one of those patches where a number of players are out of touch.    But we are not going to panic.   We have just got to keep working hard and waiting for the side to click.  Make no mistake about it, we have a good side at AP.   I know it, the players know it, and very soon we are going to prove it. “

Brakes last two defeats produced the same score but the games were very different.  At Cheltenham, the whole side were woefully out of touch, and although the home side were themselves far from impressive, there was never much doubt about the outcome.   But at Bromsgrove AP turned in a fine team performance – but were far short of the finishing power that could have earned them a welcome success.

 It is this lack of scoring bite that remains Knox’s biggest problem.  Adrian Stewart and Mick Keeley, who looked so impressive in pre-season games, have got to find their vast potential as a double spearhead.   Knox called up young full back Tommy Tomkins – but although he fitted in well, Brakes defence was always under pressure.

Roger Brown and Tony Bowden were again prominent, but Cheltenham moved ahead just before the break.  Dave Lewis, who had earlier forced a great save from Dave Garrett was left unmarked at a corner, and he had little troubled in steering a header wide of the keeper.   Cheltenham continued to look the livelier side after the interval with ex Sheffield United man Tony Wagstaff prompting most of their dangerous moves.  And they clinched victoty from another corner, centre half Alan Jenkins finding another fatal gap in the AP cover.

Brakes’ defeat at Bromsgrove was, if anything, even more disappointing for more than matched their hosts in everything except finishing.  Bromsgrove’s attack boasts Tony Hateley, the much travelled, expensive and dangerous centre forward.   But he made little impression on Brown, Bowden and partners until the 21^st minute, when he was brought down in the box by Micky Boot.   Full back Jamie Toombs side footed the spot kick.   AP pieced together some promising build ups, but the strikers never looked like applying the finishing touch.

Indeed, it was Bowden who came closest to snatching an equaliser, twice moving upfield to draw fine saves from Hicklin.  AP’s hopes were finally squashed in the 87^th minute when Bromsgrove won a free kick 25 yards out and Mike Kenning blasted home a tremendous shot.  Knox’s most pressing problem at the moment is to field a goalkeeper for tomorrow’s FA Cup tie at Dudley Town.   Dave Jones is still injured and Garrett is getting married.’