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.’