Cup hope and heartache for Brakes

Brakes faced Corby Town at home in November 1974 in the FA Cup and ‘Mick Keeley repaid his transfer fee in full by scoring the only goal of this absorbing duel.    Keeley’s, AP’s most expensing signing when tempted from Nuneaton Borough struck after 20 minutes – and Brakes are through to the FA Cup proper for the first time.  It was fitting that Keeley should score the winning goal for he was the superb performer on a day when Brakes made history before a 935 Windmill crowd.

 At the end, manager Jimmy Knox joyfully punched the air in an impromptu victory salute.   The gesture was borne out of relief as well as regard for his battlers, for Corby’s youngsters had fought all the way to emerge with considerable credit.   They played with 10 men for the last 20 minutes when star striker Jimmy Clough was stretchered off only seconds after Chorley had introduced their substitute.   When Clough went Corby’s hopes of snatching the game from AP’s grasp died and the home side settled down to make sur e of a fanous victory.

 And it was a deserved victory.   For all Corby’s inventiveness, they were unable to make much impact against Brakes’ redoubtable back four.  In fact, they were allowed only one clear chance and Dave Garrett denied them with a fabulous save from Clough’s close range effort.    But Brakes forged several openings and with better finishing could have clinched an emphatic success.   Mickey Boot missed from the penalty spot after Keeley had been tipped over in the 10^th minute – his low shot striking a post.   The midfield man made amends for his blunder, however, when his perfectly weighted chip enabled Keeley to volley the ball home with ruthless ease for a goal worthy of the occasion.’

‘Humble Brereton sent AP crashing out of the F.A. Trophy with a deserved success at the Windmill on Saturday.  And the two Southend United “spies” must have returned to Essex convinced there is no way Brakes can spring a surprise when the two sides clash in the F.A. Cup in a fortnight.   For this was AP.at their rock bottom worst,  a poor side lacking ideas and enthusiasm, Brereton, struggling members of the West Midlands League, must have been amazed by AP’s limp performance. 

Gone was the pride and application that had seen Corby off only seven days before and in its place was insipid approach play and shaky defence.   The visitors took the lead after 34 minutes when Bobby Fox fastened on to a loose back pass and turned in a centre which gave Jimmy Blompton the simplest of headers. 

But Brakes were on terms within a minute as Ivor Talbot turned and smacked home a first time shot from Steve Low’s corner – winger Talbot’s eighth goal of the season.    Social’s more solid players continued to win most tackles and generally remain in control and their winning goal after 33 minutes was reward for their efforts.   It came from the head of full back Dennis Taylor who was unable to prevent a low cross from bouncing off his leg and into the net.