Knox has stomach for action

Brakes drew 0-0 away to Witney Town in September 1975.  ‘Witney Towm keeper Peter Nye was the chief factor in this goalless draw – as the AP goal scoring machine, which had slammed in 17 in the previous six games was brought to a halt.  Nye performed brilliantly to keep a remarkable clean sheet as Brakes overcame the elements to a launch a series of raids, which against a normal keeper would have brought a hatful of goals.

 AP, indeed, need have no worries about their goal scoring techniques after this result.   For Nye, a man inspired, stopped at least five certainties as AP’s controlled soccer found a way through the bemused home defence.   Nye was first in action in the 14^th minute to pluck out of the top corner a superb Stewart header.   Fifteen minutes later Nye amazingly stopped a sweet Micky Boot cannon from 18 yards.   With Boot, Keeley and Mellor all going close with headers, AP were unlucky not to turn round with at least something for their efforts. 

However, after the break it was a similar story – with Nye stopping two certain goals in the space of 30 seconds in the 80^th minute: first daredevil -diving at Mellor’s feet, and then saving from close range from leading scorer Stewart.    A minute later, David Jones in the Brakes goal proved that he could perform likewise, finger tipping Witney’s only real effort – a left footer from Thomas – round the right upright.   But Nye reserved his best for the last.   With just eight minutes remaining, and Brakes going all out for a winner, Nye tipped a superb Stewart dipping volley over his bar.’

‘Even a painful period in a London hospital has failed to dampen Jimmy Knoxs faith in his AP Leamington squad.   Manager Knox – making a rapid recovery to the astonishment of his surgeon – wrote to us this week and was bubbling over with enthusiasm.   “Given the two players I want I am certain we can take the Division 1 North title this season,” says Knox.

 “Bob Ward tells me we played Witney to death last Saturday.”  While sharing Knox’s optimism that they have the makings of a title force, the pipe-smoking Ward will be happy to see the Windmill injury worries ease.   “I had only 10 players and two goal keepers for the Witney match and it was a terrific performance to share the points – in fact we deserved two.   “But I’ve told Jimmy to keep his bed warm.   Any more days like last week and I might be joining him in hospital soon,” cracks Ward.  

Knox was full of the joys of spring after his stomach operation and he warns “Big Brownie” – AP centre back Roger Brown – that he could soon have a fight on his hands to keep his place.  “The surgeon tells me that I am a remarkable young man – it’s the young bit I like.”’

Then it was back to cup action at home to Athenian League Aylesbury Town.    Micky Boot knocked the stuffing out of the amateurs with a superb goal on 12 minutes and Bobby Mellor smashed the ball in off an upright on 25 minutes.    Stewart almost scored a third, but the final score was 2-1.

 

Knox in hospital as AP face cup games

After some mixed league form, Brakes gained some consolation from progress in cup competitions in September 1975.   In the FA Cup, they faced Irthlingborough Diamonds away (the Northants team later to be reconstituted as benefactor club Rushden and Diamonds).  ‘Brakes, hopefully looking for another Southend to swell the Windmill coffers, will need to sharpen their goal scoring expertise if they’re to progress in the FA Cup … at least on this showing.  For vast periods they simply outclassed the United Counties League side, but yet failed to cash in where it counts. 

As it was, they did eventually sneak through to the second qualifying round – but their passage could have been so much easier.  The confident-looking Leamington placed heavy pressure on the confused home defence in the first half, with Kavanagh and Boot producing many chances.   A number of shots by Brown and Mellor left the Diamonds’ defence floundering, but despite some fine midfield play, Leamington seemed unable to add their finishing touches.

 It was Mellor in the closing minutes of the first half who finally satisfied their frustrated efforts.  Mellor nearly put Leamington two goals ahead when a shot from eight yards was held by Bonney.  But the undaunted Diamonds seized their chance and substitute Carter equalised after 65 minutes with a long shot.  Irthlingborough were looking dangerous, but AP were determined not to let victory slip through their fingers   After a goalmouth tussle in the closing minutes Mellor turned the ball into the six yards box for Stewart to secure their 2-1 victory.’

Away to Boston  in the FA Trophy, ‘Sharpshooter Adrian Stewart  grabbed his eleventh goal in eight starts in the final seconds of the FA Trophy preliminary game to clinch a place for Brakes in the first round of the competition.   A replay had looked on the cards when the Lincolnshire side substitute Benjamin knocked in an equaliser with just four minutes of the match remaining. 

 But Stewart broke free of Boston’s defensive shackles for only the second time in the game, to lob the ball over keeper Finch’s head.   Earlier Graham Adcock had given AP the lead when he too galloped clear, rode a tackle and slotted the ball home in the 20^th minute.   However, later on Adcock was forced to leave the field with an ankle injury – an item which looks adding to Jimmy Knox’s injury problems.’

Brakes then returned to league duty away to Witney Ton but ‘with manager Jimmy Knox away from the soccer scene for possibly a month.   Knox, who underwent a major operation at a London hospital on Wednesday, misses a crucial stage in AP’s league and cup programme during his convalescent period.  The Scotsman has been a major force in Leamington’s resurgence as a successful Midland club, and during his two year stay at the Windmill has already achieved much success. 

 The next few weeks will be the longest spell that AP have had to do without Knox, but nevertheless officials are confident that quietly spoken Bob Ward, Brakes’ trainer, and Knox’s assistant at both Rugby and Leamington, will see them through.   AP chairman Gerry Lock commented: “Let’s face it, Bob Ward in a quiet way, is a force to be reckoned with too.   At Rugby, when Jimmy left to come here, Bob took over for the last nine games and they never lost   All right, Jim takes all the glory and the rebuffs too, but Bob is there working hard.”’

Brakes hit rough patch in 1975

Jimmy Knox tried to remain calm and carry on after a series of setbacks in September 1975. Nevertheless, he ‘was an angry and disappointed man as he watched his side tumble to their first defeat of the season’ losing 1-2 at home to Merthyr Tydfil.  ‘And although Merthyr deserved 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 form he showed in the home cup leg against Witney last week.  The strikers were thus denied a good service – and they seldom looked capable of carving their own openings.  Mick Keeley was caught in possession far too often; Adrian Stewart produced his usual admirable work rate, but failed to put away two good chances; and Ivor Talbot scored one superb goal but also fell well short of his true potential. 

One has to look to the back four 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 they showed the heart and commitment that was in such short supply among their colleagues.’ 

Brakes went ahead in the 20^th minute, but ‘Merthyr, who showed a refreshing willingness to attack throughout the game, finally claimed their deserved equaliser three minutes before half time.’   Sullivan put Merthyr ahead with ‘a glorious drive into the corner.  Bowden came closest to snatching a point, weaving past four men before he was finally blocked.’

Brakes then suffered a 3-1 Southern League cup defeat at Witney Town meaning that they won 5-3 on aggregate.  ‘This depressing result aroused all the predictable emotions in the AP camp – anger, sadness, frustration.  But the overriding reaction was sheer disbelief.   It is certainly hard to explain Brakes’ defeat. 

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 league 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 minutes, they produced too brilliant goals from 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.’  

After Brakes hit the post, Witney went ahead and ‘instantly fell back on their Windmill tactics, blithely booting the ball out of the ground at every opportunity.   Stokes was lucky to stay on the field when he cut down Talbot just outside the box.   Brakes were robbed of a virtually certain equaliser.’   Witney then went 3-1 ahead with ‘a great goal.  But it chalked up a final score that was nothing less than a sick joke.’   Worse was to come.