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
14th 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 80th
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.