Brakes chalk up three more wins in promotion chase

At the end of March 1976 Brakes played middle of the table Milton Keynes City away.  ‘Despite strong opposition in the early stages AP Leamington showed their superiority to take the points.  Leamington have lost only one of their last 26 games, this was to league leaders Redditch.  And after the match Leamington manager Jimmy Knox said: “I am delighted with the result, although we had a very sticky first quarter-of-an-hour.”   

City were without the services of goalkeeper Brian Robinson, who is also the player-manager.  Leamington were first into the attack when Mick Keeley crossed to Mick Boot, who fired just wide of a City upright.   City came back immediately and Malcolm McCormack went on a good run, but that was blocked by Roger Brown.  

After further pressure from City, Leamington gained the initiative and took the lead after 26 minutes.  A free kick by Steve Lee went to Brown, whose header was saved by City keeper Beaumont, but Dennis Taylor got hold of the loose ball and crossed for Brown to head in.  

The match failed to live up to its first half promise after the break – but nevertheless Leamington made most of the running and deservedly increased their lead.   Stewart made sure of the points in the 62^nd minute when he homed in on a Talbot cross with a neat headed goal.   

The result brought AP’s points tally to a remarkable 42 from their last possible 50.  The goals also re-established Leamington in second place in Division One North as Witney slipped again – and now it looks as if Worcester City, who this Saturday meet leaders Redditch, are Brakes’ main threat to promotion.’

‘Slick AP Leamington moved closer to promotion last night.  They gained an impressive Southern League First Division win over highly-placed Tamworth last night thanks to two goals from Ivor Talbot.  

Second placed AP soaked up long periods of pressure from sixth-in-the-table Tamworth and cleverly countered work with swift breakaway moves that brought them a goal in each half.  The visitors opened brightly and then came under heavy pressure.  

But AP snatched the lead two minutes before half time when a speculative forward pass beat full back Dave Reardon, and there was wing man Ivor Talbot to score a fine goal.   AP’s patience was the deciding factor.  Their ability to break quickly from defence finally clinched the match after 84 minutes when Adrian Stewart sent Talbot racing clear.  With the home defence split, Talbot took the ball into the penalty area and calmly shot past a stranded keeper in the home goal.’

Next up were Barnet at the Windmill and ‘Roger Brown exploded the perfect header to register two more points in AP’s committed promotion drive.  Timing his run to the inch, Brown met a 31^st minute centre from Alan Jones at the far post and bulged the netting with a stunning finish.  It was a goal of absolute quality – a moment to savour in a game that was otherwise easy to forget.  

Brakes, determined not to repeat last year’s disappointment, when promotion was passed up by a single point, were obviously happy with the result.   They can be excused for adopting a “professional” stance.  But this dull encounter was a bitter pill for the Leamington fans to swallow.  A bumpy pitch made life difficult for both sides.  But this does not entirely disguise what rapidly became an enormous bore.’