Brakes win in 1974, but coverage is grudging

In February 1974 ‘Weakened AP got the result they desperately wanted agsinst Merthyr Tydfil – but it was a close call. An uninspired first half saw AP Leamington spend most of the time pushing forward against a packed Merthyr defence.   The home side were first to threaten when Lee and Talbot linked to put Stewart clear.  But the centre forward was only able to direct his shot into the side netting. 

Both teams were having difficulty in keeping a footing on the saturated surface and mistakes were plentiful.   When Wilkinson got in a tangle he presented Merthyr winger Jerratt with a shooting opportunity.  Only four minutes remained when Ivor Talbot and Trevor Hubbard combined to give Adrian Stewart the ball 15 yards out and the centre forward turned quickly and beat Dilwyn.   Otherwise, the scrappy game produced little in the way of finishing action. 

Both defences put up determined barriers and most of the play was contained in a crowded midfield.   Merthyr had the game’s outstanding performer in form Welsh international Barrie Jones.   His class stood out.  But AP boasted the greater work rate and Stewart’s goal was just about deserved on the run of play.’

‘Tamworth slithered and slumped to defeat’ against AP Leamington in the League Cup.  Presumably fair minded local reporter Allan Bates referred to ‘this match in the mud at Kettlebrook on Sunday when a poor AP Leamington side were just good enough to progress to the next round of the Southern League Cup.   [I have rarely read such a one sided and grudging report].

Conditions mitigated against good football, and neither side were able to master them, rarely able to string together more than two consecutive passes.   In Tamworth’s defence, it should be appreciated that they had played on Saturday afternoon and that their four on loan players were ineligible.   The first half was mainly controlled by Leamington, but despite their territorial advantage, the scores were level at half time.   

In the second session, Tamworth came more into the game, but got caught at the back when Leamington scored the winner.  Leamington went ahead after only two minutes play.   The goal followed some untidy play around the Tamworth penalty area.   Tamworth failed to clear on the Leamington right and Armstrong crossed for Talbot to beat Richards.  Their lead was short lived and Tamworth equalised six minutes later.   It was mainly a defensive battle for the home side from then on, with Leamington failing to turn their chances into goals.   Little effort was needed to keep Leamington at bay.   

Disaster struck the home side after 71 minutes when Leamington went ahead again.   Defensively a three against two situation developed which allowed Lee to put in a shot that Richards could only parry.   Agonisingly the ball trickled towards goal and would have passed wide but for Armstrong getting a boot to it almost level with the post.  The fight continued with the home side still pushing forward, but a goal would not come.’  AP Leamington: Jones, Taylor, Brady, Bowden, Wilkinson, Shrimpton, Armstrong, Lee, Talbot, Foster, Goodfellow.  Sub: Hubbard.   Attendance: 313.

 

Day of disappointment

Private Eye sometimes features Neasden FC who play in the North Circular Relegation League in needle matches against Dollis Hill.  Managed by Ron Knee, they are owned by a self-service laundry magnate.  The supporters are Sid and Doris Bonkers.

Their Suffolk equivalent arrived at Your Co-op Community Stadium yesterday under the surnames of Lamb and Mutton, equipped with a leg of lamb to present to the referee and were in loud voice throughout the match.

Apparently the referee is an experienced official, but having denied us a penalty, he gave one of the softest I have seen to the visitors.   Even the lino on the car park side more or less admitted that his decision-making was poor.

Hawkins made a great save from the penalty, but their admittedly excellent keeper saved ours in the second half.

This defeat brings to an effective end any hope of automatic promotion and reduces our chance of a play off place.  You need to score goals to win matches.

What particularly irritated me was that I didn't think the Marketmen were actually that good for a table topping side.  But in the second half they forced us back into the last third while our midfield once again went awol even after the arrival of the 'General'.   Inevitably they scored, indeed we had seen it coming at half time.

Those in the car park stand were left with an exchange of views with charm merchant Ingram who missed the penalty.

I am all for our board being prudent, but over the summer they may need to take a risk.

Thanks for featuring me in the programme.

'Straight talking' Knox clamps down on dissent

Disciplinary troubles beset Brakes in January 1974.  ‘Two key AP Leamington defenders were suspended this week and manager Jimmy Knox immediately announced that he will fine any player who gets into disciplinary trouble.  “Injuries are a bad enough problem,” says Knox, “and I cannot afford to lose men for a couple of weeks at a time because of suspensions.  “I have made it clear to my players that in future anyone who gets himself into the book will have to answer to me.”

The two men currently serving a two match ban are reliable left back John Brady and close marking pivot Tony Bowden.  Both players received three cautions last season to earn the suspensions and £4 fine.  AP have had six players booked his term – five of the cautions resulting from dissent.   This has prompted Knox to clamp down.  “Players can sometimes be cautioned for foul play when forced into retaliation in the heat of the moment.   But they should be able to keep their mouths closed to officials.”

Knox is pleased to have Bill Thomas and Ernie Wilson on hand to replace Brady and Bowden.  Both played in Sunday’s disappointing [Senior Cup] 1-0 defeat at Darlaston and earned high praise from their manager.  In fact, Knox is delighted to have a powerful squad at the Windmill Ground – a vital factor as he pulls the strings to jet the Brakes back to respectability.

 The straight talking Scot has been with the club for less than 10 months but thinks that considerable progress has been made.  “The first couple of months were a nightmare.   But we are really buzzing at the moment and I think that everyone connected with the club has reason to feel some pride.   The spirit is fantastic.  I always thought that Rugby Town’s comradeship was tremendous – we are now at the same level at Leamington and the response of the players has been outstanding.”’

February started well with an away win at King’s Lynn.  ‘AP Leamington deserved to chalk up their fifth away victory of the season.    In the first half, AP goalkeeper Dave Jones had such good covering in front of him that only once during the game was he called to pull out his best.   That was just on half time, following a free kick from outside the penalty area.   The shot from Brooks, after Wignall had teed up the ball for him, had Jones leaping across his goal to pull off the best save of the match in turning the ball round the post.

 Both Leamington goals resulted from defensive lapses, and AP forwards deserved all the credit for making the best use of them.   Their first came in the 49^th minute when Lynn right back Richardson misjudged the bounce of the ball.  Norman Foster challenged, sidestepped the advancing goalkeeper just inside the penalty area ad fired into the goal.   Their second, in the 74^th minute, came when Procter intercepted a bad back pass.    The goalkeeper dived to block the sheet at Procter’s feet.   But Neil Armstrong was on hand to push the resultant loose ball into the empty net.    Lee of Leamington was booked for a foul.’

Penalty save denies Brakes

AP Leamington faced what was thought to be ‘a difficult game’ against sixth placed Bromsgrove Rovers in December 1973.  ‘Jimmy Knox drafted in former Rugby Town striker Adrian Stewart at centre forward having signed him from Nuneaton Borough the night before the game.   The new player was quickly into action with a couple of neat passes and after 10 minutes he helped make a goal for Norman Foster.   Bobby Horne put over a low cross and Stewart challenged the goalkeeper to leave Foster with a simple tap in for his 19^th goal of the season.   Talbot then put Stewart through with a delightful ball and Hooper was forced to make a fine diving save. 

Rovers, who were playing in front of new manager Tom Wainwright for the first time, showed neat touches but their attack lacked bite and they offered little threat.   Most of the play was centred around the Bromsgrove goal and with more aggression AP could have stretched their lead.   Talbot was always quick to get in a shot, however, and Hooper was kept busy.

Foster rammed home his second goal within a minute of the re-start, beating Hooper to Lee’s cross.  Soon afterwards he should have completed his hat-trick but made a hash of meeting Stewart’s centre.  Stewart then got up well to head against a post, as AP continued to press forward.   Bobby Horne was rewarded for an unselfish game with the final goal.  Bromsgrove were a bitter disappointment.   The wonder of it was that Brakes only managed three goals, but it was a comfortable stroll for stylish AP Leamington who now have their sights on promotion from Division 1 North.’

AP Leamington boss Jimmy Knox took ‘his full squad of 18 players to Bletchley for another joust against a club in the top half of the Division 1 table.   There are no injury problems.  Leamington made most of the early running but they found the Bletchley defence in good form.  Adrian Stewart managed to squeeze in a shot after three minutes but he fired the ball well wide of the Bletchley goal.  Leamington forced three corners in the first ten minutes and from the third Norman Foster sent a fierce header flashing wide of the post.

Bletchley hit back immediately with Jeff Weeks nodding the ball down into a crowded goalmouth.  Bobby Horne came back to cut out the threat.  Mike Bailey, making his final appearance for Bletchley before moving to Wales broke though on the left and crossed but Weeks’ header fell safely into the hands of goalkeeper Dave Garrett.  The first worthwhile effort came after 15 minutes when Lines skimmed the top of the Leamington bar with a tremendous shot from 25 yards.

 Bletchley opened the scoring in the second half when Doug Griffin deflected a cross from Lines into his own net.   Leamington fought hard to get back into the game but some desperate defensive work by Bletchley kept them at bay.    

Brakes were back on level terms after 11 minutes when Foster slipped the ball past Weeks and Bletchley defender Graham Wear helped it over the line in an attempt to clear.   Goalkeeper Dennis Wells robbed Leamington of a win with a brilliant penalty save after Adrian Stewart was floored In the box.   Wells came to Bletchley’s rescue by pushing John Brady’s fiercely hit spot kick over the bar.’

'Holleran aiming to make it a lucky 13'

Paul Holleran thinks that a new stadium is key to Leamington's future.  In an interview with The Non-League Paper he stated: 'I think that Leamington's ideal would be to get the stadium through and then they would have the incomes streams and resources that they might need to then say we can go into that league and compete.'

After the pain of relegation last season, Holleran says that he has enjoyed life back in Step 3 as the club relish the chance to regroup and prepare for a return to National League North,.   'On a personal level, I am quite enjoying it, not being so intense and less travelling.'

'Realistically, people in the club know we have had a good look at the National League.  It is frustrating to go on there and be setting on the edge of your 18-yard box for most of the season.'

Reflecting on his time at the Brakes, Holleran said: 'At certain times when I thought the end was near, something has happened which has sparked me again. There always seems to be something that comes along that goes right.   When you have got an affinity with the club I have thought, realistically, I know I will be the best person to sort it out.'

''We have lost our top goal scorers for the last five, six, seven years and, thankfully, most of them gone on to do really well.'  The article points to players who have established themselves in the Football League from Holleran's stewardship, including Courtney Baker-Richardson at Crewe, Colby Bishop at Portsmouth and Josh March at Harrogate.

Yesterday Baker-Richardson scored a winning goal for Crewe with a clever back flick.

Glass game was promotion test

In December 1973 AP Leamington ‘took the lead against Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough after 36 minutes through winger Talbot in front of a crowd of just 281.  AP were awarded a free kick in the first minute but Brady’s centre was easily gathered by Harriers’ young keeper Marl Hingley.   AP forced their first corner a minute later.  Goodfellow took the kick but the ball was cleared.   Kidderminster suffered an early setback when Pat Lynch limped off and was replaced by substitute Wayne Jentas

In the 26^th minute AP broke the deadlock.   Slack defensive play by Kidderminster enabled Talbot to collect the ball and fire in a low shot which Hingley could only partially stop before it trickled over.  AP were doing their fair share of attacking and Hingley was called on to make a couple of fine saves.    AP forced two successive corners in the second half but both proved fruitless.    

After the break they allowed Kidderminster to come more into the picture.  Kerton Masterton equalised for the home side in the 67^th minute and Brendan Wassall put them in the lead eight minutes later.  Leamington, however, were stunned back into action and they began to search for an equaliser.  They were rewarded three minutes from time when a cross shot from Mick Boot found its way into the net with the help of a deflection.’

A home fixture against Stourbridge was seen as a test for Leamington’s promotion ambitions. ‘Unbeaten Stourbridge took a strong hold by netting two goals without reply during an entertaining first half against AP Leamington at the Windmill Ground today.  Stourbridge opened at a lively pace and quickly put the home side under pressure.  After only three minutes Hayward put in a teasing shot which Jones did well to push over the top.   The centre forward then burst on a through ball and Jones was forced to dash from his line and collect at the second attempt.

 Leamington were looking nimble in midfield and Boot twice put over fine cross balls to cause concern.  And when the little wing half hammered over a head high centre, Moore clutched at it under pressure from Foster.   Talbot flashed into the picture with a snap drive which beat Moore but swerved into the side netting.  

But it was Stourbridge who eventually broke the deadlock with a superb goal after 20 minutes.   Left back Davies was the scorer, his 25-yard shot giving Jones no chance.   Two minutes later Bates tapped in a second when the home defence failed to clear a loose ball.  Stourbridge were shaping as a talented outfit and the home defence looked quite shaky against some organised attacks.   Only Talbot was proving dangerous on the home front but his bright wing play failed to inspire his colleagues

Classy Stourbridge increased their lead seven minutes in the second half when Bates rose to head home from Booth’s pin-point centre.  Leamington then survived a hectic moment when Stourbridge forwards failed to put the ball home as Jones and Bowden lay injured after colliding in midair.’   Leamington got a late consolation, but the Glass went top of the table.

Knox scouted Sunday League

 

In December 1973 there was ‘only one local player in AP Leamington’s current first team pool – left winger Ivor Talbot.   But Brakes boss Jimmy Knox Is convinced there is a healthy reservoir of talent in the area and is determined to recruit some of the outstanding local amateurs.  “There are a lot of excellent young players in the town and I want them to be part of the future of AP Leamington,” said the Windmill chief. “I intend to run a youth side next season and I am sure that if we can get such a scheme established we will be able to produce a more effective senior side. “  

Knox built a splendid reputation at Rugby Town where he was operating on a shoestring budget and was forced to lean heavily on local talent.  He moulded them into a promotion challenging side and, although financial pressures finally forced Rugby to fold, he remains confident there is a wealth of players in junior football who are capable of making an impact on the Southern League.  

Knox has been a regular spectator at recent Leamington Sunday League matches – and he has been impressed by what he has seen.  “There is a big gap between junior football and the Southern League,” he said.  “But I have seen several players who could make the grade.  I hope to bring some of them to the Windmill.”

‘Two opportunist goals from AP Leamington’s Norman Foster put them in a strong position against lowly Gloucester City at Gloucester.  Leamington made a fine start and after forcing an early corner went on to take a fourth minute lead.  A long penetrating ball from Steve Lee found Foster and caught the Gloucester defence flat footed.    Foster made ground before neatly slotting the ball home past Stow in the home goal.   

After this early setback Gloucester found more rhythm and went close in the sixteenth minute.     A constructive move resulted in Chris Gardner finding himself with plenty of room in front of goal, but the young striker fired over the bar.  After Gardner had gone close again for the City, with a header following a cross from Hargreaves, Leamington broke away and once again the Gloucester defence were caught napping.   A misunderstanding between Williams and goalkeeper Stow allowed Foster to nip in between them and calmly touch the ball home for his second goal. 

 The opening minute of the second half saw Leamington with two chances of improving their lead.   The first fell to Foster but this time Stowe thwarted his effort to achieve a hat trick.   Then Sweenie went close with a long range shot and with Leamington looking at their most dangerous Trevor Hubbard hit the crossbar with a fierce drive in the 61^st minute.   Near the end Jimmy Goodfellow broke through for the third goal.  

  Gloucester scored a consolation goal through full back Vale in the last minute.   AP will have few easier tasks in their league programme this season than the summary disposal of hapless City who could so easily have been beaten by an ever higher margin.’