Caretaker boss sees Pilkington positives

The surprise resignation of manager Luke Fogarty the day before saw assistant Barry Shearsby take over the Saints hotseat for Tuesday’s encounter with Pilkington XXX, writes David Hucker.

With Saints on a run of three consecutive defeats and Pilkington buoyed by a 5-4 FA Cup victory over Atherstone Town, this was always going to be a tough task.

But they made their intentions clear from the kick-off, playing just three at the back, with the returning James Hardie joining Luke Cole, Marc Passey, Brad Rees and Lee Thomas in midfield.

There were early chances at both ends and Simeon Smith was inches away from latching on to a poor backpass in the fifth minute.

Pilkington were playing fast, direct football and took the lead in the 15th minute when Reul Prescod’s low cross was fired home by by Gaz Davis

Saints came back into the match and Thomas showed good pace down the left, but over-hit his cross. Hardie had a shot deflected wide and Smith went close with a header. The Saints striker then had another effort blocked before shooting wide from a Thomas cross.

Saints kept the pressure on after the interval with Cole firing over from long range and the tide turned in their favour in the 49th minute when Simon Proctor was brought down in the area and Craig Watkin put the spot kick away to level.

A good move involving Smith and Passey saw the ball played to Rees, but his cross was headed wide by Thomas. It was then Cole’s turn to go close, heading over from a corner after a fine save from Pilkington keeper Daniel Leech.

Smith finally got the ball into the net from a corner, but his effort was ruled out for offside, while another chance went begging as he shot straight at Leech with 13 minutes to go.

All the effort counted for nothing, as Pilkington converted a penalty in the 81st minute after a foul by Smith and another one in added time to give the scoreline a lopsided look.

Shearsby was disappointed with the result, but far from despondent.

He said: “That was a lot better performance than we have put in so far this season and, although we missed a host of chances, the fact that we created them is a positive to take into the next match.”

Tomorrow, Saints entertain Coventry Copsewood at Banbury Road (3pm).

 Saints’ youth team continued their pre-season build-up with two more friendly matches last week.

A 1-0 defeat at the hands of Nuneaton Griff was followed by a 3-3 draw with Woodford United.

Leading 2-0 at half-time through goals from Pearce Gaffney and second-year under-18s player Robbie Stephans, Saints dominated possession with Ross Knight adding a third in the second half.

But, as the team tired, a flurry of late goals by the visitors saw the match end all-square.

 Lee Constable will again be running a coaching course at Southam United during the summer holidays.

The course will be held from Monday August 20 to Friday August 24 (9am to 4pm) and costs £12 per day.

All coaches are minimum FA Level 1 qualified and CRB-checked.

To book your place or to discuss further, contact Lee Constable on 07960 412347 or lee.constable@
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