Daventry defeat does not prove too disheartening for Knibbs

Daventry Towns Josh Blake goes in for a challenge with Southams Sean Snelling. MHLC-03-08-13 Southam Daventry Aug13

“I was very happy with our performance against a side who play two levels higher in the non-league pyramid,” said Knibbs.

“We had a number of players missing but, as a squad, we are where I wanted to be at this stage and we go into the new season well prepared.”

The hosts more than matched Town in the opening half with captain Tom Leaver having the first opportunity on goal, but his shot went wide of the post.

Saints took the lead in the 20th minute when Tom Leaver set up Alex Roberts and, although Town keeper Richard Morris got a hand to the ball, the shot was too strong.

Saints goalkeeper Keiran Conway needed to be at his sharpest to deny Josh Blake, but he was powerless to prevent the visitors levelling on the stroke of half-time, Ashley Robinson converting Mykel Beckley’s cross.

Daventry should have taken the lead in the 63rd minute when Simeon Smith handled, but Robinson’s spot-kick came back off the post.

In the end, Saints paid the price for giving Beckley too much room once too often, as he coolly placed a shot wide of Conway for a 73rd-minute winner.

Saints open their Midland Combination campaign at Nuneaton Griff tomorrow and then host Bromsgrove Sporting at Banbury Road on Tuesday evening (7.45pm).