Dudley Town 0 Southam United 1: Smith Dell-ivers for Southam to put them through to third round

The Dell Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for Saints in recent seasons but, in conditions more suited to the polar bears in the nearby zoo, a second-half strike from Simeon Smith saw them through to the third round of the Birmingham Challenge Cup, writes David Hucker.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Dec 2013, 12:01 BST

Town could have opened the scoring in the tenth minute when, following a foul on Alex Parry, Danny Ludlow drove the free-kick just wide. They went even closer just 60 seconds later when Dreniz Bala’s shot hit the outside of the post.

Smith hit the bar for Saints in the first half and was denied by the legs of Thomas Harper after the break, with the keeper also saving well from Robbie Stephans.

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However, he was beaten in the 63rd minute after Stephans’ low cross provided Smith with a simple tap-in.

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On Saturday, Saints booked a semi-final place in the Coventry Telegraph Challenge Cup for the second year running as they saw off Coventry United at the Alan Higgs Centre.

Despite playing two levels below their visitors, United were always going to be a tough nut to crack having gone down by just one goal to unbeaten Midland Combination Premier leaders Brocton in a cup tie earlier in the season.

In the end, Saints’ fitness told in extra-time with Simeon Smith and Brad Rees settling the tie after the match had finished 2-2. Joss Holford and Oli Manoochehri scored for Saints in normal time.

Tomorrow, Saints start a run of four successive home matches when they entertain Castle Vale JKS (3pm).