Earlswood Town 2 Southam 5: Saints back on the goal trail

Oli Manoochehri was a constant threat as Southam won 5-2 at Earlswood.

Despite missing leading scorer Simeon Smith, Saints found the goal touch that had eluded them in recent weeks, taking the lead after just three minutes through Chris Wilson-King, who weaved his way through the defence before sending a curling shot into the top corner.

Town were back level two minutes later when Chris Conway was left unmarked at the far post and could have had a second when he combined well with Keiran Fitzgerald, whose shot was only just wide.

Conway then rattled the bar, but it was Saints who were to score next when Oli Manoochehri’s harrying forced a mistake which allowed Joss Holford to round keeper Mark Hadden for a simple goal.

Hadden then twice denied Saints, keeping out another Holford effort with his legs and getting down low to deny Manoochehri.

Saints went close again as Manoochehri deceived Hadden, only to see the ball bounce off the top of the bar, but they got their reward thanks to a great run out of defence by the excellent Lee Thomas, who set up Tom Muldoon.

Muldoon was on the scoresheet again a minute before half-time and Saints went in with a three-goal cushion.

Town made three substitutions at the break and reduced the deficit in the 56th minute courtesy of Conway’s powerful header.

However, Saints continued to look dangerous and Hadden made a good stop from substitute Aaron Donaldson before Manoochehri added a fifth ten minutes from time.

On Saturday, Saints failed to find the target for the second week in a row, going down 2-0 to Stafford Town.

Manager Lee Knibbs made just one change from the starting 11 that lost to Lichfield City, with Manhoochehri returning to partner Smith in attack.

But Saints failed to rediscover their scoring touch and a goal in the first half from George Burslem and a Jacob Snape penalty were enough to give the home side the points.

Tomorrow, Saints travel to the Alan Higgs Centre to meet Coventry United in the quarter-final of the Coventry Telegraph Challenge Cup (1.30pm). Then, on Wednesday, they are at Dudley Town in the Birmingham County FA Midweek Floodlit Challenge Cup.