Knibbs: Defeat was a missed opportunity for Southam

Twenty-four hours after his side’s unbeaten run had ended at Brocton, manager Lee Knibbs was still trying to come to terms with defeat, writes David Hucker.

“I still can’t really work out how we lost and it will take a few days to get over it” said Knibbs on Sunday.

“With leaders Littleton losing, it was a missed opportunity to close the gap and we can’t afford to slip up again if we are to have any hope of challenging at the end of the season. The lads were disappointed, which shows that they care, and it will be a test of their character to bounce back on Saturday.”

Southam went into the match on the back of nine straight wins but, having taken a first-half lead, were undone by two goals in the last 20 minutes from Michael Fox.

They had the best of the early chances, with Pawel Tomczak shooting across the face of the goal after being set up by Simeon Smith while Lee Thomas’ dangerous cross just eluded the onrushing forwards.

Brocton went close in the 15th minute with a long-range shot that Ollie Manuel did well to keep out, before Josh Cole headed over from a Casey Gaggini free-kick.

Saints took the lead in the 31st minute when, from a Craig Watkins corner, Tomczak beat keeper Adam Whitehouse to the ball to head home. They nearly got a second a minute before half-time, but Caggini was denied when Whitehouse tipped his lob over the bar.

It was Smith’s turn to go close shortly after the break as Tomczak headed on a long kick from Manuel but, having rounded Whitehouse, the striker saw his goalbound shot cleared off the line.

Cole then put an effort just wide before Saints switched off, allowing Brocton a chance from an attack down the left.

Smith then put another shot wide of the target before the home side levelled when a Fox header went in off the post.

Fox got his second in the 77th minute with an overhead kick and Saints missed the chance of an equaliser in stoppage time when Brad Rees failed to hit the target after a good run by Robbie Stephans.

Saints will be hoping to get back on the winning trail tomorrow when they entertain Earlswood Town (3pm).

 Young Saints made it three wins in a row when goals from Robbie Stephans (2) and Steve Thomas gave them a 3-1 victory over Nuneaton Griff in the Midland Floodlit Youth League on Monday.

Meanwhile, two goals from Paul Monschke could not prevent Southam’s under-18s going down to a 4-2 defeat against Rugby Town in the Midland Junior Premier League.

Saints under-12s (school year 7) are looking to add to their squad which plays in the John Bryan Coventry Minor League on Sundays and trains on the 4G artificial pitch at Southam College on Wednesday evenings.

All coaches are FA qualified and anyone interested should contact Julie Jordan on 07772 692193.