Saints handed final berth but on-field problems remain

On Friday, they heard that Coventry Copsewood had been expelled from the Birmingham County FA Midweek Floodlit Cup for fielding an ineligible player in the semi-final encounter at Banbury Road, which Copsewood won on penalties.

So Saints will go through to the final of the competition that they won under manager Barry Shearsby in 2008/9 with a 3-1 victory over Darlaston Town.

But on Saturday they were brought down to earth when, having taken the lead at The Victoria Ground through a fine solo goal by George Curry, they lost 2-1 to ten-man Bromsgrove Sporting.

After Curry’s fine effort, Elliot Nash brought Sporting level with a stunning shot from outside the penalty area that gave Ollie Manuel no chance. Pawel Tomczak should have put Saints back in front early in the second half but his first shot was saved by keeper Reece Francis and he sent the second one wide.

Manuel then kept Saints in the match with a finger-tip save from a Nick Harris free-kick before Nash turned from hero to villain when he was sent off in the 63rd minute for a foul on Casey Gaggini.

Saints failed to press home the advantage and Jovan Blake-Walker wrapped up the points with 11 minutes to go when Manuel failed to hold on to the ball.

On Tuesday night, Lee Knibbs’ side looked to be heading for another defeat at Bolehall when they trailed at half-time, but Tomczak rescued a much needed point.

Swifts took a 39th-minute lead from a free-kick after Simeon Smith was caught offside and the ball went through a gaping hole in the Saints defence to give Troy Wallen a simple tap-in.

It was all square again two minutes after the break when Smith flicked on to Tomczak, who rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Saints thought they should have had a penalty when Jim Graham was bundled over in the box and there was more bad luck when Tomczak had to drop back to the centre of defence after Josh Cole went off injured after being fouled.

With two minutes remaining, Smith did get the ball in the net against his old club but his effort was ruled out for handball.

Tomorrow, Saints are at home to Walsall Wood in the first leg of the Les James Memorial Challenge Cup semi-final (3pm) and on Wednesday are away to Nuneaton Griff.

n Racing Club Warwick’s home clash with Earlswood Town on Saturday was called off after heavy overnight rain left the pitch waterlogged.

Tony Clarke’s side return to action tomorrow when they entertain Stafford Town (3pm).