Smith double reignites Southam’s title charge

Having succumbed to a last-minute defeat at Bloxwich United the week before, it was Saints’ turn to snatch the spoils late on as two goals in the final ten minutes broke Villa’s resistance, writes David Hucker.

The win took Saints back into second place in the Midland Combination Premier table, but, with just four points now separating the top five clubs, the race for the one promotion spot is becoming ever tighter.

With Villa belying their league position and matching their hosts from the kick-off, it took Saints until the 35th minute to get the opening goal when Simeon Smith helped a shot from the returning Simon Proctor into the net.

A former player-of-the-season under Barry Shearsby, Proctor has returned to the club at a time when an injury picked up by captain John Blunsom playing Sunday football looks like ruling him out for the rest of the campaign.

Smith could have scored a second five minutes later when clean through, but Villa keeper Andy Hughes made the save.

Saints maintained their slender lead up to the break, but Villa gave notice that they were not done with, being denied an equaliser by a good save from Matt Oliver in the 53rd minute.

Manager Luke Fogarty was then forced into a change when Charlie Neale went off injured, with Neil Stacey dropping back to the centre of defence and Andy Millan taking his place in attack.

Millan soon found himself in the referee’s book for a wild challenge before Villa went close again.

It was third time lucky for the visitors, however, when John Hawley capitalised on Saints’ failure to clear from a corner to level in the 76th minute.

But Saints were soon back in front as Brad Rees set up Smith who half-hit a cross-shot that was turned in by Millan.

While his performances can be erratic, Fogarty regards Millan as “the best striker in the league when on song” and this was his seventh goal in a restricted campaign.

Smith then made sure of the points when, with seven minutes to go, he proved too strong for his marker and calmly finished into the far corner for his fifth goal in as many matches.

Villa finished with ten men after Aaron Simpon was sent off for a bad foul on Rees in the 86th minute.

Tomorrow, Saints are at Pilkington XXX.

n Tomorrow evening, Saints under-eights are holding an 80s night in the clubhouse, starting at 8pm. Entrance is £2.