Southam United: Saints hit nine to stay in title hunt

Despite playing nearly two-thirds of the match with ten men, Saints ran out worthy winners at Castle Vale on Monday to stay one point behind leaders Continental Star in the Athium Midlands Combination Premier Division title race, writes David Hucker.

Manager Luke Fogarty has not given up on the title, despite Saints needing other teams to take points off Star in their remaining matches.

“We‘re still in there fighting and were tremendous in both Easter matches” said Fogarty.

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“Everyone has been terrific, especially on Saturday at Pelsall Villa, which was one of those banana-skin matches against a team we were expected to beat.”

Monday’s match was always going to be a tough assignment for Saints as, not only were they up against the meanest defence in the league, but they had been comprehensively beaten at home by Vale earlier in the season. They got off to the worst possible start, conceding a goal in the first minute when Ahmet Bilgimer capitalised on some defensive hesitancy

But Saints levelled the match on the half hour when James Hardie won the ball in midfield to set up former Vale striker Simeon Smith, who rounded Maguire to score into an empty net.

Saints suffered a blow on 39 minutes when Simon Proctor, playing in the centre of defence in place of the injured Charlie Neale, was sent off for deliberate handball after falling in a tussle with Bilgimer. But they went in front in the 56th minute when Smith headed in from a free-kick by Stacey.

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Conall Powell shot wide from a corner for Vale, but it was Saints who scored again as Manoochehri set up Smith for his third hat-trick since joining the club in January. With four minutes to go Tunde Ajibade made it 4-1.

On Saturday, Saints had run out convincing 5-1 winners at Pelsall Villa

Two goals from Simeon Smith and one from Oli Manoochehri had given them a 3-0 half-time lead and James Hardie increased the advantage within a minute of the re-start. Although Villa pulled a goal back, Smith got a fifth in the 63rd minute to seal victory.

Saints’ title hopes received a boost on Wednesday night when leaders Continental Star were held to a goalless draw by Brocton.

They can now lift the title if they win their remaining three matches.