Southam’s title challenge ended at bottom club

Saints’ hopes of gaining promotion from the Athium Midland Football Combination after 31 years were dashed on Wednesday night when leaders Continental Star beat Castle Vale 4-2 to secure the title, writes David Hucker.

Continental’s win, secured in front of a crowd of 150, left Saints eight points adrift of Delton Francis’ side, who have completed their campaign, with just two matches left to play.

On Saturday, Saints had gone to bottom-of-the-table Walsall Wood knowing they had to win their three remaining matches to be crowned champions but, after going into the lead, they lost out to two second-half strikes.

It had all looked to be going to plan as Saints settled into the game with an early chance falling to man-of-the-match Neil Stacey, who shot over from a Jack Taylor corner.

They took the lead in the 20th minute when keeper Dale Faultless tipped a Taylor free-kick over the bar and, from the corner, Simeon Smith headed in his 21st goal of the season.

They should have added a second in the 36th as Oli Manoochehri beat the offside trap, but failed to make the most of his clear run on goal and saw his shot blocked.

Stacey also went close with a free-kick on the stroke of half-time, but Saints looked comfortable and could not have expected what was to come after the break.

As the second half opened, Wood stepped up a gear, with Saints dropping deeper and conceding too much space in midfield.

Two goals in a minute turned the match upside down, with Wood getting the equaliser from a corner in the 64th minute and scrambling another 60 seconds later after keeper Matt Oliver had fumbled the ball.

Manager Luke Fogarty sent on Ross Jackson to increase Saints’ goal threat and it nearly paid off when, after a good run down the left, he sent in a cross that was only just cut out by the Wood defence.

Substitute Andrew Aiton then hit a swirling shot that was well saved by Oliver before another good cross from Jackson just eluded Smith.

Jackson lobbed over the bar from a Taylor cross and headed over an Andy Millan cross.

But, with Saints steaming forward in search of an equaliser, Wood could have added a third when Andre Gonzales hit the post, while Mark Briggs was forced to clear another effort off the line.

Tomorrow, Saints complete their home programme against Brocton (3pm).