Team of the month in seven heaven

Southam boss Lee Knibbs declared October a “massive month” that will define his team’s season, but it looked far from hopeful on Tuesday night as Saints trailed at half-time to a Griff side that had yet to drop a point, writes David Hucker.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Oct 2012, 12:46 BST

But second-half goals from Pawel Tomczak and Simeon Smith turned the match in their favour to maintain the 100 per cent record under Knibbs that saw them gain the Midland Football Combination Premier September team of the month award.

“Although we went in a goal down, we restricted Griff to just a few chances and I thought we could pull it back after the break,” said Knibbs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The conditions were very testing, but we finished strongly and did enough to win. The new players slotted in well and, while there is still a long way to go in the season, we are just a couple short of being a good side.”

Most Popular

Saints keeper Ollie Manuel was first into action, tipping a free-kick over the bar. But, he was powerless to stop an 11th-minute shot from Aden Moore, who ran through the defence to put Griff ahead.

New signing Mykel Beckley should have done better with a free-kick for Saints, but he brought out a good save from keeper Dave Watson shortly after with Lee Thomas’ follow-up deflected for a corner.

Still trailing at the interval, Saints had to step up a gear in the second half and, within four minutes of the restart, Martin Thompson went close from a corner. Neil Stacey then set up Smith, who put his shot wide.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Manuel made another good save to keep them in the match and they finally got the equaliser in the 76th minute when Tomczak’s turn and shot was deflected over Watson.

Smith put the hosts ahead with a well-taken strike with six minutes remaining and it could have been three but substitute Jim Graham missed a good chance in added time.

On Saturday, Saints comfortably overcame Coventry Alliance side Potters Green 5-0 in the Telegraph Challenge Cup.

Former Saints goalkeeper Jim Stott returned to Banbury Road, having rejoined Potters Green, but he was powerless to stop Jim Graham firing the home side into the lead in the 30th minute.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Manuel kept Saints in the match with a good save just before the interval, before a good cross from the left saw Simeon Smith outjump Stott to head home and double the lead in the 55th minute.

Two goals in as many minutes from George Curry and Pawel Tomczak made it 4-0 to Saints before Tom Davison completed the scoring.

Craig Watkin could have inflicted further misery on Green but his penalty was saved by Stott and the defender lashed the rebound over.

n With Leamington having no fixture, Saints are offering season ticket holders, VP Club and Brakes Trust members a free programme to add to what should be the biggest crowd of the season tomorrow.

n Goals from Sam Wimbush, Seff Murenzi and Cyril Okpoti saw Saints safely through to the second round of the Birmingham County FA Midweek Youth Cup with a 3-0 win over Lye Town on Monday.