Woodlands’ cup challenge is ended by Southam

Saints kicked off their defence of the Coventry Telegraph Challenge Cup with a comfortable win over Coventry Alliance side Woodlands WMC, writes David Hucker.

Having suffered narrow defeats in three other competitions, this was Saints’ last chance to win a cup this season. But, with the memory still fresh of a 1-0 home defeat to Woodlands in the same competition two years ago, Luke Fogarty’s team could not take anything for granted.

In the end, second-half strikes from Robbie Beard, Tunde Ajibade and Luke Church saw them safely through to the next round.

“It was one of those matches where you just wanted to go in and get a result,” said Fogarty. “We want to defend the cup and put out a strong side to win the tie.”

Saints exerted early pressure without threatening the home side and the closest that either came to scoring was a powerful 25th-minute shot from Brad Rees which went just wide.

The match sprung to life in the 51st minute when Ross Jackson set up Rees, whose shot was well saved by former Southam keeper Olly Manuel. The corner was swung over from the right to Beard who headed back across goal, with the ball going in off a defender to put Saints in front.

Three minutes later, Ajibade went close and Saints could have had a penalty in the 71st when Beard was brought down from behind.

Luke Church then hit the post from distance with Manuel beaten, while Woodlands could have equalised when the Saints defence went to sleep and Marc Passey had to make a goalline clearance.

It was all over bar the shouting in the 84th minute when Beard held the ball up well before crossing for Ajibade to make it 2-0.

Church wrapped up the tie with a header that went through a crowd of players.

Tomorrow, Saints return to league action when they visit Coventry Copsewood looking to avenge the recent 2-1 defeat in the Birmingham County FA Midweek Floodlit Cup.

Saints will still be without defender Aaron Addison, who is not expected to return for two weeks, and striker David Wilson, who has been forced to retire though injury.

But manager Fogarty will welcome back Jamie Coleman, who has re-signed for the club.