Saints bow out

07 October 2009

Southam United 1 Oadby Town 2
SAINTS had only themselves to blame as Midland Alliance visitors Oadby Town snatched an extra time winner to settle this FA Carlsberg Vase first round proper tie at Banbury Road on Saturday.
Despite the gulf between the two teams, Saints would have gone into the draw for the next round if only they had made more of the many chances that came their way. As it turned out, they were to regret their profligacy in front of goal as Oadby grew stronger as the match wore on, eventually settling the outcome in the 99th minute.
A scrappy tie, not helped by the swirling wind, sprang into life on 12 minutes when the Oadby forwards were caught offside and Andy McKinley thumped the free-kick deep into the visitors' half for captain Ian Wilson to open the scoring for Saints.
A couple of minutes later, Jim Graham had a great opportunity to double the lead when McKinley headed on an inswinging corner from the right, but the Saints striker could not get any power on the shot.
Oadby lost captain Adam Hart, who was carried off on a stretcher in the 19th minute, but that was no excuse for some poor play from a side that plies its trade in a league above Saints.
Keeper Scott Washington did well to save from Danny Adams before the Saints winger set up Graham but his shot went wide of the post. Saints were totally in control at this stage and another Graham shot flashed across the face of the goal.
Oadby did step up their game as the half progressed and Oliver Manuel made a good save to deny Joeul Potter before superbly tipping Ayyoub Sabbar's free-kick over the bar.
Within two minutes of the re-start, Graham went close with a free kick that came back off the post and Manuel was in action again at the other end, getting down to deny Pollard.
Ex-Leamington youth player Vinny Thiara, made a good impression in only his second start for Saints and he set up Graham in the 53rd minute, but the header was off-target. Yet another chance when begging shortly after when James Darlaston headed over the bar with only Washington to beat.
The best chance of all fell to Graham on 64 minutes when put through by Thiara but, instead of shooting, Saints leading scorer tried to dribble the ball around Washington allowing the keeper to get down and save. Manuel also had a let-off when needing two attempts to gather another free kick from Sabbar, but he was powerless to stop Pollard's 74th minute penalty, awarded for handball by Hart.
Pollard could have sealed the win in normal time, but put his 81st minute shot wide and was then denied by a point-blank save from Manuel who, having been the villain of the piece in the defeat at Massey Ferguson earlier in the week, was turning out to be the hero of the hour this time.
Pollard continued to spurn chances in extra time, hitting the post in the 92nd minute, but the tie slipped from Saints grasp when Potter got the winner. Scott Easterlow could have snatched a draw on 105 minutes, but put his header wide after good work by Chris Hanrahan and Alex Unitt.
Manager Barry Shearsby said: "I couldn't fault our performance and we mastered the blustery conditions well, particularly in the first half. We defended soundly and were undone by a harsh penalty decision that brought them back into the match.
"Given that we were playing a side from the league above, we coped well and, looking to the future, we have nothing to fear.
"We have had a disappointing recent run, losing three matches by the odd goal, but we will bounce back and try to gain the promotion that we set out to do at the start of the season."
Saints visit Coventry Alliance side Christ The King in round two of the Coventry Charity Cup on Saturday.

Dore re-launched in Kenilworth»

Bath Place bosses hopeful of move»

Anger at hoax swine flu letter»

Jab scare for Warwick pupils»

Brakes fail »

Beaton progresses»

Harrison is runner-up in Brussels»

Classy Spa bounce back in fine style»

<b>Silver medal for Folkard</b>»

<b>Ginn strike is a tonic</b>»

A word or two in Warwick»

Kenilworth MP hits out at fire closure consultation»

Heated meeting in Warwick over fire station closure»

Saints bow out»

Police windmill search ends but still no clues»

Monty lands Lancs deal»

Wilson prepares for RSC debut»

Motionhouse here there and everywhere»

Taylor follows in big musical footsteps »

Birthplace to welcome Bryson and other star names»