Football
Saints produce grim display at Griff

Nuneaton Griff 2 Southam United 0

SAINTS four-match Athium Midland Combination Premier Division unbeaten run came to an end at The Pingles, as Luke Fogarty’s side looked anything but promotion candidates when well beaten by Nuneaton Griff.

With the wet and blustery conditions making flowing football near impossible, neither side could settle into any kind of rhythm and there was little to get the crowd on their toes in a poor first half until Griff took a 40th minute lead when a low cross from the right was turned in by Aden Moore.

The home side had two good chances to go further ahead early in the second period with Scott Smith shooting over and Dave Barnett’s low cross-cum shot being cleared off the line by Charlie Neale.

Keeper Matt Oliver then denied Barnett, but poor defending from a corner saw Griff get their second on the hour through Ryan Millerchip.

Simeon Smith, making his first start for the club, had a chance to pull one back for Saints in the 71st minute, but shot wide.

With substitute Luke Church injured when putting in a cross, Saints were reduced to ten men for the final few minutes, but it made no difference to the outcome.

Despite the efforts of man-of-the-match James Hardie in midfield, Saints never troubled Griff keeper Sam Slater who did not have a direct shot to save all afternoon and, with too many players off-key, put up their poorest performance of the season so far.

With leaders Bolehall Swifts losing 2-1 at Earlswood Town, Saints did not lose any ground at the top, but they will have to step up when they go to in-form Racing Club Warwick on Saturday (3pm).