Football
Saints squander two goal lead

Southam United 2 Brocton 2

DESPITE taking a two goal lead through Tunde Ajibade and Simeon Smith, Saints ultimately had to settle for a draw against Brocton, with the visitors squaring the match in the last minute of added time.

The result meant Saints are still not sure of second place in the Athium Midland Combination Premier Division.

A win for Bolehall Swifts at Cadbury Athletic last night (Wednesday), would see the meeting between the two sides this Saturday, the last day of the season, decide who is runner-up to Continental Star.

The early chances fell to Saints, with hot-shot Smith heading over from a good cross by Neil Stacey and Oli Manoochehri shooting wide.

At the other end, Jack Taylor kept the visitors at bay with a goal-line clearance before Smith failed to put another chance away, mis-hitting his shot when clear through.

Saints took the lead four minutes before the interval when Stacey headed on a long free kick and Ajibade calmly lobbed over keeper Adam Whitehouse into the net.

The lad was increased in the 59th minute when Simon Proctor flicked on and Smith got behind the defender and lobbed Whitehouse.

In the next Saints attack, Smith turned provider as Proctor crashed a shot against the post with Whitehouse well beaten.

As heavy rain, which had put the match in doubt the day before, returned to Banbury Road, the Saints defence fell asleep and Joe Pickering brought Brocton back into the game.

They nearly equalised when Daniel Lomas went close with a header from a corner and then keeper Jim Stott came for long ball which he completely missed, but Saints escaped.

Brocton’s leading scorer Gary Fife shot wide and was denied again by a good save from Stott before substitute Luke Church had a good opportunity for Saints, but shot wide when Stacey was better placed.

Just when it looked like Saints would complete the double over Brocton, the visitors mounted one last attack, with Charlie Neale clearing off the line, only for the ball to fall to Andrew Chandler who drove it back into the net.

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