Football
Saints enjoy Vase victory

Southam United 4 Continental Star 3

SAINTS came from two goals down at the interval to overcome last season’s Athium Midland Combination champions Continental Star and move into the first round proper of the FA Carlsberg Vase.

Saints reward for their hard fought success on Friday night is a trip to Pegasus Juniors, who beat Wolverhampton Sporting Community 3-0 on Saturday. The tie is on Saturday 13 October.

Not for the first time this season, Saints fell behind to an early goal when, after just three minutes, a long ball over the top beat their defence and, with keeper Ollie Manuel failing to gather, Ibrahim Benjamin tapped into an empty net.

Star scored a second in the 23rd minute, beating the offside trap for another easy goal, before Josh Cole brought Saints back into the match, heading in a free-kick in the 65th minute.

Simeon Smith equalised five minutes later by powerfully heading in a Brad Rees cross.

Smith went close again shortly after and then the match turned in the 81st minute when Natty Brown received a straight red for handling in the penalty area and Craig Watkin put away his fourth spot kick of the season.

Saints made it 4-2 when Smith got the better of his marker and laid the ball off to Lee Thomas to pick his spot.

The scoring was not over as Star got their third in stoppage time, but Saints maintained their good recent run to make it four wins in a row in all competitions.

Saints return to league action at Lichfield City on Saturday.

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