Report

By David Hucker from notes by Charles Hill

In a match that ebbed and flowed, Bloxwich scored three times in the last half hour to edge out Saints and put a dent in their promotion hopes.

Bloxwich came into the match as the division’s form team, having won their previous six league encounters, but it was Saints that got the better start with Simeon Smith nearly latching onto a back-pass in the third minute, only for keeper Gavin Ellis to come to the home side’s rescue.

But, the prolific striker got the opening goal just a couple of minutes later after Oli Manoochehri had sprung the Bloxwich offside trap, having a simple task to tap home.

It was all square in the 21^st when Quentin Townsend was adjudged to have fouled in the penalty area and Neil Grainger made no mistake from the spot, but Saints were quickly back in front when Manoochehri fired in from 25 yards.

As Bloxwich hit back, it took a smart save by Jim Stott to keep the lead intact, denying Grainger a second goal. The Bloxwich striker was then booked for a foul on Charlie Neale, before Saints almost made it three when a move involving Neale and Manoochehri ended with Neil Stacey’s shot crashing against the crossbar.

Saints maintained their 2-1 lead to the break and went close again two minutes after the re-start when Ellis half cleared a long throw from Stacey and the ball fell to Manoochehri, whose low shot was booted off the line. Grainger had another clear chance on goal, but Jack Taylor came to Saints rescue, before Luke Church had a header saved by Ellis.

Smith then showed why manager Luke Fogarty was keen to sign him when, on the hour, he picked up the ball on the left near the goal line, before cutting back in and firing low to beat Ellis at his near post. This was Smith’s third goal for Saints and his 22^nd in all in the league this season.

But, Bloxwich were back in the game within seven minutes when a shot from Grainger was deflected off James Hardie into the net. With the clock ticking down, a free-kick resulted in a scramble in the Saints goalmouth and Stott was forced to save smartly. Then, with just four minutes left, Bloxwich drew level from another free-kick from Peter Clarke that deceived Stott.

Smith almost got his third with a header from a Taylor free-kick that was cleared off the line and, just when Saints looked like sharing the spoils, Bloxwich completed their comeback with a 90^th minute winner by Mark Wooldridge.

Continental Star’s 3-0 win over Pilkington XXX took them above Saints into second place and they also have Coventry Copsewood breathing down their necks in fourth after their 3-1 win at Brocton. Leaders Bolehall Swifts were held to a 2-2 drew by Castle Vale.

Bloxwich United: Gavin Ellis, Robert Sargent, Adrian Jones, Matthew Edwards (Jon Walker 46), Ashley Southall, Jamie Simkiss [Capt.], Ryan McAllister, Peter Clarke, Neil Grainger, Mark Wooldridge, Joshua Jones (Mason Cooke 66)

Subs Not Used: Bradley Wooldridge, Wayne Hayland, Gavin Owen

Southam United: Jim Stott, Jack Taylor, Marc Passey, Quentin Townsend [Capt.], Charlie Neale, James Hardie, Oli Manoochehri (Glenn Webb 79), Tunde Ajibade, Simeon Smith, Luke Church (Mark Anderson 71), Neil Stacey (Ross Jackson 61)

Subs Not Used: Mark Briggs, Matt Oliver

Bookings: Southam - Luke Church, Bloxwich - Neil Grainger and Robert Sargent

Player of the Match: Charlie Neale