Report

As watched by Paul Vanes

When you play Coventry Copsewood, you know what to expect. A massed defence with players behind the ball and route one up to the strikers, Southam coped adequately until one lapse in concentration cost them three points, but were granted a lifeline with four minutes to go only for the chance to be missed.

Charlie Neale came close to opening his Southam account with a header from skipper John Blunsom’s corner, but the ball scraped the top of the cross bar. Then, three minutes later, Coventry’s Michael Wallace was booked for simulation, which is sad to see at our level.

The visitors’ gained a corner and Tom Murray was not far away with his header. Keeper Jim Stott was penalised for handling the ball with Copsewood players appealing for a severe punishment, but referee Robbie Dadley gave them a free kick instead that was headed clear.

Scott Jackson running away from goal turned sharply to fire a shot a foot wide. On 23 minutes, Ross Wimbush was booked for clattering Tim Pole, who needed treatment on the pitch. From a good left wing cross, Wallace dummied the ball leaving Ronnie Sekhadde a clear shot which he blazed well wide.

Vinnie Thiara strode through a tackle winning the ball as clear as a bell, but was called back and not only was a foul given against him, but he was booked into the bargain which seemed harsh. As an example of how Coventry clear the ball when in danger, a simple tap out for a throw in was replaced by a huge clout that sent the ball completely out of the ground and into the side of a juggernaut with a loud crash. It is probably still on its way to Banbury!

Copsewood stepped up the pressure after clearing another Blunsom corner by winning one of their own which Ben Atkins rose to head close to the bar. Then, another corner saw the ball worked along the bye line and either a defender got a deflection or Stott pushed the ball against the post for another unproductive corner.

On 37 minutes Jack Taylor left the field to be replaced by Luke Church. Then, more excellent efforts from the visitors brought the half to its end with a cracking drive from Stuart Adamson whistling close by the angle and a 40 yard effort from Atkins bounced high as Stott tipped it over the bar.

The second half started with a free kick to the visitors from David Scarr which was cleared downfield where Tunde Ajibade got on the end of it shooting an inch too high. Blunsom diverted a shot out for a fruitless corner, on 71 minutes before Wimbush was taken off and Daniel Loney came on.

A minute later Copsewood took the lead as Wallace flicked the ball perfectly inside Blunsom for Sekhadde to power in and ducking his head sent the ball wide of the onrushing Stott’s right hand to nestle in the corner of the net. Wallace had been left momentarily unguarded, but it was enough. Quentin Townsend won the ball, but was booked by the referee and a free kick awarded against him.

On 86 minutes, Church hit the post after a flowing four man move which was Saints’ best chance. Copsewood restricted Southam to fewer chances than normal which is why they are flying high on the league ladder and there can be no complaints from Saints. The match officials were busy, but it was a game that largely controlled itself for long periods.

Next Saturday, Southam have the opportunity to break this run of three consecutive single goal league defeats with a home game against Massey Ferguson. James Hardie missed his midfield companion Mark Anderson and Ando reckons he could be back on Saturday.

Southam – 1, James Stott; 2, Jack Taylor (Luke Church 37); 3, John Blunsom [Captain]; 4, Quentin Townsend; 5, Charlie Neale; 6, Tim Pole (Marc Passey 83); 7, Dan Humphriss (Luke Swinnerton 78); 8, Vinnie Thiara; 9, Ross Jackson; 10, James Hardie; 11, Tunde Ajibade.

Unused subs – Richard Robinson and Leigh Phillips.

Coventry Copsewood – 1, Scott Furlong [Captain]; 2, Tom Murray; 3, Stuart Adamson; 4, Gary Mead; 5, Ben Atkins; 6, Danny Vincent; 7, Ronnie Sekhadde; 8, Ross Wimbush (Daniel Loney71); 9, Michael Wallace; 10, Adam Civzelis; 11,David Scarr.

Unused subs – Petajon Gordon, Richard Middleton, David Freeman and Christopher Ward.

Bookings – Southam – Vinnie Thiara and Quentin Townsend.

Copsewood – Michael Wallace and Ross Wimbush.

Referee – Robbie Dadley, assistant referees Ken Cox and Wayne Harbut.

Southam Man of the Match – I’ve narrowed it down to four candidates, Quentin Townsend, Charlie Neale and James Hardie but my vote goes skipper John Blunsom who not only had the speed merchant Sekhadde to content with but found the time to probe the left side with his range of passes to Ajibade and others. He led by example and was bitterly disappointed at the final whistle.

Attendance 59