Match Report - Southam United v Abingdon United

MATCH

REPORT

Hellenenic League Division 1, Bobby Hancocks Park, 10.08.22

SOUTHAM UNITED 0

ABINGDON UNITED 1

(Badger)

After a difficult opening day at home to Long Crendon the Saints only had a couple days rest before traveling to Oxford side, Abingdon United, for a weekday evening match under the lights.

Coming off of a 5-2 defeat could have left the team down and disappointed, but they were all in confident spirits going into the midweek match.

The lineup saw Ryan Harris back into the side and his leadership and voice was welcomed into the side that needed a bit of direction after Saturday’s match. The squad also saw the return of Andy Yeates in midfield to bring even more experience on the night, and the effects were felt as the match started very evenly contested. In fact, neither side could break the deadlock at half-time and the teams went into the changing rooms even at 0-0.

In fact it wasn’t until the second half when Abingdon substitute, Jack Badger, found the back of the net after they cleared a Southam free-kick and were able to break away through the midfield. A well placed pass out to the wing and some intricate play around the box finally led to

Conor McGrath setting up Badger with a pass over the defense and after a quick bounce he placed it into the back of the net past keeper Lewis Hudson.

Even with the goal to put them behind for the second match in a row, the Saints responded well and played the rest of the match in a style of play that impressed the coaching staff. However, in the end it wasn’t meant to be, and even after plenty of opportunities the Saints were unable to convert and ended the night in defeat at 1-0.

The team’s sense of spirit and togetherness impressed those watching, however, and it seems only a matter of time before a victory comes Southam’s way.

One squad member, in particular, did end up impressing in Charlie Green, who picked up Player of the Match in his first start for the Saints. He has been in and around the club, recovering >

from an ankle injury that has kept him out of regular play up to this point.

Speaking in the aftermath of the match, Head Coach Richard Kay was full of praise for his team, even though they didn’t produce the ideal result.

“Preparation was much, much better. We got there nice and early and the warm up was good. The tempo was much better and the mindset was also much better.

“It was good to get a few key players back in some key areas and you could feel that it was more vocal across the pitch.

“I thought we were very good first half. Its a tough place to go. They’ve put together a decent side this season, coming off the back of a disappointing season last season.

“In terms of the first half we started really well. Fully of energy. We got in some really good situations in the counterattack and it was just some of the final balls and final pass that eluded us. We had a few flashes across the box where if we attack the 6-yard box we probably score. And we also defended really well.

“In the second half they came on really strong. But we still stood strong and our mentality was really good. The biggest difference was that we stuck to our game plan and we stayed in our shape. The players were vocal. We were organised and we

were physical. We got back to our basic principles.

“Unfortunately, at the minute it feels the footballing gods are against us. Ryan had to come off injured, and we had to shift things about. And we also got caught on the counter-attack and they scored with about 10 minutes to go.

“But again, the reaction was superb. We had 10 minutes plus stoppage time and the lads gave it their all. We had multiple opportunities to equalize and there were some great efforts. The team went right to the final whistle, and that’s all you can ask, especially with the amount of travel.

“Charlie, who got Man of the Match, fully deserved, came in at left back. He was absolutely superb. He was aggressive, really good on the ball and everything I knew he would be. He came in and gave us a real balance.

“It was also pleasing getting Ryan back, even though it looks like he might be out for about a week now, came in alongside Adam and they were superb and gave us a good foot-hold in the game.

“The emphasis moving forward will be, can we play that hard with the same intensity and can we play with that aggression, but also play with better quality in the final third. But in the case of going away from home, I was really pleased.”

The Saints are home to Milton United this Saturday. •

SOUTHAM UNITED: Hudson, Dunn, Green, Neale, Harris, Yeates, Ellis Champkins, Barby (c), Mauritson, Osborne, Ethan Champkins Subs: Drummond, O’Brien, Dixon Subs not used: Skidmore, Boe

ABINGDON UNITED: Cavanagh, Chalmers, Shah, Louis, Sampford, Tangwana(Downie), Dutton-Black(Badger), Orzechowski(Stallone), Mills(Griffiths), McGrath Subs not used: Larman