Southam United FC vs Kennington Athletic Matchday Programme 18 September 2021

SOUTHAM

UNITED vs

KENNINGTON ATHLETIC 18 SEPTEMBER 2021

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Cover: Captain Ash Knights looks for a teammate in the box, Above: Khorrami, Osborne and O’Brien prepare to defend a Launton free kick

Letter From The Manager - Richard Kay Letter From The Captain - Ash Knights Lenihan Makes Club History Southam United FC 2021/22 Squad Back To Business with Kieran Brady Today’s Opposition - Kennington Athletic

First Team Physio Paul Knights

First Team Manager Richard Kay

Club Onsite Physio David Ward

First Team Assistant Manager Paul Knights

Club Kitman Michael Duckett

Frist Team GK Coach Alan Kinnear

First Team Media Officer Rhian Tilley

First Team Player Coach Daniel Long

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Matchday Liason Group Richard Kay Paul Knights Rhian Tilley Tyler Collman Molly Cassidy First Team Secretary Tyler Collman

Any Sports Injury or General Physio Contact David Ward at 07921073889 To Arrange An Appointment

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SOUTHAM UNITED

richard kay LETTER FROM THE MANAGER

Firstly, I would like to welcome the management, staff and committee of Kennington Athletic to Bobby Hancocks Park for today’s Oxfordshire Senior Prem game. We hope you enjoy your matchday experience at Southam United.

After the anti-climax of our first league game getting called off due to Covid in the Marston Saints ranks its great to finally get up and running at

Head Coach Richard Kay

home. Again, I would like to take the opportunity to welcome our supporters and everyone associated with the club back to BHP for competitive football.

Last week it was great to start our league campaign with a hard fought win away to Launton. I knew going into the game that they would be tough opposition, especially away from home, and that proved to be the case.

It was a very solid away performance without us really hitting top gear or any rhythm. That was to be expected as Launton had already played a game against today’s opponents, Kennington Athletic, and it was our first competitive game in the league since November, 2020. Its clear every game in this division, home or away, will be tough. We won’t be able to coast through games and our attitude and commitment will have to be at a very good, consistent level week in, week out.

We are very much a new squad and the aim in these first couple of months is to put points on the board whilst we continue to work hard on the training pitch and gel as a squad.

Its been a frustrating period with player availability throughout pre-season and last week’s game at Launton where we had six

“ Keeper Lewis Hudson protects the ball after an important save.

or more players missing due to Covid, staycations or FA Youth Cup commitments.

However, things look to be settling down with hopefully the full squad, or at least most of, to select from in the coming weeks.

There is lots going on behind the scenes to continue to improve our first team matchday experience, social media and BHP in general. A massive Thank You to our First Team Liaison Group that makes sure our home matchdays run smoothly, and as always to Rhian as head of First Team Media, who travels home and away with the team to produce top-class matchday media.

Its hard to get time to reflect when you are

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I knew going into the game that they would be tough opposition, especially away from home, and that proved to be the case.

in the thick of the action but I’m extremely proud of how far we have come as a First Team, on and off the pitch, in only two years, and barely one full season over that time. A lot of blood, sweat, tears and passion has gone into where we are today with the exciting thought that we are not content yet and are focused on improving all the time, on and off the pitch.

Enjoy the game and, as always, thank you for your support!

COYS Rich

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ASH KNIGHTS LETTER FROM THE CAPTAIN

Hey everyone, well here it is; our first HOME league game of the season! Last week saw us kick off our league campaign with a 2-0 win away to Launton Sports.

Even though we came away with the 3 points we were frustrated and disapointed with our performance.

Its because we have set such high standards in preseason, and we know that we are capable or more than what we produced on the day.

However, credit must be given to Launton last week, and luckily we had Man of the Match, Lewis Hudson, in fine form to pull off some brilliant saves when called upon. Even though we didn’t quite play as well as we would have wanted we still managed to win the game.

We know there will be times this season when things don’t work out as planned, but keeping a clean sheet always gives you that chance to pick up some points. It was important that our league campaign started with a win which hopefully will give us that winning momentum moving forward.

If last week was anything to go by we know that in this league whoever we play we must turn up right from the get go.

The new lads that have come in to the squad this season have been tremendous. In terms of effort,

application and attitude I couldn’t be more proud of the squad.

It was important that we added not just quality, but players with the right attitude. Its a season I am looking forward to and hopefully, collectively as players, management and everyone behind the scenes we can move the club forward.

Thank you for the continued support and enjoy the game.

Ash

SOUTHAM UNITED

MATCHDAY 8

SOUTHAM UNITED VS LAUNTON SPORTS 11 September 2021 - Launton Playing Fields

Clockwise From Top Left: Defender Kyle Locklin clears the ball to the awaiting outlet, Luca Lenihan. Goalkeeper Lewis Hudson tips a Launton attempt over the crossbar. Pat O’Brien clears the ball from a lurking Launton forward. Shane Osborne directs play from the opposition’s half.

GALLERY 9

Clockwise From Top Left: Sean Loughran instructs a teammate where to cover on a Launton free kick. Forward Wendel Moyo breaks away down the left side of the pitch towards the Launton half. Simon Barby tracks down a loose ball late on in the match.

Midfielder Hossein Khorrami clears a defender and continues his run towards the opposing goal.

SOUTHAM UNITED

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SOUTHAM

UNITED

COMPANIES SUPPORTING

SOUTHAM UNITED Southam United First Team would like to thank the following companies who have supported the club this season

Aaron Lane with

LANECommiercial Ltd. We would also like to thank our dedicated player and matchday sponsors

Dave Carter Paul Kay David Hucker Paul Knights Rhian Tilley To help support Southam United FC First Team and add your company or name to the list please contact rkcoaching@hotmail.co.uk

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SOUTHAM UNITED

LENIHAN MAKES CLUB HISTORY IN 2-0 SUCCESS

by David hucker // the Stratford Herald & the Courier

Despite having to wait another week to get the new season under way, Southam United had the best possible start to their Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division campaign with a 2-0 win at Launton Sports.

The Saints could have opened the scoring as early as the ninth minute when Wendel Moyo had a good chance, but his shot went just wide of the Launton goal.

They didn’t have to wait long for the break to come, however, as Luca Lenihan picked up a long ball down the right-hand side and finished well to put them ahead in the 17th minute.

Goalkeeper Lewis Hudson had to be alert in the 33rd minute, making a good save to deny the hosts and saw plenty of action as Launton looked for a way back,

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not least another fine save to tip a Sam Skehan effort from a free-kick over from close range five minutes before the break.

With ten minutes remaining, Hudson came to the Saints’s rescue when Callum Walsh’s header from a corner looked to be goal-bound and Launton went close again with six minutes left with a freekick from just outside the area that went over the bar.

However, to Southam’s relief, Simon Barby wrapped up the points deep into added time from the penalty spot.

After the dissapointment of last week, it was good to be back playing again and to get all three points in our first match in a new league,” said manager Rich Kay. “It was a good first goal for Luca who goes into the Southam club history books as the first player to score in the football pyramid for nearly five years.”

AFTER THE DISAPOINTMENT OF LAST WEEK, IT WAS GOOD TO BE BACK PLAYING AGAIN AND TO GET ALL THREE POINTS IN OUR FIRST MATCH IN A NEW LEAGUE.

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Southam United 2 Launton Sports 0 Oxfordshire League, Premier Division

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Defender Luca Lenihan pushes forward during the Saints’ 2-0 win at Launton

The Southam team and staff before kickoff in Launton

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Sponsorship: RTPhotography

Sponsorship: Dave Carter

Position: Defender

Position: Forward

CAM POWER

Position: Goalkeeper

LEWIS HUDSON

Position: Goalkeeper

ALEX SKIDMORE Sponsorship: Paul Knights

KIEREN BRADY

Position: Forward

DANIEL LONG

Position: Defender

ASHLEY KNIGHTS

Position: Midfielder

PATRICK O’BRIEN

Position: Attacking Midfielder

HOSSEIN KHORRAMI

Position: Attacking Midfielder

RICKY BARBY

Position: Defender

KYLE LOCKLIN

Southam United FC 2021/22 Sponsorship: Dave Carter

Sponsorship: Available

Sponsorship: Available Sponsorship: Available

Sponsorship: Available

Sponsorship: Available

Sponsorship: Aaron Lane with Lane Commercial Ltd.

Sponsorship: Creative Plastics Ltd.

Sponsorship: Available

Position: Defender

Position: Defender

LUCA LENIHAN

Position: Defender

ROSS FEASEY

Position: Midfielder

EDWARD FAHEY Sponsorship: Available

JOSHUA OTUNJI

Position: Defender

GRAHAM CASSIDY

Position: Forward

SHANE OSBORNE

Position: Defender

ADAM NEALE

Position: Defender/Midfielder

TIM COOPER

Position: Forward

WENDEL MOYO Sponsorship: David Hucker Sponsorship: Available

Sponsorship: Available

Sponsorship: Focus Barbershop

Sponsorship: Available Sponsorship: Hatch

Sponsorship: Auto Fastners

Sponsorship: Paul Kay

Sponsorship: Available

Position: Midfielder

SCOTT LINDLEY

Position: Midfielder

SEAN LOUGHRAN

Position: Midfielder

SIMON BARBY

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SOUTHAM UNITED

BACK TO BUSINESS

WORDS // RHIAN TILLEY

Kieran Brady joined Southam United in the spring just before the Hellenic Division Two Cup Tournament and hasn’t taken long to become a dependable and familiar face on the team’s backline. But today its all about getting three points and playing in front of the Saints fans again at Bobby Hancocks Park Obviously a postponed match wasn’t how you envisaged starting the season.

After the false start you began league play last weekend in Launton.

We were dissapointed to be a game behind in the league table. Most teams have played two games, but we’ve obviously only played the one so far. But at the end of the season we know that everyone will play 24 games, so it doesn’t matter too much. I think for most of the guys, we’re just excited to play competitive football again. Its been a long time since we’ve actually played with points on the line.

You picked up an injury in preseason.

How is the ankle feeling now?

Yeah, my ankle feels back to 100 percent now. And I think having the competition in training within the team has helped me get back up to speed. Personally, I think I was ready for the first game week

so it was sort of an anti-climax when it got postponed, but as I said, we’ll play that Marston Saints team later on in the season now.

The team opened league play with a strong showing in a 2-0 win against Launton.

I think moving leagues you sort of don’t know what to expect but it was a tough and physical game, which I think we were prepared for. I think we matched them physically and then once you match a team physically the quality starts to shine through. As long as we match the teams week in and week out I think our quality will show and we’ll keep winning games.

Obviously the past few seasons have been strange for Southam United, but it hasn’t been without successes. There must be high targets and aims going into another campaign.

Without trying to sound too cliche I think our target is just to win as many

games as we can. I think success this season would be getting promotion and I think we’d all like to win a trophy as well, whether thats winning the league or one of the various cups we’re in. So, I think, getting promotion is kind of the main aim, and then it would be great for us lads to lift a trophy at some point over the season.

The squad has shifted since the last competitve matches, with players in and out. Even though you’re a relatively new player, coming to Southam in the spring, it actually feels like you’re part of that core, veteran group.

Yeah, I think I’ve settled in quite quickly really since I joined in the spring.

There’s a lot of fresh faces in the squad now and I’m trying my best to give those new lads the welcome I received when I joined.

SOUTHAM UNITED

Rich has spoken about how the squad depth will be incredibly important and that the many recent absences have affected results. How much of an impact is it going to make to finally have the full squad together?

I think making sure you’ve got players, your key players available every week, is the key to having a good season really.

Obviously we are in a lot of competitions, so having the squad depth to field a strong team every week is important. An example of that was on Saturday. I think the lads that came on did really well to help us close out that game.

It was obvious in the Launton match that even being up 1-0 early on that the team was not content and was still looking for the next gear.

It was a bit of a strange one really. Being 1-0 up at half-time is usually a good thing, but I think we all know within ourselves that we can go to that next gear. We weren’t really content with how we were playing. I think a few of the lads showed that at halftime and were sort of G-ing us up a bit. But I think it did work really. I think in the second half we did play better. Obviously we got that second goal and went on to win the game quite comfortably in the end.

Late on in the match the team was really up against it; down to 10-men through injury, the ref allowing about 10 minutes of additional time to be played, and Launton throwing everything they had at you. Not only did the team not concede, but managed to win 2-0 with Lewis

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[Hudson] being named Man of the Match. What were the deciding factors when the pressure was on?

I think we all stayed together as a group at the end there and defended properly at the back. With Lewis its always great to have a goalie that can bail you out every now and then, and he certainly did that on Saturday. And then going from there we did very well not to concede and then caught them on the break late on and that sort of decided the game.

Luca, who normally plays in that rightback area, got a goal in the match. That must be some motivation to nab one yourself.

Yeah I’d love to get myself on the scoresheet. Obviously I haven’t quite got a goal yet, and I’ve played probably 10-12 games now. Being in defense the priority though is not conceding. But hopefully, as I said, it won’t be too far off, getting my first goal for Southam.

It must be great to be back at Bobby Hancocks Park, and with the supporters finally attending competitive matches.

Its great. I think everyone knows how good a ground it is. And I must say, it makes a huge difference when you’re playing in front of fans. I seem to enjoy the games a lot more when there are people watching, so this Saturday I’m really hoping we get as many people down as possible.

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Brady in action for Southam United against Launton FC

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SOUTHAM UNITED

SOUTHAM

DON’T MISS ALL THE

UNITED

GOALS HIGHLIGHTS INTERVIEWS AND CELEBRATIONS

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION ON THE SOUTHAM UNITED FC 2019 YOUTUBE CHANNEL

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KENNINGTON ATHLETIC FC

This afternoon’s opponents come to Bobby Hancocks Park with a bit of a point to prove, having picked up only one point from their first two matches.

Kennington’s home match against Launton Sports, Southam’s most recent opponents, ended in a 2-2 draw, with Fraink Haines and James Smith finding the back of the net.

They then traveled to Bicester Hallions, another newcomer to the Oxfordshire

Senior League, where they fell to a 3-0 defeat. After the Hallions broke the deadlock in the 12th minute there was no coming back for the Kennymen.

However, Kennington are coming off a successful Premier Division Cup where they narrowly missed raising the trophy to Launton in the final.

They’ll be looking to rely on their Young Player of the Year from last year, Steve Woodhouse, as the season progresses.

BOBBY HANCOCKS PARK GENERAL STADIUM INFORMATION The address to locate the ground is; Southam Utd Football Club Bobby Hancocks Park Lark Road - (Off the B4451 Kineton Road CV47 0FD) Southam CV47 2WF On entering the main gate off Lark Road into the site please turn left and park in the large car park adjacent to the football pitch at the bottom of the site Please do not use the existing entrance off Banbury Rd to park Southam United will not tolerate harassment, bullying, abuse or victimisation of an individual Contact: Tel - 01926 811931 football@southamunited.com

SOUTHAM UNITED

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Upcoming Fixtures DATE OPPOSITION SEPTEMBER Sat 4

Marston Saints FC

Sat 11

Launton Sports FC

Postponed W 2-0

Sat 18 Kennington Athletic H

Sat 25 Summertown Stars AFC H

OCTOBER

Sat 2 Garsington FC A

Daniel Long and Wendel Moyo pass the ball out of reach of a Launton defender

SOUTHAM

UNITED

Richard KAY Manager

MATCH OFFICIAL Mark STANISTREET

Ricky BARBY Simon BARBY Kieran BRADY Graham CASSIDY Tim COOPER Edward FAHEY Ross FEASEY Lewis HUDSON Hossein KHORRAMI Ashley KNIGHTS Luca LENIHAN Scott LINDLEY Kyle LOCKLIN Sean LOUGHRAN Daniel LONG Wendel MOYO Adam NEALE Patrick O’BRIEN Shane OSBORNE Joshua OTUNJI Cam POWER Alex SKIDMORE

SOUTHAM UNITED FC’S PRINCIPAL AFFILIATIONS

MASCOTS Olly KAY

NEXT MATCH Saturday 25 September Oxfordshire Senior Premiere League Summertown Stars AFC Bobby Hancocks Park CV47 0FD (2:30PM)

OTHER OXFORDSHIRE SENIOR PREM LEAGUE FIXTURES Saturday 4 September Charlton United v Launton FC (2:30PM) Cropredy FC v Bicester Hallions (2:30PM) Garsington v Yarnton FC (2:30PM) Kennington Athletic v Launton FC (2:30PM) Halse United v Eynsham Association (2:30PM) Summertown Stars AFC v Marston Saints (2:30PM)