SAINTS KEEP UP PERFECT RECORD

by David hucker

Southam United 2 Kennington Athletic 0 Oxfordshire League, Premier Division

It was hard work in the end, but Southam United continued their good start to the season with a close win over Kennington Athletic to maintain their 100% record. The early chances fell to Saints with Wendel Moyo pouncing on a defensive mistake with just four minutes on the clock only to put his shot wide of the post. Simon Barby then collected a good through ball, but his effort went over the bar. Saints got their reward in the 19th minute when Shane Osborne cut inside and put a curling shot into the top corner and Moyo got in on the act four minutes later picking up the ball from some hesitant defending and sending it wide of keeper Jack Clarkson. With the home side seemingly in control a third goal looked very much on the cards, with Clarkson saving from the lively Moyo and Ricky Barby putting an effort wide. It was the visitors, however, who scored next as Dave Murphy sent a long-range shot that whistled past Lewis Hudson into the top corner to bring the score back to 2-1 and set up an interesting second half. Whatever was in the half-time tea didn’t do Saints any good, as they were always second-best in a scrappy second period that, had Kennington taken their chances, would have yielded a different result. Both Frank Haines on 70 minutes and Murphy on the stork of full-time wasted good chances to score and Hudson made a critical save with his legs as the visitors dominated the play. Substitute Hossein Khorrami did put the ball into the net in added time, but his goal was controversially ruled out for offside. Kennington picked up three yellow cards including their captain Matty Crossan, who was involved in a feisty duel with his Saints opposite number Ashley Knights down the left-hand side all afternoon. “In the first half, we moved the ball

We’re still unbeaten, but our performance levels need to be better “

well, went two goals up and were on top” said manager Richard Kay. “But, in the second, we were poor, and although we defended well, we didn’t retain the ball in midfield and failed to get a shot. We’re still unbeaten, but our performance levels need to be better.” On Saturday, Saints are at home again to Summertown Stars, who sit above them in third place on goal difference after hammering bottom club Marston Saints 6-2 last weekend. Line up: Lewis Hudson, Ashley Knights (Capt), Kieran Brady, Adam Neale, Kyle Locklin, Patrick O’Brien, Cam Power, Simon Barby, Wendel Moyo, (Hossein Khorrami 66), Ricky Barby, (Scott Lindley 74), Shane Osborne. •