Southam Out After Penalty Shoot-Out

SOUTHAM OUT AFTER PENALTY SHOOTOUT

by David hucker

Southam United 1 (3) Dunlop FC 1 (4) Coventry Telegraph Cup

Southam United couldn’t deliver manager Richard Kay a win in his 50th match in charge, going out of the Coventry Telegraph Cup 4-3 on penalties to Coventry Alliance Premier side Dunlop at Bobby Hancocks Park. Dunlop opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, maintaining that advantage to the break but, within two minutes of the re-start, Melvin Mauritson, with a shot from inside the box, brought Southam back in it. Manager Kay looked to increase his side’s firepower, bringing on leading scorer Jay Lawes for Matt Pemberton on the hour but, after taking a knock, Lawes himself was replaced by Wendel Moyo in the 79th minute. Goalkeeper Lewis Hudson brought off a great save with six minutes to go to keep the scores level and, with the match at deadlock after 90 minutes, it went to penalties. Ryan Harris missed the first Saints kick and, with Dunlop scoring, the pressure was on Mauritson, who also failed to convert. Dunlop scored again to go 2-0 up and, although Simon Barby, Shane Osborne and Wendel Moyo all hit the back of the net, the visitors got two more to come out on top. “The first 45 minutes cost us the cup tie” said Kay. “Dunlop created very little all game, but they sit top of the Coventry Alliance for a reason. We were too passive in our approach and not having Jay available from the start was a big loss. In the second half we gave it a right go and should have got the job done but, when you get to penalties, the game is a lottery. This group of players is, by and large, very young. We have got to the sharp end of competitions but, sometimes, the group is not yet ready to take those final steps and get over the line to win things.”

Southam United: Lewis Hudson, Sam Dunn, Kieran Brady, Ryan Harris, Ashley Knights [Captain], Patrick O’Brien, Matt Pemberton (Jay Lawes) (Wendel Moyo), Simon Barby, Melvin Mauritson, Ricky Barby, Shane Osborne

Subs not used: Alfie Speed, Adam Neale, Scott Lindley

Player of the Match: Lewis Hudson