Cadbury ruin Southam’s Studley feelgood factor

Two first-half goals consigned Saints to their sixth league loss of the season at a rain-swept Lye Meadow on Wednesday, as fourth-placed Cadbury Athletic continued their good start to the campaign, writes David Hucker.
Matty Hunt, seen here with Tunde Ajibade was on the mark against Studley.Matty Hunt, seen here with Tunde Ajibade was on the mark against Studley.
Matty Hunt, seen here with Tunde Ajibade was on the mark against Studley.

Despite a bright start in which Tom Cooper, Louis Bridges and Jamie Hatfield all went close, Saints went behind in the 25th minute when Dean Lea converted a cross from the right.

On the stroke of half-time, Stuart Butcher chipped keeper Tom Cross to double Cadbury’s advantage.

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Southam pressed the home defence in the second half, although they were nearly caught on the break, with Cross making a good save from Tony Clarke. Captain Myles Jones was denied by the legs of home keeper Kenneth Sanders, but Saints could not make their pressure count.

Despite a poor display against Pershore, boss Quentin Townsend named the same side for visit to Studley on Saturday and his confidence in the players was rewarded with a 3-0 win.

Saints could have gone ahead in the first minute but Pawel Tomczak’s header from a Chris Bright corner landed on top of the bar. Jarrell Hylton then shot wide for Studley before a good move involving Bright and Tomczak saw full-back Jack Brighton slot home, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.

Saints were rewarded in the 34th minute when Matty Hunt headed home another Bright corner. They doubled the advantage a minute before half-time when Tomczak set up Bridges who slotted the ball past two defenders on the line.

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Edwards denied Saints a third shortly after the restart, tipping a Bridges effort over and then Jones saved the day for Saints when clearing from Williams. Lee Thomas twice went close before Tomczak flicked the ball on to Jones, who shot wide.

It was three in the 70th minute when Tomczak chested the ball down to Bridges, who sent an unstoppable first-time shot into the top corner.

Saints entertain Studley again tomorrow, this time in the Les James Memorial Challenge Cup (3pm).

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