Blake strike kills off Southam

Manager Luke Fogarty was disappointed but not downhearted after his Southam United side were knocked out of the FA Carlsberg Vase by Stratford, writes David Hucker.

Goals by Mark Faulds and substitute Josh Blake saw Morton Titterton’s team through to the first round, but battling Saints made the Midland Alliance side fight all the way.

“Although we lost, we gave a good account of ourselves against a team that was packed with quality and experience,” said Fogarty.

“We didn’t fire in the first half, giving away a sloppy goal from a set-piece, but we gave them a lot of worries in the second half and, until Josh’s late strike, it was still game on.

“It was good for our young players to test themselves against such a strong side and we will try to use the experience as a springboard for our league campaign.”

Saints, who welcomed back captain John Blunsom after suspension, started with a 3-5-2 line-up and came under early pressure with Tunde Ajibade clearing a goalbound header from a right-wing corner.

However, Town did not have to wait long for the opening goal. Ricky Baker’s shot was well saved by Jim Stott, but from the subsequent corner, Faulds’ delivery went straight into the net.

Tom Cross took over in the Stratford goal after an injury to Richard Morris and was in early action gathering the ball low down following a long throw by Neil Stacey.

Mykel Beckley wasted a good chance to double Town’s lead in the 27th minute and then Ben Mackey put a free header over the bar.

With half-time approaching, Saints brought on Marc Passey for Aaron Addison and Mackey went close again, hitting the top of the bar after escaping his marker.

Saints came out after the interval searching for an equaliser and, in the 50th minute, Stacey put a long shot on to the roof of net.

Ajibade just failed to convert a cross from Robbie Beard while Josh Cole sent a header from a Jack Taylor free-kick too close to Cross.

Beard and Ajibade were then inches away from applying the finishing touch to a Blunsom corner.

Saints were made to pay for not taking their chances when Blake settled the tie in the 77th minute, heading in a cross from the left.

Tomorrow, Saints return to league action when they entertain Castle Vale (3pm) and they are at home again on Tuesday against Racing Club Warwick (7.45pm).