Southam collapse blamed on ‘soft goals’

After being in command with half an hour to go, Saints lost out to a resurgent Bloxwich side who came back to score three times and snatch a dramatic late win, writes David Hucker.

Manager Luke Fogarty was still trying to come to terms with the defeat 24 hours later, saying: “They are a good side who showed a lot of spirit and determination, but we had the quality play and could have put the match beyond reach but for the woodwork and some goalmouth clearances.

“We talked to the players at half-time about how we could restrict their opportunities and build on our lead, but we got bogged down on the pitch and, in a match of tight margins, lost out to some soft goals.”

Bloxwich came into the game as the division’s form team having won their previous six league encounters, but it was Saints who got the better start with Simeon Smith nearly latching on to a back-pass in the third minute, only for keeper Gavin Ellis to come to the home side’s rescue.

But the prolific striker got the opening goal just a couple of minutes later after Oli Manoochehri had sprung the Bloxwich offside trap, having a simple task to tap home.

It was all-square in the 21st minute when Quentin Townsend was adjudged to have fouled in the penalty area and Neil Grainger made no mistake from the spot, but Saints were quickly back in front when Manoochehri fired home from 25 yards.

As Bloxwich hit back, it took a smart save from Jim Stott to keep the lead intact, denying Grainger a second goal.

The Bloxwich striker was then booked for a foul on Charlie Neale, before Saints almost made it three when a move involving Neale and Manoochehri ended with Neil Stacey’s shot crashing against the crossbar.

Saints went close again two minutes after the restart when Ellis half- cleared a long throw from Stacey and the ball fell to Manoochehri, whose low shot was booted off the line.

Grainger had another clear chance, but Jack Taylor came to Saints rescue before Luke Church had a header saved by Ellis.

Smith then showed why Fogarty was keen to sign him when, on the hour, he picked up the ball close to the byline before cutting back in and driving past Ellis at his near post for his 22nd league goal of the season.

Bloxwich were back in the game within seven minutes when James Hardie deflected a Grainger shot into his own net. With the clock ticking down, a free-kick resulted in a scramble in the Saints goalmouth and Stott was forced to save smartly.

Then, with just four minutes left, Bloxwich drew level from a Peter Clarke free-kick which deceived Stott.

Smith almost got his third with a header from a Taylor free-kick that was cleared off the line and, just when Saints looked like sharing the spoils, Bloxwich completed their comeback with a 90th-minute winner from Mark Wooldridge.

Tomorrow, Saints entertain Pelsall Villa at Banbury Road (3pm).