Southam finish with a flourish

Despite missing a number of regulars, Saints finished the season in style with a spirited win at Bolehall Swifts to secure second place in the Athium Midland Combination Premier Division, writes David Hucker.

Manager Luke Fogarty was forced into a number of changes with Neil Stacey and Brad Rees both injured, Tunde Ajibade and Simon Proctor unavailable and Oli Manoochehri going down ill on the day.

Joe Williams, who had played in part of the under-18s’ match in the morning, made the starting line-up for the first time, while fellow youth product Michael Clough made a late appearance from the bench.

Saints took the lead in the 38th minute when Simeon Smith, playing against his old club, fired hard and low across the goal and Luke Church slid in at the far post to tap home.

The hosts levelled in the 52nd minute through Ian Purvey and doubled up when Stott failed to come for a cross and Michael Swan put away a free header.

Ross Jackson shot over for Saints when well placed, while Jack Taylor also had a good chance to level. However, he made amends in the 81st minute with a cross to Jackson who made it 2-2 with a powerful diving header.

Taylor crashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from 30 yards to restore Saints’ lead and, after Swifts had spurned a clear scoring opportunity, he added his second after McNulty had failed to deal with a back-pass.