Switch to 4-4-2 brings about Saints’ revival

Southam produced a stunning fightback on Saturday to complete a league double over Racing Club and close the gap on Midland Combination Premier leaders Bolehall to a point.

Trailing 2-0 at half-time, Saints produced a much-improved second-half showing, with goals from Simeon Smith, Jack Taylor and Charlie Neale snatching a much-needed three points.

And manager Luke Fogarty admitted a change in tactics was behind his side’s extraordinary transformation.

“It was a roller-coaster of a game and they made us work hard to get a result,” said Fogarty.

“They caught us cold at an early corner for the first and scored a second with a good finish.

“But even though we were down, we hadn’t been outplayed and I always thought we had a chance.

“We hadn’t been closing down their wingers, so [assistant manager] Andy Taylor and I agreed at half-time to switch to 4-4-2 and we came back to score three and snatch a win.

“Not for the first time, the lads showed a lot of resolution and they responded in the best possible way after our defeat at Nuneaton Griff.”

Southam had looked anything but title challengers in a first half which saw Racers produce all the football on a heavy surface.

Martin Crawford swept home Myron Semper’s corner to put Racers into a fifth-minute lead and, with Danny Charlton’s pace causing problems for an exposed Jack Taylor on Southam’s right flank, the hosts threatened to overrun Fogarty’s side.

Rees drew a fine save out of Ash Malholtra in a rare foray for Southam, while the Racing Club keeper was grateful to his defence for baling him out after dropping the ball at a corner.

They were rare moments of promise for Saints, though, as the home side dominated both possession and clear-cut chances.

Ricardo Richards saw a shot blocked by Quentin Townsend after a neat lay-off from Charlton and Crawford should have doubled his and Racers’ tally from the resultant corner, but put his header over from close range.

Semper cut inside to unleash a fierce drive which stung the fingers of Matt Oliver, but the winger was not to be denied in the 27th minute.

Charlton’s superb crossfield ball sent the winger away and he calmly rounded Oliver and slotted into the empty net to double the home side’s advantage.

A quick counter-attack on the stroke of half-time saw Charlton escape the challenge of Taylor and run the length of the pitch before unleashing a fierce drive which Oliver did well to block.

Saints were out early for the second half and Crawford had to be alert to block a Neil Stacey shot, while Andy Millan volleyed over from eight yards as the visitors looked for an early response.

They got their lifeline in the 54th minute when Taylor’s disputed free-kick was headed back across the box for Simeon Smith to head home from two yards.

Luke Fuller, Semper and Charlton all failed to test Oliver as Racers looked to re-establish their two-goal cushion, but the momentum was now with the visitors.

Rees hit the post after a fierce challenge in the box had seen the ball ricochet goalwards, with Smith heading the rebound wide.

Craig Thomas could have put the result beyond doubt after showing neat chest control in the Southam box, but he lost his footing at the vital moment and was unable to get enough purchase on his shot to trouble Oliver.

And his miss was to prove crucial as Southam got back on level terms in the 80th minute.

Manoochehri set off on a run from the half-way line with Fuller for company and although the Racing midfielder clearly impeded the Saints substitute, the initial push appeared to be outside the box. Manoochehri was allowed to continue after escaping Fuller’s clutches and it was only after he put his shot over the bar that the referee pointed to the spot.

Taylor’s penalty beat the dive of Malholtra to bring it back to 2-2 and leave Racers hanging on for the final whistle.

Nine minutes of injury time gave Southam ample time to complete a remarkable turnaround, but they only needed two, with Charlie Neale sidefooting home from five yards after Taylor’s free-kick had been deflected into his path.

Tomorrow, Southam travel to leaders Bolehall who suffered a shock defeat to bottom-club Walsall Wood last weekend.

Meanwhile, Racing Club, whose Birmingham Midweek Floodlit Cup tie with Pilkington XXX was postponed for a second time on Wednesday night, travel to Walsall Wood.

travel to Walsall Wood.