Base of the Pyramid
  • Home
    • About
  • Blog
  • Hops, Stats & More
    • Ground Hops
    • Match Details
    • All Time Hop Stats
    • Teams
    • Guest Blogs
  • SRWFL
    • SRWFL Archive
    • SRWFL Match Blogs
    • SRWFL Team Directory
    • SRWFL SoReg Review

No Miracle for Saints

25/1/2017

11 Comments

 
PictureWelcome to Banbury Road
I was hoping to get to a new ground this midweek but, with games dropping like flies due to the weather, my options were getting smaller and smaller by the minute. I was left with a choice of Banbury United or Southam United as grounds that I could get to in time for kick-off. The Banbury v Chesham game was tempting but, in the end, I plumped for the Midland League Division One clash between Southam United and Littleton. I hadn't been to Banbury Road since October 2013 (http://www.botp.co.uk/blog/45-minutes-in-
chesham-and-a-visit-to-warwickshire), so I thought that a re-visit was well overdue.

Several things have changes since my last visit to Southam, not least the re-structuring of the leagues. The game I saw in 2013 was a Midland Combination Premier League clash between The Saints and Studley. Southam now ply their trade in what has become the Midland League Division One. No change in pyramid status, just a different name. The other main change to the club has been on the field. In 2013 they were a comfortable mid-table team but, following a mass exodus of players, the club began to struggle, finishing bottom of the table last season last year. Things have got even worse this term with the club sitting bottom once again without a win all season and a goal difference of -102 having only scored eight times in 21 matches.

Around the ground the only real change that I could see was that the rather quaint covered standing area on the car park side of the ground had been closed, leaving only about half of the ground open to spectators. The quite impressive main stand is still in use though and the clubhouse and tea bar still seems as friendly as I reported in my 2013 blog.

Visitors Littleton came into this game having lost their last three league games but still sitting in ninth spot and only 12 points adrift of third-placed Leicester Road.
It was a cold, misty and increasingly frosty evening as the teams took to the field. Southam in their yellow shirts and blue shorts, Littleton in all red with white socks.

The game got off to an explosive start. A superb jinking run from Littleton winger Sean Brain was ended abruptly and illegally in the Southam box. Penalty!. The winger got up, dusted himself down and smashed the ball high into the Southam net. One minute gone and already 0-1. Not the sort of start required by the home side.

The Saints may be bottom of the league but they certainly didn't respond to going a goal down like a beaten team. As far as I could see, no heads dropped and they gamely fought on. To be fair to Littleton, they rarely looked troubled by Southam but, after such a great start, they did find it more difficult to make an inroads themselves. There was no lack of effort in the challenge from the home side. Maybe sometimes a little too much effort as they gave away an number of free-kicks in what was becoming an increasingly tetchy game. Littleton did manage to break the home defence again in the 20th minute but, this time, Harry Gardiner in the Saints goal, made a good save.

Southam, whilst still not testing the Littleton keeper, were beginning to look slightly more threatening which makes what happened next even more galling for the home team and their long-suffering supporters. Another clash in midfield was followed by some pushing and shoving by both players involved. Unfortunately, it was the Southam player who was the more aggressive, raising his hands high to push his opponent. The referee, by the laws of the game, had little choice but to send the player off. So, 21 games without a win, 1-0 down at home and now reduced to 10 men. The signs were not good for Southam.

Once again though they showed signs of very good team spirit and continued to battle away but were undone five minutes after the red card. Once again it was Brain who went on a good run, this time down the right flank. He drew defenders to him and then squared for the on-rushing Dan Carter to apply a straight-forward finish from inside the 6-yard box. 0-2.
​

That was how it stayed until the end of the half. HT Southam United 0 Littleton 2.

PictureThe Mian Stand on a chilly, foggy evening
​Following a brief delay for net repairs the second half got under way with Littleton kicking towards the club house and infamous (see previous blog) bowling green end.

As in the first half it was Littleton who had the lion's share of the ball. However, to the credit of Southam, it was very hard to tell that they were a player short. Yes, they were on the back foot for a lot of the time, yes, Littleton maybe should have scored, but the work-rate of the home side really couldn't be questioned in my opinion.

When the second-half breakthrough did happen it was a route one effort. A long ball over the the Southam defence allowed Carter to beat the offside trap. Although the Southam defence got back enough to slow his advance he was able to curl a beautiful effort from the right-side of the box, past the outstretched hand of Gardiner and into the far corner. It was a fine effort, well deserving of a goal. 0-3.

When, two minutes later, a right-wing cross initially miskicked by a Littleton player fell to Matt Fusco who fired high into the roof of the net to make it 0-4, it looked as if the floodgates may open for the last 20 minutes.

However, whether The Ton Boys took their foot off the gas or Southam turned up the determination levels, the expected goals did not come. Once again, Littleton made chances and probably should have had at least two more, but Southam defended resolutely to the final whistle.

FT Southam United 0 Littleton 4.
​

In all honesty a comfortable three points for Littleton, which moves them up to eighth spot. Southam remain rooted to the bottom, win-less and with just three points. As a neutral I would dearly love to see them get a win before the season is over. I was very impressed with their effort. There is no doubt, and their league statistics show this, that they lack the quality of other teams in the league but they do have an extraordinary team spirit for a team that is getting beaten quite heavily week in, week out. Good luck to them, I say.

Southam United - @southamunitedfc
Littleton - @thetonboys

11 Comments
Marketing link
11/12/2019 09:08:36

your blog title looking very impressive... also visit our site RASTA ADD to promote your business

Reply
storiesig link
10/11/2020 03:38:18

I want to say thanks to you. I have bookmark your site for future updates. WElcome go to our site

Reply
gerva link
17/3/2021 16:31:03

You will play online betting games like basketball or, most popular, cricket in a simple way. Even you can make online bets and compete with real-time players based in other places.

Reply
Vingle link
30/3/2021 16:49:47

The key to being a successful cricket bettor is to consider lots of different variables before you place a wager. For those just starting out, we’ve put together some of our best free cricket betting tips on cricket betting india.

Reply
Webself link
6/4/2021 12:47:06

You can get lots of updates and betting tips online during the cricket match. During the live match you will be given a completely on cricket betting india online update on the website, within which you will be provided with new cricket betting tips and tricks for free. With this information, you can get the best betting tips in cricket.

Reply
Microsoft link
24/4/2021 11:07:19

Cricket betting india has a series of millions of cricket betting tips and guides on how to bet on cricket. From cricket betting words to free cricket betting tips, we've got you covered.

Reply
Hcgdietinfo link
18/5/2021 13:11:20

betfair au offers a wide spectrum of ways for carrying out online betting. You should choose an online betting sites that offers your preferred method of transacting money.

Reply
Hcgdietinfo link
3/6/2021 15:59:37

flash games 247.com offers a wide spectrum of ways for carrying out online betting. You should choose an online betting sites that offers your preferred method of transacting money.

Reply
Freewebads link
20/11/2021 14:07:45

Find jogger pants online and sets of joggers for boys as well as children in soft and comfy fabric fo from 0-10 years on Anthrilo.

Reply
immigration and visa advisors link
23/11/2021 07:23:44

Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought I would like to place in writing in this way moreover – taking time and actual effort to create a very good article.

Reply
Blogspot link
20/12/2021 12:25:04

Now baby dresses online shopping will be a hassle free as Anthrilo will give you different styles and choices for babies under different age group.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    October 2012

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly