Fogarty: Southam were prepared for cup glory

Luke Fogarty described himself as “chuffed to bits” after his Southam United side lifted the Coventry Telegraph Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win over Alvis at the Ricoh Arena on Tuesday night, writes David Hucker.

Fogarty added: “It has been a great day, starting at one o’clock when we got together for light training and worked on set-pieces, before going for a meal to set us up for the match. The preparation paid off as we were quickly out of the blocks and never looked back.”

“Having put the side together virtually from scratch, the team spirit that has built up is really special and I am pleased that we have won for everyone who has worked hard for the club over the season.”

Saints were missing Dan Humphriss and Luke Swinnerton, who were both cup-tied but Fogarty was still able to name a strong team to combat the threat of the Coventry Alliance side, who had knocked out imoSports Midland Combination runners-up Nuneaton Griff in the semi-final.

They got off to the best possible start when, in the sixth minute, Luke Church reacted quickly to fire home first time after a mis-kick by Alvis keeper Callum Harrison.

They doubled their lead five minutes later as Richard Robinson fed Jack Taylor, who was fouled on the edge of the penalty area, and captain John Blunsom stepped up to fire the free-kick low into the net.

A minute later, Alvis had their first real attack which resulted in a deflected shot, but they could not make anything of the resultant corner.

They had another chance in the 22nd minute, heading a free-kick over the bar, before Saints swept to the other end, with Taylor setting up Robinson, who just failed to round Harrison. Then, Saints leading scorer Tunde Ajibade produced a good turn in the box, but shot just wide.

On the half-hour, Saints almost let Alvis in, when Jim Stott failed to collect but the chance went begging, while Ajibade shot just wide after another good ball from Taylor.

Southam were denied by the woodwork in the 62nd minute as James Hardie’s shot was blocked and Church lashed the rebound against the bar. Mark Anderson was then denied by another good save from Harrison.

With time running out, Saints looked to protect their lead, defending deep but, with six minutes to go, they conceded from a corner to give Alvis hope.

In the dying minutes, Ajibade shot straight at Harrison and Stott pulled off a save to keep Saints’ lead intact.

For 22-year-old Blunsom, receiving the trophy in his first season as captain was a sweet moment, especially as an injury against Massey Ferguson that required hospital treatment looked to have ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Manager Fogarty can also be satisfied with a job well done and his young Saints team can only improve for their experience.

Southam United: James Stott, Mark Cheung, John Blunsom, Quentin Townsend, Charlie Neale, James Hardie, Jack Taylor, Mark Anderson, Tunde Ajibade (Leigh Phillips 89), Luke Church (Anvinder Thiara 75), Richard Robinson (Ross Jackson 69). Subs not used: Tim Pole, Marc Passey.