Smith’s goal-den return boosts Saints

With less than three weeks to go until the start of the new season, Saints finally got some match 
practice under their belts on Southam College’s artificial pitch, unveiling a potentially potent new strikeforce.

As well as Smith, who has been training at Blue Square Premier outfit Tamworth, youth team player Cyril Okpoti also bagged a brace, with former Leamington favourite Martin Thompson completing the scoring.

While there will be tougher defences to break down when the season starts for real, with Jim Graham also returning to the club, there should be plenty of goals for Saints fans to enjoy.

Fogarty, who starts his third season in charge at Banbury Road, was pleased with the workout and the way his squad is shaping up as he looks to retain as many of his young guns as possible.

Defender Marc Passey, who he rates as one of the best in the league, and midfielder Brad Rees have both re-signed to offset the loss of Jack Taylor and Tunde Ajibade.

“It was a tough call between Brad and Neil Stacey for my player-of-the-season award last time, so I am glad to have him back for the coming campaign,” said Fogarty.

Rees will be joined in midfield by Luke Church, Luke Cole and Simon Proctor and Fogarty believes they will be the driving force behind the club’s push for promotion.

Also training with the squad is defender Andy Gregory and he was expected to line up alongside his former New Windmill team-mate Thompson in last night’s match against Baker Joiner Midland Alliance side Heather St John’s.

While Gregory has signed for Saints, he may yet return for another season at Stratford Town.

This season, Fogarty will be assisted by Barry Shearsby who has returned to the club where he enjoyed a successful spell as manager.

Shearsby has been leading training in partnership with coach Andy Ellis and sees no problem with the new relationship with his former number two.

“We’ve worked together before and it was easy to settle in,” said Shearsby. “We discuss what we are doing in training and the players we would like to see at the club.

“At the end of the day, Luke is number one and has the final say on the team, but it’s a good challenge and I’m enjoying being back.”

Shearsby cannot wait for the new season to begin, adding: “The lads are working well in training and raring to go. We need to get off to a flyer and be the team to catch.”