Southam boss points to the positives

Saints manager Luke Fogarty was a satisfied man after Saints closed the gap on league leaders Bolehall Swifts thanks to their first stalemate of the season, writes David Hucker.

“It is always a tight local derby against Copsewood and not many teams will take four points off them this season,” said Fogarty.

“We went behind to a freak goal, but levelled the match and extended our unbeaten run.

“We are midway through the season now and, having strengthened the team, are in a good position to have a real go in the second half.”

It was the visitors who applied the early pressure, going ahead in the eighth minute when a clearance from Quentin Townsend hit Petajon Gordon on the back and the ball sailed over keeper Jim Stott into an empty net.

Copsewood continued to pile on the pressure, although Saints could have made more of a long throw from Neil Stacey that went across the face of an unguarded goal.

In the 26th minute, Jack Taylor sent in a cross to Luke Church, whose overhead kick skimmed the bar with keeper Scott Furlong beaten.

Rickie Cutting then opened up the Saints defence with a smart ball in from the left.

However, Saints rode out the storm and Andy Millan brought them level from a corner with the last kick of the half.

Copsewood started the second half as they had the first, hitting the bar in the 59th minute, with substitute keeper Matt Oliver saving the follow-up shot.

New Saints signing Simeon Smith made his debut in a double substitution on the hour, but it was man-of-the-match Brad Rees who went closest to giving Saints the lead, chipping over when an earlier strike might have reaped dividends.

Furlong saved from James Hardie before Copsewood forced a series of corners to threaten the Saints goal.

Then, with just a minute remaining, Millan was booked for a push, his second yellow of the afternoon, leaving Saints to play out time with ten men.

Tomorrow, Saints travel to Nuneaton Griff, whose recent good run of form came to an end with a 2-0 defeat at Bartley Green last Saturday.