Southam cup exploits make it grim for Griff

Saints made it through to their third cup semi-final of the season when beating Nuneaton Griff for the second time in five days, writes David Hucker.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Feb 2013, 13:43 BST

The 3-0 win secured a place in the last four of the Birmingham County FA Midweek Floodlit Cup where they will meet Coventry Copsewood on Tuesday March 5.

Saints opened the scoring in the 31st minute when Lee Thomas broke into the box and set up Chris Murphy, for an easy finish.

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It could have been two in the 37th minute, but Thomas shot straight at Dave Watson after intercepting a back-pass.

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It was nearly all-square within a minute of the restart when a header from Jamie Hammersley looked to be going over, but bounced on to the top of the crossbar.

Saints made it 2-0 in the 56th minute with Murphy slotting home his second after being put through by Jamie Coleman.

It was soon three as, on the hour, a good turn and through ball from Jim Graham set up Ross Briscoe, who tucked away the rebound after his first shot was saved.

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Manager Lee Knibbs described the result as “an all-round team effort”, adding: “I am challenging the players to reach their full potential and they are responding in the right way.”

On Saturday, Saints moved into the semi-final of the Les James Memorial Challenge Cup with a convincing 4-0 win at Griff.

They took the lead in the eighth minute as Marc Passey collected the ball 30 yards from goal and sent in a vicious shot which Watson got a fingertip to but was unable to prevent hitting the back of the net.

Southam increased their advantage in the 42nd minute with Murphy riding a tackle and slipping by two defenders to rifle home a 20-yard shot.

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Simeon Smith added a third in the 46th minute, with Murphy putting the icing on the cake with his second in the 69th.

Josh Cole was sent off in the last minute, having been shown his second yellow card, and will miss the derby against Racing Club Warwick on Saturday 23rd.

After a run of cup ties, Saints now have two league matches, starting with a trip to Pelsall Villa tomorrow before going back to Griff next Wednesday.

 Racing Club Warwick, whose game at Pelsall Villa bit the dust last Saturday, entertain Atherstone Town (3pm).