Southam United F.C. Midland Combination STEP 7

Southam began their quest for the Challenge Cup (a competition in which they reached the semi final stage last season) with a less than convincing performance against First Division side Newhall United.

Their task was not made any easier by an extremely bumpy, sloping pitch with a surface made greasy by a downpour prior to kick off. Still, that was the same for both sides.

Kicking down the slope in the first half, Southam dominated the majority of the play but failed to test the home keeper as often as they should have done, spurning several clear shooting opportunities and shooting high or wide on several other occasions.

The home side only threatened on rare occasions but on one of these Southam's keeper, Jason Pearcey, aggravated a hip injury in a 50/50 challenge which was to hamper him further and causing his substitution during the second half.

The pattern was largely continued in the second half with the home fans, players and management becoming increasingly vociferous in their appeals to the match officials for fouls, etc. to be awarded in their favour if a Southam player came within 5 yards of one of their players. The referee and linesmen, however, stuck to their tasks firmly and fairly and were not to be so easily swayed.

The only goal of the game came after 64 minutes when James "Shearer" Harri produced a dazzling, surging run into the home penalty area with the ball eventually falling loose to Parker for an easy tap in to an empty goal.

Southam came close a few more times but could not put the game beyond doubt and nearly paid the penalty when a hard low shot from outside the box had to be pushed round for a corner by substitute keeper, Brassington.

Southam team (3 - 5 - 2): Jason Pearcey (sub Brassington 55); Wayne Britton, Neil Austin, Aidrian Fitzhugh (Capt); Calvin De-Voisey, Ross Holtom (sub Barry Shearsby 73), Chris Hanrahan, Dan Cramp, James Harri; Lee Parker (sub Ian Macvarish 70), Lee Constable. Unused subs: Tom Thacker, Lee Scott.