Southam United go into Sunday's FA Cup preliminary round tie at Lye Town in great spirits after a six-point bank holiday weekend in the Midland Combination Premier Division.
They ended Massey Ferguson’s 100 per cent start with a 3-0 win on Monday to follow a 4-1 victory over Pilkington XXX on Saturday, also at Banbury Road.
Manager Barry Shearsby said: “I’m pleased with our start to the season and feel that after a ne
rvous first couple of games we have now begun to hit our straps.
“We are one of only two sides still unbeaten in the league, the other being Walsall Wood, and we look forward to pushing on from here."
Massey, with former Brakes and Saints star Harj Dhesi in their ranks, played some attractive football but lacked threat. Saints went ahead when Stef Jones scored from a Danny Adams cross-cum-shot that keeper Lee Ross failed to hold.
Mid-way through the half Adams doubled the lead, running in to finish a Jones cross. Ollie Manoocheri came closest for Massey in the first half, while 17-year-old striker Alex Unitt had two good chances for Saints.
Saints completely dominated the second half, with Unitt, McGarvey and Ian Wilson all going close. Massey were reduced to ten men on 68 minutes when Danny Deehan received a red card for a two-footed lunge at Wilson.
Saints wrapped things up in injury time with a Unitt free kick after Si Proctor was hacked down by visiting skipper Townsend some 30 yards from goal.
The first half against Pilkington on Saturday was harder and Saints were lucky to go in one goal up. Visiting keeper Sanders needlessly punched away a cross straight at Wilson, who fired it back over his head and into the net.
Southam dominated the second half thanks in part to a tactical substitution and change of shape by assistant manager Wayne Goss, who was gaffer for the day.
Stef Jones made it two after 49 minutes, volleying in with his right foot and left-back Rich Kay got the third on 62 minutes after a good move involving Jones and Tom Friend on the right.
Right-back Marc Unitt was carried off on a stretcher a few minutes later with an ankle injury and while Saints were re-organising their defence Pilkington pulled one back on 65 minutes via O'Connell.
Saints had the game well under control though and put the seal on their victory when Wilson calmly stroked home the fourth after 79 minutes.
n Saints are running a coach to the FA Cup tie at Lye, which has been switched due to a ground-sharing clash with cricket. Return tickets cost £5 and the coach leaves Banbury Road at 12.15pm. Call Charles Hill on 07802 949781.
The full article contains 475 words and appears in Leamington Courier newspaper.
