Bridges free-kick gives Saints spoils against Pilkington

Brad Rees has returned to the fold at Banbury Road following a spell with Tipton Town.

Pilkington XXX came into the match in good form having followed up their 7-0 win at Pershore Town in midweek with another victory on Saturday when beating Stafford Town 3-2.

Both teams made a lively start with Pawel Tomczak, in his first match since returning to the club, cutting in from the left and sending a shot just over the bar.

At the other end, Joe Wykes beat Saints’ debutant defender Nathan Jukes to send in a dangerous cross that came to nothing.

In the tenth minute another Saints new boy, Jamie Hatfield, signed from Fairfield Villa, combined with Josh Smith to set up Tomczak again, but his shot was well blocked by Pilkington keeper Reece Francis.

Saints nearly fell behind in the 26th minute when Tunde Ajibade lost control in the box and a long clearance upfield found Odane Barnes, whose effort went just wide of the near post.

Jon Grandfield then played Ajibade through on goal, but he skied his shot.

As Saints continued to pile on the pressure, Francis failed to hold a Bridges effort and Ajibade nearly turned the ball in.

Barnes was again clean through in the 62nd minute, but the ball bobbled wide.

It took a good block from Jukes to keep Pilkington out in the 79th minute before Saints lost Josh Smith with a suspected broken collarbone.

Bridges then made the all-important breakthrough, floating a free-kick into the top left-hand corner beyond Francis.

On Saturday, Saints welcomed back Brad Rees, whose transfer from Tipton Town was completed in time for the match, but it did not prove a happy homecoming for the midfielder as his side went down 1-0 to Lichfield City, who maintained their unbeaten start to the season.

A free-kick in the seventh minute from Liam Holt, who lifted the ball over the defensive wall and beyond keeper Tom Cross and into the top corner, was all that separated the sides at the end, but it was enough to give City all three points and take them into second spot in the league table.

“We were extremely frustrated not to get anything from the match,” said manager Quentin Townsend.

“I felt that, after playing out a pretty even first 45 minutes, where we went into the break trailing to a wonder free-kick, we more than created enough opportunities to come away with at least a point in the second half.”

Southam entertain derby rivals Racing Club Warwick tomorrow (3pm).