Front two firing for Southam

For manager Lee Knibbs, who had seen his new-look side lose their opening two league encounters, it was the night when the players came of age as they lifted themselves into the top five.

“I thought we were tremendous,” said Knibbs. “I was very impressed with our overall performance in which our front two were outstanding.”

A hat-trick from Pawel Tomczak, who along with Simeon Smith caused problems for the home defence from the outset, was the foundation of Saints’ win, with a Joss Holford penalty and a Lee Thomas strike three minutes from time completing the scoring.

Tomczak was injured in a collision with keeper Matt Oliver for his third, leaving Saints to play out the final 20 minutes with ten men.

On Saturday, Saints came from behind to beat Pelsall Villa 2-1 with Smith grabbing the winner two minutes from time.

Saints were guilty of giving the ball away too often in the opening half, and twice Matt Ross was called on to clear danger. Villa keeper Amrick Panaesar denied Smith two opportunities, the second with a flying save.

Villa took the lead in the 25th minute with a strike from John Charters, who followed up after Kieran Conway had saved Ben Lund’s shot.

Panaesar saved a Ross header from a Chris Wilson-King corner before the Saints winger, who worked the left touchline well, put a low cross into the goal area, but Holford was unable to get a toe to it.

Conway had to be sharp to deny Lund from close range at the start of the second half and, at the other end, Smith set up Thomas, who put his effort well wide. Saints then came close to scoring when a Rees header hit the top of the bar. 

The turning point came in the 66th minute when substitute Tomczak set up Smith, who was brought down by Sean Wesley, and Holford thumped the penalty past Panaesar to make it 1-1.

With the clock ticking down, Smith latched on to a long ball out of defence and headed over the keeper to wrap up the points.

Tomorrow, Saints entertain Blackwood at Banbury Road (3pm).

 Despite going a goal behind after 30 seconds, Saints Reserves recovered to beat Alveston 5-1 in their opening Stratford Football Alliance fixture.