FC Samba Online

Samba’s tough run of fixtures continued with a home game against Burton Joyce. The away side were sat in 2nd place before kick off, unbeaten, with three wins out of four. Misiuda returned to the side in the absence of Street, who was unavailable and Samba also welcomed back G.Taylor, with Jones taking his place on the bench.

The game started at a frantic pace with both sides showing good attacking intent. It appeared that the game would be an open affair and Samba were encouraged by the in-roads they were making into the Burton Joyce defence.

However, it was the away side that struck first, and the goal had a significant slice of fortune. The Burton Joyce wide man made progress down the Samba right and from a deep position crossed the ball to the back post. The flight of the ball eluded Nicholls in the Samba net and flew in between angle of post and bar. It was an unfortunate goal to concede though Samba had been sloppy at times in the opening period of the game.

Burton Joyce quickly doubled their lead with a second goal, which again had elements of poor defending and dubious luck. A corner was headed clear but only flicked on to the edge of the box. The Burton Joyce man took a stride into the area and hit a low shot which Hill attempted to cover on the line. Unfortunately the ball ricocheted between Hill’s legs and trickled in.

At 2-0 down cracks were beginning to show but to Samba’s credit they battled back into the game and were certainly looking menacing going forward. Gibbons was unlucky after being picked out by Francis, and saw his shot well blocked from about 10yds out.

At the other end Burton Joyce look nailed on for a third when the ball was fired across the 6yd box, with two forwards queuing up at the back post. As Bassett attempted to clear, the thought of another own goal was on everyone’s minds but fortunately on this occasion the clearance was sound.

Samba pressed and eventually got the goal they deserved. Brewer played an excellent ball into Wilford who was needlessly tripped by the defender and the referee awarded a penalty. G.Taylor took responsibility and Samba were back in the game with the slope in their favour in the 2nd half.

Half Time: FC Samba 1 v 2 Burton Joyce

Samba made a change at half-time with Gibbons being replaced by Jones. The home side failed to gain any momentum in the opening minutes and then were hit by a killer blow. A cross was played into the box and as the ball landed, a group of players challenged for the ball. The referee paused, and then awarded a penalty, apparently for a trip, to the disbelief of all involved. The Burton Joyce man didn’t care and duly made it 3-1.

From that point in Samba were poor. The passing was sloppy and they lacked the shape or a cutting edge to get them back into the match. Burton Joyce were comfortable and playing with confidence.

Wilford was replaced by C.Taylor with Hill moving into midfield but this didn’t improve matters. Hill picked up a booking for a foul and the match coasted along with little excitement.

Burton Joyce should have had a fourth when a rare 2nd half chance for either side saw the striker connect with a low cross from close range. The ball hit the crossbar and bounced down and away but Samba players privately expressed their surprise that the goal wasn’t given, as it clearly crossed the line.

Towards the end of the match with frustration high, Hill picked up a second booking for dissent after throwing the ball down, following the award of a free kick. It topped a miserable day for Samba who need to improve quickly if they are to challenge at the top of the table.