FC Samba Online

Samba were pitched against Kimberley MW Reserves from the Notts Senior League in the 2nd round of the Notts FA Cup. An away draw had pleased the chairman and Samba arrived with good hope as performances against higher ranked opposition had been impressive in the past.

McDonald made only one change to the side which beat Calverton, with Whyatt replacing Hawkins on the right of a three man defence, as Samba lined up 3-5-2 for the third successive game. McDonald was unavailable to take charge for the game so Gibbons and assistant boss R.Bassett were at the helm.

Samba kicked off and moved the ball from centre to right and back again, progressing to Brewer 35yds out. The midfielder got the ball out of his feet and attempted a speculative effort that looped and curled and had the keeper in all sorts of trouble. A desperate attempt from the keeper to claw the ball back over the line was to no avail, as Samba took an instant lead. The goal must have been timed around the 15 second mark and surely goes down as the quickest in Samba history.

Samba were up and running and looked creative and inventive on the ball. It looked like they could get at the Kimberley back four at will, but were undone by a Kimberley set piece. A corner was whipped in which reached the back post and evaded Nicholls. The Kimberley defender lost his marker and met the ball from 3yds out, ensuring only one outcome. 1-1.

Samba were still playing well but perhaps could have been more aggressive without the ball and at times were over-committing going forward. Kimberley nearly took advantage when a break resulted in a shot from 15yds that went over, when the player could have done better. It was however Samba that exposed Kimberley to take the lead again when Gibbons threaded a ball through to G.Taylor who finished well for what is fast becoming a mandatory goal a game for the NAA top-scorer.

The game was becoming an excellent cup tie and the pendulum swung again when Kimberley equalised for a second time, a set play again Samba’s undoing. This time the free kick was approx 40 yds out and was delivered into an inviting region between the keeper and the defence. As Nicholls hesitated for a second, the ball bounced, picked up speed from the moist turf and nestled into the bottom corner.

Samba picked themselves up and went again and were consistently a menace in the Kimberley half. However, Kimberley could and should have taken the lead when Wilkinson and Bassett were the first to a loose ball in the penalty box. Unfortunately for Samba they tackled each other and the ball fell perfectly for the Kimberley man who could only hit the post before the ball was pounced upon by Nicholls.

Samba went into the lead for the third time as the game approached half-time with C.Taylor making a break through the Kimberley defence after being released by his younger brother. As the keeper emerged to block any attempted shot, the defender from the rear clipped his heels and the referee awarded a spot kick. G.Taylor converted and Samba had their noses in front again.



The drama of the first half wasn’t over however as Nicholls had to produce a smart save to deny Kimberley a third equaliser. A long throw in caused havoc and the forward swivelled against the Samba defender, before his shot was saved by Nicholls. Samba could be satisfied with their first half work but knew the game was far from over.

Half Time: FC Samba 3 v 2 Kimberley MW Res

The second half started and Samba looked relatively comfortable in the opening exchanges. This was aided when they gained a two goal cushion for the 1st time in the match. This time a set piece caused Kimberley problems and when the ball dropped invitingly for Misiuda to the right of the goal, 6yds out, he smashed a well hit shot into the net to the despair of the home side.

The game became more stretched as the half progressed and there looked like there could be more goals in the game. Samba were defending better as a unit in the 2nd half, which was required because Kimberley were performing with more fluency than the 1st half. Hawkins replaced Whyatt on the right hand side of the defence half way through the 2nd half.

With pressure slowly growing on the Samba goal, Kimberley pulled a goal back and again it was a set piece. Samba defended the first ball well, but the second cross left Samba asleep and the Kimberley man angled a downward header into the far corner of the net. The goal was disappointingly similar to that conceded against Calverton the week previously.

Jones and Francis replaced Gibbons and Rose respectively as the game entered the last 10-15 minutes. Both sides had chances with Nicholls making a save for the cameras, diving to his left to turn away a shot from 18yds. Whilst Jones ended a fluent Samba move and his shot was tipped over the bar by the keeper.

Kimberley pushed for an equaliser to send the game into extra time but Samba defended well and stood firm to secure a place in the 3rd round.