Gedling Southbank A — Sat 22 Sep 2012

Match report

Half time: 2 – 0

Fresh from their victory against Santos, Samba again had a home fixture, with the opponents the unbeaten Gedling Southbank who had secured seven points out of nine in an impressive start to the season. Whilst Samba at one stage routinely dispatched GSB with ease, recent encounters had been far tougher with the away side unbeaten in four matches against the Sandboys and recorded a league double against the champions last season, becoming the only side Samba didnt taste victory against. There were three changes to the side with G.Taylor, Brewer and Randall outgoing, the latter fit for the bench and in came Wilkins, Francis and Wilford. The game started and it wasn't long before the first clear chance to score presented itself. A loose ball in midfield saw the GSB man knock the ball beyond the last defender and bear down on goal but Nicholls started where he finished off the previous week, in fine form, spreading himself to block the shot and prevent Samba from trailing early doors. The home side recovered well and started to play a standard of passing football that had been missing from their opening two games. Samba were engineering good positions through their passing but couldn't quite find the final ball that would provide the opportunity on goal. GSB were giving as good as they got though and had the next clear chance when Nicholls was again called upon after the GSB forward wriggled clear in the inside left position. As the game approached half-time it was evenly balanced but two goals in as many minutes swung the pendulum strongly in the home side's favour. Bassett found Francis' feet on the edge of the box and when the striker was unable to find a route through he laid the ball back into Bassett who fit a low left foot shot, which was powerful in comparison to his last goal, into the net. It should be reported that the shot took a couple of ricochets on the way but ended up on the course it initially started on and so shouldn't detract from the quality of the strike!!! Barely two minutes later Samba were two up with the goal coming from a more conventional source. A peach of a cross from Webster on the right saw Swallow leap at the far post and direct his header into the top corner to give Samba a strong half time position.

A far more pleasing performance saw Samba re-take the field in confident mood. They continued where they left off, making most of the running and creating chances. Wilford nearly added a third goal when Swallow's initial shot was saved and with the keeper out of the picture Wilford's follow up shot was cleared off the line. At the other end the big GSB centre back almost punished Samba from a corner but headed over, in what was becoming an increasingly rare attack. Samba made sure of the points with a third goal from a set play. An excellent flighted ball into the box from Temple saw C.Taylor rise highest and direct his header perfectly into the top corner to leave the keeper no chance. If the first half had been relatively even Samba were different gravy in the second, and showed their confidence with a fourth and the pick of the goals. Another impressive cross, this time from the left and from Swallow saw Temple strike a low volley which pierced the net before the keeper had chance to react. The game was over as a contest but Samba added a fifth to cap an all round very good performance. Gibbons' cross was missed by the keeper and bundled in by Webster, just rewards for his endeavours up front. The gloss of the performance and the result were in threat of being tarnished with nasty looking injuries to Gamba (knee) and Wilford (head) but thankfully both players were showing signs of recovery by the time the players entered the bar for the post match drinks. A special mention is warranted for the GSB chap on the sidelines who offered assistance in dealing with both injuries, much appreciated and put our own first aid skills to shame.