Kashmir — Tue 13 Apr 2010

Match report

Half time: 1 – 0

Samba faced Kasmir at Burton Road in the first evening fixture of a hectic schedule to the end of the season. With no less than 20 players at his disposal, Gibbons had to employ a rotation policy, which mean that he omitted himself from the squad of 14. Following a poor display against East Valley United, Gibbons went 3-5-2, with C.Taylor, Gamba and Archer all returning to the starting XI. Nicholls was absent from goal for the 1st time this season, with reserve team keeper Smith his able deputy. In the opening minutes, playing down the slope Kashmir perhaps started marginally the better and most of the early football was played in the Samba half. However, it was the home side that were to get the early goal. Archer received the ball 35yds out and was allowed to run at the defence, which seemed to part for the Samba striker. As the goalkeeper approached, a drop of the shoulder was all that was required, and Archer then had the easy task of slotting the ball home for an excellant individual goal. From this point Samba took control of the match. On a wide pitch, with a slippery top, Samba played with an intensity that had been missing for several weeks, despite a good points return in that spell. Further pressure on the Kashmir defence ensued with crosses from both flanks, particularly from the marauding Misiuda and Archer and Brewer (on for the injured C.Taylor) both had long range efforts wide. Smith with the exception of goal kicks had been a spectator for much of the half but was forced into a fine save following a break down the Kashmir inside left channel. The striker got clear and hit a powerful shot which was diverted over the bar with two strong hands. Kashmir looked reasonable going forward and were always a threat on the break but despite some pressure towards the end of the half, it was Samba that bucked a recent trend and went into half-time in the lead.

Kicking down the slope in the second half Gibbons was satisfied with the display and the scoreline at half time. The second half started and Samba could have extended their lead in the opening few minutes. The chance fell to Bassett, playing wing back for the 1st time this season. After excellent football down the Samba right, Brewer played the sliderule pass to send Bassett in, but his first touch sent him slightly wide and he his effort went narrowly wide of the angle of post and crossbar. Shortly afterwards E.Taylor replaced Bassett for his first appearance in the first team this season. Archer was desperately unlucky not to add to his tally when a perfectly hit shot smacked the crossbar with the keeper beaten all ends up from 30yds Samba looked comfortable and their situation appeared to be bettered when Kashmir were reduced to ten men. After a bad challenge on Hill, the offender couldn't resist the temptation of giving Hill a slap but the ref and everyone in attendance saw and heard the incident and there was only one outcome. A further twist was to follow however when Kashmir won a penalty following an alledged trip by Archer. This was converted and out of nowhere the game was level. Hill had to be replaced following the ankle injury sustained in the sending off incident and Francis made his return to the first team. For a short spell Kasmir looked more likely and were very close to taking the lead when a shoot whistled just past the Samba post. In the closing 15 mins Samba turned the screw and had a high number of efforts on goal. Most of these were on target , with the keeper excelling in this period. G. Taylor had the majority of shots for Samba but it was looking like a frustrating night for Samba's top scorer. With just 3mins to go his and Samba's luck changed. With players bombing either side of him, Taylor opted to shoot and he saw his first effort blocked. He reacted quickly however and fired a second decisive shot to the right of the Kashmir keeper to secure a deserved winner for the home side. With only ten men and little time to go, Kasmir could not recover and Samba got back to winning ways after Saturday's disappointment.