Kimberley MW Old Boys — Sat 22 Mar 2008

Match report

Half time: 1 – 0

Samba buoyed by a much improved performance the previous week against Bridgford, took on Kimberley at Hall Park. Ballard returned to goalkeeping duties, whilst Shelton was available and took his place in central midfield. On a wide pitch Samba soon got the ball down and started to test Kimberley. The ball was being spread across the pitch and Samba started to pepper the Kimberley goal with shots from the edge of the box. Samba were patient and this was rewarded, when Gibbons crossed to find Boughton unmarked, and their was only ever going to be one outcome. He buried the header and Samba had a deserved lead. The away side were given a scare though shortly afterwards when the Kimberley forward got clear on the right, and went straight towards goal. The striker hit a clean shot but was denied by a terrific save from the on-rushing Ballard. It was one way traffic after this, as Samba continued to totally dominate the game. The standard of passing was higher than had been seen for months but they could not get the elusive 2nd goal before the break

The half time team talk was full of praise, perhaps only tempered by the fact that Samba had not punished Kimberley further. An example of how frail the lead was, was demonstrated within the first five mins of the second half, when Ballard produced hs second great save of the match, diving at the strikers feet, before Bassett cleared for a corner. However, Samba got back to their enterprising football of the first half and Gibbons extended the lead with a sweet right foot finish into the far corner following a cross from the left. The ball broke the net and gave Samba a cushion they thoroughly deserved. Samba were then awarded a penalty when Holloway's goal bound header was deflected away by an arm. Francis scored the spot kick and the Kimberley man was sent off. A 3-0 lead and a man up, Samba couldn't throw this one away and they didn't, accelerating to a 4-0 margin when G.Taylor put Francis clear for this second. Gibbons then put Francis in for his hat-rick with a beautiful left foot pass. Wilford ended the rout with Samba's sixth, as they equalled their best win of the season. It had been a terrific performance from the Sandboys and a much needed win in thier quest for promotion.