Gedling Southbank A — Sat 4 Oct 2008

Match report

Half time: 3 – 1

Gedling Southbank 'A' were the visitors to Burton Road in this Premier Division encounter, having been promoted like Samba the previous season. Samba came into the game with a perfect record against Southbank, having won all of the previous four league games. Player-manager Gibbons reverted to 4-4-2, with first league starts of the campaign for Bassett and Hawkins. Wilkinson was absent so C.Taylor partnered Broughton in central defence. The pitch was near perfect but the conditions not so, as a strong wind blew down the slope to give an definite autumnal feeling to the game. Samba competed well in the opening exchanges but failed to get any consistency to their passing. Southbank were encouraged in this early spell, as although they didn't create any real opportunities they were playing the game high up the park. After around 15 minutes Samba started to get into their stride and the opening goal of the game followed shortly afterwards. A good passing move saw the ball spread to Francis out wide who crossed for Hill to convert with a diving header across the goalkeeper at the back post. From that moment Samba took complete control, and Brewer made it 2-0 within a matter of minutes. Francis was again involved, popping up on the right. He cut inside to shoot,but his shot was weak and blocked by a defender. However Brewer was on hand to pass it home, beyond the wrong-footed goalie. Samba were rampant and Southbank had no answer. Holloway dug out a great cross from the right and G.Taylor rose high above the defender to plant his header into the net for 3-0. The Samba defence had been relatively untroubled and they were focused on keeping a clean sheet. However, this particular 'goal' was short-lived as a Southbank free kick from 10ys inside Samba's half, flew straight in, clipping the underside of the cross-bar. The goal was unfortunate and was the definition of 'wind assisted'. Nevertheless Southbank were back in the match and Samba knew more hard work was required.

The second period opened with Samba once again dominant but they could not initially add to their tally. Southbank rallied briefly but only had a couple of off-target shots for their efforts. A fourth Samba goal arrived, and it was very basic. Broughton pumped a long free kick into the Southbank box and G.Taylor had the space to nod home at the back post. Gibbons made a series of substitutions, introducing Brunt, Misuida and Lucas for C.Taylor, Bassett and Francis respectively. More goals were to follow. Broughton added a fifth from a Lucas corner and Southbank were given six of the best when another flowing move resulted in Brunt finishing in style, after Brewer's shot was blocked. G.Taylor compounded Southbank's misery completing his hatrick and the result gave Samba's goal difference a much needed boost.