Kirton Brickworks — Sat 25 Sep 2010

Match report

Half time: 0 – 1

Samba's first home game of the 2010/11 season, heralded the start of a new era for the club as their home fixtures will be played at Eagle Valley, home of Arnold Town. The excellent facilities on offer contributing to a relatively easy decision to leave Burton Road after 7 years. On the pitch Gibbons had much to contemplate as a mixture of injuries and players unavailable meant he had to field a much changed side from that who were victorious against Nuthall, seventeen days previously. Holloway, Hill and Sharp were amongst the incomings as Samba lined up 3-5-2, with three debutants on the bench. Kirton started the stronger, quicker in the tackle and more aggressive. To be honest the game in the opening period was a good advert for Saturday afternoon shopping with the mrs, as both sides struggled to play decent football in windy conditions. Kirton could be happier though as Samba rarely threatened the away sides goal. Samba slowly started to gain more territory but as they clawed their way into the match they found themselves behind in unfortunate circumstances. A long through ball was destined for Nicholls in the Samba goal, but a combination of an error of judgement and poor communication saw Dollochin flick the ball back to Nicholls with his head forcing the keeper into a diving save. Samba never recovered and whilst the initial shot was blocked, the rebound was put away. Samba simply didn't get going in the first half as their passing didn't permit them to get into any dangerous situations and Kirton, who hadn't created a lot themselves, were comfortable.

Samba had to improve in the second half and they did, though they still didn't looked like the fluent passing side of pre-season. The first chance that they created was probably the move of the match with Gibbons in a wide position, crossing for Hill whose header went wide, when you would have backed him to score. You sensed it was a big moment in the match. Samba huffed and puffed but rarely had Kirton on the rack and the game started to ebb away from Samba. With 10 minutes to go, Kirton on a rare 2nd half attack, hurried Sharp in making an outstretched tackle which resulted in a penalty. There was little protest from Samba indicating that the official had probably got it right. The penalty was converted and Samba were 2-0 down. It felt like game over and so it proved with Kirton running out comfortable winners without really causing the Sandboys defence too many problems. Two defeats out of the opening three league games is hardly ideal and Samba will perhaps be grateful that they can concentrate on the cup next week against Ashland.