Nottm Sikh Lions — Sat 1 Mar 2008

Match report

Half time: 1 – 2

Samba took on struggling Nottm Sikh Lions looking to build on an impressive display and victory the previous week against Gedling Southbank. Again, injuries meant a string of changes with Loach starting on the right of midfield and Bassett moving to centre back, becoming Boughton's umpteenth central defence partner of the season. The conditions at kick off were extremely poor with a very strong wind swirling across the pitch. Samba started very well and within a matter of minutes were in the lead. Loach did very well on the byeline and pulled his cross back to Doughty who controlled a low side foot effort into the bottom right hand corner. Samba were knocking the ball about well and certainly adapted to the conditions better in the opening exchanges. However as the half wore on NSL started to make some progress by knocking the ball up to their big striker to hold up. The back four of Samba were struggling to judge where the ball was going to land and this indecision allowed NSL to get a firm foothold in the game. The home side were not ccreating chances though, and it took a penalty for them to get back into the game. The NSL striker burst through into the penalty box but his touch let him down and the ball appeared to be going harmlessly out for a goal kick. However, Ballard wanted to make sure by protecting the ball but in diving at the striker's feet clipped the striker and down he went. The referee took a good look at the indicent before awarding the penalty which was duly converted. Samba had two great chances to regain the lead. First, Francis blazed over after a good cross from the left before Taylor dragged his shot wide. At the other end NSL took the lead and the goal came from a set-piece. The initial ball was not attacked by Samba and when the ball wriggled across the 6yd box the NSL man had the simple chance of firing home. Samba had contrived to be struggling in a game that they were controlling in the opening periods.

At half time Samba decided to switch to 3-5-2 to try and give some more support in midfield. The opening 20 minutes of the second half were dire from both sides as the game was stopped with an annoying frequence for silly free kicks given away by both sides. Samba's frustration was getting the better of them and the team had no real shape. NSL hit a hammer blow when they scored a third and well worked goal. The midfield man started the move playing the ball up to the striker before running 30yds to receive the lay off and side footing a ball past ballard who had little chance. Samba's first real opportunity of the second half came when G.Taylor burst through but his shot was blocked by the keeper. Samba were finally putting some pressure on the NSL goal but it took a moment of inspiration from Gibbons to get them back in the game. The Samba No.10 went on a mazy run beating several defenders before laying in Loach to finish well. The goal came on 90minutes and for the injury time Samba laid siege to the NSL goal. However, it was too little too late as NSL saw out the game for a vital victory in their quest to move away from the bottom of the league. For their part Samba had missed a golden opportunity to gain back to back victories for the first time since December and they know that apart from the opening and clsoing 15minutes they had simply not been good enough.