Arnold Longbow — Sat 9 Feb 2008

Match report

Half time: 0 – 4

Samba played Arnold Longbow in a top of the table clash at the Embankment. Samba were short on central defenders so Hill moved back to the heart of the Samba back four with Gibbons returning in midfield. Samba got off to the worst possible start when within 5 minutes Arnold Longbow were awarded a penalty for a handball by Bassett. It looked harsh and Wilford got booked for his protests. The penalty was scored, though Ballard guessed the right way and Samba were behind. Samba, initially repsonded positively, with a Wilford run into the box finishing with the keeper grabbing his low cross. Francis then had a golden chance to score but his right foot shot went over the bar. Samba looked decidedly shaky at the back and Longbow soon extended their lead with the striker waiting at the back post to nod home a cross from the Longbow left. Samba entered a shambolic spell where they couldn't hold the ball and looked completely overwhelmed by Longbow's aggressive pressing game. The ball was given away on the edge of the Samba box, only for Lucas to clear up and pass the ball back to Ballard. HIs clearance cannoned off the striker and into the net for 3-0. The misery did not end there, with a quick counter attack from Longbow exposing the Samba back line. Ballard saved the initial shot and E.Taylor got back onto the line to clear. However, he only succeeded in hitting the Longbow forward and again Samba conceded a sloppy goal. At half time Samba trudged off 4-0 down and feeling distinctly sorry for themselves. It had been an abject performance, against a side that had simply competed much better. To make matters worse Samba had lost their captain after 25mins to a suspected broken wrist.

Samba switched to 3-5-2 for the 2nd half with Hill moving into midfield. Samba looked more comfortable matching Longbow man for man but conceded a fifth when Ballard raced out to defend against the Longbow man running through on goal. The striker kicked the ball round Ballard but too hard and the ball was running out of play. Down went the striker and the referee awarded a penalty from the halfway line. Ballard saved the spot kick but the ball rebounded back to the striker and he made it 5-0. Samba were competing better in the 2nd half though and got a goal back when Boughton headed home a corner to make the score 5-1. Sloppy defending cost Samba again when the Longbow player was allowed to race clear from a throw in for number 6 and they added a 7th, with only a few minutes remaining with shot from inside the box following a cross from the Samba left. The second half had been more balanced though and Hill was twice unlucky with headers that hit the post. Overall though it had been nothing short of a disasterous performance from Samba, who now have to pick themselves up for the rest of the campaign.