Coopers Arms — Sat 6 Mar 2010

Match report

Half time: 3 – 0

Samba welcomed Coopers Arms to Burton Road, for the return fixture, 6 weeks after a horror show in the previous encounter. Samba had contrived to blow a three goal lead, losing 4-3 in what was a definite low point in the season. Gibbons reverted to 3-5-2 and there was a first start for Archer, after a couple of substitution appearances. Samba also welcomed back Broughton for a rare appearance, whilst the luckless Francis succumbed to injury again. Hawkins was absent after breaking his nose the previous week. Samba started on the front foot and we were soon pressing the away side. A good break down the right saw Misiuda cross the ball and when the clearance only fell to the edge of the box Archer was on hand to arrow a shot into the left corner of the net for an emphatic opener. Coopers Arms looked disorganised and dysfunctional and Samba soon capitalised again. Broughton won the header in the box from a corner and the ball fell invitingly to Archer to double his money from close range. The away side did start to threat going forward, playing the ball into the channels for the strikers to feed on. In the main few chances were created, bar one exceptional opportunity where the ball fell to the forward 8yds out, but he dragged his shot wide. Samba were in control but hardly fluent. Nevertheless they got the third goal and again Archer was involved. The move was based on the Samba right and Archer crossed low for G.Taylor to provide a classy flick finish.

Although it didn't seem likely Samba were wary of a repeat performance from a few weeks ago. The quality of the game was not great and Samba were playing in patches but eventually added to their tally. A break down the Samba left saw Rose lay G.Taylor through the left hand channel. He strode into the box from an acute angle, attempted to round the keeper and was predictably felled. The protests from the away side were verging on the ridiculous. Archer took the penalty to complete his hatrick, though it wasn't the cleanest of strikes. The game lulled and had an eerie feel to it, as it seemed like as a contest the game was over. Samba added a bit of quality with a well worked fifth goal. Gibbons crossed for Wilford, who timed his run perfectly to head his first goal of the season. Coopers Arms got a consolation goal when a breakdown in communication between Bassett and Nicholls, saw the striker nip between the two, and round Nicholls to deny Samba a clean sheet. It was a convincing win, if at times the performance was not up to recent standards. Samba now head for a cup semi-final date with old foes Santos.