East Valley Utd — Tue 27 Apr 2010

Match report

Half time: 2 – 2

Samba entertained East Valley United at St Mary's Rec, the venue for their remaining three homes games. The only changes to the starting line up saw Nicholls return in goal, and Gamba start on the right of a three man defence. It was the sandboys who started the brighter pressurising the EVU defence with a series of set pieces. Samba claimed strongly for a penalty when Dollochin smashed a shot from close range, and it was blocked by the defender, with a hint of handball but the ref wasn't interested. EVU started to win a lot of ball in midfield but were not posing a massive threat to the Samba backline. That changed when an EVU midfielder seized on a loose ball, and drove at the Samba defence. Before a block could be made, the EVU player curled a delightful effort into Nicholls' far right hand corner, via the post. Samba tried to respond and had another penalty appeal turned down when G.Taylor was bundled over in the box. The challenge was very very clumsy and EVU rode their luck. An equaliser for Samba followed soon after, through an unlikely source. Samba passed the ball well from right to left, with Wilford feeding Bassett on the wing. Bassett received the ball and executed an exquisite intentional chip that left the keeper stranded. An alternative interpretation could be that the Samba man mishit his cross and bearing in mind it was his first goal since October 2007, we will leave that judgment open. If Samba were feeling sore about previous refereeing decisions, the award of a penalty to EVU made matters ten times worse. Samba claimed for a corner at one end and 30 secs later the ref had pointed to the spot, on the pretence that C.Taylor had blocked off the EVU forward. It appeared harsh beyond belief, and that simply the forward had run into the Samba defender. EVU converted the penalty. Samba fought back for a 2nd time, and clearly developing a taste for goalscoring it was Bassett again who got on the scoresheet. Archer received the ball with his back to goal and went the scenic route round the defenders before crossing to the back post for Bassett to prod home with his right foot with predatory instinct from all of 4yds.

Maybe the disbelief of seeing Bassett get a brace in 45mins, when his previous 190 games had yielded only 6 goals affected Samba, but they made a slow start to the 2nd half. EVU were on top in terms of possession and looked most likely to take the lead. However over time Samba dug in and became a threat as the game opened up. The home side took the lead when Misiuda whipped in an excellent cross for G.Taylor to plant an unstoppable header into the bottom left hand corner of the net from 12 yds. Samba really had their tails up and when Bassett flicked on a long ball G.Taylor was through on goal, though starting from a wide position. As defenders closed the angle his side foot shot was saved by the keeper. G.Taylor wouldn't be behind the goalscoring exploits (in this game) of Bassett for long though. As the ball was played into him with his back to goal about 35yds out, he dummied and spun the defender, creating sufficient space to take the ball on and finish low for an superb goal to extend Samba's lead to 4-2. All was going swimmingly for Samba until EVU pulled a goal back with another fine strike into the corner of the net from 25yds. The last few minutes were nervous for Samba but they held on for another important win and revenge for a heavy defeat just 17 days previous.