Arnold Longbow — Sat 5 Apr 2008

Match report

Half time: 1 – 1

FC Samba took on Arnold Longbow at Burton Road looking to avenge the 7-1 hammering earlier in the season. Longbow had been crowned champions the previous week, reward for their season long consistency. Wilford's return allowed Ballard to keep goal, whilst Butler replaced Elton (ill) at right back. Samba were unusually kicking up the slope in the first half and were up against it from the outset. A long throw in from the Samba right, was flicked on by the Longbow man, taking out both of Samba's central defenders. The ball landed in the corridor of uncertainty but unfortunately for Samba, Bassett was too certain and in trying to cut out the ball, slid it past the helpless Ballard for this second emphatic finish of the season. In all seriousness it was a big blow for Samba to concede so early and the manner of the goal did little to help their cause. For the next 20 minutes Samba struggled to gain any momentum. Playing 4-5-1 in an attempt to match Longbow in midfield, the extra man seemed to hinder Samba, who were not helped by the defence playing too deep, as they naturally want to do kicking up the slope. Longbow had further chances to extend their lead, with Ballard making a good block with his body after appearing to be fouled, Wilford cleared off the line and Longbow missed a golden chance when a scramble in the box went wide. The missed opportunities seemed to convince Samba they were still in the game and they began to play some football. Francis was unlucky after wriggling clear on the bye-line and Samba had a couple of other shots that were narrowly off target. With about 10 minutes to go to half-time Samba got the equaliser through G.Taylor. He picked the ball up about 30yds out and hit a decent shot which perhaps should have been saved, bu the keeper made a hash of it and Samba had parity.

Kicking down the slope Samba were confident they could force the win they desperately needed but to Longbow's credit they started the second half better, forcing a number of corners. One of these corners resulted in an almighty scramble, which took several attempts for Bassett and Wilford to clear. Samba at times were erratic but again they played their way into the half. Samba's approach play up to the 18yd box was good but they coul not find the killer pass of shot to get the important second goal. Longbow's chances were few and far between at this stage, though they looked dangerous on the counter attack as the game got stretched. Gibbons was clipped just inside the penalty box but choose to stay on his feet and the resulting cross was comfortably caught by the goalkeeper. Gibbons then fashioned a great ball for Lucas in the inside left channel but this shot was blocked. Boughton then headed narrowly wide from a corner as time was running out for either side to get a winner. With three minutes to go a whipped ball in from the right was millimetres from G.Taylor's head, on what would have been a certain goal. Samba had committed men forward and Longbow broke with purpose with the stiker carrying the ball to the edge of the penalty box. He shot early and the ball squirmed under Ballard into the bottom corner of the net. It was extremely harsh on the keeper and Samba as a whole but it was Longbow who took the points and left Samba facing a tough run in to gain promotion.