Vernon Villa — Sat 13 Sep 2008

Match report

Half time: 0 – 2

Samba started life in the Premier Division of the Notts Amatuer Alliance with a tricky away fixture at Vernon Villa. Samba handed debuts to Nicholls (GK), Wilkinson (Centre Half) and Brewer (Striker) as part of a 16 man squad. The pitch was familiar to Samba from their first division encounters with Villa's reserve side but conditions were made even more difficult by the heat and the prolonged absence of a Council lawnmower. Samba settled quickly enough, kicking down the slope. The opening exchanges were unsurprisingly frantic and Samba forced an early corner. What should have been an opportunity for Samba to take the lead, turned out to be the exact opposite. Vernon cleared the ball and broke with pace down the left flank. With Samba struggling to recover the ball was crossed into the near post and met with a diving header which left Nicholls with no chance. Only minutes later Samba were left in no doubt about the difference in class between the premier and first division. A ball over the top carved the Samba back four open and the speed of the forward was too much to handle. The striker finished low and confidently into the same corner as the header and Samba were 2-0 down after 10 minutes. Lucas then had to come off injured with a dead leg, replaced by player manager, Gibbons. After the initial shock of conceding two goals in quick succession. Samba recovered to gain a foothold in the match. Whilst chances were relatively low in number, Samba were starting to impose their passing game and look more the part of a premier division outfit. Gibbons was getting some joy down the Samba right and it looked the most likely route for a Samba goal. Broughton had the best chance putting his header wide from a good Wilford free kick, whilst the keeper saved well from a Francis shot from the edge of the area. Vernon were not creating any real opportunities but their pace was a constant threat as the two goals proved. As half time draw near Samba could rightly feel that they were back in the match but knew the next goal would be crucial.

Gibbons had delivered a stern team talk at half time and had made a further change with Hawkins replacing Elton at right back. Samba started the second half well, they were playing in Vernon's half and had both the possesion and the territorial advantage. Taylor and Brewer were running the flanks well and you sensed that Samba needed to exploit their upper hand in the match. The goal came close to the hour mark after good work by Brewer saw him cross for Taylor who's left foot shot was into the ground but crucially across the keeper to reduce the arrears to one. For five minutes Samba genuinely looked like they may equalise but committed suicide with another break away goal. The Vernon forward ran from the half way line, with Francis chasing in desperation but the Villa striker kept his composure to make the score 3-1. It was a big blow for Samba but when Villa broke again it was really game over. The Villa forward broke loose and E.Taylor was adjusted to have tripped him in the area. It looked harsh but it didn't matter, the penalty was converted and Vernon Villa led 4-1. In a last ditch attempt to get back in the game Broughton was sent up front, with Sharp replacing E.Taylor to form a back three. Samba couldn't be faulted for effort and created some openings but it wasn't to be. Vernon added a fifth, (another breakaway goal) which flattered the home side, as the margin between the sides was not four goals. However, undoubtedly Vernon Villa deserved their victory for their clinical finishing and sharpness when it mattered. It was a harsh debut for Samba in the premier division and left them a lot to ponder on before next weeks match with old friends, Arnold Longbow. Samba Man of the Match: Scott Gibbons