Aspley Beacon — Tue 4 May 2010

Match report

Half time: 0 – 2

Samba played their last home game of the season on a hard and topographically challenged pitch, at St Mary's Rec. Samba were looking to recover from Saturday's disappointment of conceding two late goals, and a win of Aspley would significantly strengthen their chances of finishing above the opposition. Gibbons shuffled his pack, mainly dictated by availability, with Wilkinson and Gamba returning to defence, and Archer up front. Samba started slowly and Beacon were quicker, stronger and more hungry in the opening period. Samba failed to adjust to Beacon's direct style and it came as no surprise when they went a goal down. The goal was indicative of Samba's performance in the game, sloppy. The ball was played through and although Bassett was covering round, his attempt to poke the ball away fell short, albeit on a bobbly surface, and the Beacon man nipped in to toe the ball under Nicholls. Samba slowly stirred into action but were significantly second best and Beacon cut the home side wide open for a second goal. The ball was played through their inside left channel and the Beacon man was able run beyond the defence before finishing well past Nicholls, as the keeper emerged. At 2-0 down Samba had to roll their sleeves up and they did improve with opportunities to create, rather than clear cut chances. On a number of occasions the final ball would have sent Samba clear but they couldn't quite create the required chances. A notable exception was towards the end of the half when G.Taylor received the ball to the left of the penalty box and advanced towards the keeper. His shot was too close to the Beacon goalkeeper and he blocked the attempt.

Samba had let themselves down with the first half performance, contrary to recent form. The second half started and within minutes Gibbons was forced into a significant reshuffle. Both Gamba, who had been one of few bright sparks in the first half, and C.Taylor picked up injuries and Gibbons and Francis were their replacements. The latter two rarely ply their trade at centre half, so E.Taylor and Dollochin dropped in from wing back and centre mid respectively, with Brewer going out the wing. Still trying to organise from the substitutions, Samba were lucky not to go 3-0 down when Beacon crashed the ball against the ball from a corner. The introduction of the subs coincided with Samba making better use of the ball and soon they were creating chances. Francis crossed for G.Taylor who made great connection, but directed the ball over the bar. Samba were flooding men forward and it paid divedends as they got a goal back. A move from right to left saw Gibbons receive the ball and look for options. Bassett went steaming up on the outside and Gibbons slide him in at the perfect moment, before Bassett calmy slotted the ball past the keeper for 2-1. Samba had momentum and a comeback looked likely. However, this was brought to a shuddering halt when Beacon powered home a header from a corner just a few minutes after the Samba goal. Samba didn't give up and their 2nd half display was in sharp contrast to their first. Further chances came and went, too many to mention, and when Beacon got a fourth, it felt harsh on Samba. Ultimately they paid the price for a very poor first half.