Arnold Town A — Sat 8 Mar 2008

Match report

Half time: 2 – 0

Samba were again down to the bare bones against Arnold 'A' at Burton Road. Horton made his first start since December, whilst there was a debut for Martin Quinn in midfield. Hill was missing through suspension, whilst Wilford, Lucas, Loach, Sharp, and Hawkins were again all missing through injury. The wind and a firm pitch made conditions difficult in the opening exchanges with Arnold adapting better and playing some neat football. Samba were creating some chances though with Francis put through by Bassett but this shot was weak at the keeper. Arnold nearly took the lead when a deep cross fell beyond Bassett to the wide man at the back post but his shot was well saved by Ballard. Taylor had a great chance to open the scoring but his shot was blocked by the keeper Samba did get their noses in front, when the ball was won on the left and Taylor picked out Francis who ran beyond the Arnold defence to opening the scoring. Arnold could feel slightly aggrieved to be behind as they were passing the ball well but failing to create real openings. Five minutes before half-time Samba struck again with Gibbons playing a defence splitting pass for Francis to run onto and double the home side's lead with another well taken goal.

Samba made a tactical switch at half time bringing an extra man in the middle of midfield to try and disrupt Arnold's passing game. It was working well in the opneing 15 minutes as Samba were pressing Arnold successfully in their half and went 3-0 ahead when Boughton's long ball was chased down by Francis who finished from the inside left position to claim his hat-rick. If Samba thought that was the game won, how wrong they were. Arnold pulled a goal back when the ball carried in directly from a vicious inswinging corner. At the time Samba didn't have a real reason to worry but when they condeded a similar goal within 2 minutes, Samba wer panic stricken. Arnold could sense the game was theirs for the taking and were dominating both possession and territory. The equaliser came just a few minutes later, with the Arnold man running from wide before unleashing a 30yd cracker which dipped under Ballard's crossbar for 3-3. Samba were shellshocked, lacked shape and discipline. Arnold were in the mood and took the lead after an unfortunate mistake from Ballard, whose clearance went straight to the Arnold man, who rounded the keeper for 4-3. It was the most amazing turnaround in a game that Samba had ever been involved in and unfortunately they were on the receiving end. Arnold got a 5th, hit the crossbar and were only denied more goals by some brilliant saves from Ballard. As the final whistle blew, Arnold rightly celebrated their terrific win. For Samba it represented another missed opportunity and it is clear that it will need a dramatic reversal of fortunes to get their promotion bid back on track.