Gedling Southbank A — Sat 13 Feb 2010

Match report

Half time: 0 – 0

Gibbons started his second spell as player-manager away to Gedling Southbank as Samba looked for points to move them away from the lower reaches of the premier division. He opted for 4-5-1 with Misiuda returning to the side after illness and Shelton being drafted into the midfield. There was a rare second successive start for Francis, who occupied the lone forward position, whilst Wilford and Taylor brothers were on the bench. Wilkinson was given the armband. Samba were quick out the blocks and soon settled into an aesthetically pleasing short passing game, which saw them manoeuvre the ball through midfield or out to the flanks with equal good measure. Full backs Gibbons and Bassett saw a lot of the ball in the early exchanges as the play was spread right across the pitch. The Sandboys were assured on the ball and would soon create openings, whilst Southbank gave them too much room to play their football. On several occasions the ball was fed into Francis in and around the 18yd box, and he narrowly shot wide as well as having a number of efforts blocked. It was Rose who came closest to scoring forcing a reaction block from the keeper from about 8yds out. It seemed only a matter of time before Samba took the lead such was their dominance but a Southbank counter attack served as a warning that they needed to keep their concentration. A Francis lay-off to Shelton was intercepted and with both full backs and the midfield three in advanced positions, suddenly Hawkins and Wilkinson were left two on two. Fortunately for Samba the attack petered out with an over-hit cross flying through the 6yd box. A quick throw saw Wilkinson hit a searching 50yd pass for Francis whose shot was tipped over by the Southbank keeper. At the other end Southbank fashioned the best chance of the half when they beat the offside trap and their forward was clean through with only Nicholls to beat. Nicholls saved well with his legs and it was another timely reminder that Samba needed to capitalise on their first half dominance. Samba continued to pressurise the Southbank goal with Brewer having several long range attempts and Wilford replaced Dollochin who sustained a knee injury but at half-time the game remained goalless.

Samba were looking for more of the same in the second half in the hope and expectation that the pressure would tell. The first genuine chance of the second half fell to Southbank when the ball landed at the feet of the forward 12yds out from goal, just left of the penalty spot. As he shot at goal, Bassett managed to block superbly on the cover and the ball was scrambled to safety. G.Taylor replaced Francis on 55 minutes and immediately had a chance with his first touch, forcing the keeper to block his shot from 18yds. Shortly after the substitutions were complete when C.Taylor entered the game for Shelton. Samba were still a threat but there was no doubt that Southbank’s influence on the game was rising. They were more competitive and started to force Samba to defend for spells, which was unlike the first period. They had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock when they broke through the Samba defence, though appeared offside in the first instance, and worked their way into the box. The ball was centred but the striker rolled the ball agonisingly wide of the post. At the other end G.Taylor was causing a nuisance to the Southbank backline and fired a low shot which hit the side netting. Another opportunity saw the same man fire a cross low through the 6yd box and Rose was inches away from a connection. Southbank continued to be a threat but their final ball often let them down with Nicholls handling exemplary. Samba had a lucky escape from a devilishly good corner was swung in and was forced onto the cross-bar but generally Samba were defending manfully. The game ebbed and flowed and Wilkinson had a goal bound free kick turned round the post by the Southbank keeper. With 12 minutes remaining Samba won another free-kick and when the initial ball was cleared it fell to Bassett 30yds out. His cross found C.Taylor on the 18yd line and he headed on intelligently for his younger brother to loop his header beyond the keeper and into the bottom right hand corner. Samba had dug in and had their reward. Southbank pressed for an equaliser but Samba held firm and a vital three points were secured to continue Samba’s amazing record against Southbank but more importantly gave them a platform to target a rise up the table.