BRINKLOW SKIPPER FOR THE DAY SCOTT LINDLEY WRITES ABOUT THE 1-1 DRAW WITH VISITORS SOUTHAM UNITED...

SCOTT LINDLEY PONDERS HIS MATCH REPORT...

"Brinklow stepped up our pre-season programme with a tough looking fixture against Southam United of the Midland Football League. On paper, this looked set to be the hardest game of our schedule so far against higher league opposition but was a fixture that myself and the squad were all looking forward to.

Brinklow lined up with a few changes made from the victory over Rugby the previous week. Jordan Hayward came in at left-back for Dan Hood, Nathan Stoute reverted to Right Back at the expense of Billy Stenger with new signing Connor Tallet coming in on the right wing. Other than that, Weavo and Dave employed the same players and system which had performed so well against Rugby.

The game started at a relatively slow place, in part presumably owing to the heat and humidity which had both sets of players rushing for the water bottles at most breakdowns of play. However, it was Brinklow who began to assert authority on the game, carving out the clearer of the chances. Notably, Nathan Stoute, Paddy Ryan and Blake Kassar all tested the Southam goalkeeper who pulled off exceptional saves to deny all three goal scoring opportunities. 

Tempers did flare throughout the half with some very questionable refereeing decisions at times, it has to be said, however the boys kept their heads and continued to play the brand of football we are trying to promote across the club. 

At half time, both sides went in at 0-0 and I'm sure most of the Brinklow lads, myself included, were slightly bemused as to how we weren't two or three goals to the good, owing to our dominance of the half. To use Weavo's analogy at the break, "If it was a boxing match, the ref would have stopped this!" 

Dave also commented after the game that the Southam squad were heard at half-time to be bickering amongst themselves about "What Brinklow were doing right...", as opposed to focusing on what they needed to be doing themselves. I think overall that summed up how in control we were at that point.

However, the second-half started with Southam forcing an early corner. The corner was whipped in brilliantly it has to be said and former Brinklow trialist Khamsi Lightbourne, brought on by Southam at half-time, evaded his marker and rose excellently to power a header in to the top right-hand corner past our 'keeper Pascal and Tom Ford on the far post. The goal came as a real 'kick in the teeth' considering how we had played in the first-half, however the spirit and response shown by the lads to going behind following the goal was amazing to be a part of.

Brinklow continued to make most of the running, again carving out chances and playing football in such a manner that at times it left Southam chasing shadows. Changes were made by Weavo and Dave as the half drew on with debutant Macca Richards coming on for Nathan Ellis, Scott Broadbent for Craig Burrin, Hossein Khorrami for Ash Marks and Mike Thomas for Tom Ford and it was finally in the 80th minute that Brinkoow got the breakthrough our play had merited. 

A brilliantly worked move down the left-hand side involving Scott Broadbent, Jordan Hawyward and Hossein Khorrami released Macca Richards inside the 18 years box and his turn and low drive beat the Southam keeper all ends up! It has to be said that it was nothing less than we had deserved for the chances made, football played and commitment shown by the lads to get back in to the football match.

Brinklow continued to press for the final ten minutes, going close first through a Nathan Stoute effort and then agonisingly failing to win it at the death after a superb lofted ball in to the box from Hossein was missed by first Blake Kassar then also Nathan Stoute at the back post. That proved to be the last meaningful action of what I'm sure the neutral observer would say was a very entertaining 1-1 draw.

In summary of today's game, I'd have to say as Captain, I couldn't be more proud of the effort shown by the Brinklow lads. We fought for every ball, played some superb football and crafted out some excellent chances throughout. On the evidence of what I have seen throughout the pre-season programme to date, I would have to say we are developing in to a very good unit, which I think will do well in the forthcoming campaign, provided we continue to work hard and show the same level of commitment and aptitude week in week out. We all know there is much work to do but slowly, we are making the steps to becoming a very good side.

Finally, I would like to thank the players, staff and supporters of Southam United on behalf of Brinklow FC for coming along and making the game such an enjoyable one to be a part of. 

All at Brinklow wish you the best of luck for your forthcoming MFL campaign!"

SCOTT LINDLEY, BRINKLOW MIDFIELDER & SKIPPER FOR THE MATCH...