Southam United 3 - 1 Boldmere St. Michaels
On a dull overcast day with a strong wind blowing end to end the likelihood of a classic FA Cup tie in Warwickshire were remote. And so it proved. Boldmere had the wind at their backs in the first half but a penchant for the long ball meant that the home goalkeeper Manuel was kept busy fielding stray balls or taking goal kicks. Midway through the first period a mistake by Malone was seized on by Ricky Baker and bearing down on goal he was tripped by Manuel for an obvious penalty. A yellow or even red card seemed applicable but the referee declined the option. Ricky Baker picked himself up and fired home to give the Mikes the lead. The hosts replied when a retreating defence allowed Jones to hit the base of the post as they searched for an equaliser. In the second half and wind seemingly stronger it was vital that the Mikes retained the ball and their composure but Southam had other ideas. In the 64th minute Jones rounded Barton on the left and the cross was happily bundled home by Unitt. It seemed it was going to be an uphill fight from then on but the visitors defence was not seriously troubled. Indeed the introduction of Lee Osborne for the ineffectual Jason Holmes in the 72nd minute enlivened the Mikes and both Juxon and Osborne should have perhaps done better when well placed. As the game moved into stoppage time Stevenson conceded a throw in down the left side and untidy defending from the long throw allowed Graham to turn inside his marker and fire home. The additional time added on by the referee seemed just a consolation but Southam rubbed salt in Boldmere's wounds by catching them on the break and Jones scored to give the hosts a flattering result by 3-1. Did Boldmere deserve to win? Probably not. Did Southam deserve to win? Possibly not. A replay and another bash for the cash would have been a justified result.
