Southam United v Loughborough University

15:00 Saturday 9th. May 2009
Banbury Road
Midland Combination Premier

Admission £5
Programme £1 (22 pages, colour photos)

With the majority of league and cup competitions done and dusted for 2008/09 I decided to venture back into the Midland Combination to watch third place Southam United take on confirmed champions Loughborough University. As is often the case I arrived far too early so took a wander around the town centre. A couple of pubs looked enticing, one in particular 'The Old Mint', so called because way back in medieval times Southam produced it's own coinage. Also in the distant pas, 1540 to be precise, John Leland was quoted as picturing Southam as "a modest market town of a single street". In the 469 years since it appears little has changed, the locals thankfully so far managing to fight off the infestation of your everyday Tesco's and Asdas.

United's Banbury Road ground can be found on the southern outskirts of town, just off the A423 heading in the direction of Banbury surprisingly enough. The nearest station is Leamington Spa, all of 7 miles away. Other slightly further rail options include Banbury & Rugby.



The ground appeared to be a case of work in progress, but I mean that in a positive way! There is plenty room for parking on the main road side of the ground, close to the turnstiled entrance, which is situated next to a section of corrugated iron cover. To the left the far end was fenced off with some messy chain fencing, detering those of us who like to do a full 360 of the pitch. Beyond this there are a couple of training/youth team pitches. To the right behind the near goal there is a bowling green, the players car park and a shared clubhouse. Within hot drinks and sausage rolls were available.

The best part is to be found on the far side, a new seated stand which has clearly been built with the thought of the fans who will use it. A disabled ramp leads to a seperate section of seating, and approximately 8 seats complete with workrests for the local press. All told a step 6 ground which is of a far better standard than those closer to home.


Befitting a side nicknamed 'the Saints', Southam treated Loughborough to a guard of honour. The pleasantries ended there and then. Southam (yellow & blue) opened the scoring through Jimmy Graham's half-volley on 18 minutes, University (all maroon, white trim) were level on 31 via a Moulds tap-in. Both sides shared possession without creating any serious clear cut chances.

An unpleasantly breezy second half continued in the same vein until a delicately placed Harvey free-kick off the underside of the bar put Loughborough in front midway through the second half. Not to be outdone Southam, chasing runners-up spot leveled 5 minutes later, Proctor with an outstretched back heel, as the University defence made a shambles of getting the ball clear. It seemed as if the game would end up as a draw, right at the death a 'blink and you'll miss it' right foot lash from substitute Hale gave the champions all 3 points. I stayed to watch the students receive their league shield and then it was on southwards to Abingdon and the North Berks League Cup Final.

Final Score Southam United 2 Loughborough University 3 (h/t 1-1)
Attendance 109 (h/c)