Practice makes perfect for Jackson in Saints’ cup romp

After recovering from the shock of going a goal down inside 90 seconds, Saints produced a powerful all-round display to run out comfortable winners in this Coventry Telegraph Challenge Cup third-round tie, much to the delight of manager Luke Fogarty.

“We played well and deserved to win after going behind to the first corner of the game,” said Fogarty.

“Dan Ward tried to punch the ball clear in a crowded goalmouth, but it sailed into the net and he got an elbow in his mouth for his troubles which needed treatment.

“After that, we were always in control with our twin strikeforce of Ross Jackson and Tunde Ajibade posing a constant threat.”

With the Banbury Road pitch passing an 11.30am inspection, Fogarty made several changes to his starting line up, most notably with young keeper Dan Ward making his first start of the season in place of the unavailable Jim Stott and leading scorer Ross Jackson coming in for Andy Millan.

Bedworth, from the Coventry Alliance, took an early lead direct from a corner as Saints took time to settle into their football.

Southam almost levelled the tie in the 18th minute when a shot from Ajibade went across the face of the goal.

They got the breakthrough they were looking for four minutes later following a penalty award for handball. Jack Taylor stepped up to make no mistake with the spot-kick.

Jackson put Saints in front in the 42nd minute when he latched on to a deflected shot and scored his second of the match in the 57th minute, slotting home a rebound from the keeper to make it ten goals in all competitions for the season.

Man-of-the-match Ajibade added the fourth following excellent work from Luke Church, and Saints went nap as a great run and cross from Ajibade was converted by substitute Richard Robinson.

Fogarty said Jackson’s brace was the perfect payback for the specialised training he received in the run-up to the game.

“We worked on his finishing for one-and-a-half hours on Wednesday night and it paid off.

“He is getting back to the form he showed at the start of the season and we are looking forward to more goals from him in the weeks to come.”

Tomorrow, Saints are chasing more cup glory when they visit Fairfield Villa in the Les James Memorial Challenge Cup (kick-off 2pm), before entertaining Castle Vale in a Midland Combination Premier match at Banbury Road on Tuesday (7.45pm).