SAINTS
Halesowen FC ISSUE 26: OFFICIAL ONLINE MATCHDAY MAGAZINE Evostik League South Premier Division Central
Welcome to Rowley Park - The Premier Plus Stadium and to the latest edition of the St Neots Town Matchday Magazine, enjoy great football, great hospitality and a great read. Club Officials
Club Information
President: John walker
Andy Clay – Hospitality
Board of Directors
Charlie Green – Music / Scoreboard
Barry Cavilla – Chairman Kevin Hull – Community Chairman
Gary Dean – Goalkeeper Coach
Mike Green – Stadium Announcements
Louise Spark – F & B Director Iain Parr– Director Mike Green – Director Jeremy Green - Director Fixtures Secretary
Mick Hunt – Kitman
Richard Pyke – Head Steward
Gary Wilson – Secretary Matt Clements – Director of Football
Kayleigh-Anne Burt – Head Sports Therapist Stanley Scotcher – Matchball Retriever
Barry Oakley – Groundsman
The Premier Plus Stadium Rowley Park, Kester Way St Neots PE19 6SL Telephone 01480 470012 Email
Media Mike Green – Club Press Officer
Reserve Team
enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk
Mark Gearing – Manager
Official Website
James Ledwich – SNTtv / Social Media
Gary Jackson – Coach
www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
Craig Lambert – Physio
Official Forum
Rowan Presland – Social Media Claire Howes – Club Photographer
Development Squad
First Team
Club Welfare Officer
Marc Abbott – Manager
Mick Hunt
www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/forum Darren Fairbrass – Manager
Marian Izzard Facilities and Pitch Maintenance
Founded 1879
Ben Yeomans – First Team Coach
As a Club we support Grass Roots Football and stand firm against racism within football, visit www.thefa.com for more information on playing your part.
Matchday and Hospitality Claire Meeks – Bar Manager Diane Sales – Catering Manager
THE CLUB FOR THE COMMUNIT Y
League Rule 2.13 Ownership: In accordance with the Football Association Rule 2.13 Publication of ownership in relation to Step 1 to Step 4 Clubs within the football pyramid, we hereby confirm that the legal status of St Neots Town Football Club Ltd identified by Company Number 02921210, and is a Private Limited Company. For the purposes of publication of ownership, we can confirm that the following named people are listed as Directors of the company: Lee Kearns (significant interest), Iain Parr, Louise Spark, Mike Green, Jeremy Green and Gary Wilson and officers of the company as Peter Naylor.
www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
Greenie’s Greeting Mike Green
Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium, for this, our last game in the 2018/19 Evostik League South Premier Division Central.
Today we extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Halesowen Town and we hope
you enjoy your brief stay with us here in Cambridgeshire before embarking on a safe trip back to the Midlands later this evening. So another season draws to a close, with the highs of a decent FA Cup run and lows, ending in a situation new to myself and probably most still connected with the Club as we face only our second relegation season in the club’s history. Certainly not all gloom and doom but a chance to rebuild, cutting our cloth on the field, to suit the finances off it and a first chance maybe since before winning the United Counties League all those seasons back, to build the Club on a secure financial footing instead of using what scraps of money were left after satisfying the playing budget. I honestly believe that more clubs will follow our example this season and decide to do what we did as costs spiral and the ablilty to sustain that level of football becomes more and more difficult. Had the decision not been made when it was, then it would be highly likely we would not have been competing in ANY league next season and the end of the Club would have been imminent….. Also next season we have the exciting addition of womens’ football being played here at the Premier Plus Stadium with the arrival of Cambridge United Women FC,giving lovers of the beautiful game something to watch on a Sunday afternoon . Our last two games have seen us comprehensively beaten b Kyings Lynn, one of the ‘bigger’ clubs of the division and most recently, a very credible draw at local rivals St Ives Town, where we were a whisker away from snatching all three points. Huge thanks must go to Marc Abbott, Matt Clements, Ben Yeomans, Gary Dean, Mick Hunt and Kayleigh-Anne Burt for all their hard work and commitment throughout the season and in what has been a very traumatic final third and also to all the players who have pulled on the Blue Quarters this season but more importantly, those that have ensured we have fielded a competitive squad, especially the youngsters who have been given an opportunity and have stepped up and grasped the chance with two hands since the senior players departed and my biggest thank-you goes to skipper Matty Miles, who could easily have departed but chose to stick around and has led the team superbly. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the club this season, volunteers and paid staff, without you, we wouldn’t be able to function and to everyone who has taken time to read these publications throughout the past nine months and I hope you’ve found at least some of it interesting. Please keep an eye out on our website and our social media platforms for news of Pre Season friendlies etc. over the coming weeks and last, but most definitely not least, thank you to all our supporters for all their continued, fantastic support over the season and we look forward to seeing you in pre-season, ready for another rollercoaster ride better known as non-league football .
Have a great summer……
Gaffer’s Notes… With Manager
Today we welcome Halesowen Town FC to the Premier Plus Stadium - We hope that all of the supporters, club officials present today enjoy there time at the game today.
After Saturday’s defeat to Kings Lynn it was confirmed that St Neots Town Football Club will be
playing at step 4 next season- the players that have represented the Clubover the past 12 weeks deserve a huge amount of credit and have delivered some strong performances, however just fell short of safety. We followed Saturday’s defeat up with a professional away performance at St Ives where the players were excellent throughout in tough conditions, being rewarded with a deserved point. It was fantastic to see so many Saints supporters giving up their time to come and support the players at a time when they were most needed, so thank you all!
With the Easter football schedule complete and Monday’s match versus St Ives finished it gave us the opportunity to deliver the players end of season reviews, that meant we can gather a clearer picture ahead of pre season and put together a strategy on recruitment to make sure we are ahead/ prepared for season 2019-20. On a positive note, our coaching structure for next season will be announced very shortly and I am excited to have on board the quality, professionalism and efficiency of some highly regarded coaches, so may I ask for supporters to keep their eyes out for the news on social media for the news to be revealed. Matt Clements will now step into his new role at the club and we wish him all the best, whilst thanking him for all of his efforts over the last few seasons- a class act and someone who has helped me greatly since my arrival at the club.
Last of all, have a great break over the off season and we hope to welcome as many of the supporters back over Pre-season & season 2019-20. From Myself, Matt Clements, Players and Staff, thank you all for the continued support this season. We really appreciate it. Please feel
free to join the players in the bar after the game for a drink.
OPPONENT SPOTLIGHT
HALESOWEN FC Joined League: 1873 Chairman: Karen Brookes Website: www.ht-fc.co.uk Halesowen Town is one of the oldest teams in the country and claims to have been formed in 1873 although without much certainty. Local historian Norman Jones wrote “there is evidence which shows that for the first ten years of the team’s existence it was the James Grove Button Factory team and that it adopted the present name in the early 1880’s. The earliest records that the Football Association have on file relating to Halesowen Town F.C. are dated 1882…… When peacetime returned after World War II, the Club reformed. In season 1951/52 both Birmingham & Worcestershire Senior Cup Finals were reached. In front of a 6,000 crowd at Stourbridge, we lost in the Birmingham final to Brierley Hill Alliance but triumphed over Hednesford in the Worcestershire final, played at Bromsgrove. The same season saw us suffer our worst ever postwar defeat when we travelled to Merthyr Tydfil in the Herefordshire Senior Cup and were soundly beaten 0-9. 1955 brought our first major achievement when we reached the FA Cup Round 1 but lost 2 – 4 at home to Hendon in front of a packed Grove. In March 1955, Ronnie Dugmore notched an incredible 7 goals when we won 10-0 at Dudley in a Birmingham League match. In August 1957,
we achieved our highest post-war winning margin when we beat Coventry Amateurs 13-1 in the Birmingham Senior Cup. The 1970’s brought a period of struggle for The Yeltz. Twice out of 3 successive seasons we finished bottom of the West Midlands League. At times, the only thing keeping us running was the effort of ‘Mr Halesowen Town’ - Harry Rudge. Before his untimely death in 1990, ‘H’ filled every role in the club at one time or other, including player, manager, groundsman, secretary and anything else you can think of. Then suddenly something strange happened - we got a decent team together and started winning things. Manager Paddy Page assembled a squad of promising youngsters, and in 1982-83 we had an unbelievable year. We won the West Midlands League for the first time, as well as winning the League Cup, but more importantly we reached the final of the FA Vase at Wembley narrowly losing 1-0 to VS Rugby. Not to worry, two years later we were back at the home of football. This time there was no mistake, as we beat Fleetwood 3-1 in the greatest day in the history of the club. By the next year we were getting a bit blasé about the whole thing, as we once again won the Vase by beating Southall 3-0 in
front of over 17,000 people, most of whom had come down from Halesowen. From 1985 to 1991, Halesowen reached the 1st round of the FA Cup for 7 consecutive years. On 4 occasions we played professional teams, and each time we were unlucky to lose. SOUTHEND beat us 4-1, but were extremely flattered by that scoreline, breaking away in the last five minutes to clinch the game after we had been all over them in the second half. We lost 2-0 to BRENTFORD, again in a very even game. Against CARDIFF CITY, we lost 1-0 to a hotly disputed penalty and were by far the better team, and lost 2-1 to an excellent TRANMERE ROVERS side after taking the lead. Season 2010/11 saw one of the poorest playing records in the Club’s history finishing the season in bottom place, scoring only 24 goals and conceding 107. Shortly after the season ended, the Club was taken over by businessman Steve Lynch. Under the new ownership, season 2011/12 brought an encouraging start with The Yeltz undefeated in the first 5 league games, including a 3-1 home win over eventual champions Bideford. However, September brought early FA Cup exit at Rocester which was soon followed by a morale shattering 4-5 reverse at Wimborne, where
a 4-1 lead was squandered in the last half-hour. An October FA Trophy loss at home to Romulus lead on to a bleak winter for Yeltz fans. In the autumn Steve Lynch had formed a management team to run the club on his behalf and under the Chairmanship of club stalwart Colin Brookes and ViceChairman John Russell, a lifelong Yeltz fan of 60 years. This brought fruition as the last 3 months of the season progressed, the club’s improved off-field organisation led to Manager Shaun Cunnington being able to strengthen his squad. Neil Barnfield served an impressive spell on loan from Leamington while striker Ben Haseley arrived from Heath Hayes and soon won fans over with 10 goals in 17 games. 2013/14 season kicked off with an away win at Lincoln, quickly followed by two successive home defeats within 7 days. All at Halesowen then couldn’t envisage what the rest of the season would bring. Our leading goal scorer from last season Ben Haseley missed 11 games due an eye injury, but on his return against Brigg scored twice. As the season progressed we climbed the league table and went top. This position we help until the final week, with Coalville close behind and a game in hand lost against Gesley, this meant our last game away at Belper was a must win game for us to be crowned league champions. Two goals from Ben Haseley ensured the 3 points that crowned us league champions and promoted to the premier league. The Peter Swales Challenge Trophy was added the following week, with a 3-1 win against Curzon Ashton. John Hill added to his squad two players with league experience,
Neil Mackenzie and Iyseden Christie.
has completed over 250 Yeltz appearances.
Fast forward to 2018 and following Steve Lynch’s FA imposed ban from all football activities Club President and ex Chairman Colin Brookes became the ultimate owner of the club with his daughter and chair Karen Brookes and Keith McKenna becoming Directors of the club. The Yeltz narrowly avoided relegation and for the 2018-19 season will be playing in the newly formed Evo-Stik South Premier Division Central.
RICHARD EVANS-HADLEY Goalkeeping coach Richard was a welcome addition to the Yeltz coaching staff when he joined and has proved a very important asset to the club.
Player Profiles 2018/19 LEE HUGHES PLAYER/MANAGER The highly experienced striker joined the Yeltz close to the end of the 2017-18 season and it is believed by many that his goals and experience on the pitch helped Halesowen Town escape the clutches of relegation. Best known for his cult status at West Bromwich Albion Hughes was transferred to Coventry City in a club record fee of £5,000,001 back in 2001. ASA CHARLTON PLAYER/ ASSISTANT MANAGER Defender, Asa is a well-known footballer in the local area who has a vast experience in the nonleague game. A fans favourite at Halesowen Town he has returned for his second spell with the club in November 2013. Asa has played for many local clubs including Telford United, Worcester City and Leamington. He also had a brief spell with Mansfield Town at the age of 29 who were playing in League Two at the time. Asa
GAVIN BLACKWELL An experienced non-league physio who has been in the game for over 30 years. Starting his career at Oldbury United in 1987, with whom he helped lift the Staffordshire Senior Cup with, he moved onto Halesowen Town two years later in order to take up a position at his boyhood club. During his first spell with Halesowen he would go onto gain promotion to the Southern League Premier, lift the Worcestershire Senior Cup and Birmingham Senior Cup as well as reaching the FA Cup First Round on four separate occasions. In 2017 Gavin made a triumphant return to Halesowen with whom he has now clocked up over 760 games in the dugout. DANIEL PLATT: Daniel joined us in the summer of 2015, having played for AFC Telford, Evesham and most recently Redditch Utd. Dan is a very firm fans favourite and has one of the highest appearances for any Halesowen goalkeeper, he has completed over 150 Yeltz appearances. DANNY BRAGOLI: Midfield. Danny began his career with Shrewsbury Town and also had international call-ups from Wales at under-14, under-15 and under-16 level. A highly competitive player with a good engine, he started nonleague football at Willenhall Town.
He had spells with Stourport Swifts and later played professionally in the USA with Wilmington Hammerhead. He rejoined Stourport, but then had spells with Hednesford Town, Willenhall, Chasetown and Tipton, where he made almost 250 appearances. As skipper he led out Tipton in their historic FA Cup First Round proper tie at Carlisle United, which they eventually lost 6-0 back in November 2010. He re-signed for Rushall from Tipton during the summer of 2011 to begin a second spell at Dales Lane before switching to the Knitters in December 2011. He has since played for Chasetown FC before joining the Yeltz. ‘Brags’ made over 150 Yeltz appearances, JACK KELLY Defender Kelly is a former Nottingham Forest left full back, who has been on John Hill’s radar for a while and the manager is delighted to get his man. Jack spent time on loan at Hemel Hempstead during 2015-16 and last season played for Hayes & Yeading and Kettering Town making 19 appearances and was renowned as a set-piece specialist for the Nottingham Forest Under-21 side. IVOR LAWTON Midfielder Lawton Joined Coventry City having been spotted at the age of 6 by Tony Mowbray who went on to say that Ivor had the potential to be a “iconic warrior figure” However his time at the Ricoh arena was cut short following a knee injury in 2015. AARON GILPIN Pacey right winger Gilpin impressed the Yeltz Management during pre-season Aaron started his career with West Bromwich Albion before coming through the youth ranks with
Shrewsbury Town. JACK REA Ex Chester and Guiseley midfielder Rea has joined the Yeltz on a dual registration from AFC Telford United. KIERAN MORRIS Central Defender Morris, 23, began his career with Stourbridge before moving to Brentford during which time he spent time back at Amblecote and Maidenhead United on loan before joining Worcester City in 2016 where a broken hand curtailed his progress somewhat, but on joining Stafford Rangers he quickly established himself in the team and became a fans favourite and won the Managers’ Player of the Season Award in 2016/17. JOAB WHEATLEY Full back Wheatley has come through the youth and U-21 teams to earn a place in the first team squad, the attacking full back is certainly a player for the future. Joab made his first team debut in the League Cup again Redditch United. SHANE GRAINGER Attacking midfielder Grainger is another product of the Yeltz successful youth and U-21 set up and joined Wheatley in making his debut in the league cup when he replaced captain Danny Bragoli off the bench. CALLAM MENDEZ-JONES Defender Mendez-Jones is another player to link up again with management duo Smith and Chambers. JOE FITZPATRICK Midfielder Fitzpatrick joined the club from Worcester City. SAM GRIFFITHS Defender Griffiths joined the Yeltz having previously played for Smith and Chambers at Hednesford.
JACK TILL Striker has made the step up two leagues from Lye Town. He was a student at Kidderminster FC. ENOCH EKONGO back for a second time. When joining the Yeltz Enoch has become a firm fans favourite with his attacking right back displays SAMIR NABI attacking midfielder on loan from Torquay Utd played for West Bromwich Albion U21’s. JAMIE MOLYNEUX striker has been at Hereford FC but joins from Westfields FC. ISAI MARSELIA Dutch midfielder has had spells at Mickleover Sports and Stamford FC this season. AARON BIRCH midfielder came through the West Bromwich Albion youth teams. Played for Hereford, Stourbridge and Nuneaton Borough. JOSHUA CRADDOCK striker joining from Stafford Rangers. Had a short spell at Halesowen previously.
SOUTHERN LEAGUE CENTRAL PREMIER DIVISION
St Neots Town This was theoretically a ‘mustwin’ match for St Neots if they are to retain a credible chance of Step Three football next season. Sadly, not at any time did this look likely, as a previously out of form Banbury with just one win in their last nine league outings strolled to a very comfortable victory. When the result came through that Lowestoft had won their away match at Tamworth, St Neots were left effectively nine points from safety because of an inferior goal difference, with just fifteen points left to play for. However, the postmatch talking point was not about the three goals Banbury scored but the one that was disallowed. After nine minutes a Giorgio Rasulo corner was knocked out for another corner indicated by match Referee Sean Barry, but the visiting player cheekily played on to net from a narrow angle and only persistent protests by St Neots with the opposing side lined up for a restart kick off eventually persuaded the official to consult with his colleague and then the corner was retaken. Not that was to have any effect on the outcome of the contest because St Neots never seriously tested visiting keeper Jack Harding at any time in the 90 minutes. Manager Marc Abbott reinstated Dan Trendall in the starting line-up and gave a full debut to Ben Bradley leaving Prince Mutswunguma and Owen Dunnett on the substitutes bench so the line up meant St Neots were at full strength. Right from the first whistle Banbury looked able to dominate play with home keeper James Philip doing well after just two minutes to parry a fiercely hit volley from Gregory Kaziboni. Four minutes later St Neots were behind when the lively Kaziboni sprinted down the right to cross for Guiseppe Iaciofano to send a delicate chip over the
0
Banbury United
keeper into the far corner of the net. Banbury then though they had doubled their lead only to be denied when Referee Barry dramatically changed his mind, but they continued to press forward and their sheer physical advantage with their taller players winning almost every headed challenge kept them well on top. Iaciofano squandered a clear opening shooting wide from ten yards and Philip then saved well from a Rasulo free kick. Towards the end of the first half St Neots did create a couple of chances but Jordan Norville-Williams effort was comfortably saved at the near post and a Scott Pollock free kick did extend visiting keeper Jack Harding to a full length save. After Iaciofano had missed badly volleying over from just five yards, Banbury got the reward three minutes into first half added time they had deserved for their impressive first half domination when the lanky Ricky Johnson rose high above the home defence to head home another Kaziboni cross from the right. St Neots needed an early second half response if they were to make inroads into the deficit and new boy Ben Bradley did test the visiting keeper from a Matt Miles corner. The home side then introduced two fresh wide players with Prince Mutswunguma and Jacob Joseph replacing Dan Trendall and Joe Sutton but within three minutes of the changes Banbury had put the match beyond the home side with a third goal. It came from a rare mistake by Stevan Shaw who gave the ball away to Iaciofano and he unselfishly drew the keeper off his line to chip a cross to Ricky Johnson who only had to walk the ball into an unguarded net. Banbury then seemed to take their foot off the accelerator allowing St Neots a greater
3
share of play, but the home side lacked ideas and penetration although they won several corners from one of which Ryan Hughes headed narrowly over the bar with his sides’ best second half chance. A Gary Wharton header late on was the only other threat to the home defence and Banbury left town after comfortably avenging a 3-1 defeat in the first meeting of the two sides this season.
St Neots: Philip, Hood, NorvilleWilliams, Miles, Hughes, Shaw, Bradley, Pollock, Wharton, Sutton, Trendall Subs: Mutswunguma (for Sutton 61 mins), Joseph (for Trendall 61mins), Dunnett (for Shaw 65 mins), Rhiney and Clarke. Cards: Trendall (Y – 61 mins) Goals: none Banbury: Harding, Taylor, Nash, Wise, Hawtin, Richards, Johnson, Iaciofano, Kaziboni, Whitehead, Rasulo Subs: Shamsi (for Iaciofano 65 mins), Awadh (for Kaziboni 81 mins), Odhiambo (for Nash 87 mins), Finch and Antonio. Cards: Taylor (Y – 69 mins) Goals: Ricky Johnson 2 (45+3 and 64 mins), Guiseppe Iaciofano (6 mins) Referee: Sean Barry (Northampton) Attendance: 260 John Walker
St Neots Town First Team
Teams
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Kettering Town Stourbridge King's Lynn Town Alvechurch Stratford Town Coalville Town Biggleswade Town AFC Rushden & Diamonds Rushall Olympic Royston Town Tamworth Needham Market St Ives Town Barwell Banbury United Lowestoft Town Leiston Redditch United Hitchin Town St Neots Town Halesowen Town Bedworth United
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
PTS
41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41
29 22 22 21 21 20 18 15 16 17 15 16 13 12 13 13 12 13 13 9 6 3
4 12 11 10 9 7 12 15 11 7 12 9 13 13 14 9 11 8 6 8 13 10
8 7 8 10 11 14 11 11 14 17 14 16 15 16 14 19 18 20 22 24 22 28
79 78 78 66 54 78 67 59 55 58 63 67 35 55 52 52 53 60 48 31 25 32
40 38 40 52 44 65 53 48 49 53 45 65 43 54 53 60 70 78 70 72 65 88
39 40 38 14 10 13 14 11 6 5 18 2 -8 1 -1 -8 -17 -18 -22 -41 -40 -56
91 78 77 73 72 67 66 60 59 58 57 57 52 49 49 48 47 47 45 35 31 19
EVOSTIK LEAGUE SOUTH PREMIER DIVISION CENTRAL Correct at 18:00 Monday 22nd April 2019
St Neots Town Reserves
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
TEAMS Great Shelford Cambridge University Press Linton Granta West Wratting Eynesbury Rovers Reserves Ely City Reserves Comberton United Cherry Hinton Fulbourn Institute Foxton Eaton Socon Bar Hill Brampton Hemingfords United Cambridge City Development St Neots Town Reserves
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
30
24
2
4
71
74
30
22
2
6
49
68
28
21
3
4
46
66
30
16
4
10
7
52
27
15
3
9
20
48
30
14
6
10
7
48
29
14
3
12
-1
45
29
14
2
13
4
44
27
11
6
10
-4
39
29
12
2
15
-11
38
29
10
3
16
-20
33
30
8
7
15
-10
31
29
8
4
17
-11
28
27
6
6
15
-14
24
28
4
3
21
-54
12
30
2
4
24
-79
10
KERSHAW LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
ST NEOTS TOWN UNDER 18’S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
St Neots Town U18
TEAM
18
P
16
W
D 1
1
L
GD
PTS
Haverhill Rovers U18 Cambridge City U18 Royston Town U18 Ely City U18 Mildenhall Town U18 Histon U18 Saffron Walden Community Youth Newmarket Town U18 Long Melford
17 18 17 18 18 18 17 17 18
13 12 10 9 4 3 3 4 3
0 2 3 3 2 5 4 0 2
4 4 4 6 12 10 10 13 13
26 24 36 9 -22 -28 -18 -46 -33
39 38 33 30 14 14 13 12 11
52
49
THURLOW NUNN YOUTH LEAGUE CAMBRIDGE DIVISION 2018/19
St Neots Town
RESERVES
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS 2018 -19
SOUTHERN LEAGUE CENTRAL PREMIER DIVISION
Hitchin Town
0
With Lowestoft beaten at home by Coalville, St Neots last gasp hopes of escaping relegation began to look possible following their unlikely 2-0 victory at Hitchin. Now with just five points between the two sides with four matches to go St Neots can keep dreaming – especially as Lowestoft go to Hitchin next Saturday and the home sides’ reaction to this defeat could be key. St Neots’ record at Top Field is far from impressive with just one victory in their previous six visits prior to this trip and they had to recover from the double whammy of losing leading scorer Garry Wharton and Northampton Town recalled midfield dynamo Scott Pollock. Into their places came Mason Rhiney and Prince Mutswunguma in a reshaped attack and there was a debut for goalkeeper Michael McCormack with regular custodian James Philip unavailable. The new keeper whose previous club experience had been limited to just six Reserve appearances was very impressive as he recorded a clean sheet with a mix of inspired and brave saves whilst Dan Trendall the former Saffron Walden wide player was mandated to take over the strikers’ role and he responded with the two goals that earned the three invaluable points. However, the victory was down to a determined and committed all round display by a side that shrugged off their inexperience to look capable of dealing with anything that their hosts could muster. Needing a single point to ensure their place at Step Three next season there was no lack of desire by Hitchin, but they were contained by a goalkeeper and defence that thoroughly deserved their victory and the points.
head of the unmarked Jack Green in the second minute, but his headed effort was too high. At the other end a teasing Joe Hood free kick was well claimed under pressure by home keeper Michael Johnson and then his opposite number was in action saving a point-blank shot by Green. The same player did get the ball in the net after 17 minutes but was ruled offside and then the visiting defence did well to smother shots by Ezra Forde and Scott Belgrove. St Neots were now looking more comfortable as the lively Ben Bradley had his net-bound shot deflected and after 37 minutes they deservedly took the lead. A Joe Sutton shot from distance was fumbled and then dropped by Johnson and Dan Trendall was quickly in to capitalise on the error and put St Neots ahead. A minute before the break a well-placed free kick by Galliford was well saved by Michael McCormack who was beginning to look confident and just before the break Prince Mutswunguma was booked for his third foul coming from clumsiness rather than intent.
for Hitchin with his physical presence testing the St Neots defence and forced McCormack into pushing one effort for a corner before setting up Galliford to bring the save of the match from the visiting keeper with an almost perfectly placed shot just under the bar. Another former St Neots player Joshua Bickerstaff then shot wide when well placed as Hitchin pressed but St Neots made openings of their own with Bradley firing narrowly wide. With seventeen minutes left Trendall sustained an ankle injury and was unable to continue being replaced by Jacob Joseph – a Youth side County Cup winner from the previous evening. A minor flare up saw a player from each side booked and the match ended with McCormack saving bravely at the feet of substitute Nathan Mullings.
The Hitchin Manager was clearly unhappy with his sides’ first half performance and after the break he introduced two substitutes and changed his tactics to a more attacking formation. A corner by Galliford went across the face of goal with no-one able to get a touch and then another effort by the same Hitchin player was pushed away under pressure by McCormack at the expense of a corner. Then after 51 minutes Bradley robbed a hesitant defender to race clear of the defence before unselfishly picking out the unmarked Dan Trendall at the far post and he advanced on goal to double St Neots’ advantage. Hitchin substitute Charlie Thake was having an immediate impact on the game
Cards: Rhiney (Y – 35 mins), Mutswunguma (Y – 45 mins), Shaw (Y – 80 mins)
Former Saint Isaac Galliford quickly made his mark with an inch perfect cross to find the
St Neots Town
2
St Neots: McCormack, Hood, Norville-Williams, Miles, Hughes, Shaw, Mutswunguma, Rhiney, Trendall, Bradley, Sutton Subs: Joseph (for Trendall 73 mins), Rider (for Mutswunguma 90+4 mins), Dunnett and Abbott.
Goals: Trendall 2 (37 and 51 mins) Hitchin: Johnson, Mensah, Anderson, Dowie, Webb, Ferrell, Green, Belgrove, Forde, Galliford, Bickerstaff Subs: Thake (for Mensah 46 mins), Mullings (for Forde 46 mins), Bird (for Belgrove 61 mins), and Thomas. Cards: Dowie (Y – 80 mins) Goals: none Referee: Steven Bates (St Albans) Attendance: 472
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CONCRETE
USE CODE: STNEOTS10 3/17/16 11:11 AM
HUNTINGDONSHIRE SENIOR CUP FINAL St Neots Town In the end it was a disappointing showpiece Senior Cup Final best described as men against boys. Godmanchester full of confidence and on a high chasing the runners-up spot in the Thurlow Nunn League for the third time, facing a depleted and out-of-sorts St Neots side, who were the trophy holders very low on both experience and confidence. St Neots faced the loss of two of their most charismatic players – Dan Trendall to injury and Jordan Norville-Williams recalled by parent club Cambridge United – and they never really competed. Joe Hood was also unavailable and into their places St Neots had no option but to draft in three of their Youth Cup winners Leon Fulianty, Jacob Joseph and Owen Dunnett. The ‘visiting’ side smelled blood from the off and always were certain winners from as early as the fifth minute when they scored their first goal. The St Neots defence was ragged and disorganised and the rampant visiting side were gifted several goals by elementary errors not really expected at this level of football. Records will show that this was the second time in three years that St Neots have lost to Step Five opponents in this final – both times on their own pitch. Ironically last season St Neots scored six goals themselves in beating Eynesbury Rovers in the final, but this was St Neots biggest Senior Cup defeat for 35 years having been beaten by Eynesbury Rovers 7-2 in 1983/84 season. Godmanchester got the perfect start when after five minutes a clever flick by Charlie Bowen set up Cavan King to hook the ball over St Neots 17 years old goalkeeper Michael McCormack. They then
0
Godmanchester Rovers
lost Matty Allan to injury but undeterred they continued to dominate with Charlie Bowen adding a second goal firing through a packed defence after 18 minutes when Jack Chandler’s initial effort had been blocked. St Neots had little to offer in the way of retaliation or resistance and when Buster Harradine joined the goals spree after 31 minutes when McCormack failed to gather a long clearance from his opposite number, the game was effectively over. Jacob Joseph mis-kicked in front of goal to waste St Neots’ best chance seven minutes before the break and Godmanchester went straight to the other end where the irrepressible Buster Harradine scored from a narrow angle across the bemused McCormack. In a defiant flourish just before half time Joe Sutton twice broke down the left to test Niall Conroy in the Rovers goal and Stevan Shaw combined well with Prince Mutswunguma but could not find a telling final shot. In a bid to regain some credibility St Neots sent on two further Youth players after the break but it was Godmanchester substitute Tom Spark who broke to almost further increase the lead, but his shot rebounded from the foot of a post. The momentum seemed to drop with Godmanchester seemingly happy with their first half efforts but after Joe Rider had headed narrowly wide for St Neots a Harradine corner after 71 minutes created confusion in the box and Austin Diaper added his name to the score sheet. It was then only left for Buster Harradine almost inevitably to complete his hat trick ten minutes from time whilst St Neots best effort was
6
a Ben Bradley shot that failed to bother Conroy. Injuries to McCormack held up the flow of play and the game fizzled out with Godmanchester delighted to earn ownership of the County Senior trophy for the first time since 2014. For the record it was the first time in living memory that St Neots fielded a side, none of whom had played in the Senior Cup until this season.
St Neots: McCormack, Shaw, Fulianty, Miles, Hughes, Dunnett, Joseph, Rhiney, Mutswunguma, Bradley, Sutton Subs: Clarke (for Shaw 46 mins), Rider (for Rhiney 46 mins), Trendall and Abbott. Cards: Bradley (Y – 28 mins), Mutswunguma (Y – 59 mins) Goals: none
Godmanchester: Conroy, King (R), Brown, Unwin, Bowen, King (C), Allan, Diaper, Harradine, Hyem (M), Chandler Subs: Spark (for Allan 17 mins), Munro (for Diaper 79 mins), Bull (for Harradine 87 mins), Hyem (C) and Walker. Cards: Hyem (M) (Y – 45+3 mins), Diaper (Y – 59 mins) Goals: Harradine 3 (31,38 and 80 mins), King (C), Bowen and Diaper
Referee: Josh Crofts Attendance: 259
John Walker
Everything you need to know about the Step 3 and 4 play-offs – David Richardson Non-League’s restructuring means ‘Super’ play-offs are set to take place at Step 3 in the next few weeks while two Step 4 play-off winners also won’t be promoted. Those were two of the key outcomes following last summer’s Pyramid shake-up, which saw an extra division added at both levels in an attempt to cut down on travelling. There will be three clubs relegated from each of National League North and South – Nuneaton Borough, Ashton United and FC United of Manchester have been relegated from the North while Weston-super-Mare and East Thurrock have fallen through the South trap door so far. That leaves six spaces to fill at Step 2 from the four feeder divisions at Step 3. The champions of all the four Step 3 leagues go up, but there is only space for two other sides from across the four divisions. The traditional play-off structure from second to fifth place remains, but the winners won’t be guaranteed promotion. Instead, the four successful teams face a ‘Super’ play-off – two separate ties, decided by the FA Leagues Committee on the most suitable geographical basis. The matches will be one-leg and played at the side with the best points-per-game ratio during the season. The two winners will be promoted to Step 2. The extra Bostik League division at Step 4, taking the total to seven, has also complicated things numbers-wise. There will be 12 promotions spots to fill and seven will be taken by the respective champions. That leaves a handful of places up for grabs – and they will be allocated to five of the seven divisional play-off winners. The five with the best points-per-game ratio will win promotion from Step 4. It means two sides who win their divisional play-offs will suffer the heartbreak of not going up. Teams who finish in the lower play-off positions at the end of the regular season but then go on to win them are less likely to go up on the points-per-game ratio basis.
ALVECHURCH
BANBURY UNITED
BARWELL
BEDWORTH UNITED
BIGGLESWADE TOWN
COALVILLE TOWN
HALESOWEN TOWN
HITCHIN TOWN
KETTERING TOWN
AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS
1 -- 1
1 -- 1
1 -- 1
3 -- 1
3 -- 3
3 -- 1
2 -- 0
2 -- 1
0 -- 1
1 -- 1
1 -- 5
3 -- 0
2 -- 1
5 -- 0
1 -- 0
3 -- 1
1 -- 3
6 -- 1
1 -- 1
1 -- 2
4 -- 2
2 -- 1
27-Apr
4 -- 1
1 -- 1
0 -- 0
2 -- 3
1 -- 1
0 -- 1
0 -- 1
1 -- 4
0 -- 1
0 -- 1
2 -- 2
1 -- 2
3 -- 0
1 -- 0
1 -- 1
1 -- 0
3 -- 0
4 -- 1
2 -- 2
0 -- 0
0 -- 1
ALVECHURCH
0 -- 0
BANBURY UNITED
1 -- 0
3 -- 1
BARWELL
1 -- 1
1 -- 2
2 -- 1
BEDWORTH UNITED
1 -- 3
0 -- 2
1 -- 3
0 -- 1
BIGGLESWADE TOWN
1 -- 0
4 -- 2
0 -- 0
1 -- 1
1 -- 1
COALVILLE TOWN
5 -- 0
2 -- 0
1 -- 1
1 -- 0
1 -- 0
2 -- 0
HALESOWEN TOWN
0 -- 1
1 -- 1
2 -- 0
0 -- 2
1 -- 3
1 -- 1
1 -- 3
HITCHIN TOWN
3 -- 4
1 -- 1
0 -- 1
2 -- 0
4 -- 1
0 -- 2
1 -- 0
5 -- 1
KETTERING TOWN
2 -- 1
1 -- 2
3 -- 0
0 -- 1
5 -- 1
2 -- 3
2 -- 3
2 -- 0
5 -- 0
KINGS LYNN TOWN
1 -- 1
1 -- 0
3 -- 1
3 -- 2
1 -- 1
2 -- 4
4 -- 1
3 -- 0
3 -- 2
0 -- 0
LEISTON
1 -- 4
2 -- 0
0 -- 0
0 -- 1
1 -- 1
3 -- 0
2 -- 0
4 -- 0
1 -- 2
0 -- 1
LOWESTOFT TOWN
1 -- 1
1 -- 2
1 -- 0
0 -- 0
27-Apr
2 -- 1
1 -- 2
5 -- 1
3 -- 2
0 -- 1
NEEDHAM MARKET
1 -- 5
27-Apr
3 -- 3
0 -- 2
4 -- 1
1 -- 0
1 -- 1
1 -- 1
8 -- 1
0 -- 3
REDDITCH UNITED
2 -- 2
4 -- 2
2 -- 0
2 -- 4
0 -- 1
3 -- 3
1 -- 5
3 -- 0
3 -- 1
1 -- 4
ROYSTON TOWN
2 -- 1
0 -- 1
3 -- 0
27-Apr
2 -- 0
4 -- 6
2 -- 0
0 -- 0
1 -- 0
0 -- 1
RUSHALL OLYMPIC
2 -- 0
1 -- 2
1 -- 1
1 -- 1
0 -- 0
2 -- 2
0 -- 2
0 -- 0
1 -- 2
0 -- 1
ST IVES TOWN
0 -- 0
0 -- 2
1 -- 2
1 -- 2
2 -- 1
0 -- 1
0 -- 1
2 -- 0
2 -- 1
1 -- 2
ST NEOTS TOWN
0 -- 1
0 -- 3
0 -- 3
1 -- 0
2 -- 1
2 -- 2
1 -- 4
27-Apr
0 -- 0
0 -- 3
STOURBRIDGE
2 -- 1
3 -- 3
2 -- 0
3 -- 0
3 -- 1
2 -- 0
4 -- 2
1 -- 1
3 -- 0
1 -- 2
STRATFORD TOWN
1 -- 0
0 -- 1
2 -- 1
2 -- 1
3 -- 1
3 -- 2
0 -- 2
2 -- 1
2 -- 0
1 -- 3
TAMWORTH
27-Apr
1 -- 1
4 -- 0
3 -- 3
2 -- 2
1 -- 1
1 -- 3
4 -- 1
2 -- 0
0 -- 0
0 -- 1
Evostik League Sou
KINGS LYNN TOWN
LEISTON
LOWESTOFT TOWN
NEEDHAM MARKET
REDDITCH UNITED
ROYSTON TOWN
RUSHALL OLYMPIC
ST IVES TOWN
ST NEOTS TOWN
STOURBRIDGE
STRATFORD TOWN
TAMWORTH
1
1 -- 0
1 -- 1
1 -- 1
2 -- 1
5 -- 2
0 -- 0
0 -- 2
0 -- 0
2 -- 0
1 -- 2
2 -- 0
2 -- 2
3
0 -- 3
2 -- 1
4 -- 2
3 -- 0
3 -- 0
0 -- 0
1 -- 0
2 -- 1
3 -- 2
0 -- 0
2 -- 2
0 -- 3
1
2 -- 0
1 -- 0
0 -- 0
2 -- 1
1 -- 1
0 -- 1
2 -- 1
1 -- 2
1 -- 3
0 -- 0
1 -- 1
0 -- 0
1
1 -- 3
3 -- 0
1 -- 1
0 -- 2
4 -- 0
1 -- 2
1 -- 3
1 -- 1
6 -- 1
1 -- 1
0 -- 0
0 -- 1
2
0 -- 3
2 -- 2
1 -- 1
0 -- 4
0 -- 2
1 -- 2
1 -- 3
0 -- 2
1 -- 0
0 -- 2
0 -- 2
1 -- 4
0
1 -- 2
1 -- 2
3 -- 1
2 -- 0
2 -- 0
1 -- 4
27-Apr
1 -- 0
1 -- 0
1 -- 2
0 -- 0
3 -- 0
2
3 -- 3
2 -- 2
1 -- 0
1 -- 2
1 -- 2
2 -- 3
2 -- 2
27-Apr
1 -- 1
6 -- 4
1 -- 2
1 -- 2
1
2 -- 2
0 -- 0
1 -- 0
1 -- 1
1 -- 0
1 -- 0
2 -- 0
1 -- 1
1 -- 1
0 -- 3
0 -- 2
0 -- 1
1
3 -- 0
2 -- 2
1 -- 3
1 -- 2
1 -- 0
0 -- 2
0 -- 1
1 -- 0
0 -- 2
2 -- 1
2 -- 0
1 -- 0
2 -- 1
1 -- 2
3 -- 0
3 -- 2
4 -- 4
1 -- 0
2 -- 1
0 -- 3
2 -- 0
4 -- 2
27-Apr
2 -- 1
1 -- 1
4 -- 0
1 -- 1
2 -- 0
4 -- 2
3 -- 0
2 -- 0
0 -- 0
0 -- 1
0 -- 0
2 -- 1
0 -- 4
2 -- 1
4 -- 3
1 -- 1
0 -- 1
0 -- 2
2 -- 0
0 -- 3
1 -- 2
2 -- 2
0 -- 2
0 -- 0
2 -- 0
2 -- 4
0 -- 1
1 -- 2
1 -- 0
3 -- 2
1 -- 3
3 -- 1
0 -- 2
1 -- 1
4 -- 1
0 -- 1
0 -- 0
2 -- 1
1 -- 3
1 -- 2
2 -- 1
2 -- 0
1 -- 1
0 -- 4
0 -- 1
0 -- 0
1 -- 3
1 -- 2
5 -- 0
3 -- 2
2 -- 2
0 -- 2
4 -- 1
3 -- 2
0 -- 0
2 -- 2
1 -- 1
0 -- 0
0 -- 0
0 -- 2
1 -- 0
1 -- 2
1 -- 2
0 -- 0
3 -- 0
1 -- 1
0
1
1 -- 5
1
1 -- 0
1 -- 2
3
1 -- 4
2 -- 2
1 -- 0
4
1 -- 1
27-Apr
4 -- 2
4 -- 1
1
0 -- 1
2 -- 5
1 -- 1
2 -- 4
0 -- 1
1
2 -- 1
2 -- 0
3 -- 1
0 -- 1
1 -- 3
0 -- 3
2
1 -- 1
0 -- 2
0 -- 0
1 -- 1
1 -- 0
0 -- 0
0 -- 3
3
0 -- 5
2 -- 0
1 -- 3
0 -- 3
3 -- 1
1 -- 0
0 -- 1
0 -- 1
2
27-Apr
4 -- 0
3 -- 1
3 -- 1
4 -- 1
2 -- 1
1 -- 1
1 -- 1
1 -- 0
3
0 -- 2
3 -- 2
1 -- 3
3 -- 1
2 -- 1
2 -- 0
0 -- 1
0 -- 0
1 -- 0
0 -- 0
0
0 -- 1
5 -- 0
0 -- 1
1 -- 2
1 -- 3
1 -- 2
2 -- 0
1 -- 2
5 -- 0
1 -- 0
2 -- 1 0 -- 1
uthern Premier Division Central 2018-19
ST NEOTS TOWN FC FIRST TEAM RESULTS, A Opposition in CAPS denotes home fixture. Player name in bold CAPS denotes goal scorer.
Date
Opposition
Comp
Result
Att
1
2
3
4
11 Aug
Stratford Town
EVO
0 1
292
Iron
Miles
Herd
Knight
O
14 Aug
BEDWORTH UNITED
EVO
2 1
192
Iron
Miles
Herd
Knight
O
18 Aug
RUSHALL OLYMPIC
EVO
0 1
200
Iron
Miles
Herd
Knight
O
25 Aug
Kings Lynn Town
EVO
0 0
568
Iron
Keeble
Miles
Knight
27 Aug
AFC RUSHDEN & DIA.
EVO
0 1
609
Iron
Keeble
Miles
Knight
01 Sep
Halwaowen Town
EVO
1 1
358
Iron
Miles
Herd
Knight
04 Sep
BEDFORD TOWN
SLCC
4 1 pens
175
Iron
Miles
Herd
Knight
08 Sep
BISHOPS STORTFORD
FAC
2 1
209
Reynolds
Miles
Herd
Knight
15 Sep
Banbury United
EVO
3 1
490
Iron
Miles
Herd
Peters
22 Sep
ROMULUS
FAC
4 3
325
Reynolds
Miles
HERD
O'Malley
29 Sep
HITCHIN TOWN
EVO
0 0
376
Reynolds
Miles
Herd
O’Malley
02 Oct
Lowestoft Town
SLCC
1 3
158
Reynolds
O'Malley
Herd
Knight
06 Oct
COALVILLE TOWN
FAC
2 2
518
Reynolds
Miles
Herd
Knight
09 Oct
Coalville Town
FACR
5 3 pens
409
Reynolds
Miles
Herd
O’Malley
13 Oct
KETTERING TOWN
EVO
0 3
693
Reynolds
Miles
Herd
O'Malley
16 Oct
Royston Town
EVO
0 5
243
Reynolds
Miles
Stanley
Olaniran
20 Oct
Alfreton Town
FAC
0 4
645
Reynolds
Miles
Herd
O'Malley
23 Oct
Lowestoft Town
EVO
2 1
238
Reynolds
Stanley
Herd
Wood
27 Oct
MATLOCK TOWN
FAT
1 0
249
Reynolds
Stanley
Herd
Wood
02 Nov
Coalville Town
EVO
1 1
138
Reynolds
Stanley
Herd
Knight
06 Nov
TAMWORTH
EVO
0 0
181
Reynolds
Stanley
Herd
Knight
10 Nov
BARWELL
FAT
0 1
216
Reynolds
Stanley
Miles
Knight
17 Nov
Alvechurch
EVO
2 3
239
Reynolds
Stanley
Herd
Olaniran
20 Nov
NEEDHAM MARKET
EVO
0 3
139
Reynolds
Miles
Herd
Knight
01 Dec
STOURBRIDGE
EVO
1 2
188
Iron
Miles
Herd
Knight
08 Dec
REDDITCH UNITED
EVO
3 1
179
Iron
Miles
Herd
Knight
18 Dec
Barwell
EVO
1 6
63
Iron
Stanley
Herd
Knight
22 Dec
STRATFORD TOWN
EVO
1 2
258
Iron
Hughes
Herd
Knight
26 Dec
AFC Rushden & Dia.
EVO
0 2
664
Iron
Hughes
Norville-Williams
Knight
01 Jan
ST IVES TOWN
EVO
0 1
428
Iron
Short
Norville-Williams
Knight
H
05 Jan
ROYSTON TOWN
EVO
1 0
268
Iron
Miles
Herd
Short
H
08 Jan
LEISTON
EVO
2 0
128
Iron
Sinclair
Herd
Short
H
12 Jan
Leiston
Evo
0 2
208
Iron
Sinclair
Herd
Knight
15 Jan
Yaxley
HSC
2 2*
102
Iron
Miles
Herd
Knight
19 Jan
ALVECHURCH
EVO
0 3
198
Iron
Miles
Herd
Knight
H
26 Jan
Needham Market
EVO
1 0
299
Iron
Miles
Herd
Wood
S
05 Feb
Biggleswade Town
EVO
0 1
188
Iron
Miles
Fullianty
Rhiney
09 Feb
Tamworth
EVO
0 5
512
Iron
Miles
Fullianty
Rhiney
16 Feb
Stourbridge
EVO
0 1
596
Iron
Hood
Norville-Williams
Miles
23 Feb
BARWELL FC
EVO
1 0
171
Philip
Hood
Norville-Williams
Miles
02 Mar
Redditch United
EVO
1 1
226
Philip
Hood
Norville-Williams
Miles
09 Mar
BIGGLESWADE TOWN
EVO
2 2
284
Philp
Hood
Norville-Williams
Miles
16 Mar
LOWESTOFT TOWN
EVO
1 3
293
Philp
Hood
Norville-Williams
Miles
23 Mar
Kettering Town
EVO
0 2
894
Philp
Hood
Norville-Williams
Miles
26 Mar
COALVILLE TOWN
EVO
1 4
139
Philp
Hood
Hughes
Miles
30 Mar
BANBURY UNITED
EVO
0 3
260
Philp
Hood
Norville-Williams
Miles
06 Apr
Hitchin Town
EVO
2 0
472
McCormack
Hood
Norville-Williams
Miles
10 Apr
Godmanchester Rvrs
HSC
0 6
259
McCormack
Shaw
Fulianty
Miles
13 Apr
Rushall Olympic
EVO
2 3
209
Philp
Hood
Fulianty
Miles
20 Apr
KINGS LYNN TOWN
EVO
0 5
320
Philp
Hood
Mutswunguma
Miles
H
22 Apr
St Ives Town
EVO
0 0
351
Philp
Hood
Fulianty
Miles
H
H
D
APPEARANCES AND GOALS 2018/19 5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Sub 1
Sub 2
Sub 3
Olaniran
Parr
Sembie-Ferris
Peters
Irwin
Williams D
Ofosu
Wood
O'Malley
Stanley
Olaniran
PARR
Sembie-Ferris
Peters
Irwin
Williams D
OFOSU
Stanley
O’Malley
Olaniran
Parr
Sembie-Ferris
Peters
Irwin
Williams D
Ofosu
Douglas
O’Malley
Wood
Parr
O'Malley
Peters
Sembie-Ferris
Douglas
Ofosu
Mutswunguma
Olaniran
Wood
Parr
O'Malley
Peters
Sembie-Ferris
Mutswunguma
Ofosu
Douglas
Fulianty
Wood
Parr
O'Malley
Peters
Wharton
Sembie-Ferris
OFOSU
Keeble
Wood
Parr
Worman
O'MALLEY
Sembie-Ferris
Peters
Ofosu
Keeble
Douglas
Wood
Parr
Sembie-Ferris
O'Malley
Wharton
WILLIAMS D
Ofosu
DOUGLAS
Keeble
Stanley
Wood
Olaniran
Sembie-Ferris
Worman
SHARIFF 2
WILLIAMS D
Ofosu
Douglas
Keeble
Stanley
WOOD
Parr
SEMBIE-FERRIS 2
Peters
Shariff
Stanley
Ofosu
Olaniran
Douglas
Wood
Parr
Sembie-Ferris
Peters
Shariff
Worman
Ofosu
Short
Williams
Wharton
Wood
Parr
Sembie-Ferris
Short
Wharton
Worman
Williams D
Ofosu
Shariff
Peters
WOOD
Parr
O'Malley
Short
SHARIFF
Williams D
Ofosu
Stanley
Wharton
Wood
Parr
Sembie-Ferris
Short
Shariff
Williams D
OFOSU
Stanley
WHARTON 2
Wood
Parr
Sembie-Ferris
Short
Shariff
Williams D
Ofosu
Stanley
Wharton
Wood
Parr
O'Malley
Worman
Shariff
Williams D
Wharton
Ofosu
Sembie-Ferris
Wood
Parr
Sembie-Ferris
Short
Shariff
Williams D
Ofosu
Wharton
Stanley
Short
Parr
Sembie-Ferris
Watkins
SHARIFF 2
Williams D
Wharton
Miles
Ofosu
Wood
Olaniran
Short
Olaniran
Sembie-Ferris
Miles
SHARIFF
Williams D
Wharton
Ofosu
Short
Wood
SEMBIE-FERRIS
Miles
Shariff
Williams D
Worman
Watkins
Short
Parr
Sembie-Ferris
Wood
Shariff
Williams D
Worman
Ofosu
Short
Parr
Sembie-Ferris
Wood
Shariff
Williams D
Ofosu
Wharton
Douglas
Short
Parr
Miles
WOOD
Shariff
WHARTON
Watkins
Sembie-Ferris
Ofosu
Wood
Parr
Wharton
Watkins
Shariff
Williams D
Ofosu
Wood
Olaniran
Borg
Watkins
Shariff
WILLIAMS D
Wharton
Ofosu
Douglas
Short
Parr
Borg
Wood
SHARIFF 2
WILLIAMS D
Norville-Williams
Watkins
Stanley
Short
Parr
Borg
Watkins
Shariff
Williams D
Norville-Williams
WHARTON
Miles
Gomes
Short
PARR
Miles
Wood
Shariff
Williams D
Daldy
Wharton
Stanley
Norville-Williams
Wharton
Short
Parr
Miles
Wood
Shariff
Williams D
Daldy
Stanley
Wharton
Borg
Hughes
Parr
Daldy
Wood
Hall
Williams D
Wharton
Miles
Rhiney
Sinclair
Hughes
PARR
Stanley
Pollock
Hall
Williams D
Norville-Williams
Sinclair
Rhiney
Hughes
Parr
Stanley
Pollock
Hall
WILLIAMS D
NORVILLE-WILLIAMS
Wharton
Short
Parr
Stanley
Miles
Wharton
Williams D
Norville-Williams
Rhiney
Hughes
Wood
Stanley
Rhiney
HALL
Williams D
NORVILLE-WILLIAMS
Wharton
Sinclair
Hughes
Parr
Sinclair
Short
Hall
Williams D
Norville-Williams
Wood
Wharton Joseph
SHORT
Parr
Sinclair
Newell
Hall
Wharton
Norville-Williams
Mutswunguma
Shaw
Hughes
Joseph
Pollock
Rider
Mutswunguma
Norville-Williams
Bissett-Clark
Minall
Shaw
Hughes
Joseph
Pollock
Rider
Mutswunguma
Norville-Williams
Bissett-Clark
Dunnett
Shaw
Hughes
Rhiney
Pollock
Wharton
Rider
Beckley
Mutswunguma
Sutton
Shaw
Hughes
Beckley
Pollock
WHARTON
Sutton
Mutswunguma
Joseph
Rider
Rhiney
Shaw
Hughes
Pollock
Rhiney
WHARTON
Sutton
Mutswunguma
Beckley
Rider
Fulianty
Shaw
Hughes
MUTSWUNGUMA
Rhiney
WHARTON
Sutton
Trendall
Clarke
Beckley
Rider
Shaw
Hughes
Mutswunguma
Rhiney
WHARTON
Sutton
Trendall
Joseph
Rider
Fulianty
Shaw
Dunnett
Clarke
Rhiney
Rider
Sutton
Beckley
Fulianty
Mutswunguma
Yeomans
Shaw
Dunnett
Sutton
Pollock
Wharton
Mutswunguma
Norville-Williams
Bradley
Rider
Shaw
Hughes
Bradley
Pollock
Wharton
Sutton
Trendall
Joseph
Mutswunguma
Shaw
Hughes
Mutswunguma
Rhiney
TRENDALL 2
Bradley
Sutton
Joseph
Rider
Dunnett
Hughes
Joseph
Rhiney
Mutswunguma
Bradley
Sutton
Clarke
Rider
Shaw
Hughes
Mutswunguma
RHINEY
Trendall
BRADLEY
Sutton
Dunnett
Rider
Joseph
Hughes
Shaw
Joseph
Rhiney
Trendall
Bradley
Sutton
Hudson
Rider
Dunnett
Hughes
Shaw
Joseph
Rhiney
Trendall
Bradley
Mutswunguma
Rider
Hudson
Sutton
Dunnett
Dunnett
SOUTHERN LEAGUE CENTRAL PREMIER DIVISION Rushall Olympic
3
Ben Bradley and Mason Rhiney both scored their first ever goals for St Neots and the visitors led twice but back came Rushall with two goals in the final eight minutes take all three points. With Lowestoft mirroring St Neots achievements of seven days earlier with victory at Hitchin the combination of those results left St Neots teetering on brink of relegation eight points below their Norfolk rivals with each having three games to play. With their vastly superior goal difference Lowestoft now need a single point from those three games to despatch St Neots down to Step Four. With St Neots’ four U18 players in the squad facing their third match in four days a victory over mid-table Rushall was a big ask and with loan full back Jordan Norville-Williams injured and unable to re-join the squad, Manager Marc Abbott left Jacob Joseph and Owen Dunnett on the bench recalling Joe Hood and fit again Dan Trendall. James Philip was back between the posts and was to be in early action. After the home side had come back twice to level the scores with eight minutes left it looked like a well-deserved if meaningless point for St Neots but a cruel very harsh penalty decision three minutes from time gave Rushall the opportunity to steal all three points. The result was particularly unkind to central defenders Ryan Hughes and Stevan Shaw who were magnificent, but the outcome was all part of the reality of senior football where sometime just deserts are not achieved.
Around the quarter of an hour mark James Philip was twice called upon to block a low effort by Ashley Sammons and then turn a second effort by the home player around a post for a corner. Rushall began to dominate as Tyler Lyttle shot over the bar, a Whittall header was deflected for a corner and a towering header by Orrin Pendley was cleared off the line by Ryan Hughes. However, St Neots came back into contention in the final ten minutes of the half as skipper Matt Miles saw a shot deflected and then they won a free kick floated in by Mason Rhiney and Ben Bradley fired just too high. However, six minutes before the break he made up for that disappointment by putting St Neots ahead as he was in the perfect place to convert a cross from Trendall who had outpaced his marker. This narrow lead at the break was well-deserved for the work rate alone displayed by the visitors.
Early sparring saw home defender Sam Whittall head over the bar and Dan Trendall at the other end produced a trademark turn and shot that was only inches too high.
St Neots Town
After a Miles cross had been acrobatically saved by home keeper Matthew Sargeant, the home side hit back with an equalising goal as Benjamin Lund headed a cross back for Simeon Moye to hit a low short beneath the diving Philip after 55 minutes but St Neots regained their advantage just two minutes later when Mason Rhiney made space for himself 30 yards from goal to send a dipping shot over the keeper. However, the home Manager replied by sending on his two final permitted substitutes and adopting a wider more attacking approach. Now St Neots under the defensive direction of Ryan Hughes had to be at their best but Rushall were hampered when goalkeeper Sergeant limped off with a groin strain
2
meaning that defender Sam Whittall had to don the gloves. However, he was rarely tested whilst Sammons a substitute Aram Soleman tested Philip. With eight minutes left the home pressure paid off as Soleman crossed from the right and a powerful headed by Daniel Waldron levelled the scores. Five minutes later a mis-timed tackle by Rhiney felled Soleman and the Referee awarded a penalty confidently tucked away by the home emergency goalkeeper Sam Whittle to the delight of the home supporters. Elsewhere Kettering became divisional champions to earn Step Two football next season as they defeated Halesowen to condemn them to Step Four in August. St Neots: Philip, Hood, Fulianty, Miles, Hughes, Shaw, Mutswunguma, Rhiney, Trendall, Bradley, Sutton Subs: Dunnett (for Bradley 85 mins), Rider (for Sutton 90+1 min), Joseph (for Mutswunguma 90+1 min) and Abbott. Cards: none Goals: Bradley (39 mins), Rhiney (57 mins)
Rushall: Sergeant, Lyttle, Smikle, Smith, Whittall, Pendley, Waldron, Maye. McDonald, Sammons, Lund Subs: O’Callaghan (for Sergeant 62 mins), Berry (for Smith 67 mins), Soleman (for McDonald 67 mins), Adelekan and Bridgewater. Cards: none Goals: Maye (55 mins), Waldron (82 mins), Whittall – pen – (87 mins)
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SOUTHERN LEAGUE CENTRAL PREMIER DIVISION St Ives Town
0
This was only St Neots third clean sheet in the fifteen games since the mass defection of players, but it afforded them the point they needed to ensure finishing above the two sides below them. It also gave them the satisfaction of not conceding a league double to their neighbours St Ives Town who needed to win if they were to achieve their best-ever finish in the Premier Division. In front of a shirt-sleeved Bank Holiday crowd St Neots defended well in a match that had an end-of-season feel to it, and the host side really failed to take advantage of their visitors’ inexperience. St Neots made just the one change in the side beaten at home 48 hours earlier bringing back specialist defender Leon Fulianty and preferring Prince Mutswunguma to Joe Sutton in attack. St Ives with several injured players missing looked unbalanced and the nearest they came to beating visiting keeper James Philip was one shot that rebounded from the woodwork. The result may have boosted St Neots’ confidence ahead of their final match of the season against Halesowen next Saturday with the only incentive for either side being to treat the occasion as a relegation party. St Ives started well when in the third minute in the first attacking move a long Mark Coulson throw was flicked on and Ollie Snaith attempted an ambitious volley that flew just wide of a post. After just seven minutes St Neots suffered a severe blow as skipper Matt Miles was injured and forced to leave the field with striker Joe Rider replacing him and Ben Bradley moving back into midfield in a reshuffle. Robbie Parker then won the ball and picked out Morgan Penfold who beat his marker to curl a shot wide and although the hosts were enjoying superior possession,
St Neots Town
0
they created little. Jacob Joseph claimed St Neots first significant attempt on goal for the visitors after 28 minutes but home keeper Martin Conway saved comfortably and two minutes later St Neots suffered another setback as Bradley sustained a nasty cut above his left eye forcing his side to play four minutes one man short as he received off the pitch treatment. St Ives then received a potential opening when a long ball forward by Coulson seemed to slow up between Ryan Hughes and James Philip and an eagleeyed Assistant Referee indicated that the custodian had gathered the ball inches outside his area. Parker played a short free kick into the path of Andrew Osei-Bonsu and his finish beat the visiting keeper but rebounded from the crossbar to safety. Just before the break the same St Ives player was denied again when his free header flew wide when he was set up by former Saint Tom Wood.
scoop the ball off the line, but only as far as Rider whose follow-up effort was gratefully grabbed by the recovering goalkeeper. In the final five minutes St Neots created two potential match winning openings – both balls out of defence to find Trendall on the right. On both occasions he was cynically upended by defenders earning first Owen Wallis and then Munashe Sundire yellow cards. The final action was another Wood shot wide of target and St Neots had deserved their share of the spoils in what will be the final local Saints league clash for some time.
St Ives made an enforced change after the break with the lively Penfold limping and George Bailey was his replacement. Wood then shot well wide as the home side upped their attacking efforts, but this seemed to leave gaps in defence and Joe Rider tried an opportunistic chip that was deflected over the bar. Substitute Bailey then tested Philip and then St Ives conceded a free kick on the edge of the area that came to nothing. St Neots seemed to grow in confidence as the match drifted into the final quarter of an hour and Bradley dispossessed an opponent and looking up picked out the dangerous Dan Trendall who had tirelessly fought a oneman battle with the home defence. He broke past the square lying defence and as the keeper narrowed his angle, he chipped the ball goal-wards, only for Owen Wallis to recover to acrobatically
Cards: Philip (Y – 39 mins), Bradley (Y – 44 mins), Sutton (Y – 66 mins)
St Neots: Philip, Hood, Fulianty, Miles, Hughes, Shaw, Joseph, Rhiney, Trendall, Bradley, Mutswunguma Subs: Rider (for Miles 7 mins), Sutton (for Mutswunguma 61 mins), Hudson (for Joseph 79 mins) and Clarke.
Goals: none
St Ives: Conway, Sundire, Coulson, Wood, Wallis, Wilson, Penfold, Parker, Osei-Bonsu, Snaith, Seymour-Shove Subs: Bailey (for Penfold 46 mins), Newman (for SeymourShove 76 mins), Baker (for Snaith 86 mins), Ward and Griffiths. Cards: Snaith (Y – 64 mins), Wallis (Y – 85 mins), Sundire (Y – 88 mins) Goals: none Referee: Alex Rayment (Dunstable) Attendance: 351
SQUAD
SQUAD
James PHILP
Daniel Platt
Matt MILES
Enock Ekongo
Leon FULIANTY Stevan SHAW Ryan HUGHES
Samuel Griffiths Ivor Lawton Kieran Morris (C) Callam Mendez-Jones
Mason RHINEY
Samuel Dallow
Prince MUTSWUNGUMA
Aaron Birch
Jacob JOSEPH
Jamie Molyneux
Reif CLARKE
Kartel O’Neill-Martin Jack Kelly
Joe RIDER
Samir Nabi
Joe SUTTON
Aaron Gilpin
Joe HOOD
Isai Marselia
Dan TRENDALL
Asa Charlton
Aaron HUDSON
Lee Hughes
Ben BRADLEY Marc ABBOTT Michael McCORMACK
Colours Navy & Sky Blue
Colours Anthracite / Lime Green
The match line up will be displayed on the electronic scoreboard Referee: Wayne Chalmers
Assistant 1: Matthew Lake
Assistant 2: Matthew Paul
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