NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE – MIDLAND DIVISION

St Neots Town 1 Harborough Town 0

A determined and well-organised gutsy performance from St Neots deservedly earned them what could prove to be three priceless league points as they bid to retain their Step Four status. Harborough started the day just seven points shy of the play-off zone but despite playing their part in a very competitive contest they were beaten by their hosts and slipped to ninth in the league table. With several injuries to contend with, St Neots were forced to leave three partly fit players from last week on the bench but to their delight leading scorer Trey Charles made a second half appearance to score the winning goal.How the teams went to the break with the scoresheet still blank remains a mystery. Three times the woodwork was struck as both teams went all out in a display of attacking football and there was little let-up after the break with both goals under siege at one stage, or another. St Neots employed the lively Dan Barton up front alongside Liam Smyth and he terrorised the visiting defence who stopped him with a series of fouls earning one visiting defender an early booking and withdrawal. The enforced team changes saw Trey Charles, Charlie Lewis and Liam Hook on the bench replaces by Jon-Paul Duncliffe, Dan Barton and Liam Smyth recalled to the side – the latter for only his second start. Dan Barton broke clear of the visiting defence in the first minute but shot into the side netting and five minutes later Albert Adu cut in to hit the bar with visiting keeper Elliott Taylor beaten. The visitors responded quickly with Rhys Hoenes drifting past two defenders to set up Joel Carta who brought a full length save from Tom Finch after seven minutes. Six minutes later following a Josh Walsh free kick the visitors then hit the bar and the end-to-end action continued unabated. Tom Finch then had to save bravely at the feet of ArlottJohn Dempsey and the visitors were only stopping Dan Barton’s attacking runs with a series of fouls earning free kicks. After 27 minutes Liam Smyth was played clear but shot wide and at the other end Dempsey saw an effort rebound from the crossbar. The first half ended with a brave diving header by Albert Adu from a Callum Anderson cross pass just the wrong side of a goalpost.