Looking Back - With John Walker Our Last Game As We Left The UCL

UCL Premier Division – 30th April 2011

Our last UCL match prior to our promotion to the Southern League

Long Buckby 1 St Neots Town 1

In St Neots’ record-breaking season, it was, perhaps, ironic that they had to wait until the third minute of injury time to secure a point at Long Buckby. Inevitably, the goal came from leading scorer Shane Tolley with a fine header at the far post and the visitors almost snatched a winner just a minute later, but the referee blew the whistle just as there seemed to be a great chance for the home side to score the latest of winners.

Inevitably, the match had a bit of an end of season feel about it and control was not easy in a strong gusty wind. Tolley almost got on the end of a Junior Konadu pass before Jordan Gent had to make a fine clearance from a cross by Greg Ling and Luke McShane had to make an excellent save from Olly Wilkinson. Saints almost scored after 15 minutes when Tolley lobbed a shot just over the bar and they came even closer 7 minutes later as Dominic Green’s corner rebounded from the crossbar. From another corner, the ball skimmed off Ian Gayle’s forehead as he stretched to try and head home at the far post. Slack defending on the half hour saw Ashley Robinson with a chance for Long Buckby but his finishing was poor. Tom Stephanu then had to make a fine save from Lewis Hilliard and tip over a Green free kick after Stefan Moore had been fouled. In the closing minutes of the half, Saints appealed in vain for a penalty when Hilliard appeared to be brought down.

The second half started quietly before Hilliard shot wide from a Mick Hyem pass and another pass from the fullback saw Green put in a dangerous cross, but nobody could connect. Long Buckby then took the lead on the hour mark as Ling shot across keeper McShane into the far corner of the net after beating Gent. This inspired the home team as McShane had to take a dangerous cross from Andy Gordon and tip a header from Robinson round the post. Saints then hit back and dominated the last 15 minutes of the game. Substitute Gavin Strachan’s shot flashed past the angle after good work by Stefan Moore and Gent went close with a header. Gent then had to clear off the line from Dan Holman as the game went into injury time before Tolley netted the equalising goal from Green’s cross.

St Neots Town: McShane, D Moore, Hyem, Hilliard, Gent, Gayle, Davies, Konadu, S Moore, Tolley, Green

Subs: Webb (for Kanudu 51), Strachan (for Davies 53), Jacob (for Hilliard 65), Fuff, and Fordham.

Man of Match: Shane Tolley