2021/22 Issue Twelve - Kempston Rovers by St Neots Town Football Club

SAINTS GAZETTE ISSUE 12

OFFICIAL ONLINE MATCHDAY MAGAZINE SEASON 2021/22 ADMISSION INFORMATION

MONDAY DECEMBER 27TH 3.00 PM KO

(MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT)

KEMPSTON ROVER FC SOUTHERN LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION

Saints President - John Walker

First Team

Board of Directors

Manager - Peter Gill Assistant - Sean Greygoose GK Coach - Gary Dean Physio - Craig Lambert Kit Man - Mick Hunt Analyst - Ben Williamson Match Ball Retriever - Stan Scotcher

Chairman - Barry Cavilla Director of Football - Iain Parr Events Director - Louise Sales Commercial Director - Mehmet Mimoglu Secretary - Gary Wilson Director - Mike Green Director - Jez Green Director - Andy Clay Director - Brian Barnes

Sports Scholarship Contact - Iain@stneotstownfc.co.uk

Saints Match Day Team

Academy

Fixture Secretary - Marion Izzard Hospitality - Andy Clay Stadium Announcer - Mike Green Music & Scoreboard - Charlie Green Catering - Diane Sales

Manager - Iain Parr Development Manager - Alex Minall U18’s Manager - Alex Minall

Media

Club Information

Press Officer - Mike Green Match Reports - John Walker Photographer - Dave Richardson Social Media - Rowan Presland / Mike Green

Address: Rowley Park, Kester Way, StNeots, Cambs., PE19 6SL

Ground Staff Pitch maintenance - Barry Oakley

Club Welfare Officer - Mick Hunt

Website - www.stneotstownfc.co.uk Enquires - enquires@stneotstownfc.co.uk Events - misslouises@yahoo.co.uk Academy - iain@stneotstown.co.uk

Front cover - Image copyright protected by David R.W. Richardson of Rich In Video, used under license.

Ownership: In accordance with the football association league rule 2.13 publication of ownership in relation to step 1-4 within the football pyramid, we hereby confirm the legal status of St Neots Town Football Club Identification Number 02921210, and is a Private Limited Company. For the purposes of publication of ownership we can confirm that the following are listed as Directors of the Company: significant interest Lee Kearns, Iain Parr, Louise Sales, Gary Wilson, Mehmet Mimoglu and as Non Executive Directors Mike Green, Jeremy Green, and Barry Cavilla. Company Secretary Keith Gotch, Company Accountant Keith Gotch

Greenie’s Greetings With Director Mike Green

Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium for today’s Festive football offering in the form of this Pitching-In Southern League Division One Central Match. Today we extend a very warm, seasonal welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Kempston Rovers and we hope your Boxing Day visit to St Neots is an comfortable one, before making the short trip home back over the County border into Bedfordshire. Firstly, May I take this opportunity on behalf of myself and everyone at The Football Club to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas (slightly belated I know) and a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. I hope the Big Day went well for you all and you are enjoyable your time with Family and loved ones and of course, are ready for what should be a Christmas Cracker today what with it being a local derby and all. These notes are being written ahead of our scheduled visit from Didcot Town on Saturday 18th December so hopefully we will be coming into today’s game with increased optimism and belief after our last outing when we held second placed Berkhamsted FC here at the Premier Plus Stadium on Tuesday 14th December to a 1-1 draw in a game that maybe, with the amount of chances created, wouldn’t have been a shock if we had actually won the game. Sadly, I have had to miss this game and the defeat at Colney Heath so can’t really comment but I’m sure Pete will have his say on the two contrasting performances later on in today’s edition.

Get behind the lads once again today as you have all season so superbly and hopefully come full time we will be celebrating a well earnt win and I hope to see a decent turn out of Saints Supporters at Bedford Town on New Year’s Day. BE LOUD, BE PROUD, BE A SAINT

Greenie

From the Dugout With First Team Manager Peter Gill ’d like to wish a warm welcome to everyone from Kempston Rovers. I hope you enjoy your visit to the Premier Plus Stadium & St. Neots Town FC. I’d hope everyone has had a fantastic Christmas & enjoying the festive period. With lots of goings on recently there are a few updates to give you all. Results wise we have been disappointed and without a doubt have been in a difficult period. Performances haven’t been too bad overall. Baring a disappointing afternoon away at Colney the lads have shown bravery and courage to keep playing our way despite the lack of results. I’m sure when we get the rub of the green and be more clinical in front of goal the tide will turn. At the time of writing, we have just drawn with Berkhampstead, I’m sure everyone watching the game will still be questioning how we didn’t we it!! We have had to deal with a significant number of injures over the past few weeks. We’ve seen injuries to Charlie Johnson, Ky & Kwai Marsh-Brown, Dequanne Wilson-Braithwaite, Neo Richard-Noel, Ben Heel, Callum Anderson & Joe Ride, latter 3 still out and out for the foreseeable future. I cannot fault the players for their efforts, during this time Aaron Smith & Charley Barker have been playing through knocks and niggles and we have also had to deal with suspensions along the way. During this period, we’ve welcomed some new faces to the group. We welcome Gradi Milenge to the club. Gradi played in our 1-1 draw vs Berkhampstead and showed his qualities in that performance. We hope Gradi enjoys his time with us in a Saints shirt. We also welcome Josh Green to the group. Josh is a player I know from his time as a schoolboy at Barnet. Josh recently played vs Cambridge United under 18’s in a few games and impressed us with his qualities. We welcome Josh to the club and hope he enjoys his spell with us. Some of you would have also noticed the return of some old faces. During the injury crisis we are thankful to Joe Sutton & Ben Stokes for stepping into the squad at late notice to help us in the short term. Going into the Dunstable game, after training on Thursday we only had 8 fit players. I’d like to place on record our thanks to both lads who agreed to help us out and wish them well in their future endeavours. Moving onto today’s game I expect to come up against a tough and resolute Kempston side. Kempston’s results have been inconsistent (just like ours) however, they have shown with some results and performances that they are more than capable of beating anyone in the league on their day. I know their manager Scott is really experienced at this level and will have his side well drilled. Having an experienced manager like Scott means they have the capability to sign high quality players at any point, so we’ll have to be at our very best today. Stick with us Saints fans! I, the staff, the players are determined to turn this around and pick up positive results going forwards. We need your support more than ever. I hope to meet as many of you as possible today to wish you a Happy Christmas. I also look forward to seeing lots of you Saturday when we visit Bedford. Up the Saints!

Pete

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

We pride ourselves on being open minded with a particular emphasis on working closely with our business partners to ensure mutually beneficial achievements. Our aim is to continue developing football for all, to offer duel career pathways and to continue to engage and support the Community and local businesses.

Mehmet Mimoglu Commercial Chat...

Welcome Back to the Premier Plus Stadium for our last game of 2021 as Saints take on Kempston Rovers.

2021 has been a mixed football year with 2020/21 season having to be curtailed. Even though we managed to play our 2021 new season games uninterrupted so far; there is a growing question mark for near future with Covid numbers increasing. We are hoping for a positive outcome regarding Covid developments but as a Club we have proved to ourselves that Commercial activity and planning needs to be a continuous activity even if football season gets interrupted or even when season ends during summer. With the same enthusiasm we are working on and developing ideas to promote our commercial interaction with existing partners, local businesses, and new residents of St Neots Town. Our recent activities are detailed below. With regards to our existing business partners we have started the ball rolling to get a Large board of our academy sponsor Goldstraw Goldsmith on the side of Astro changing room and further banners of Goldstraw Goldsmith on around the club.

We have recently promoted Multi-buy tickets for our 3 consecutive home games which attracted some interest and leading on from this we are looking into developing ideas to increase Season Ticket sales for 2022/23 season. We had Priory Parkside and our own U8s as match mascots recently. Mascot appearances are something we would like to promote and see as regular part of games in the new year; if not for the new season of 2022/23. We now have BT Sport available at Reedman suite and supported by such we will have Match Day Tables available for our home games in January and February. This is another trial which we want to see as permanent part of games in the future. We are also considering areas and ideas as to how we can increase evening activity at Reedman Suite and Gregory Suite for the new year, again if not for the new season. We are establishing contact with Urban and Civic Housing firm to reach out the new residents of town to connect them with our Club and to promote new business contacts we are planning on introducing new Social Media ideas. We have also accepted invitation from Cambridge United Business Club on 12th January which is a great way to meet new Businesses who has mutual interest in football as we do. Our club has big aims and to compliment such Commercial department consistently needs to work hard to ensure that our journey to where our club deserves to be is supported financially. I hope you enjoy the last game of 2021. I have no doubt that we will keep up the good work on and off the pitch in the new year.

Mehmet

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

Saints

First Team Shirt Sponsor

Reliable and Professional plumbing and heating service. Preferred Plumbing and Heating Ltd in Cambridgeshire

07733304549 / 01480 774723

www.preferredplumbingandheatingltd.co.uk

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

SAINTS FOOD TERRACE

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

www.stneotsloftconversionsltd.co.uk

Little Paxton, Saint Neots PE19, UK

07932 453477 St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

St Neots Take away – Shop Local, Support Local

orders@takeaway-stneots.com

Pizza/fried chicken, Turkish, British, British Cafe Order through our app Order online Order on the pay store

To Advertise with the Saints contact our Commercial Director Mehmet on 07946 318888 or email mehmet@stneotstownfc.co.uk

AF Golf Store AFGolfStore offers everything a golfer could need, from premium club fitting using Trackman 4 technology to individual or group lessons for all ages and abilities. Whether you're a beginner or elite golfer, child or adult, we have something for you! Contact AFGolfStore Peterborough Feel free to contact a member of our team with any enquiries you may have using the form below. Alternatively you can call the team direct on 01733 215989 We can be found at Unit 10, Slater Court, Harrier Way, Eagle Business Park, Yaxley PE7 3SE Peterborough Store Opening Times Monday 9am-6pm Tuesday 9am-8pm Wednesday 9am8pm Thursday 9am-6pm Friday 9am-6pm Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday CLOSED Contact AFGolfStore Cambridge Feel free to contact a member of our team with any enquiries you may have using the form below. Alternatively you can call the team direct on 01763 262943. We can be found at Kingsway Golf Centre, Cambridge Road, Melbourn, Cambridge, SG8 6EY Cambridge Store Opening Times Monday 9am-8pm Tuesday 9am-8pm Wednesday 9am8pm Thursday 9am-8pm Friday 9am-8pm Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday 9am-5pm

www.afgolfstore.co.uk

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

Som’s Salon is a Mens Barbershop and Ladies Hairdressers, we are located on Longsands Parade, Saint Neots with FREE parking directly outside the shop!

01480 589037

Saints - Goldstraw Goldmiths St Neots Town FC Academy & Main Stand Sponsor The Goldstraw Goldsmith’s St Neots Town FC Academy Sponsor

Goldstraw Goldsmiths is an established, trusted, successful jewellery shop in the Cambridgeshire town of St Neots. At Goldstraws Goldsmiths we’ve been designing and caring for jewellery for over 30 years. We sell all styles of jewellery; new and antique. If you have a particular item in mind, we will always endeavour to source it. Two experienced goldsmiths work on the premises, offering quality craftsmanship with every newly created piece and repair. We take pride in our work and our customers tell us time and time again that wouldn’t go anywhere else. Why not come in and say hello we” be happy to help.

www.goldstraw.co.uk 01480 407704

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

Call 01480 470931 / Mobile 07950 496568

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

www.abclifesupport.co.uk / 0800 0467 410

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

www.cpcfinance.co.uk / contact@cpcfinance.co.uk / 01923 655 441

Saints Social Media Sponsor BlueLine Security Ltd – Social Media Sponsors

Your peace of mind is our business We draw all of our operational staff exclusively from the UK Police Force and HM Armed Forces. When it comes to your security, you can trust in us. At Blueline Security Limited we know how important integrity and reliability is to our customers. That’s why we draw our operational staff exclusively from Police and HM Armed Forces backgrounds, and have a stringent selection process to ensure that only the best people join our team. Our business is your peace of mind. To that end, our wide range of services include manned guarding, working dog teams, property/business protection, mobile patrols, close protection and surveillance/investigation. As we continue to expand across England, we pride ourselves on maintaining our ethical trade policy, and we will only ever offer a service when a genuine need exists. If you’re interested in any of our services, get in touch today. We’d be delighted to provide you with further details on any of our services.

03339874277 www.bluelinesecuritylimited.com 01480 407704

Saints

Functions and Events Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk To find out how to Book an Event

We have three rooms available for any number of functions and events.

These include a board room/meeting room that holds up to 12 people.

We also have two function rooms.

Reedman's

Hold up to 80 guests and is idea for smaller wedding, parties, Funeral wakes, Fitness classes, smaller trade fairs and much more

The Gregory Suite

Holds up to 250 guests and is ideal for Wedding receptions, larger parties, Dance groups, presentation events, Business networking and much more

Our dedicated team have lots of experience and will be on hand to assist in any way possible. Full flexible catering service is also available

Give Louise a call on 07753 222683

Full information is available at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

Saints Functions and Events To book and event visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

JW Match Report AFC DUNSTABLE (H) 01-12-2021 SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL St Neots Town

AFC Dunstable

Visiting striker Bernard Christie earned the man-of-the match award as he claimed all four goals as visitors AFC Dunstable humbled an injury-hit understrength St Neots side scoring twice in each half. It was the visitors’ first ever victory at the Premier Plus Stadium. The match was littered with cautions – each side picking up five as Referee Tom Hancock ensured his mention in the match report – and St Neots lost defender Wynford Marfo sent off after picking up two cautions upon his return from suspension! St Neots have struggled recently with injuries, suspensions, and unavailability resulting in their inability to field a settled side, and this has been a major contributory factor to them winning only one of their last six league and cup matches. On this occasion further injuries to Ben Heal, Kwai Marsh-Brown and Joe Rider plus the recall of central defender Mamadou Job by parent club Cambridge United, saw the return to the side after their injury breaks of Dequaine Wilson-Braithwaite and Kyjuon Marsh-Brown, and skipper Lee Watkins after suspension, with loanee Joshua Green making his debut. After Lee Watkins had shot narrowly wide, the match became fragmented as a spectacle with the Referee booking three players in the first fifteen minutes. Gradually the visitors began to dominate the attacking play and Kieran Hamilton broke through to shoot across the face of goal from a narrow angle. Up for a corner Samuel McClelland was brought down by a St Neots defender and from the resultant penalty kick Bernard Christie opened his account. St Neots hit back with Myles Cowling setting up Kyjuon Marsh-Brown to bring a full length save from visiting keeper Jamie Head, and Charlie Johnson had a header from a Charley Barker corner headed off the goal line with the keeper beaten. However, Dunstable were creating the better openings and after half an hour home custodian Louis Chadwick at full stretch had to touch a Newman Carney corner over the bar and from the resultant corner Ryan Frater had a header cleared off the line by Aaron Smith. Then after 33 minutes Johnson was dispossessed by Hamilton who fed Bernard Christie who claimed his second goal. The half ended with three more cautions for what seemed trivial offences, so the visitors went to the break week in control. After an early second half Barker effort that cleared the cross bar, the Referee looked as if he was going to issue further punishment to former St Neots player Alasan Ann booked in the first half but appeared to change his mind so that visiting player was quickly substituted by the visiting Manager! Barker and Johnson then saw their names added to the Referee’s notebook and St Neots sent on Joe Sutton for Marc Abbott.

JW Match Report AFC DUNSTABLE (H) 01-12-2021 CONTINUED Six minutes later Sutton was scythed down in the area, and he got up to take the spot kick which was saved by Head and St Neots route back into the match lost. Aaron Smith then cleared off the line for St Neots but a major altercation fifteen minutes from time saw St Neots reduced to ten men and three more booked. After84 minutes a rare mistake by Chadwick let in Bernard Christie to complete his hat trick and the same player rounded off the scoring with his fourth goal two minutes from time.

St Neots: Chadwick, Marfo, Smith, Abbott, Johnson, Wilson-Braithwaite, Cowling, Watkins, Kyjuon Marsh-Brown, Barker, Green Subs: Sutton (for Abbott 65 mins), Stokes (For Barker 86 mins), Smalley (for Marsh-Brown 86 mins) Thomas, and Peacock Cards: Marfo (RED – 75 mins – 2 x Y), Abbott (Y – 14 mins), Barker (Y – 63 mins), WilsonBraithwaite (Y – 63 mins), Marsh-Brown (Y – 75 mins), Gill – Manager – (Y – 75 mins) Goals: none AFC Dunstable: Head, Tavernier, Okito, Frater (R), McClelland, Carney, Hamilton, Harvey, Christie, Ann, Pattison Subs: Longden (for Tavernier 53 mins), Farrell (for Ann 58 minutes), Frater (N) (for Carney 87 mins), Ferrell and Campbell. Cards: Carney (Y – 10 mins), Frater (R) (Y – 15 mins), Ann (Y – 40 mins), Harvey (Y – 45 mins), Okito (Y – 75 mins) Goals: Christie (4) (21 mins, 33 mins, 84 mins, 88 mins)

Referee: Tom Hancock Attendance: 233 John Walker

JW Match Report COLNEY HEATH (A) 11-12-2021 SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL Colney Heath1

St Neots Town

Bottom of the table Colney Heath recorded their first victory in twelve games at the expense of a hapless out-of-touch visiting St Neots side. In awful conditions on a less than perfect pitch neither side really managed to play with any rhythm or belief. It was therefore almost inevitable that a deciding goal would come from a mistake, and that came from the visitors after 51 minutes, when a badly mistimed tackle by defender Charlie Johnson brought down an opponent, and Kwon Hepburn stepped forward to net from the penalty spot.Subsequently St Neots pressed forward with great determination, but only once did they force home keeper into a serious save. Now they have gone almost five hours league football without scoring a goal so their problem that is simple to identify has sent them plummeting down the league table from fifth at the end of October to twelfth. With top of the table Berkhamsted the next visitors to the Premier Plus Stadium, things are unlikely to get any easier. With Ben Heal, Joe Rider and Callum Anderson still on the injured list, they were joined by Wynford Marfo serving his one match ban, but there was a return to the side for Kwai Marsh-Brown and Nehemiah Richard Noel after injury. St Neots made a confident enough start dominating possession for the opening ten minutes without creating anything significant, but the home side quickly settled into the contest with Matthew Walsh seeing a shot deflected and defender Toby Byron up for a corner heading narrowly over the bar. Louis Chadwick was then forced to touch away a cross by Kwon Hepburn and the only reply from the visitors was a shot from Kyjuon Marsh-Brown easily gathered by the home custodian. His brother Kwai then found the side netting from distance and St Neots best first half effort came from the lively Kyjuon Marsh-Brown who saw his effort saved by the goalkeepers’ legs. Both sides looked happy to hear the half time whistle with the goalless score line a fair guide to the first forty-five minutes. Upon the restart St Neots again looked positive as they had at the start of the match.Kyjuon Marsh-Brown once again led the way seeing a narrow-angled effort rebound from the far post and sending a second shot high over the crossbar. What proved to be the defining moment in the match was the Johnson mistimed tackle that gave Kwon Hepburn the chance to convert that penalty kick.

JW Match Report COLNEY HEATH (A) 11.12-2021 CONTINUED For a spell after this setback St Neots seemed to lose their way as Max Jessop spurned an opportunity to extend the lead for the home side after a defensive error and Louis Chadwick had to dive bravely at the feet of Walsh to deny him a simple finish. St Neots made two substitutions in a bid to freshen their approach but despite dominating possession there was no finish until fifteen minutes from time when home keeper Tiernan Parker denied Kyjuon Marsh-Brown with a full-length parry – his only serious save. The sending-off of home defender Peter Mokwenye eight minutes from time for picking up his second booking gave the visitors a glimmer of hope but that was never to be realised.

St Neots: Chadwick, Wilson-Braithwaite, Smith, Abbott, Johnson, Barker, Cowling, Watkins, Richard-Noel, Kwai Marsh-Brown, Kyjuon Marsh-Brown Subs: Milenge (for Abbott 64 mins), Sutton (For Wilson-Braithwaite 69 mins), Green (for Richard-Noel 88 mins) Clark, and Anthony. Cards: Cowling (Y – 14 mins) Goals: none Colney Heath: Parker, Rahho, Mokwenye, Fitzgerald, Byron. Lovell, Hepburn, Jessop, Walsh, Nichols, Sawaneh Subs: McShane (for Walsh 65 mins), Nimi (for Sawaneh 58 minutes), Laughton, and Knaggs. Cards: Mokwenye (RED – 2xY 3 & 82 mins), Lovell (Y – 67 mins) Goals: Hepburn (51 mins - pen)

Referee: Jamaal Horne Attendance: 117 John Walker

JW Match Report BERKHAMSTEAD (H) 14-12-2021 SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL

St Neots Town

Berkhamsted

St Neots’ best performance for several weeks afforded them a deserved share of the points as high flying Berkhamsted came to town. The Hertfordshire side were hoping for a victory that would have taken them back to the top of the league table but in the event, they were fortunate to leave the Premier Plus Stadium with a share of the points.Injury ravaged St Neots produced their best team performance for almost two months and only their finishing in front of goal let them down. With Neo Richard-Noel side lined by an injury sustained in the previous match, and Joe Rider still not fit the home side went into the match without a recognised striker, yet still produced a performance that stunned a side that had spent most of the season at the top of the table. Kwai Marsh-Brown returned to the side after injury having to play up front, and Wynford Marfo was back after his one match ban with Marc Abbott dropping to the bench. The other team change saw Gradi Milange make his first start at the expense of Dequaine Wilson Braithwaite who was also on the bench.

If the visitors had imagined that this would be a routine victory over a struggling side, it did not take long for this notion to disappear. St Neots adopted a defiant attacking policy from the start with visiting keeper Xavier Lomas-Leon having to save an early Charlie Johnson header from a Charley Barker corner. Aaron Smith then saw a net bound shot blocked by a defender, and Joshua Green making only his second start tested Lomas. St Neots then had a very credible appeal for a penalty waved away when Smith broke into the area to be brought down from behind and the first effort by the visiting side saw a Cheyce Grant volley sail harmlessly over the bar.In fact there were only five minutes remaining in the first half when Berkhamsted built their first credible attack.Alie Bangura broke on the right only to see his effort rebound from the woodwork, but before St Neots regained possession a searing 25 yards effort by Cheyce Grant flew into the net to afford the visitors a half time lead against the run of play. However, before the break there was time for the visiting keeper to produce a good save to deny Lee Watkins before seeing another effort by Miles Cowling blocked by a defender.

JW Match Report BERKHAMSTEAD (H) 14-12-2021 Continued

After Barker had sent St Neots’ first second half effort over the crossbar St Neots deservedly levelled the scores after 56 minutes when skipper Lee Watkins netted his third league goal of the campaign after good work by the Marsh-Brown brothers. That seemed to boost St Neots’ confidence and in the next five minutes they squandered a golden opportunity when the unmarked Kwai Marsh-Brown fired over the bar from ten yards and Wynford Marfo then was only inches wide of the far post with an angled effort. Briefly the visitors threatened with Louis Chadwick having to dive bravely at the feet of Lewis Toomey and substitute Jordan Frederick shot wide.Watkins almost doubled his goals tally with a shot that beat the visiting keeper and the far post and then Robbie Goodman brought down Myles Cowling on his way forward and was booked.The lively Kai Marsh-Brown had a shot parried and Barker should have scored but shot over the bar. Both defences cleared off the line in a lively finish – substitute Dequaine WilsonBraithwaite saving St Neots, and Ryan KInnane denying Marfo at the other end.

St Neots: Chadwick, Marfo, Smith, Barker, Johnson, Milenge, Cowling, Watkins (L), Green, Kai Marsh-Brown, Kyjuon Marsh-Brown Subs: Wilson-Braithwaite (for Milenge 65 mins), Abbott, Smalley, and Peacock Cards: Kai Marsh-Brown (Y – 9 mins) Goals: Watkins (56 mins) Berkhamsted: Lomas-Leon, Akubuine, Cooper, Watkins (A), Kinnane, Goodman, Bailey, Kirkpatrick, Toomey, Grant, Bangura (A) Subs: Frederick (for Watkins (A) 53 mins), Draycott (for Grant 58 minutes), Bangura (M), Chamberlain and Groom. Cards: Goodman (Y – 9 mins), Kirkpatrick (Y – 78 mins) Goals: Grant (40 mins)

Referee: Andrew Hitchcox (Somersham) Attendance: 173 John Walker

JW Match Report DIDCOT TOWN (H) 18-12-2021 SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL St Neots Town

Didcot Town

St Neots produced a woefully inept home performance and visitors Didcot took full advantage to climb above their hosts in the league table. For the first time St Neots were COVID hit with three players missing (goalkeeper Louis Chadwick, midfielder Myles Cowling and striker Neo Richard-Noel), after testing positive following the midweek game, but this will be no excuse for a well below par performance. With their second senior goalkeeper George Whitehall nursing a broken finger St Neots had to call upon seventeen years old youth goalkeeper George Anthony to make his senior debut, and former manager Marc Abbott returned in midfield in a further patched-up side. They were particularly vulnerable in defence where Charlie Johnson and recent signing Gradi Milenge looked poor and uncoordinated, and they created little in attack without a recognised striker in their squad. It was Didcot’s first win at St Neots having failed to score on their two previous visits and the win took them above their hosts as St Neots dropped three places in the table to thirteenth. It is the goalscoring department that must be of the main concern to Manager Pete Gill because in their last five league matches, they have scored just once, picking up just five points out of their last twentyseven.Now the club physiotherapists take centre stage as they struggle to make an impact on the key players side lined by injury. St Neots actually began well taking the game to their visitors without testing the goalkeeper but after eight minutes they were hit on the break when in Didcot’s first attack striker Noah Alabi cut inside from the left flank past two static defenders, before beating rookie goalkeeper George Anthony with an angled low shot. From a Charley Barker free kick Aaron Smith fired wide and four minutes after their first goal, Didcot went further ahead as a corner from Connor Barratt was headed back across goal for the unmarked Joshua Hedges to add a second goal. From a St Neots corner Barratt headed off the Didcot goal line and that was as close to a goal that St Neots got in a torrid first half. Visiting keeper Leigh Bedwell did have to save at the feet of Charlie Johnson following a Barker corner but despite St Neots sharing possession their attacking ideas were optimistic rather than accurate as Kwai Marsh-Brown fired wildly over the bar and brother Ky failed to test the keeper from close range. Significantly from his midfield role St Neots skipper Lee Watkins looked the player most likely to test the visiting defence and St Neots went to the breaking searching for some inspiration.

JW Match Report DIDCOT TOWN (H) 18-12-2021 continued They started the second half well enough and making for goal Ky Marsh-Brown was hauled down earning visiting defender Harley Giles a caution. Both Joshua Green and Kwai Marsh-Brown shot wide – the second following a Wynford Marfo cross after some patient build up play by St Neots. It was the home side’s defensive play that was causing concern. There seemed to be little protection for their debutant goalkeeper but after an hour they could have struggled their way back into the game but from a Marfo cross Kwai Marsh-Brown was guilty of the miss of the match as he skied the ball high over the bar from six yards. Substitute Max Smalley did liven up the home attack but sent a good chance straight into the arms of the visiting keeper, but the pressure always seemed to be on the home defence and after 75 minutes Gradi Milenge fluffed a clearance and from the edge of the penalty area visiting skipper Seth Humphries smashed the ball into the net for the third goal. Anthony did save bravely at the feet of Alabi before the visitors were reduced to ten men when Humphries was issued with a straight red card for a dangerous tackle. Even so the visitors left their best for last because two minutes into added time they added a fourth goal when Barker missed a tackle on the edge of the area and Connor Barrett became Didcot’s fourth scorer in what for them was a memorable victory.

St Neots: Anthony, Marfo, Smith (A), Barker, Johnson, Milenge, Abbott, Watkins, Green, Kai Marsh-Brown, Kyjuon Marsh-Brown Subs: Smalley (for Green 55 mins), Wilson-Braithwaite, Gomes, Clark, and Dean. Cards: Kwai Marsh-Brown (Y – 83 mins) Goals: none Didcot: Bedwell (L), Barder, Smith (J), Bedwell (T), Giles, McNeill, McKirnan, Barratt, Alabi, Humphries, Hedges Subs: Parsons (for McKirnan 46 mins), Bones and Evans. Cards: Humphries (RED – 85 mins), Giles (Y – 50 mins) Goals: Alabi (8 mins), Hedges (12 mins), Humphries (75 mins), Barratt (90+2 mins)

Referee: Joshua Crofts (Huntingdon) Attendance: 268 John Walker

JW LOOKING AHEAD KEMPSTON ROVERS FC (H) 27-12-2021 OPPONENTS SPOTLIGHT (27/December/2021) KEMPSTON ROVERS FC Year founded: 1885 Chairman: Andrew Kirby Club Website: www.afckempston.com A BELATED HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A SPECIAL WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS KEMPSTON ROVERS WHO VISIT US FOR ONLY THE SECOND TIME SINCE 11TH DECEMBER 2007

The first time was on New Years’ Day two seasons ago (our sides did not meet last season due to COVID) when our lads produced one of their best home performances of that season to run out winners by five goals to one. Our scorers were Joe Sutton (2), Sam Gomersal (2) and Prince Mutswunguma. Our playing record against our visitors is excellent (see below) with four victories so far in Southern League competition. At the end of the 2007/08 season Kempston was relegated to Division One of the UCL and so in our last three seasons in the Premier Division of that league we did not meet. Kempston returned to the Premier Division of the UCL winning the league title in 2016/17 to move up to Step Four in the Southern League (East Division) and finishing a very creditable seventh in the table – a point ahead of neighbours Bedford Town. That was their best Step Four finish because the following season they finished 13th in the reconstituted Central Division. Recent records show that we have played each other five times. The first was in the Hinchingbrooke Cup Final on 6th May 2011 at Jubilee Park Huntingdon when Rovers pulled off something of a surprise defeating us by a goal to nil. More recently we have met three times at Hillgrounds recording three victories without conceding a goal plus of course that one meeting here. This season Kempston have struggled to find consistency in their results and are currently in eighteenth place in the league table four points clear of the bottom two, Wantage Town and Colney Heath. Their away league record shows eight defeat in as many trips at present. In the FA Cup competition they were unfortunate to be only one of three Step Four Southern League clubs to draw an Extra Preliminary Round tie and having drawn 1-1 at Hillgrounds with Whitton United from the Eastern Counties League, they were beaten by the odd goal in three in the replay. In the FA Trophy they were beaten at home by Newcastle Town in a penalty shoot-out in the First Round Qualifying and in the League Challenge Cup they lost by the odd goal in three away to fellow strugglers Wantage Town.They will hope for a better fortune when they compete in their final cup competition – the Bedfordshire Senior Cup at home to Leighton Town on January 18th.

JW LOOKING AHEAD KEMPSTON ROVERS FC (H) 27-12-2021 PREVIOUS MEETINGS OF OUR CLUBS (post UCL) 2010/11

St Neots

2019/20

Kempston St Neots Kempston

2021/22

Kempston

Enjoy the match John Walker

0-1 0-2 5-1 0-1 0-3

Kempston (Hinchingbrooke Cup Final at Huntingdon) St Neots (Southern League Central) Kempston (Southern League Central) St Neots (Southern League Cup) St Neots (Southern League Central)

Goldstraw Goldsmiths ST NEOTS TOWN FC ACADEMY

THURLOW NUNN YOUTH LEAGUE – WEST DIVISION

ST NEOTS TOWN U18

DEEPING RANGERS U18

Dubbed as the League decider this top versus second contest lived fully up to expectation. It was an excellent match between the two best sides in the Division and the result left St Neots needing just four points from their final three games to finish as Champions. However, it was sad that in the final five minutes plus no less than ELEVEN minutes added time the visitors completely lost their discipline winding up with a total of seven yellow cards (two of which resulted in one player being dismissed). St Neots also had two yellow cards both issued to Marley Ugarte-Edwards (one in each half) meaning an automatic one match ban for this charismatic young striker. After a cautious start by both sides which included a good save by visiting keeper Max Rigby from home skipper Ryan Thomas, St Neots stamped early authority on the contest after 17 minutes when Enoch Opayinga making only his third appearance played Marley Ugarte-Edwards clear of the defence to open the scoring. After 22 minutes Alfie Carberry was upended in the penalty area, but the Referee waved play on, but just sixty seconds later he made up for his disappointment as he netted St Neots second goal. Opayinka looking very sharp then saw a rising shot pushed for a corner at full stretch and Ugarte-Edwards had a close range shot blocked on the goal line as St Neots dominated. Deeping came out after the break determined to make an impact on the game and after 55 minutes a Keelan Walker free kick found the head of William Howard who beat the home keeper, but the ball rebounded from the bar. On the break Opayinka brought an excellent save from Rigby and as the visitors pressed, Beck McCarthy broke through on 75 minutes but Brooklyn Peacock dived bravely at his feet to save. However a rare mistake by the goalkeeper sixty seconds later, as he spilled a cross, set up Mapalo Mwansa for a goal for the visitors and that signalled a frantic finale to the match. St Neots still created the better chances with Julinho Gomes and Opayinka close to sealing the result but with three minutes left a skirmish involving most of the players saw the visitors reduced to ten men with Keelan Walker dismissed.A second lengthy stoppage as the Referee struggled to keep control saw that total of eleven added minutes with Ugarte-Edwards dismissed seconds from time as he collected his second yellow card. St Neots: Peacock, Hargreaves, Thomas, Clark, Fransisco, Camfield, Gomes, Timberlake, Carberry, Ugarte-Edwards, Opayinka Subs used:Kobus and Perry. Cards: Ugarte-Edwards (RED - 2 x Y 38 mins & 45+10 mins)) Referee:Paul Gregory (John Walker)

Kwai MarshBrown Man Of The Match versus Berkhampstead

Opponent Spotlight KEMPSTON ROVERS

Kempston Rovers over 135 years of Football History Kempston Rovers were formed in 1884 and entered the Bedford & District League. Rover’s first league championship was won in 1908 and twelve months later Rover’s retained the title while also carrying off the Bedfordshire Senior Cup and North Beds Charity Cup. The Walnut Boys, the club’s official nickname, comes from the large walnut orchard in Kempston around the time of foundation. 1973 saw the start of a new era as Kempston relocated to a new ground further down Hillgrounds Road. A magnificent season saw the Walnut Boys storm to the Premier title losing only once in 32 games. A golden period in the club's history saw League Cup successes in 1975 and 1977; the Beds Senior Cup was again captured in 1977 while the Walnut Boys reached the last 16 of the FA Vase in 1975. In 1986, the club moved again, this time to the current ground, their third in the same road. Kempston last won the county’s highest honour, the Beds. Senior Cup, in 1992, the fourth time the trophy has come to Hillgrounds. In 2002 Kempston Rovers and Kempston Colts began an alliance to pool resources/personnel under the name AFC Kempston. The youth teams at Rovers still go by the name “Colts”, keeping the history of youth football in the town alive. The beginning of 2005 saw the start of major re-developments at Hillgrounds Road with the building of new changing facilities and the building of an artificial training pitch, which is available to book all year round for training sessions, small sided games or just a kick around with friends. The new ground facilities were completed in 2006 and along with a new stand; on-going ground improvements and the existing clubhouse refurbished and ready to hire for functions and events, Kempston now have some of the best facilities in the area for non-league football.

Opponent Spotlight KEMPSTON ROVERS In 2015-16, Rovers won the United Counties Football League Premier Division, with a thrilling final win on the last day of the season, a campaign in which they only lost one league game. This resulted in promotion and saw us move into the Southern League Division One which represents the highest level we have attained within the FA pyramid system so far. Since promotion, the club has twice narrowly missed out on a place in the end of season promotion play offs. Tony Joyce took over as manager in November 2018 and has reshaped the side in his own unique image, guiding the team through some tough transitions. Tony Joyce resigned as manager during pre season ahead of the 2021/22 season. Scott Dash was appointed manager ahead of the of the 2021/22 season, he will be assisted by Mark Royal. The club currently operates one of the largest youth systems in the county, with over thirty sides at various age groups with a reserve side, an County League team, a Sunday side and a senior women’s team for players to progress all the way through. In the summer of 2021 Kempston Rovers Academy was launched, this will provide students with full time education and professional football coaching . Kempston Rovers, the heart of the community.

Opponent Spotlight KEMPSTON ROVERS Club Cup Honours Beds County Cup Winners: 1908-09 Beds Premier Cup Finalists: 1991-92 Beds Senior Cup Winners: 1937-38, 1976-77, 1991-92 Finalists: 1926-27, 1927-28, 1928-29, 1992-93 Beds Senior Trophy Finalist: 2008-09 Beds County under 18 Floodlight challenge Cup Winners: 2008-09 Beds Intermediate Cup Winners: 1976-77, Finalists: 1977-78, 2019-20 (to be played) Beds County Hospital Cup Winners: 1930-31, 1932-33, 1935-36, 1936-37, 193839 North Beds Charity Cup Winners: 1908-09, 1934-35, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 201516, Finalists: 1910-11, 1935-36 Hinchingbrooke Cup Winners: 1926-27, 1928-29, 2010-11, Finalists: 1923-24, 1930-31, 1932-33, 1947-48 Hunts Premier Cup Winners: 1999-2000, 2000-01 UCL Premier Division KO Cup Winners: 1974-75, 1976-77 UCL Premier/Division 1 KO Cup Finalists: 1999-2000 UCL Division 1 KO Cup Winners: 1957-58, 1959-60, Finalists: 1956-57, 1960-61 UCL Division 2 KO Cup Winners: 1955-56, 1974-75, Finalists: 1972-73 UCL Reserve Division KO Cup 2012-13, 2019-20 Britannia Cup Winners: 1957-58, 1958-59 Finalists: 1947-48 Beds Sunday Junior Cup Winners: 1989-90 Bedford & District Under 16 Cup Finalists: 1995-96 Bedford & District Under 18 Cup Winners: 1983-84 Lisa Slater Memorial Shield Finalists: 2004-05 (AFC Kempston Rovers Ladies) Eastern Region League Plate Winners: 2005-06 (AFC Kempston Rovers Ladies)

Opponent Spotlight KEMPSTON ROVERS Club League Honours UCL Premier Division Champions: 1973-74, 2015-16 UCL Division 1 Champions: 1957-58, 1985-86, 2010-11, Runners Up: 1956-57, 1959-60 UCL Division 2 Champions: 1955-56 Runners Up: 1967-68 Bedford & District Premier League Champions: 1958-59, 1960-61, Runners Up: 1959-60 Bedford & District League Division 1 Champions: 1907-08, 1908-09 Bedford & District League Division 2 Champions: 1922-23, 1933-34 Biggleswade & District League Division 1 Champions: 1911-12, Runners Up: 1909-10 Bedford & District Under 14 Colts League Champions: 1985-86 Bedford & District Under 16 Colts League Champions: 1973-74 Bedford & District Under 18 Colts League Runners Up: 1974-75 Bedford & District Sunday League Division 1 Runners Up: 1990-91 Bedford & District Sunday League Division 2 Runners Up: 1989-90 Bedford & District Sunday League Division 4 Champions: 1987-88 Eastern Region League Division 1 West Champions: 2005-06 (AFC Kempston Rovers Ladies) Eastern Region League Division 1 West Runners Up: 2004-05 (AFC Kempston Rovers Ladies) Chiltern Youth League Under 18 Division 1 Champions: 2017-18

Opponent Spotlight PLAYER PROFILES

Kempston Rovers Football Club Pen Pictures 2020/2021

Carl Knox – Goalkeeper – Carl signed for Kempston in 2014 an experienced goal keeper was a member of our 2015-16 UCL Premier Division and North Beds Cup winning squad. Injury curtailed his 19-20 season. Michael Hudson – Goalkeeper – Michael made his first team debut last season and has been a key figure in the reserves and under 18s in recent years Harvey Laws – Defender – Harvey joined Kempston at the start of preseason ahead of the 2021/22 season, previously played for Racing Club Warwick. Migel Lopes DeMatos – Defender - Migel signed for Kempston in August 2021 from Cobham FC, previously played step four football at Northwood. Tarik Dallas – Defender – Tarik rejoined Kempston in August 2021 having previously played for our Under 21 team. Tarik has also played for St Neots Town. Charlie Hayford – Midfielder – Charlie signed in August 2021, Charlie has previous step four experince at Uxbridge and Northwood. Jack Quigley – Midfielder – Jack signed for Kempston in pre season 2021, previous clubs include St Neots and Potton. Caleb Steele – Midfielder – Caleb joins Kempston having previous step four experience at Waltham Abbey and Welwyn Garden City, signed August 2021. Taylor Bakogeorge - Att – Taylor is a rapid winger, he has been at the forefront of the team’s goal scoring charts since he joined last season, he has already hit double figures this season with a very Impressive goals to games ratio. Harry Stratton – Midfielder – Harry has re-joined Kempston from Newport Pagnell to pick up where he left off at the end of the 2017-18 season, establishing himself as a fan favourite and enjoying the sounds of Sham69’s classic “Hurry Up Harry” ringing out from the terraces. Ben Baker – Midfielder – Ben, a pacy and tricky wide player, joined Rovers in the Autumn of 2019 as The Walnut Boys sought to re-shape the midfield.

Opponent Spotlight PLAYER PROFILES

Kempston Rovers Football Club Pen Pictures 2020/2021

Emmanuel Dahie – Midfielder – Manny had featured for the development side. His technique and eye for goal led him to be top scorer for the Devs in the 2017-18 season. Adam Drakulic – Midfielder – Adam joined in August 2010 from Biggleswade FC, having previously played for Barton, Stotfold and Sun Postals.

Scott Dash – Manager – Scott was appointed manger in August 2021. Scott started his playing carrer at Wycombe Wanderers, before having spells at Hayes & Yeading , Hillingdon Borough and Beaconsfield Town. A knee injury forced Scott to retire from playing, he went into coaching Leverstock Green Under 18 , before managing the senior team leading them to silverware in the St Mary Cup. Scott has previously managed Step four side Northwood and was assistant manger at Chalfont St Peter.

The Southern League Division One Central

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Manager - Peter Gill Assistant - Sean Greygoose GK Coach - Gary Dean Physio - Craig Lambert Kitman - Mick Hunt

Manager – Mark Burke Assistant - Adam Parker GK Coach - Richard Wilmot Physio - Nick Sopowski, Charlotte Wright, Sam Backhouse

Squad List

Louis Chadwick (GK) George Whitehall (GK) Brooklyn Peacock (GK) Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite Gradi Milenge Lee Watkins (c) Callum Anderson Joe Rider Neo Richard-Noel Myles Cowling Wynford Marfo Charlie Johnson Joshua Green Marc Abbott Charley Barker Aaron Smith Ryan Thomas Kwai Marsh-Brown Kyjuon Marsh-Brown Ben Heal Julinho Gomes Max Smalley

Carl Knox – GK Michael Hudson - GK Harvey Laws Migel Lopes DeMatos Tarik Dallas Enoch Mensah James Cooper Sam Gibson Joseph Debayo Kyle Lincoln Brain Testolin Harry Lodovica Trey Charles Taylor Bakogeorge Charlie Hayford Jack Quigley Adam Drakulic Caleb Steele Ben Baker Emmanuel Dahie Harry Stratton

Colours Navy/Light Blue quarters Dark blue short Light blue socks

Referee Joe Woolmer

Colours First – Red/White Shirts, Black Shorts & Socks Second – Yellow Shirts, Black or Red shorts, Black or Red socks Alternate – Royal Blue shirts, Royal shorts, Lime socks Alternate – Lime green shirts, Green Shorts, Lime socks GK – choice of; Blue, Yellow or Orange

Assistant 1 David Jarrett

Next Home Match V Welwyn Garden City FC Saturday 15th Jan 3.00pm KO Gates Open 1.30pm

Assistant 2 Hanna Scott

Next Home Match V Biggleswde FC Saturday 29th January 3.00 pm KO Gates Open 1.30pm