St Neots St Neots
Town F.C. Town F.C.
Established 1879
Established 1879
President - JohnWalker
BoardofDirectors
CEO-LouiseSales
Chairman-BarryCavilla
Secretary/Director- GaryWilson
CommercialDirector- MarkGearing
DirectorofFootball- IainParr
Director-JezGreen
Director-MikeGreen
BoardMember- BrianBarnes
BoardMember- AndyClay
BoardMember -DanielDodson
SaintsMatchDayTeam
FixtureSecretary- MarionIzzard
Hospitality-AndyandEvelynClay,PaulaRobertson
StadiumAnnouncer- MikeGreen
Music-CharlieGreen
Catering-DianeSales
Media
PressOfficer- MikeGreen
MatchReports-JohnWalker
SocialMedia- MikeGreen,GrayhamBonfield,CharlieGreen
GroundStaff
Pitchmaintenance- BarryOakley, BarryCavilla, BobCarpenter
FirstTeam
Manager-CameronMawer
AssistantManager-SteveKuhne Coach-AlexMinall
GKCoach-GaryDean
Physio-CraigLambert
KitMan-MickHunt
U18Manager-MarkPleasants
Assistant-TylaJoseph
Academy
Manager-AlexMinall ClubWelfareOfficer- MickHunt
Academyenquiries -Alexsntfcacademy@gmail.com
ClubInformation
Address: RowleyPark,KesterWay, StNeots,Cambs., PE196SL
Website-www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
Enquires-enquires@stneotstownfc.co.uk
CommercialEnquiries- mehmetmi@hotmail.com
Events-misslouises@yahoo.co.uk
Ownership:
Inaccordancewiththefootballassociationleaguerule2.13 publicationofownershipinrelationtostep1-4withinthe footballpyramid,weherebyconfirmthelegalstatusofStNeotsTownFootballClubIdentificationNumber02921210,andis aPrivateLimitedCompany
Forthepurposesofpublicationofownershipwecanconfirmthatthefollowing arelistedasDirectorsoftheCompany: LeeKearns(Significantinterest70%),IainParr,LouiseSales,GaryWilson,MehmetMimogluandasNonExecutiveDirectors MikeGreen,JeremyGreen,andBarryCavilla CompanySecretaryGaryWilson
Greenie’s Greetings
With Director Mike Green
"GoodafternooneveryoneandwelcomebacktothePremier PlusStadiumfortoday‘sIsuzuFAVaseSecondRound QualifyingRoundmatch.Inthisedition,weextendawarm welcometotheplayers,officialsandsupportersofDownham TownFootballClubandwehopeyouenjoyourhospitalitythis afternoononyourfirstevervisittoRowleyPark”.
Herewegothenladiesandgents,theroadtoWembleycontinuesherethisafternoon withahomegameafterarunoftrickyawaygameswhichbeganwiththeEmiratesFA CupReplayatBarkingwhichwesomehowcontrivedtoloseinextratimeandthiswas followedjustfourdayslaterbyatriptoNewarkTownintheUCLLeagueKOCup.Three goalstothegoodandseeminglycoasting,wecapitulatedinthesecondhalftoshipfive goalsanddisappointinglyexitthecompetitionatthePreliminaryroundstageforthe secondyearrunning.SaturdaysawusreturntoLeagueaction(justourfifthgame played)andweheadedtoLeicesterNirvana,whohadpreviouslybeenbeatenjustonce thisseason.Thistimeitwasourturntospinthegameonit’shead,findingourselves2-0 downatthebreakandscoringthreetimesinthesecondhalftotakethepoints,winning bytheoddgoalinfive.TuesdayeveningsawusmaketherelativelyshorttriptoMarch TownUnited,alwaysatrickyplacetogoandplayandsothisprovedtobethecaseaswe cameawayonthewrongendofa3-1scoreline.Nottheidealpreparationfortodaybut wedustourselvesdownandmpoveforward.
Backtotoday’sgameandweentertainDownhamTown fromtheThurlowNunnLeaguePremierDivision.They currentlysitmidtableandI’msurewewillhavetobe backatourabsolutebesttoprogressthisafternoon
Asalways,getbehindtheladsfromthefirstwhistle.
Saints Social Media Sponsor
We are delighted to have ADP Fire and Security as our Media Sponsors for the 2023/24 Season
BoardroomGossip
From The Dugout
WithChairmanBarryCavilla
With Manager Cameron Mawer
"’d like to give everyone associated to Downham Town a warm welcome to the Premier Plus Stadium. Downham are a side in form winning 4 on the spin scoring 11 goals in that time and beating the current league leaders of their league. The FA Vase brings excitement as we are all playing for a place at Wembley further down the line. We have seen rivals Newport Pagnell do it a few years ago, this gives everyone hope that it’s a competition they can progress in“.
It’s been two and a half weeks since I last wrote my program notes and since then we have had four tough away games starting with the replay away in Barking on a Tuesday night and after missing a last minute penalty we ended up losing in extra time, then we traveled to Newark another tough UCL north side and after being 3-0 up we lost a grip of the game and ended up losing 5-3. We had better luck in Leicester after a long trip down we found ourselves 2-0 down, but we showed great fighting spirit to win the game 3-2. On Tuesday we made the trip to March Town and lost 3-1 including a very dubious goal. It’s been a tough period but we had tough times last season and this team will bounce back stronger and I have no doubt they will again.
It’s going to be a long season with plenty of ups and downs. It’s hard to work out the true reflection of the league table and where everyone sits with so many differences in games played. But now it’s the time for us as a side to get our head down and go and fight for every point available as we continue a tough period of games as they come thick and fast.
Saturday will be twenty one days since we played at home and there’s no place like home, so we look forward to seeing and hearing you Saturday.
#inittogether
BoardroomGossip
Boardroom Gossip
WithChairmanBarryCavilla
With Chairman Barry Cavilla
“Goodafternoonandwelcomeeveryone.Todayweareplayingin theFAVaseforaplaceinthenextroundofatrophythatmany teamswouldliketoprogressasfaraspossibleandmaybe,just maybewithconsistencygoodperformancesandabitofthatold LadyLuckgettheHallowedTurfofWembley.Iwouldliketo welcomeallthePlayers,OfficalsandSupportersofourvisitors thisafternoonDownhamTownFC”.
Downhamhavehadareasonablestarttotheirseasonandsitinmidtablebuthave recentlyshownsomefineform,soCameronandtheladswillneedtobeattheirvery bestiftheyarelookingtoprogressfurtherandbeinthehatfornextround.
Wellit’sbeenaninterestingfewweekssincelastcommunicatingwithyouall.Several Awayfixtureontherunhasgivenmixedfortunestodate.OurawaytriptoNewark provedtobearealjeckle&Hydeperformance,afterbeing3-0tothegoodafter60mins ,wethenlettheleadslipawayafterallthehardworkandrunoutsecond;provingavery frustratingafternooninNottinghamshireforall.Howeverafteraweeksbreakandabit ofhardworkonthetrainingground,theSaintstravelledtoLeicesterNirvanalast Saturdayandafteradifficultfirsthalfagainstaverystrongwindandadirectapproach fromLeicester,theSaintsfoundthemselves2-0behindathalftime.Aftertherestartthe Saintscameoutinarealpositivefashionandtookthegametoourhostsandcame awaywithaexcellent3-2victoryand3valuablepointsto keepusintouchwiththeleadingpack.
TuesdaysawustravelltothemuchfanciedMarchtown:after abrightstartandMarchtakingearlylead,HarveyWilliams hitastunnertogetusbackonleveltermsonlyforMarchto regainleadbeforehalftimeandgettingbehindourdefence foraeasytapintogoin2-1tothegood.Unfortunatelythe SaintscouldnotgetintoanyrhythmandMarchstartedto controlthegameandaddeda3rdgoaltosealthevictoryand lefttheSaintswondering.Nowit’stimetoregroupanddust ourselvesdownandstarttogetsomecleansheetsandbuild on.SohopefullytheLadscangetbacktotheiroldselvesand findthatformthatwillgivethemconfidencetopushonwards andupwardstogether.
Barry Barry Barry
Today’s match ball sponsor is the U11 Yellows from Priory Parkside FC, who are also our mascots for today’s fixture.
The U11 Yellow team are one of 20 teams within Priory Parkside FC, including 5 all girls teams. The club also offers Mini Soccer (Reception to Year 4), Wildcats (5-11 years) and Squad (11-14 years), as well as our popular Pumas group (516 years) for young people with additional needs.
To find out more about joining one of our sessions, being part of a team or volunteering with us, please email prioryfcsecretary@gmail.com
SuitableFor:
Smallerweddingvenues/receptions&eveningparties
Smallerconferenceandbusinessmeetingfacilities
PartyCelebrationsyoungandold
Funeralwakes
Eventhire
Musicevents
Presentationevents
Amodernbarservingavastrangeofbeers,ciders,wines&softdrink WecaterforallfoodrequirementsincludingBuffetmenu’s,HogRoasts,Barbeques, Smalldancefloorperfectforanypartyorsmallweddingreception
Comfydiningfurnitureconfiguredtosuitrequirements.
Thispartyvenuecanbedressed/decoratedtosuitthecelebration.
FriendlyandexperiencedStNeotsstaff
Plentyofparking
Veryadaptable
Allourfacilitiesarewheelchairaccessible
SuitableFor:
Weddingvenues/receptions&eveningparties
Conferenceandbusinessmeetingfacilities
PartyCelebrationsyoungandold
Largefuneralwakes
Eventhire
Trade&CraftFaresetc
Musicevents
Presentationevents
Alarge,impressivebarservingavastrangeofbeers,ciders,wines&softdrinks WecaterforallfoodrequirementsincludingBuffetmenu’s,HogRoasts,Barbeques. Stageareaforbands,disco,andproductions
Alargeroomydancefloorperfectforanyweddingreception
Comfydiningfurnitureconfiguredtosuitrequirements
Thispartyvenuecanbedressed/decoratedtosuitthecelebration
FriendlyandexperiencedStNeotsstaff
Plentyofparking
Allourfacilitiesarewheelchairaccessible
WedohavealargeprojectorintheGregorySuitethatcanbeusedforcorporateevents.
Player Sponsorship Season 2024/25
(President)
St Neots Town Reserves Old
Saints Ambassadors
DAMMY
BLAST FROM THE PAST
ST NEOTS TOWN 11
FELIXSTOWE & WALTON 0
The big news in the week was St Neots’ signing of former Aston Villa striker Stefan Moore from Halesowen Town for a ‘five figure’ transfer fee. Stefan in his first full season in non-league football scored 39 goals for Halesowen winning the Zamaretto Premier League Golden boot for 2009/10 in the process. Within three minutes playing time of his debut for St Neots he had scored, and he added a further three goals to his tally by half time as St Neots led by a record breaking nine goals to nil. It was inevitable that the tempo would drop after the break but Felixstowe refused to give up despite the score line and to their great credit they restricted St Neots to just two further goals in the second half. A series of substitutions did little to sustain the electric pace of the first half but this was to be St Neots biggest victory in any football since 1968/69 season. Although Moore rightly takes the limelight, he was greatly assisted by an outstanding all round team performance and especially by Shane Tolley whose second hat trick for the club took his personal tally to thirteen in just eight appearances.
In the most dramatic of starts to a football match the first six minutes of play contained three goals for St Neots and the sad sight of the visiting goalkeeper Liam Jones being stretchered off with a suspected broken ankle. That happed after just seventy seconds in St Neots first attack when the keeper collided heavily with Will Fordham at a corner. It took five minutes for the injured player to be stabilized and removed from the pitch and replacement goalkeeper James Waters came on and within three minutes saw a brilliant lob by Stefan Moore fly over his head and inside the far post. Less than a minute later it was 2-0 as Lewis Hilliard miss hit a shot across the face of goal and Lewis Webb rose to head home and after eleven minutes Shane Tolley celebrated his UCL award as September leading scorer by drifting past two defenders to score with a well placed shot. After 19 minutes a superbly unselfish short pass by Moroe set up Shane Tolley for his second goal and seven minutes later Hilliard was brought down on the edge of the area and Will Fordham’s free kick was too hot for the keeper who got his hands to the ball but could not hold it. Moore then hit a post as St Neots piled on the pressure but his second and St Neots sixth goal was probably the pick of the lot.Fordham was the provider with a delightful short pass to Stefan Moore who accelerated past a statuesque defender and rounded the keeper to tap in from close range.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
When Moore was tripped by Martin Calver in the penalty area it was almost inevitable that he would pick himself up to complete his hat trick as he scored from the penalty kick with a tap in after his first effort had been parried by the unlucky Waters. Two more goals in the three minutes before the break from Lewis Hilliard and Stefam Moore made it 9-0 at the break.
Felixstowe looked far more determined after half time and Adam Hampson had their first real shot of the match after 49 minutes well saved by the previous spectatorial Luke McShane and two minutes later Dan Spencer missed a gilt edged chance with a misdirected header. However St Neots continued to create chances and from a Rob Hughes corner Will Fordham planted a header onto the roof of the net. After 62 minutes it was Fordham again the creator with a shrewd through pass to Shane Tolley whose pace took him past the last defender to send the score into double figures and with Tony Scully and Roy Essendoh on for Lewis Hilliard and Adam Jones new boy Moore was then handed a midfield role. He responded by laying ion the last of the eleven goals for Dan Jacob and that was deserved reward for another impressive performance. Roy Essendoh almost became the seventh scorer for St Neots but his header was cleared off the line by substitute George MacCallum.
St Neots: McShane, Jones, Hyem (M), Webb, Fuff, Fordham, Hilliard, Hughes, Moore, Tolley, Jacob.
Subs: Essendoh (for Jones 59 mins), Scully (for Hilliard 65 mins), French (for Hughes 73 mins) Haniver & Trebes.
Man of the match: Stefan Moore
John Walker.
The Saints Community
Memorial Wall
Wewouldliketoformally announcethattheSaints CommunityMemorial Wallisnowreadyand opportunitiesfor Supporterstoremember theirlovedones,whomay havebeenSaints Supportersthemselves, arenowavailable.
The Wall is completely under cover and protected from the elements and the flowers/shrubbery are cared for and tended to on a daily basis by our dedicated grounds staff. We would like to thank Kite Utilities, Ballinger Construction and Oasis Promotions and Print for all their collective help in getting this project from an idea by Chairman Barry Cavilla to a quite splendid addition to our stadium.
Stainless steel wall plaques are now available for loving messages to be engraved in the following two options:
6” x 4” Stainless Steel Wall plaque – Lasered with black text (feels smooth to touch)
Can come with 4 countersunk screws – or they can be without and glued
Total cost £36.00
8” x 4” Stainless Steel Wall plaque – Lasered with black text (feels smooth to touch)
Can come with 4 countersunk screws – or they can be without and glued
Total cost £48.00
Any interested supporters should contact Chairman Barry Cavilla for further details via email on bcavilla77@gmail.com or in person at The Premier Plus Stadium on a matchday.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Matchday Sponsorship Opportunities
Seasons Past - Seasons Past - With John Walker With John Walker
This Edition Focuses on Season This Edition Focuses on Season 2004/05 2004/05
Thisisthesixthinaseriesofhistoricalrecords,highlightingthistimeanotherseasonatour Thisisthesixthinaseriesofhistoricalrecords,highlightingthistimeanotherseasonatour RowleyParkstadiumdepictingboththehighsandthelowsintherecentproudhistoryof RowleyParkstadiumdepictingboththehighsandthelowsintherecentproudhistoryof ttheClub. heClub.IItprovedtobeanotherverydisappointingseasonmarkedbyapoorstarttothe tprovedtobeanotherverydisappointingseasonmarkedbyapoorstarttothe seasonandanevenworsefinish! seasonandanevenworsefinish! Alackoffundsseemedtobetheunderlyingreasonfor Alackoffundsseemedtobetheunderlyingreasonfor tthisdeclineandafterhisverysuccessfulseasonatthehelmin2003/04JohnTaylorstayed hisdeclineandafterhisverysuccessfulseasonatthehelmin2003/04JohnTaylorstayed jjustfourmonthsbeforeresigning. ustfourmonthsbeforeresigning. FormergroundsmanKenDavisonwithlittlemanagerial FormergroundsmanKenDavisonwithlittlemanagerial experiencetohisnamewasbroughtintoreplacehimandhepresidedoveranexitofmost experiencetohisnamewasbroughtintoreplacehimandhepresidedoveranexitofmost oftheseniorplayers.KenresignedinMarchwithjustoveramonthoftheseason oftheseniorplayers.KenresignedinMarchwithjustoveramonthoftheseason remaining,withChrisHowellreturning.Theresultoftheensuingchaoswasthattheteam remaining,withChrisHowellreturning.Theresultoftheensuingchaoswasthattheteam llostallsevenoftheirfinalleaguematches.Despiteplaying52matchesinleagueandcup ostallsevenoftheirfinalleaguematches.Despiteplaying52matchesinleagueandcup noplayerrecordedahattrick–thisforthefirsttimeinaseasonsincemovingtoRowley noplayerrecordedahattrick–thisforthefirsttimeinaseasonsincemovingtoRowley Park! Park!
Thepoorstarttotheseasonsawjustthreewinsinourfirstelevenmatches.Goalscoring Thepoorstarttotheseasonsawjustthreewinsinourfirstelevenmatches.Goalscoring wasclearlyaproblembecausewefailedtoscoreinsixofour21homeleaguegamesanda wasclearlyaproblembecausewefailedtoscoreinsixofour21homeleaguegamesanda ffurtherfouraway. urtherfouraway.
Despitesevenofourtencupmatchesbeingathometheseniorsidefailedtowinatrophy Despitesevenofourtencupmatchesbeingathometheseniorsidefailedtowinatrophy althoughwewererunnersuptoPottonUnitedintheHinchingbrookeCupwiththe althoughwewererunnersuptoPottonUnitedintheHinchingbrookeCupwiththe HuntingdonshireSeniorCuphomedefeatbyPeterboroughLeaguesideHotpointanotable HuntingdonshireSeniorCuphomedefeatbyPeterboroughLeaguesideHotpointanotable llowpoint. owpoint.
TheReservesideliftedtheHuntingdonshireBenevolentCupfortheseventhtimedefeating TheReservesideliftedtheHuntingdonshireBenevolentCupfortheseventhtimedefeating GodmanchesterReserves3-0afterextratime. GodmanchesterReserves3-0afterextratime.
Ourleadingscorerswereasfollows: Ourleadingscorerswereasfollows:
··LiamHarrold LiamHarrold 111 1
··BarryDellar BarryDellar 8 8
··SimonClaridge SimonClaridge 7 7
··Ronniefortune Ronniefortune 6 6
··OzzieFoster OzzieFoster 5 5
··PeterSaunders PeterSaunders 5 5
John Walker's Match Preview
Downham Town FC
Year formed: 1881 Chairman: Dale Stokes Club Website: www.downhamtownfc.com
GOOD ARTERNOON AND A VERY WARM WELCOME TO THE PREMIER PLUS STADIUM TO DOWNHAM TOWN FOR OUR FIRST EVER MEETING
Downham Town are members of the Premier Division of the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League and are currently eleventh in the league table with four wins and two defeats in their six completed matches. They received a bye in the previous round so this is where they enter the FA Vase this season. Last season they finished 7th in the final league table winning half of their 36 league matches and drawing a further seven. They recorded a particularly memorable end to last season picking up the Norfolk Senior Cup for only the third time in their history when they defeated Stowmarket Town 2-0 in the Final. Our two sides have never met because when we were members of the Eastern Counties League between 1969 and 1973, Downham were playing in the Peterborough and District League winning five league championships between 1962 and 1988.In the FA Cup this season Downham bowed out at the first hurdle beaten at home by Ipswich Wanderers whilst last season they also fell in their first match beaten 1-0 away at Kirkley and Pakefield. However, in the FA Vase last season they capitalised on three successive home draws beating Swaffham, Newmarket and Coggeshall before suffering the same fate as our lads – beaten by eventual runners-up at Wembley, Great Wakering Rovers. In their league Cup competition, they are due to travel to FC Peterborough on 6th November.
Previous meetings of our teams: none
Enjoy the match.
John Walker
St Neots Town Academy Team Sponsors
John Walker's Match Report
BARKING FC (H)
31-08-2024
EMIRATES FA CUP FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING
ST NEOTS TOWN 2
BARKING 2
Each side led the other in an entertaining match, but St Neots were left counting the cost of a midweek replay in Essex after squandering a host of second half chances. Fortune also played a part with three second half efforts from the home side rebounding from the woodwork and visiting goalkeeper Max Spence left the town after a memorable display behind his overworked defence. Barking were a determined and resolute opposition but having been outplayed in a one-way second half, they will regard a second chance as a bonus. With Dan Walker cup-tied and Nathan George and Lil Francisco rested, into the side came Harvey Williams, Dammy Nickels and skipper Robert Parker.
St Neots thought they should have been awarded a second minute penalty when Kieran Barnes tumbled in the penalty area in their first attack, but the Referee waved play on. However, in their first foray into the St Neots half after nine minutes the visitors took a surprise lead as lone striker Juwon Akintunde chased a long ball into the penalty area and somehow managed to squeeze the ball past defender and goalkeeper from a narrow angle. St Neots responded with Barnes testing the visiting keeper Max Spence after 15 minutes with a close range shot but just sixty seconds later James Reynolds cut in past two defenders but sent his effort high over the bar. The equaliser came after 24 minutes when the Referee played a good advantage when Michael Amaeshike was brought down. Allowing play to continue, the lively Connor Furlong set Sam Willis through the visiting defence to level the scores with a crisp finish. From a Dammy Nickells corner after 36 minutes, Rhys Thorpe won the ball at the near post only to see his header rebound from the woodwork and then Harvey Williams went clear but shot across the face of goal. On the stroke of half time Thorpe headed narrowly wide from a Williams cross.
John Walker's Match Report
BARKING FC (H)
31-08-2024
With Lil Francisco on for Nickels, St Neots took the lead in the second minute after the break when the lively Furlong set up Kieran Barnes for St Neots’ second goal with the visiting keeper looking unsighted. From that point on, St Neots looked likely winners with Spence in constant action denying Barnes and Thorpe. A second St Neots substitute Danny Baulk should have added to the score after a defensive error, but he skied his effort over the bar after 65 minutes. Then, in a rare breakaway attack completely against the run of play, the visitors levelled the scores as Juwon Akintunde wide on the bye line sent his narrow-angled shot off the body of the unfortunate Parker into the net to level the scores. In response the lively Barnes saw two efforts blocked on the goal line and in the next ten minutes both Amaeshike and Barnes saw efforts denied by the woodwork. Three minutes from time a thunderous free kick by Barnes saw the visiting keeper beaten but the ball rattled the underside of the crossbar and was scrambled clear. So, it is now off to Essex for a midweek replay.
St Neots Town: Goff, Nickels, Culkin, Willis, Parker, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams
Subs: Francisco (for Nickels 52 mins), Baulk (for Furlong 55 mins), George, Hatch and Joseph
Cards: Nickels (Y – 34 mins)
Barking: Spence, Smith, Bacon, Edwards, Cosson, Stacey, Reynolds, Greenslade, Akintunde, McDonald, Badenosi
Subs: McDonald (for Reynolds 52 mins), Adejokun (for Greenslade 79 mins), Mignot, Thomson, Jackson, Shobowale, and Monks.
Cards: Bacon (Y – 42 mins), Adejokun (Y – 81 mins), Edwards (Y – 90+6 mins)
Attendance: 338
Referee: Andrew Hitchcox (Peterborough)
John Walker
John Walker's Match Report
BARKING FC (A) REPLAY
03-09-2024
FA CUP FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING REPLAY
BARKING 3 ST NEOTS TOWN 2 (after extra time)
St Neots bowed out of the FA Cup in disappointing style in East London in their midweek replay. They led twice in a see-saw match but were knocked out by an extra time goal when their opponents were reduced to ten men. With Connor Furlong and Harvey Williams both sidelined with injuries sustained in the first match and Kieran Barnes unavailable, St Neots had to make major team changes in attack so into the side came Nathan George, James Hatch and Danny Baulk with skipper Robbie Parker moving into midfield and Michael Amaeshike moving forward into a striking role. In a very competitive encounter, the Referee issued eight yellow cards in addition to the sending-off and St Neots were eventually beaten by a 105th minute extra time goal after they had missed a penalty kick in time added after the first 90 minutes.
Competitive from the start the home side picked up their first booking after just seven minutes when Juwon Akintunde was penalised for preventing James Hatch from kicking from his hand and it was lucky thirteen for the visitors when in that minute Michael Amaeshike converted a James Hatch knock-down from a Dammy Nickels free kick to put St Neots ahead. The home side had adopted a more attacking approach than in the first match and Teddy Stacey headed over from a Sam Edwards free kick and Marcel McDonald broke clear of the visiting defence but fired wildly over the bar. St Neots best chance on the break fell to the lively Sam Willis but he volleyed wide after good work by Danny Baulk. The Referee played a good advantage when Rhys Thorpe was felled in midfield and when the St Neots attack foundered the official booked Ryan Cosson for the late challenge. The first half ended with Amaeshike testing home keeper Max Spence.
The home side dominated possession at the start of the second half but made little progress against a well organised St Neots defence. Goff saved well from Bradley McDonald, but the best efforts of the home side failed to produce any real threat on the visitors’ goal. Then after 72 minutes St Neots’ defence was breached as Ezekial Bademosi punished some defensive hesitancy as he levelled the scores. The visitors’ response was positive and six minutes later James Hatch claimed his first St Neots goal of the season with a close-range finish to put his side back into the lead.
John Walker's Match Report
BARKING FC (A) REPLAY
03-09-2024
With the clock ticking down that should have seen St Neots hang onto their narrow advantage but three minutes later the two side were level again as from a Jay Bacon free kick, Teddy Stacey got behind the St Neots defence to level the scores again. A minute into added time St Neots should have clinched victory when Amaeshike was upended by the home keeper, but Thorpe’s poorly struck penalty kick was saved by Spencer. Deep into added time Barking was reduced to ten men when Miles Smith was sent off.
St Neots looked to be weary at the start of the extra time and with Lil Francisco on to replace James Hatch they were searching for some inspiration. The home side with substitutes on looked to have grasped the early momentum and they were rewarded after 104 minutes when one of their replacement players Jalen Johnson produced a burst of speed past tiring defenders to put his side ahead for the first time in the match. St Neots had to rally in the final 15 minutes, but the home side opted to pull players back to defend their narrow advantage. St Neots pushed players forward but failed to test the packed home defence that held out for their reward trip to Gorleston in the next round.
St Neots: Goff, Nickels, Culkin, Parker, George, Bowen, Thorpe, Willis, Hatch, Amaeshike, Baulk
Subs: Francisco (for Hatch 96 mins), Joseph (for Baulk 105 mins), Mawer (for Willis 112 mins), and Bomolo.
Cards: Parker (Y – 17 mins), Baulk (Y – 58 mins), Thorpe (Y – 66 mins), Nickels (Y -109 mins), Bowen (Y – 112 mins)
Barking: Spence, Smith, Bacon, Edwards, Cosson, Stacey, Badimosi, Greenslade, Akintunde, McDonald (M), McDonald (B)
Subs: Cobblah (for Edwards 71 mins), Reynolds (for McDonald (M) 81 mins), Johnson (for Bademosi 83 mins), Malek (for Akintunde 107 mins). Mignot (for McDonald (B) 117 mins)
Cards: Smith (RED – 90+5 mins), Akintunde (Y – 7 mins), Cosson (Y – 36 mins), Stacey (Y – 58 mins)
Referee: Joe Gray (Tooting)
John Walker
John Walker's Match Report
NEWARK TOWN (A)
07-09-2024
SPORTS GROUND DEVELOPMENT UCL KO CUP
NEWARK TOWN 5 ST NEOTS TOWN 3
St Neots experienced the full range of emotions at Newark – knocked out of the League Cup in the preliminary round for the second successive season. For the first fifty-five minutes their performance was good as they racked up a three goals lead. However, it all went wrong just four minutes later and for the final thirty-five minutes of the match their overall performance was bad, and they returned home with an ugly 5-3 defeat knocked out of the KO Cup in consecutive seasons by sides from the North Division of the UCL. To lead 3-0 but then to concede five goals in just 35 minutes would be considered inconceivable had it just not happened. Manager Cameron Mawer must now restore some confidence – especially in his defenders, with two important away league fixtures prior to the home FA Vase visit of Downham Town later in the month.
The Manager had made three team changes with Dan Walker returning after being cup tied for the two FA Cup fixtures, Harvey Williams was back after injury and Lil Francisco was preferred at full back with Dammy Nickels, Dan Baulk and James Hatch making way.
It all began very promisingly with St Neots dominating the attacking play and keeping home keeper Josh Wilson in almost constant action. After a quarter of an hour Sam Willis won a corner which Dan Walker sent to the far post where Murphy Culkin got above the defence to nod in via the woodwork for his first goal of the season to put the visitors in control. The home keeper saved well from Walker and Rhys Thorpe whilst in a rare Newark sortie James Goff had to save bravely at the feet of Ryan Smith. The one-way traffic continued as both Walker and Thorpe were too high with their efforts from good approach play and then Wilson did well to rush from his line to save at the feet of Thorpe. Then four minutes into added time at the end of the half St Neots doubled their lead with a goal direct from an inswinging corner delivered by Dan Walker.
John Walker's Match Report
NEWARK TOWN (A)
07-09-2024
The second period also began well with St Neots extending their lead after just four minutes when a through ball past a square lying home defence freed Rhys Thorpe and this time with a one-on-one on the keeper he planted the ball into the far corner of the net. With that 3-0 lead it should have been a place in the next round for the visitors’, but much was to follow. Newark mounted their first response to St Neots domination just four minutes after the third St Neots goal when from a corner Luke Anderson was permitted an almost free header to reduce the deficit, and eight minutes later Newark were firmly back in the game when Sean Woolley sent a low free kick around the St Neots defensive wall and in at the far post. St Neots looked stunned, but worse was to follows because after 64 minutes a free kick was headed home by Sam Bartle with the St Neots defenders looking accusingly at each other as the scores were levelled. St Neots needed a positive response to regain some confidence, but it never came as the frustrated Rhys Thorpe was sin-binned after 76 minutes and Newark took the initiative sixty seconds later landing goal number four through Ryan Smith. Ragged St Neots conceded a fifth goal two minutes from time from Sam Wright to bring to an end a miserable afternoon.
St Neots Town: Goff, Francisco, Culkin, Parker, George, Bowen, Walker, Willis, Thorpe, Amaeshike, Williams
Subs: Hatch (for Amaeshike 53 mins), Nickels (for Francisco 68 mins), Baulk (for Walker 74 mins), Joseph, and Bomolo.
Cards: Willis (Y – 68 mins), Culkin (Y - 71 mins), George (Y – 90 mins), Thorpe (s/b – 78 mins)
Newark Town: Wilson, Tsolakis, Robbins, Anderson, Biggs, Clarke, Hales, Greenfield, Smith, Czerwak, Woolley
Subs: Rushen (for Smith 46 mins), Bartle (for Robbins 46 mins), Lewis (for Greenfields 72 mins), Braithwaite (for Woolley 81 mins), John (for Czerwak 90 mins)
Cards: none
Attendance: 162
Referee: Ryan Calvert
John Walker
John Walker's Match Report
LEICESTER NIRVANA (A) 14-09-2024
Trailing 2-0 at the break, St Neots pulled off a memorable come-back to snatch all three points to stun their hosts. The conditions contributed to the pattern of the match with the brisk wind blowing end-to-end with the visitors facing the elements in the first half. Manager Cameron Mawer disclosed that he had told his players he would be happy for them to go to half time at 0-0 but he had to vary his instructions at the break in order to rescue the deficit, Nirvana have done well so far this season losing just once in their opening seven league matches and they look capable of shocking other visitors this season. St Neots made three team changes bringing Dammy Nickels, Kiran Barnes and Connor Furlong back into the side – the latter after injury -whilst leaving Lil Francico, on the bench.
After a bright start by the visitors with Charkie Bowen forcing a good save from the home keeper following a Kieran Barnes corner it was the home side that made the early running,Zakir Bham and Romady Sandhu brought good saves from James Goff as the visitors struggled with the brisk breeze in their faces, Williams’ pace on the flanks was St Neots most potent weapon but the home side were creating the better chances and Jason John twice went clear but Goff blocked his first finish before seeing his second attempt fly wide. However, after 39 minutes the home side took the lead when from a John corner Ollie Punt drove the ball through a packed defence to open the scoring. Five minutes later with half time beckoning from a Zakir Bham cross, Paybe Chichosz tapped in at the far post to leave the visitors two goals adrift.
St Neots came out after the break determined to exploit the conditions to their advantage. After Dammy Nickels had sent their first effort just over the bar they clambered back into contention with two goals in as many minutes, The revival was sparked as the lively Michael Amaeshike pounced on defensive hesitancy to put his side back in the game after 51 minutes and before the home side had regrouped it was Amaeshike again on target sixty seconds later.
John Walker's Match Report
LEICESTER NIRVANA (A)
14-09-2024
The home side tried to rally but with Williams still marauding forward St Neots had the initiative. After having an effort disallowed St Neots had an anxious moment when Goff raced from his area to clear but only succeeded in upending his opponent before escaping with a yellow card after 72 minutes. Two minutes later Amaeshike and Williams combined to set up Rhys Thorpe for what was to prove the winning goal. With a home substitute sin-binned for dissent before he had touched the ball St Neots were able to introduce four late substitutes and see out the match but they had a full length save by Goff four minutes into added time to ensure that the points were secured to lift St Neots up to seventh in the table.
St Neots: Goff, Nickels, Culkin, Willis, Parker, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams
Subs: Tavernier (for Furlong 89 mins), Francisco (for Williams 89 mins), Potts-Wallace (for Thorpe 90+3 mins), George (for Barnes 90+3 mins, and Joseph.
Cards: Amaeshike (Y – 44 mins), Goff (Y – 72 mins),
Leicester Nirvana: Williams, Pettet, Sandhu, Punt, Armintunse, King, Bham (Z), Chichosz, Wildbo 24 mins) ne, Bham (M), John
Subs: McIntosh (for Sandhu 77mins), Mangandoza (for Wildbone 77 mins) Polli,, Mbye, and Ingram-Wright
Cards: Sandhu (Y – 24 mins), Pettet (Y – 54 mins), Mangandoza (S/B 79 mins)
Attendance: 60
Referee: Bradley Taylor (Burton on Trent)
John Walker
John Walker's Match Report
MARCH TOWN UNITED (A) 17-09-2024
Andre Williams was the one of the stars of the St Neots U18 side in the 2016-2018 seasons scoring 26 goals in 45 appearances and he came back to haunt his peers with a superb 89th minute goal to clinch victory for March Town, as St Neots were pushing hard for a late equaliser. It was a second league defeat for Cameron Mawer’s side this season as they try to catch up a small backlog of league matches. They had pulled back an early first half goal to level the scores after half an hour, but the Manager will not have been impressed by his sides’ overall performance that saw too few clear chances created. The home defence looked resolute and sure but St Neots lacked a cutting edge with key players Kieran Barnes and Sam Willis unable to make an impact.Manager Mawer elected to go with the side that had recorded the weekend victory at Leicester other than including Nathan George in defence for the unavailable Charlie Bowen.
After a cautious opening by both with no real forward impetus the home side took the lead with the first significant attack of the match after ten minutes when Matt Foy capitalised on a mishit clearance to net from close range. St Neots responded with their first serious attacking moves but Kieran Barnes shot over the bar and Harvey Williams dragged his effort wide of the far post. Then after half an hour the visitors were back in the match when Harvey Williams volleyed an equaliser from a Connor Furlong cross top the far post. However, parity was only maintained for seven minutes and then March regained the lead with a controversial goal. Flo Tsagium looked to be three yards offside when he was played clear on the right but the flag stayed down and his early cross set up Dan Cotton for a tap-in finish.St Neots protests went unheard, and March then squandered another good opening when Jack Withers sent a free header from a corner wide of its target a minute before half time.
The visitors needed to make an early impact after the break but Williams shot over when well placed and Nathan George saw his shot from a Barnes corner blocked by a defender.Robbie Parker was St Neots saviour getting back to clear off the line with his keeper beaten and then the lively Dan Cotton went clear but sent his shot wide. A series of substitutions by both sides followed but the visitors failed to make a significant impact on the resolute home defence and from a long throw by Danny Emmington, the unmarked Withers headed over the bar.St Neots threw players forward in search of a late equaliser but were hit on the break a minute from time by that late Andre Williams strike that settled the outcome.
John Walker's Match Report
MARCH TOWN UNITED (A)
17-09-2024
St Neots Town: Goff, Nickels, Culkin, Willis, Parker, George, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams
Subs: Walker (for Williams 73 mins), Baulk (for Nickels 90+1 min), Tavernier, Joseph and Mawer.
Cards: Culkin (Y – 48 mins)
March Town: Gill, Green, Brumby, Withers, Emmington, Burrows, Cotton, Tait, Gillies. Foy, Tsagium
Subs: Williams (A) (for Tsagium 62 mins), Saunders (for Burrows), Bucciero (for Brumby), Biggs and Carolan.
Cards: Tsagium (Y – 24 mins, Foy (Y – 78 mins),
Attendance: 243
Referee: Ellis Mills
John Walker
SEASON 24/25
7 8 9 10 11
Opponent Spotlight DOWNHAM TOWN FC
The club was established in 1881 and were originally nicknamed the Saints. They initially played in junior leagues in the King's Lynn area, before joining the Peterborough & District League in 1949, when they gained senior status after being elected to the league's Premier Division. In 1961–62 they won the Peterborough Senior Cup, which they retained the following year, also winning the Peterborough & District League title. In 1963–64 they won the Norfolk Senior Cup, winning it again two years later. Further victories in the Peterborough Senior Cup came in 1966–67, 1971–72 and 1986–87, whilst the league title was won in 1973–74, 1978–79.
Following back-to-back titles in 1986–87 and 1987–88, the club became founding members of the new Division One of the Eastern Counties League in 1988. They remained in the division until 2018, when the league reorganisation saw them placed in Division One North. In 2021–22 the club finished third in Division One North, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. Although they beat Norwich CBS 1–0 in the semi-finals, they lost 3–1 to Harleston Town in the final. The following season saw them finish as runners-up in the division, this time winning the promotion play-offs by beating Whittlesey Athletic 4–1 in the semi-finals and Harwich & Parkeston 4–0 in the final to earn promotion to the Premier Division.
Downham won the Norfolk Senior Cup for a third time in 2023–24, beating Gorleston 4–2 in the final.
Manager - Cameron Mawer
Assistant - Steve Kuhne
Coach - Alex Minall
GK Coach - Gary Dean
Physio - Craig Lambert
Kitman - Mick Hunt
SquadList SquadList
JJamesGoff(GK) amesGoff(GK) DammyNickels DammyNickels
NathanGeorge NathanGeorge
RobbieParker RobbieParker
MurphyCulkin MurphyCulkin
CharlieBowen CharlieBowen
LilFransisco LilFransisco
MichaelAmaeshike MichaelAmaeshike
SamWillis SamWillis
KieranBarnes KieranBarnes
JJamesHatch amesHatch
RhysThorpe RhysThorpe
ConnorFurlong ConnorFurlong
DannyBaulk DannyBaulk
ScottJoseph ScottJoseph HarveyWilliams HarveyWilliams
DanWalker DanWalker
Colours Colours
LightBlueShirts LightBlueShirts
DarkBlueShorts DarkBlueShorts
Light LightBlueSocks BlueSocks
Squad List Squad List
Carlos Da Rocha Carlos Da Rocha
Matthew Castellan Matthew Castellan
Nick Castellan Nick Castellan
Jack Gould Jack Gould
Natheniel Jamba Natheniel Jamba
Duncan McAnally Duncan McAnally
Jake Miller Jake Miller
Harley Murkin Harley Murkin
Lagshan Sivakumar Lagshan Sivakumar
Artur Visocanskis Artur Visocanskis
George Watts-Sturrock George Watts-Sturrock
Daniel Hobbs Daniel Hobbs
Bruno Tavares Bruno Tavares
Jacob White Jacob White
Dylan Edge Dylan Edge
Eion McQuaid Eion McQuaid
Ben Terry Ben Terry
Brody Warren Brody Warren
Colours Colours
Red Shirts Red Shirts
White Shorts White Shorts
Red Socks Red Socks
