2022/23 - Issue Twenty - Halesowen Town

T H E T H E

Saints Saints

President - JohnWalker

BoardofDirectors

JointCEO-LouiseSales&MehemetMimoglu

Chairman-BarryCavilla

Secretary-GaryWilson

DirectorofFootball- IainParr

Director-BrianBarnes

Director-AndyClay

Director-DanielDodson

Director-JezGreen

Director-MikeGreen

SaintsMatchDayTeam

FixtureSecretary- MarionIzzard

Hospitality-AndyClay,PaulaRobertsonandJulieClark

StadiumAnnouncer- MikeGreen

Music-CharlieGreen

Catering-DianeSales

Media

PressOfficer-MikeGreen

MatchReports-JohnWalker

Photographer-DavidRichardson

SocialMedia- MikeGreen

GroundStaff

Pitchmaintenance- BarryOakley

FirstTeam

CaretakerManagers- SeanGreygoose&MarcAbbott

GKCoach-GaryDean

Physio-CraigLambert&SamRoblett

KitMan-MickHunt

Analyst-JordanBeale

Academy

Manager-IainParr

U18’sManager- BenWebsterandIainParr

ClubWelfareOfficer- MickHunt

ClubInformation

Address: RowleyPark,KesterWay, StNeots,Cambs., PE196SL

Website-www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

Enquires-enquires@stneotstownfc.co.uk

CommercialEnquiries-danieldodson25@hotmail.com

Events-misslouises@yahoo.co.uk Academy-iain@stneotstown.co.uk

Frontcover-ImagecopyrightprotectedbyDavidRichardson,usedunderlicense.

Ownership: Inaccordancewiththefootballassociationleaguerule2.13

publicationofownershipinrelationtostep1-4withinthefootballpyramid, weherebyconfirmthelegalstatusofStNeotsTownFootballClub IdentificationNumber 02921210,andisaPrivateLimitedCompany.

Forthepurposesofpublication ofownershipwecanconfirmthatthefollowingarelistedasDirectorsoftheCompany: Lee Kearns (Significant interest 70%) , Iain Parr, Louise Sales, Gary Wilson, Mehmet Mimoglu and as Non Executive Directors Mike Green,Jeremy Green,andBarryCavilla. CompanySecretary KeithGotch,CompanyAccountantKeithGotch

Greenie’sGreetings WithDirectorMikeGreen

Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium for today's Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midland Division game.

Today we extend a warm welcome to the Players, Officials and Supporters of Halesowen Town Football Club and we hope you enjoy our hospitality here this afternoon

So here we go, our penultimate home match in what has truly been a season full of ups and downs since our enforced move by the FA from the Southern League to the Northern Premier League. Today we face the side who would probably admit they were the bookies favourites to win automatic promotion before the season started yet find themselves, at the time of writing, some nine points off top spot, held by Stamford AFC who comprehensively beat us at the Zeeco Stadium last Saturday. Our last game here saw us lose 4-0 to Bedworth United in what was a real disappointing afternoon for the club and then just seventy-two hours later we headed to Dereham Town and came away with a 1-0 win courtesy of a Trey Charles goal.

Don't forget that we are back in action this coming Bank Holiday Monday as we make the short trip to Cambridge City FC, who play at Histon FC, kick off 3.00pm. Our final away trip sees us head to playoff chasing Corby Town (Saturday 15th) and our last scheduled home match is the following week on Saturday 22nd April when we entertain Loughborough Dynamo here at the Premier Plus Stadium and then, should we finish in the relegation playoff positions, will have HOME ADVANTAGE when we play off with one of sixteen Step 5 Runners Up sides on Saturday 29th April, so plenty to play for a the business end of the season.

Get behind the boys today as I know you will.

PUMP UP THE VOLUME

BoardroomGossip

WithChairmanBarryCavilla

WithChairmanBarryCavilla

A warm welcome to you all to the Premier Plus Stadium for today’s Pitching in Northern Premier League Midland Division match. A warm welcome to our visitors Halesowen Town along with their supporters, directors,and club officials and wish them a safe onward journey home afterwards.

Our visitors Halesowen have set the pace this season in this very competitive league and will be tough opponents to overcome and the Saints will need to be at their very best today and to secure as many points in these last few remaining games to seal our own future in the NPL as all points gained will be vital for our survival.

We now have excellent New range of club merchandise to see and purchase at the club shop or when buying your 50/50 tickets, Pop over and see Rodger and Chris and say hello and take time to have a look for possible presents for your family and friends.

We also have our club family Fun day on Sunday 30th April for all the local community to come and enjoy the many activities and fun on the day.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish one of our long standing volunteers, Bradley, a very Happy 50th Birthday on the 16th April. Enjoy your beers Brad

Finally ,I would like to wish Sean and the team all the very Best wishes for today and the remaining games this season. Yours, in Sport.

Barry Barry Barry

Saints

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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 pathwaysandtocontinuetoengageand supporttheCommunityandlocalbusinesses.

Saints

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BLASTFROMTHEPAST SATURDAY24thMARCH2012

Evo-StikSouthernLeagueCentral

STNEOTSTOWN 0UXBRIDGE 0

WithSloughalsodrawingathomeapointapiecemightproveusefulfor bothsidesattheendoftheseasonbutforUxbridgeitcameatapriceas theyhadtwoplayersredcardedinthesecondhalf. StNeotsstillrequire fourwinsfromtheirlastfivematchesbutarenowassuredofatoptwo finish–awonderfulachievementintheirfirstseasonatStepFour. With thevisitorsresortingtoaveryphysicalapproachtherewaslittleflowing footballandalthoughStNeotscreatedlateopeningstheirfinishingwasoff targetandtheyhadtosettleforapoint. WithDanJacobunavailableand ShaneTolleyandJuniorKonadubothinjuredStNeotsweredelightedto welcomeback‘actionman’AdrianSearandtheyalsogaveasecondhalf debuttoLayneEadiecapturedontransferthisweekfromLeightonTown. Howeveronecalmfinishinfrontofgoalcouldhavegiventhemthetwo extrapointsthattheiroverallperformancedeserved. ItwasStNeots’first everSouthernLeaguegoallessdrawandonlythethirdtimetheyhadfailed toscoreathomethisseason.

UxbridgebeganbrightlytakingthegametoStNeotsinthefirsttwenty minutes. JordanGentconcededanearlyfreekickontheedgeofthearea thatwasdefendedwellandthenCraigTomkinstwicegotbehindtheSt NeotsdefencebringingoneimportantsavefromMichaelDuggan. Mark DennisonheadedoverfromafreekickandWayneCarterlobbedoverthe barwhenwellplaced. GraduallyStNeotsshookthemselvesintomore meaningfulactionandStefanMoorelobbedweaklyatthekeeperandBen Mackeytriedashotfromdistancethatwasjustwide. Thesameplayerhad ashotdeflectedandalsoshotacrossthefaceofgoalaftergoodworkby PearsonMwanyongo.TheclosesttoaStNeotsfirsthalfgoalcamewhen Mwanyongocleverlybeathismantighttothegoallinebutvisitingkeeper MattElstonsavedbravelyathisfeet.

BLASTFROMTHEPAST SATURDAY24thMARCH2012

StNeotslookedadifferentsidestraightfromtherestart.Theywere positiveintheirapproachandlittlewasseenoftheUxbridgeattack.Gent headednarrowlywidefromaLewisHilliardfreekickandMichaelMurray gotbacktoclearoffthefootofMackeywhenhelookedcertaintoscore. MackeythenhadashotwellsavedandStefanMoorebeattwoplayersand broughtafinesavefromElston.StNeotsthenintroducedLayneEadieand hispacequicklyhadtheUxbridgedefenceintrouble.ChrisHopenormally patrollinghisownhalfhadtwonotableefforts–thefirstthatbeatthe keeperbutpassedthewrongsideofapostandthesecondaheaderfroma Hilliardcornerthatdriftedwide.ElevenminutesfromtimeDannyJulienne broughtSeardownforthefourthtimeandhavingearnedayellowcardthe firsttimehewasthensentoff.TwominuteslaterMaxHowelljoinedhimin thechangingroompickingupastraightredcardforarecklesschallengeon thetrickyEadie.ReducedtoninemenUxbridgesettledfortheirpoint pullingalltheirplayersbackbehindtheballandalthoughStNeots dominatedtheyfailedtobreakdownthestubborndefence.Threeminutes intoaddedtimeReneSteerwasplayedclearbyMoorebutheskiedhis efforthighoverthebar.

St Neots Town: Duggan, Stewart, Steer, Webb, Gent, Hope, Mwanyongo, Sear,Moore,Mackey,Hilliard

Subs: Eadie (for Mwanyongo 62 mins), Kamara (for Stewart 90 + 1 mins), GreeneandSpencer.

ManoftheMatch:BenMackey

Attendance:417

JohnWalker

D e r e h a m T o w n 01 S t N e o t s T o w n

JWMatchlookingahead HALESOWENTOWN

HALESOWEN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

Year founded: 1873 Chairperson: Karen Brookes Club Website: www.ht-fc.com

GOOD AFTERNOON AND A WARM WELCOME TO HALESOWEN TOWN WHO ARE MAKING ONLY THEIR SECOND APPEARANCE HERE AT THE PREMIER PLUS STADIUM

In fact, this is only the fifth meeting of our two teams and only the second league meeting here in St Neots because two of our scheduled meetings on this ground were lost to the COVID pandemic. At the end of the pandemic Halesowen found themselves in the Northern Premier League whilst St Neots remained in the reassembled Southern League Division One. Halesowen had an excellent season in their new surroundings finishing third in the final league table behind Ilkeston Town and Stamford before losing to Chasetown in the end-ofseason play-offs. This season following the round of fixtures last weekend our visitors find themselves second in the league table nine points adrift of leaders Stamford with just four games each left to play. With Stamford on a fourteen matches unbeaten run since the turn of the year it is looking likely that Halesowen will have to settle for the runner-up spot at best and hope for a better result than they achieved in the play-offs last season. Easily the best supported team in the league, Halesowen will be looking for just one more league victory that could guarantee home advantage in the end of season play-offs, but St Neots’ need of league points is possibly greater as we seek to cement a place at Step Four next season. When our two sides met at Halesowen back last August the home side recorded a 3-0 victory with Max Morris, Richard Gregory and Jack Holmes their marksmen – the third goal coming in added time. Halesowen went on to lead the league table for much of the season until a postChristmas burst of form by Stamford saw them lose their grip. This is to be the second home match in charge for Manager Sean Greygoose and we wish he and his team well for the rest of the season.

Previous meetings of our teams:

FA Trophy Round One 2013/14:

Halesowen 1-3 St Neots Town (match report elsewhere in programme)

League meetings:

2018/19 St Neots 1-1 Halesowen

Halesowen 1-1 St Neots

2019/20 St Neots P-P Halesowen (COVID)

Halesowen 0-2 St Neots

2020/21 St Neots P-P Halesowen (COVID_

2022/23

Halesowen P-P St Neots (COVID)

Halesowen 3-0 St Neots

Enjoy the match

John Walker

JWMatchlookingahead

HALESOWENTOWN-APREVIOUS

MEETING

FA Trophy First Round Qualifying -19th October 2013

HALESOWEN TOWN 1 ST NEOTS TOWN 3

St Neots recorded their first ever away victory in the FA Trophy at their eighth attempt with a good all round display at Halesowen to make it two consecutive Cup victories in just five days. Once again two of the three goals came from recent signings and there was a five star display in goal by Niall Conroy who was only beaten late in the game when the Northern Premier League (South) side claimed a consolation goal. The three St Neots players requiring fitness tests after missing the Hitchin cup match, skipper Gavin Hoyte, Adrian Sear and Leon Hibbert were all able to be included in the starting line up and in an open attacking match that created a host of scoring chances at either end the visitors thoroughly deserved their place in the second qualifying round. Conroy began his heroics as early as the fourth minute when Thomas Tonks sent a through pass inside the final visiting defender and the pacey Ben Haseley with only the keeper to beat tried to take the ball past him but Conroy timed his dive perfectly to get a hand to the ball and deflect it away from the forward. St Neots then settled into a pattern with their three midfield players Hibbert, Sear and Davies dominating the game which resulted in efforts from Lewis Hilliard, Jay Davies and Jake Woolley all going close to opening their account. Another Haseley effort was over the bar but after 24 minutes St Neots deservedly took the lead when from an inswinging Hilliard corner Dave Deeney rose to head home from the edge of the six yards box – his second goal in successive matches. Home keeper Paul Evans then produced two good saves to deny Hilliard and Woolley and although Conroy had to be alert to save a Iyseden Christie snap shot St Neots looked comfortably in control. They were further rewarded six minutes before the break when the hard working Jake Woolley sidestepped a defender close to the bye line to score the visitors’ second goal from a narrow angle – also his second goal of the week. Four minutes before the break as Halesowen tried to respond to this second setback Conroy produced two reaction saves from close range efforts as the St Neots defence got in a tangle and that was to prove an important moment for the visitors.

JWMatchlookingahead

HALESOWENTOWN-APREVIOUS MEETING

After balmy first half weather the restart was in torrential rain which got harder and more persistent as the half progressed. It made the close passing game of St Neots very difficult to maintain and the home side scenting a chance pressed forward. For a spell they dominated the game with a Haseley shot rebounding from a post in their first attack after half time. Haseley then shot wide when well placed and defender Joe Hull up for a corner brought another important save from Conroy.Halesowen brought on Aaron Griffiths an additional attacker and his first touch was a deflected shot brilliantly tipped over the bar by Conroy who looked to be going the wrong way for the original shot. A goal during this spell of pressure could have altered the course of the match but St Neots produced the perfect answer as Hilliard’s fifty yards cross field pass on the break found Ed Adjei on the left and he neatly passed his marker before beating Evans with a low shot after 79 minutes. With ten minutes left St Neots seemed to relax and Halesowen deservedly snatched a late consolation goal when Hull headed firmly home from an Elliott Turner corner with just four minutes remaining.

St Neots: Conroy, Deeney, Dhillon, Ann, Hoyte, Hibbert, Hilliard, Sear, Woolley, Adjei, Davie

Subs: Ford (for Hibbert 74 mins), Hurst (for Davies 80 mins), N’Guessan (for Hilliard 84 mins), Crowie and Taylor.

Cards: none

Goals: Deeney (24 mins), Woolley (39 mins), Adjei (79 mins)

Halesowen: Evans, Green, Meacham, MacKenzie, Hull, Tilt, Martin, Tonks, Christie, Haseley, Turner

Subs: Penny (for Christie 39 mins), Gueyes (for MacKenzie 46 mins), Griffiths (for Meacham 64 mins), Kelly and Pearson.

Cards: Turner (Y – 27)

Goals: Hull (86 mins)

Attendance: 273

Referee: Ollie Yates (Stoke-on-Trent))

John Walker

Saints

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NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE – MIDLAND DIVISION

St Neots Town 0 Bedworth United 4

St Neots may have had a new Management team in place for this match but unfortunately the team performance and result were predictably unchanged as they fell to their ninth and heaviest home defeat since joining the Northern Premier League. The match had been billed as a ‘must win’ if they were to pull off an escape from the end of season play off matches, but now with consecutive Saturday matches against the top two sides in the league table, their chances of automatic survival as this level is looking extremely unlikely.

They had to introduce a new goalkeeper with Tom Finch injured in their previous game at Boldmere and his replacement the youthful Jonah Gill performed well enough but was under constant second half pressure from the lively visiting forwards. Dan Barton and Charlie Lewis dropped to the bench with Manny Osei and Albert Adu included in the starting line-up and with Robbie Mason picking up a fifth yellow card for the second time this season there will have to be further changes in the upcoming matches.

The first half began promisingly enough with St Neots more than holding their own in very tricky windy conditions. The defences dominated at either end and neither goalkeeper was seriously tested in the first half hour but St Neots were looking confident in possession.After 34 minutes in a breakaway attack the visiting side should have scored when Elliott Parrott played Chris Camwell clear of the defence but his wild finish was too high. Five minutes later Camwell had a second chance picking up a Chris Cox cross but the young St Neots custodian produced a full length save to push the effort for a corner. Trey Charles then saw a rising effort parried by visiting keeper Sam Lomax and the half ended disappointingly for St Neots, for as the game moved into added time a long throw was not cleared and Liam Murphy forced the ball home from close range to put Bedworth ahead.

BEDWORTHUNITEDFC (H)25-03-2023

Apart from another low shot by Charles well gathered by the visiting keeper the second half began with Bedworth dictating play. Gill had to save bravely at the feet of Murphy and the same visiting player then unselfishly played Desean Martin clear at the far post but his finish was wide of target. After 65 minutes St Neots varied their pattern of play with Dan Barton and Charlie Lewis on for Albert Adu and Tommy Boxer but within two minutes of their introduction the visiting side stepped up a gear. In the next seven minutes they twice shredded the home defence with goals to clinch for them a significant victory. After 68 minutes substitute Liam Locket cut in from the left leaving two St Neots defenders in his wake before beating the diving Gill at the near post with a crisp finish, and four minutes later St Neots hopes of some reward from the match disappeared when Desean Martin produced a burst of speed to go clear and leave the home keeper helpless with a low finish. St Neots frustration showed as Robbie Mason picked up a fifth yellow card since December with a late challenge on the visiting keeper and St Neots woe was compounded when Liam Murphy claimed his second goal of the match thirteen minutes from time. St Neots defiant late spurt saw them win three corners, but this was little consolation in an overall shoddy second half performance.

St Neots Town: Gill, Duncliffe, Smith, Anderson, Dickens, Boxer (T), Osei, Tarpey, Mason, Charles, Adu

Subs: Barton (for Adu 65 mins), Lewis (for Boxer (T) 65 mins), Rider (for Osei 74 mins), Hook and Baldwin.

Cards: Anderson (Y – 63 mins), Mason (Y – 76 mins)

Goals: none

Bedworth United: Lomax, Moore, Rowe, Parrott, Barnett, Endall, Cox, Blackmore, Murphy, Martin, Camwell

Subs: Lockett (for Camwell 46 mins), Middleton (for Martin 75 mins), Burroughs (for Blackmore 79 mins), Blythe and Edjenguele.

Cards: Camwell (Y – 32 mins), Rowe (Y – 55 mins), Blackmore (Y – 63 mins), Martin (Y –84 mins)

Goals: Murphy 2 (45 & 77 mins), Lockett (68 mins), Martin (77 mins)

Attendance: 295

Referee: Chris Darling (Newmarket)

John Walker

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE – MIDLAND DIVISION

Dereham Town 0 St Neots Town 1

On a wet Norfolk evening St Neots picked up what could prove to be a vital three points on the road. It was only their second away league victory of the season and lifted them above their hosts into 17th place in the table – now only one victory away from avoiding the automatic play-off spots in the league table. However, now with successive matches against the top two sides in the league table any further points will be difficult to gather as the end-of-season build-up progresses around Easter. Trey Charles’ twenty-second goal of the season proved vital as St Neots just shaded this critical match, but their overall performance was excellent with the defence tight and determined and the young St Neots goalkeeper Jonah Gill deservedly earning the man of the match award as he repelled all the efforts of the home side. Manager Sean Greygoose made little change to his side despite Saturday’s disappointing result and performance, but he did tweak his attack with Dan Barton and Liam Hook replacing Joe Tarpey and Albert Adu.

The game which replaced the one called off two weeks earlier because the pitch was waterlogged, almost suffered the same fate but Referee Alistair Wilson gave the go-ahead after a detailed pre-match inspection with the rain still falling on the sodden surface. St Neots suffered a couple of early scares when a cross from Ryan Swift had to be cleared off the line and then goalkeeper Jonah Gill had to save well from Oli Yun. However, St Neots settled and grew in confidence and took the lead after 18 minutes when Manny Osei picked up the ball inn his own half and forged down the left almost to the byeline. His cross seemed to be deflected and Trey Charles pounced to send a low shot into the corner of the net to give the visitors the lead. Four minutes later Charles set up Callum Anderson and his effort was saved at full stretch by home keeper Ross Bilham. Robbie Mason was pulled down on the edge of the box and Charles saw his free kick beat the keeper but rebound from the crossbar after 32 minutes and two minutes later a net bound shot from Anderson was well gathered by the home keeper. Dereham rallied late in the first half but Gill made two good saves to maintain St Neots half time advantage,

DEREHAMTOWNFC

Dereham sent on two half time substitutes and reshaped their side and set about retrieving their deficit. Now the St Neots defence was tested but Gill saved well from Luke Johnson and dived bravely at the feet of Gascoigne to block. He then pushed a rising effort from Matt Blake for a corner whilst at the other end St Neots saw an effort rebound from a goalpost. Dan Barton was proving to be lively for the visitors and he saw an effort well saved by the home keeper and St Neots then introduced Joe Tarpey for Manny Osei. The match was end-to-end but the St Neots defence were able to mop up Dereham’s bestefforts although home substitute Charlie Clarke should have done better than fire over the bar after good work by Dion Frary. Into the final ten minutes St Neots sent on Charlie Lewis for Barton and he sent Tarpey away to test the home keeper. In five minutes of added time St Neots had clearly tired in the heavy conditions but Gill made a couple of good saves as the home side threw players forward in a last desperate bid to salvage something from the game.

St Neots Town: Gill, Duncliffe, Smith, Anderson, Dickens, Boxer (T), Barton, Hook, Mason, Charles, Osei

Subs: Tarpey (for Osei 70 mins), Lewis (for Barton 81 mins), Boxer (P) (for Charles 87 mins), Lewis and Adu.

Cards: Charles (Y – 41 mins), Boxer (T) (Y – 63 mins), Smith (Y – 76 mins), Anderson (Y – 87 mins)

Goal: Charles (18 mins)

Dereham Town: Bilham, Steele, Winterbone, Frary, Black, Greenslade, Gascoigne, Yun, Blake, Johnson, Swift

Subs: Clarke (for Black 46 mins), Henman (for Greenslade 46 mins), White (for Winterbone 63 mins), Lott and Maccan.

Cards: Winterbone (Y – 25 mins), Greenslade (Y – 45+1 min), Swift ( Y - 70 mins)

Goals: none

Attendance: 182

Referee: Alistair Wilson (Boston)

John Walker

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE – MIDLANDS DIVISION

Stamford 4 St Neots Town 0

For the first time this season St Neots named an unchanged starting line-up from that which had recorded their midweek victory at Dereham. However, the opposition on this day was far more challenging as the final scoreline indicates. Stamford are just three points shy of the league title and promotion and their second half performance in this match was one of the best that St Neots have encountered this season. They were slick, speedy, and positive and after a fairly even first half the hosts effectively wrapped up the result with two goals in four minutes early after the break. St Neots did not play badly – they were simply the second best side and had no real answer when their hosts turned on the pressure after the break. Stamford was not only prolific in front of goal – their watertight defence was well organised and gave nothing away and when St Neots conceded a penalty midway through the second half their fate was decisively sealed. In nine meetings with Stamford since reformation in 1994 St Neots have won just once –and that was in an FA Vase match on 30th September 1995.

In a tight first 45 minutes St Neots managed to repel the best that Stamford threw at them very well. However, they did concede a goal after 16 minutes when in Stamford’s first attack of note, Joe Burgess won the ball wide on the right and crossed for Jonathan Margetts to beat Jonah Gill from close range. St Neots responded well but found penetration of the home defence difficult despite some promising moves as they counter attacked their hosts. From a corner home defender James Blunden was given too much room but he fired harmlessly over the bar after18 minutes and four minutes later the lively Cameron Johnson left his marker for dead to find the head of Connor Bartle but his finish was too high. St Neots keeper Jonah Gill then saved well from Jack Duffy and just before the break St Neots best effort arrived when Trey Charles fed a great through ball to release Dan Barton, but his shot was parried by home custodian Dan Wallis.

More of the same’ was St Neots’ half-time instruction but that aim was swiftly shattered as the hosts raised their game to score twice in a four minutes spell immediately upon the restart.

There was some good fortune for them with the first goal as a deflection off a defender presented Jack Duffy with a tap-in goal from five yards and almost immediately another well-constructed goal saw defender James Blunden rise above the visiting defence to powerfully head past Jonah Gill.

A lengthy effort from Jon-Paul Duncliffe was comfortably gathered by the home keeper and then an injury to Manny Osei forced a St Neots change with Panny Boxer substituting. Gill was forced into a full length save to deny Harry Vince and then back in rare defensive duty Trey Charles barged into home substitute Isaac Currie to concede a penalty kick that was comfortably tucked away by Jonathan Margetts after 67 minutes. To St Neots credit this setback did not open the floodgates and they tried hard to respond with substitutes Panny Boxer and Albert Adu om to boost their midfield. However, the home side remained firmly in control and even a late effort from Charles a minute from time failed to earn any consolation. With the league leaders out of the way St Neots now look forward to hosting second in the table Halesowen Town in their next match as they scrap for vital points.

St Neots Town: Gill, Duncliffe, Smith, Anderson, Dickens, Boxer (T), Barton, Hook, Mason, Charles, Osei

Subs: Boxer (P) (for Osei 58 mins), Adu (for Barton 75 mins), Rider (for Hook 81 mins), Lewis and Tarpey.

Cards: Hook (Y – 67 mins). Boxer (P) (Y – 75 mins)

Goals: none

Stamford: Wallis, Burgess, Bartle, Vince, Blunden, Wright, Morgan, Duffy (Jake), Duffy (Jack), Margetts, Johnson

Subs: Currie(for Duffy (Jake) 52 mins), Mellors (for Burgess 75 mins), Challinor (for Vince 80 mins), Freeman and Frew.

Cards: Johnson (Y – 75 mins)

Goals: Margetts 2 (16 and 67mins - pen), Jack Duffy (47 mins), Blunden (51 mins)

Attendance:564

Referee: James Cliffe (Bourne, Lincs)

John Walker

OpponentSpotlight HalesowenTownFC

HALESOWEN TOWN FC HISTORY

Halesowen Town is one of the oldest teams in the country and claims to have been formed in 1873 although without much certainty. Local historian Norman Jones wrote “there is evidence which shows that for the first ten years of the team’s existence it was the James Grove Button Factory team and that it adopted the present name in the early 1880’s. The earliest records that the Football Association have on file relating to Halesowen Town F.C. are dated 1882……

When peacetime returned after World War II, the Club reformed. In season 1951/52 both Birmingham & Worcestershire Senior Cup Finals were reached. In front of a 6,000 crowd at Stourbridge, we lost in the Birmingham final to Brierley Hill Alliance but triumphed over Hednesford in the Worcestershire final, played at Bromsgrove. The same season saw us suffer our worst ever post-war defeat when we travelled to Merthyr Tydfil in the Herefordshire Senior Cup and were soundly beaten 0-9. 1955 brought our first major achievement when we reached the FA Cup Round 1 but lost 2 – 4 at home to Hendon in front of a packed Grove. In March 1955, Ronnie Dugmore notched an incredible 7 goals when we won 10-0 at Dudleyin a Birmingham League match. In August 1957, we achieved our highest post-war winning margin when we beat Coventry Amateurs 13-1 in the Birmingham Senior Cup.

The 1970’s brought a period of struggle for The Yeltz. Twice out of 3 successive seasons we finished bottom of the West Midlands League. At times, the only thing keeping us running was the effort of 'Mr Halesowen Town' - Harry Rudge. Before his untimely death in 1990, 'H' filled every role in the club at one time or other, including player, manager, groundsman, secretary and anything else you can think of. Then suddenly something strange happened - we got a decent team together and started winning things. Manager Paddy Page assembled a squad of promising youngsters, and in 1982-83 we had an unbelievable year. We won the West Midlands League for the first time, as well as winning the League Cup, but more importantly we reached the final of the FA Vase at Wembley narrowly losing 1-0 to VS Rugby.

Not to worry, two years later we were back at the home of football. This time there was no mistake, as we beat Fleetwood 3-1 in the greatest day in the history of the club. By the next year we were getting a bit blasé about the whole thing, as we once again won the Vase by beating Southall 3-0 in front of over 17,000 people, most of whom had come down from Halesowen.

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HALESOWEN TOWN FC HISTORY

From 1985 to 1991, Halesowen reached the 1st round of the FA Cup for 7 consecutive years. On 4 occasions we played professional teams, and each time we were unlucky to lose. SOUTHEND beat us 4-1, but were extremely flattered by that scoreline, breaking away in the last five minutes to clinch the game after we had been all over them in the second half. We lost 2-0 to BRENTFORD, again in a very even game. Against CARDIFF CITY, we lost 1-0 to a hotly disputed penalty and were by far the better team, and lost 2-1 to an excellent TRANMERE ROVERS side after taking the lead.

Season 2010/11 saw one of the poorest playing records in the Club's history finishing the season in bottom place, scoring only 24 goals and conceding 107. Shortly after the season ended, the Club was taken over by businessman Steve Lynch. Under the new ownership, season 2011/12 brought an encouraging start with The Yeltz undefeated in the first 5 league games, including a 3-1 home win over eventual champions Bideford. However, September brought early FA Cup exit at Rocester which was soon followed by a morale shattering 4-5 reverse at Wimborne, where a 41 lead was squandered in the last half-hour. An October FA Trophy loss at home to Romulus lead on to a bleak winter for Yeltz fans. In the autumn Steve Lynch had formed a management team to run the club on his behalf and under the Chairmanship of club stalwart Colin Brookes and Vice-Chairman John Russell, a lifelong Yeltz fan of 60 years. This brought fruition as the last 3 months of the season progressed, the club's improved off-field organisation led to Manager Shaun Cunnington being able to strengthen his squad. Neil Barnfield served an impressive spell on loan from Leamington while striker Ben Haseley arrived from Heath Hayes and soon won fans over with 10 goals in 17 games.

2013/14 season kicked off with an away win at Lincoln, quickly followed by two successive home defeats within 7 days. All at Halesowen then couldn’t envisage what the rest of the season would bring. Our leading goal scorer from last season Ben Haseley missed 11 games due an eye injury, but on his return against Brigg scored twice. As the season progressed we climbed the league table and went top. This position we help until the final week, with Coalville close behind and a game in hand lost against Gesley, this meant our last game away at Belper was a must win game for us to be crowned league champions. Two goals from Ben Haseley ensured the 3 points that crowned us league champions and promoted to the premier league. The Peter Swales Challenge Trophy was added the following week, with a 3-1 win against Curzon Ashton.John Hill added to his squad two players with league experience, Neil Mackenzie and Iyseden Christie.

OpponentSpotlight HalesowenTownFC

HALESOWEN TOWN FC HISTORY

Fast forward to 2018 and following Steve Lynch’s FA imposed ban from all football activities Club President and ex Chairman Colin Brookes became the ultimate owner of the club with his daughter and chair Karen Brookes and Keith McKenna becoming Directors of the club. The Yeltz narrowly avoided relegation and for the 2018-19 season will be playing in the newly formed Evo-Stik South Premier Division Central. In November 2018 the new management team of Rob Smith and his assistant Larry Chambers were appointed to replace John Hill and Matt Clarke, sadly the 2018-19 season saw relegation to step 4 for the Yeltz with Lee Hughes and Asa Charlton at the helm.

Paul Smith took over as manager in the summer of 2019 as he looks to get the Yeltz back to step 3 at the earliest opportunity.

The Yeltz were looking at promotion back to step 3 when the Corona Virus pandemic stopped football and the world in its tracks as the league results were expunged and the league declared Null and Void. The Yelets also reached the semi-final of the FA Trophy.

The 2020-21 season was but 12 games old when the season was curtailed, again due to the worldwide pandemic.

Last season 2021-22 Halesowen Town were places into the newly formed Pitching In Northern Premier League Midlands division and was Paul Smith’s first full season in charge of the Yeltz and despite never losing touch with the top stop all season were narrowly defeated in the Play-off semi final. Attendances were steadily on the up and an average of over 1,000 fans per game came to the Grove.

H A L E S O W E N H A L E S O W E N T O W N T O W N

OpponentSpotlight-PLAYERPROFILES HALESOWENTOWNFC

DANIEL PLATT – GOALKEEPER Dan re-joined the Yeltz in the Summer of 2021 for his second spell. Dan left at the end of the 2018-19 season. Since re-joining he has made over 200 appearances, the 3rd highest appearance total for a Yeltz goalkeeper.

DANIEL WHITEHOUSE – GOALKEEPER Dan has come through the ranks of our Youth and U-21 teams to earn his place in the first team squad, an excellent prospect.

JOSH EZEWELE – DEFENDER Josh joined the Yeltz in February 2022 and slotted himself into the team as fullback making 10 appearances.

KIEREN DONNELLY – DEFENDER Kieren a former Aston Villa academy full back. Has previously played for Feckenham, Coleshill and Redditch United before moving to Halesowen Town.

KIERAN MORRIS – DEFENDER Kieran is in his second spell for the Yeltz having previously had spells at Stourbridge and Bromsgrove Sporting, Morris has gone on to make over 50 appearances to date.

JAK HICKMAN – DEFENDER Dual registered with Banbury United. Started his career with Coventry City, followed by a few non-league teams before signing for Bolton Wanderers. Upon leaving Bolton he joined a League Of Ireland Premier Club.

NATHANIEL KELLY – DEFENDER Nat joined the Yeltz in 2021 and quickly established himself at the heart of the defence as well as being a handful in the opposition penalty area.

OSCAR TONGE – DEFENDER Oscar is on loan from Peterborough United. A versatile performer who has been with the Academy set-up for a couple of years.

ROB EVANS – DEFENDER Centre half Evans is one of Manager Paul Smith’s old players from the Redditch United and having joined them from Coleshill Town is a no nonsense, solid central defender Rob is a perfect fit at the Yeltz, he has been described by many as a Rolls Royce of a player.

ASHLEY SAMMONS – MIDFIELD Ashley Sammons has rejoined the Yeltz from Stratford Town having previously played for Rushall Olympic. Solihull born Sammons, 27, began his footballing career with Birmingham City coming through the Academy and youth team ranks before making one first team appearance in the League Cup, during his time with the Blues Ashley also represented England at U-17 level. He has also played for Hereford, Worcester City and Solihull Moors, but his most successful spells have been for Redditch United where he made over 100 appearances scoring nearly 50 goals.

BROGAN HALPIN – MIDFIELD Box to box midfielder has joined on dual registration with Worcester Raiders.

JAC REDHEAD – MIDFIELD Box to box midfielder Jac joined the Yeltz in 2021 having previously played for Barwell. Jack missed a chunk of the 2021-22 season through injury but is now back firing on all cylinders.

OpponentSpotlight-PLAYERPROFILES HALESOWENTOWNFC

JOSH QUAYNOR – MIDFIELD Another player to join the Yeltz from Bromsgrove Sporting in the summer of 2022 Josh is a no-nonsense top-drawer player and was one of the stand out players at step 3 in the 2021-22 season.

MCKAULEY MANNING – MIDFIELD Attacking Midfielder Manning joined the Yeltz from Coventry United having previously played under Paul Smith at Highgate United.

NATHAN HAYWARD – MIDFIELD Having joined the Yeltz from Bromsgrove Sporting the Midfield Dynamo will be looking to carry on where he left off having had a staring Role for the Rouslers last season.

ROBBIE BUNN – MIDFIELD dynamo Robbie signed for the Yeltz on contract from Redditch United for an undisclosed fee in the Summer of 2019. He left us in October 2021 for personal reasons but returned in March 2022 to see the season out. His third spell with the club began Feb 2023.

TOM TURTON – MIDFIELD Midfield general Turton was another of Paul Smith’s recruits in the summer of 2022 signing Tom from Alvechurch fighting off a number of interesting clubs.

TAYLOR HOMER – Attacking midfielder is also in our Youth team and academy.

RICHARD GREGORY – STRIKER Rich was manager Paul Smith first signing ahead of the 2020-21 season. Forward Gregory signed from Bromsgrove Sporting. Gregs ended the 2021-22 season as the Yeltz top scorer with 25 goals.

SIMEON COBOURNE – STRIKER Simeon is a very pacy striker who re-joined the Yeltz in 2022 and has gone on to score 27 goals in 55 appearances.

JAMIE INSALL – STRIKER Jamie was Paul Smith’s first signing of the closed season 2022 signing from Welsh side Connah’s Quay. Jamie brings with him a wealth of experience and has featured in the Champions League in the last two seasons.