2023/24 - Issue 14 - Histon FC by St Neots Town Football Club

Magazine

MARCHING IN

Official Digital Matchday Magazine Season 2023/24

UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISON SOUTH

St Neots Town F.C. Established Established 1879 1879

President - John Walker

Board of Directors Joint CEO - Louise Sales & Mehmet Mimoglu Chairman - Barry Cavilla Secretary/Director - Gary Wilson Director of Football - Iain Parr Director - Jez Green Director - Mike Green Board Member - Brian Barnes Board Member - Andy Clay Board Member - Daniel Dodson

Saints Match Day Team Fixture Secretary - Marion Izzard Hospitality - Andy and Evelyn Clay, Paula Robertson Stadium Announcer - Mike Green Music - Charlie Green Catering - Diane Sales

Media Press Officer - Mike Green Match Reports - John Walker Photographer - David Richardson Social Media - Mike Green

Ground Staff Pitch maintenance - Barry Oakley , Barry Cavilla, Bob Carpenter

First Team Manager - Cameron Mawer Assistant Manager - Steve Kuhne Coach - Alex Minall GK Coach - Gary Dean Physio - Craig Lambert Kit Man - Mick Hunt U18Manager - Nick Schleising Assistant - Ben Webster

Academy Manager - Alex Minall Club Welfare Officer - Chrissie Manly Academy enquiries - Alexsntfcacademy@gmail.com

Club Information Address: Rowley Park, Kester Way, St Neots, Cambs., PE19 6SL Website - www.stneotstownfc.co.uk Enquires - enquires@stneotstownfc.co.uk Commercial Enquiries - mehmetmi@hotmail.com Events - misslouises@yahoo.co.uk

Front cover - Image copyright protected by David Richardson, 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: Lee Kearns (Significant interest 70%) , Iain Parr, Louise Sales, Gary Wilson, Mehmet Mimoglu and as Non Executive Directors Mike Green, Jeremy Green, and Barry Cavilla. Company Secretary Gary Wilson

Greenie’s Greetings With Director Mike Green "Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium for today‘s United Counties League Premier Division South match. Today we extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Histon Football Club and we hope you enjoy our hospitality this afternoon“. Here we go then, the last outing of 2023 and a derby game against a fast improving Stutes side under the stewardship on one of our friends, Chris Nunn and they will be coming here today looking to avenge our 4-0 win on their patch earlier this season and continuing their improved recent form. We go into the game five unbeaten having won very late on at Easington Sports and most recently, taking a share of the points at neighbours Eynesbury Rovers on Boxing Day in front of near on eight hundred supporters. If I was to say it wasn‘t the best of games, I don‘t think I would be lying but at the same time, would like to thank everyone who made the effort to make the short trip to support the boys. On to today and please get behind the boys from the off, we all know what a difference the twelfth man can make. Here’s to wishing you all a very Happy New Year and may it be a Healthy, Peaceful and Successful one for you all and of course for us all as a football family

Your Town, Your Team

Greenie

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Boardroom Gossip From The Dugout With Chairman BarryCameron Cavilla With Manager Mawer " I’d like to welcome everyone associated with Histon FC to the Premier Plus stadium. I am looking forward to pitting my wits against my former manager Chris Nunn, someone who I see as a friend but for the 90 minutes today we will both be doing our best for our respective football clubs“. I have to applaud him on the impact he’s made at Histon since taking over and it comes to no surprise from me as he is a top manager who knows the level and knows a player or two. This will be a totally different kettle of fish to the Histon of earlier on in the season. Histon is a club steeped in recent history finding themselves in the play offs in the National League and a FA Cup run beating Leeds 1-0 in the second round. This shows this level is tough and has some very big football clubs in it. I write this after the disappointment of the derby draw. We never got going and didn’t get into our rhythm at all and I take full responsibility of that, I understood what it meant to all of us and we prepped and were ready. The support was outstanding but our performance couldn’t match it, I’m already looking ahead to their visit to the Premier Plus Stadium in April. With 17 games to go plus a hunts cup to fight for, we are in for a very exciting end to the season. This group will continue to give everything, every game as we look to achieve our aims. Every game at this level is hard and that’s shown by our results against Easington and Eynesbury. Week in week out top 6 sides are beaten by bottom 6 sides so everyone can beat everyone so every point is valuable and we’ve got to continue to be hard to beat on the road and make our home a tough place to come for opponents. I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I hope 2024 brings you happiness in all that you do. Let’s make 2024 our year Saints fans.

Cam

Enjoy the game.

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Boardroom Gossip Boardroom Gossip With Chairman Barry Cavilla With Chairman Barry Cavilla “ Good afternoon All, I hope you all have enjoyed a Lovely Christmas with family and friends and ready for some fresh air and stretch those legs to work off the Turkey and mince pies. Thank you for joining us for todays final home game of 2023 at the Premier Plus Stadium“. We would like to welcome the Players ,officals and Support of Histon for todays league fixture. Histon having had a tough start to the season have since changed management and have had some impressive results of recent and are moving confidently onwards and upwards under the new management regime. I know this will be a much improved and competitive Histon that we face today and Cameron and the Team will have to be at their very best to achieve our goals of winning 3 points and staying in contention with the leading pack and playoff placing. After a busy Christmas period and a run of 5 games unbeaten, Saints picked up a hard fought victory at Easington in Oxfordshire before then a short trip across Town at our local neighbours Eynesbury Rovers on Boxing Day ending in a disappointing statement and share of the points and slipping out of the playoff positions. However the team have had a tough period and have put together a good run of late and hopefully can continue building on this and picking up some vital points in our challenge to maintain a strong challenge for playoff places come the end of the season. Off the field the club are working on providing refreshment facilities for our Academy teams and parents and hope to have things up and running in the new year for all to have improved match day experience and help support the club and continue to improve youth team’s facilities. I do hope you all have a enjoyable afternoon and give Cameron and the lads your fantastic support for todays last game of 2023 and cheer them on to success and help make 2024 a special year for you and the club . I Wish you all a very Happy, Healthy New Year and thank you for your continued support.

Your Town, Your Team.

Barry

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UNITED Boardroom Gossip COUNTIES LEAGUE With Chairman Barry Cavilla

PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH

Correct as of 10:00am - Saturday 30th December

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BLAST FROM THE PAST Saturday 30th December 2006

UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION 30th December 2006

St Neots

Blackstones

It was still honours’ even between these two sides when Referee Gary Colby had no option but to abandon the match after 69 minutes with the scores level at 1-1. The most disappointed man will have been St Neots skipper Russell Lawes who had put his side in front after just three minutes with a stunning left foot shot from 35 yards that the visiting keeper never saw. It was a strike worthy of winning any match but by the break the St Neots lead had been cancelled out by a Richard Thompson equaliser from an Ashley Stevens cross. The start of the heavy rain coincided with the start of the match, and it never let up. The match official tried hard to keep the game going but it became evident that it had descended into farce as the puddles on the pitch became ever deeper.St Neots great start saw them boss the first half hour with Byrne bringing a save from Ian Flavell and Richard Beckett having a shot cleared off the line. The pace of the Blackstones front pair then caused problems and Thompson squandered two chances either side of his goal. The first half finished with Kevin Ashby heading wide from a Mark Franklin corner.

BLAST FROM THE PAST Saturday 30th December 2006

TBlackstones looked the better side after the break and player/manager Steve Young making a rare appearance in goal because of the ‘flu stricken Ryan Hunt had to produce two good saves from Ross Watson and Elton Holmes. However all the efforts were wasted when the abandonment took place and the two sides must meet again at Rowley Park later in the season. Team: Steve Young, James Dillnut (Rory McKay 58 mins), Russell Lawes, Scott Grant, Kevin Ashby, Craig Reynolds (Joe Jordan 64 mins), Ben Singleton, Richard Beckett, Wes Byrne, John Coley, Mark Franklin. Subs not used: Tom Moran, Tom Mallins, Shaun Cleaver. Goal: Russell Lawes (3 minutes). Man of the Match: John Coley

John Walker

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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.

The Saints Community Memorial Wall We would like to formally announce that the Saints Community Memorial Wall is now ready and opportunities for Supporters to remember their loved ones, who may have been Saints Supporters themselves, are now available. 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.

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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.

Suite Hire Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/facility-hire to find out more...... THE REEDMANS SUITE HOLDS UP TO 80 PEOPLE AND IS PERFECT FOR SMALLER WEDDING RECEPTIONS AND PARTIES Suitable For: Smaller wedding venues / receptions & evening parties Smaller conference and business meeting facilities Party Celebrations young and old Funeral wakes Event hire Music events Presentation events A modern bar serving a vast range of beers, ciders, wines & soft drink We cater for all food requirements including Buffet menu’s, Hog Roasts, Barbeques, Small dance floor perfect for any party or small wedding reception Comfy dining furniture configured to suit requirements. This party venue can be dressed / decorated to suit the celebration. Friendly and experienced St Neots staff Plenty of parking Very adaptable All our facilities are wheel chair accessible

For all enquiries and quotations please contact Louise on misslouises@yahoo.co.uk or call 07753222683 THE GREGORY SUITE HOLDS UP TO 200 PEOPLE AND IS PERFECT FOR WEDDINGS AND LARGE FUNCTIONS. FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED Suitable For: Wedding venues / receptions & evening parties Conference and business meeting facilities Party Celebrations young and old Large funeral wakes Event hire Trade & Craft Fares etc Music events Presentation events A large, impressive bar serving a vast range of beers, ciders, wines & soft drinks We cater for all food requirements including Buffet menu’s, Hog Roasts, Barbeques. Stage area for bands, disco, and productions A large roomy dance floor perfect for any wedding reception Comfy dining furniture configured to suit requirements This party venue can be dressed / decorated to suit the celebration Friendly and experienced St Neots staff Plenty of parking All our facilities are wheel chair accessible We do have a large projector in the Gregory Suite that can be used for corporate events.

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John Walker's Match Preview HISTON FC

Year founded: 1904 Chairman: John Hall Club Website: www.histonfc.co.uk GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO THE PREMIER PLUS STADIUM AND AN ADVANCE HAPPY NEW YEAR GREETING TO OUR NEIGHBOURS HISTON FOR OUR RETURN LEAGUE MATCH Although our two clubs are just eighteen miles apart, this is to be the first ever league meeting here at St Neots. We did meet at Bridge Road earlier in the season when our lads produced one of their best performances on the road running out 4-0 winners with a brace from Jordan Brown, a goal from Sam Johnson and an own goal.However, our hosts fired a seasonal shot across our bows last Saturday when they recorded a very convincing 3-1 away victory at Newport Pagnell which demoted their victims out of the play-off zone – a gap taken up by ourselves. Our victory at Easington Sports to reverse the home result earlier in the season came courtesy of Harvey Williams’ fifth league goal of the season with four of those coming away from home. Histon’s victory at Pagnell came as a result of two first half goals in as many minutes from Edward Rolph and an own goal and when the hosts came back with a second half reply the points were wrapped up in added time by a third goal from Daniel Gould. That victory sees Histon in sixteenth place in the table prior to their Boxing Day date at home to Godmanchester. I would wind up these notes wishing all those involved with both our visitors and ourselves all the best for a successful second half to the season. Previous meeting of our teams: 19th Sept 2023

Enjoy the match. John Walker

John Walker

Histon 0 St Neots Town 4

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Seasons Past - With John Walker This Edition Focuses on Season 1979/80

This is another in a series of highlighting one of our final seasons at Shortsands to depict both the highs and the lows in the recent proud history of the Club. This was one of our more successful seasons in the final spell in the UCL even though our league performance was only average. The success was measured by the fact that for the first time for six seasons we had two trophies in our cabinet at the end of the season – the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup and the Huntingdonshire Bevevolent Cup – the latter netted for the first time ever by Reserve Manager Malcolm Harvey and his squad. In the Premier Division of the UCL we fell away after a bright start to finish twelfth in the final League table – three places lower than the two previous seasons. League:

UCL Premier Division

Final League position:

9th/19

League playing record:

P36 W12 D8 L16 For 45 Against 52 pts32 (two for win)

Cup playing record:

P10 W6 D0 L4

For 25

Against 23

We failed to score in fourteen of 36 home league matches and a measure of the problem was that defender Terry Oakley was our top goal scorer and goalkeeper turned striker John Gilson was amongst the list of leading goal scorers. We recorded three league ‘doubles’ – but all against sides that finished in the bottom six of the league table. Wisbech Town gained revenge for our significantly famous FA Cup victory in 1966 by beating us on their ground in the 2nd Qualifying round, after we have beaten Southern League Grantham Town. The Reserve team also had an average league season, but The Huntingdonshire Benevolent Cup was the team’s first trophy for eleven seasons! The top goal scorer was defender Terry Oakley with 10 goals followed by David Gray with nine. The Manager was Terry Reedman – Assistant Manager Malcolm Harvey John Walker

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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.

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John Walker's Match Report GODMANCHESTER ROVERS (H) 16-12-2023

ST NEOTS TOWN

GODMANCHESTER ROVERS

St Neots returned to winning ways with their first league victory since 14th October to complete a double over neighbours Godmanchester Rovers. It was a contest of two contrasting halves with the visitors recovering from a 3-0 first half mauling to roar back to have the better of the second half exchanges but finding themselves unable to claw back that mid-game deficit. In front of a bumper seasonal crowd of 427 St Neots delighted their supporters with their all-out attacking first half display but had some serious defending to do after the break. They showcased two of their recent signings in their starting line-up with the experienced Murphy Culkin starting at the heart of the defence and Christian Tavernier in midfield with Dean Dummett and Jamal Batchilly starting on the bench.Magloire Muyembe also returned to the side with skipper Kyle Lincoln injured. The visitors will return to the Premier Plus stadium next month for a Huntingdonshire Senior Cup semi-final. The match got off to a lightning start when after just 40 seconds Rhys Thorpe saw a net bound shot deflected for a corner. Following that cross debutante Christian Tavernier saw another effort from outside the box pushed away at full stretch by visiting keeper Ben Newton. The visitors replied with a swift breakaway attack and home keeper James Goff had to sprint from his line to save bravely at the feet of Luke Lindsay. However, it was St Neots making all the running with Jordan Brown bundled over in the area with play waved on and then Rhys Thorpe earned an unusual booking for removing his vest without permission! After 19 minutes the pressure paid off as Harvey Williams found Jordan Brown unmarked on the right and his delightful chip caught visiting keeper Newton two yards off his line and crept in under the bar. The same St Neots player then brought a good save from Newton as St Neots maintained their pressure and the lively Thorpe was twice just wide with two low efforts across the face of goal. The pressure paid off after 32 minutes when Magloire Muyembe threaded a measured through pass to pick out Harvey Williams and he darted between two defenders to claim St Neots’ second goal. Two minutes later it could have been 3-0 but the under pressure visiting keeper stuck out a leg to deflect another Thorpe effort for a corner, but it only delayed St Neots third goal by ten minutes because on the stroke of half time following a Dammy Nickels free kick only cleared to the edge of the penalty area, Chris Tavernier marked his debut with a thundering volley that flew into the net to afford St Neots their dominant three goals advantage at the break. It was however a different story after half time. The visitors posted their intention by introducing an additional attacking player and set themselves up in a defiant attacking formation. St Neots were rocked back on their heels but defended well as both Luke Lindsay and Ryan Henry squandered good chances with shots wide of their target.

John Walker's Match Report GODMANCHESTER ROVERS (H) 16-12-2023

Satisfied to defend when they did get the ball St Neots made little impression although against the run of play Thorpe squandered a golden opening set up by Joran Brown. It was then a procession of substitutions by both sides that broke up any semblance of methodical approach by either side and despite the visitors’ better share of possession the home keeper was seldom seriously called into action. The visitors had committed themselves to attack, and gaps began to appear in defence and after 77 minutes St Neots substitute Dean Dummett got on the end of a Dammy Nickels free kick to head home St Neots fourth goal to kill off any lingering hopes of a Godmanchester comeback. However, in injury time there was a crumb of comfort for the visitors when the referee awarded them a late penalty kick confidently stroked home by substitute Hashim Bakar to offer the visitors their limited consolation. St Neots Town: Goff, Josh Brown, Nickels, Tavernier, George, Culkin, Jordan Brown, Muyembe, Thorpe, Hatch, Williams Subs: Ajana (for Williams 64 mins), Dummett (for Tavernier 67 mins), Batchilly (for Hatch 73 mins), Akinbobola (for Jordan Brown 81 mins), Brookes (for Nickels 83 mins) Cards: Thorpe (Y – 14 mins), Jordan Brown (Y – 25 mins), Culkin (Y – 82 mins) Godmanchester Rovers: Newton, Matthews, Turner, Arnold, O’Boyle, Smith, Lembikisa, Henry, Lindsay, Tagg, Diaz Subs: Bakar (Arnold 46 mins), Butkus (for Lindsay 64 mins), Bates (for Diaz 71 mins), Rhaman (for Smith 75 mins), and Tait. Cards: none Attendance: 427 Referee: Tolga Yildiztepe (Peterborough)

(John Walker)

John Walker's Match Report EASINGTON SPORTS (A) 23-12-2023

EASINGTON SPORTS

ST NEOTS TOWN

St Neots gained revenge for a 1-0 home defeat by Easington with a same margin of victory in their favour in the return match. However, they left it late with the goal coming just four minutes from the end of normal time. It was a far from impressive performance but Manager Cameron Mawer said ‘a win is a win and three points and we can examine the performance in midweek’. With Newport Pagnell losing at home Histon, (St Neots’ next visitors on 30 December!) Mawer’s team moved up into the play-off places with at least one match in hand of all the clubs ahead of them. There was just a single team change from the Godmanchester victory with Israel Ajana replacing the suspended Jordan Brown. The match got off to a lively start with early chances at both ends. The first Easington attack after four minutes saw St Neots keeper James Goff save at full stretch after Leam Howards had been set up by Luke Swann and then at the other end the lively Israel Ajana outpace his marker, but his shot only found the side netting. As the match settled St Neots found it difficult to string passes together and it was the home side that bossed attacking possession. Josh Reilly should have done better firing over the bar after good work by Howards and then Goff was in action again pushing away a Barton Elliott free kick. The home side continued to create the better chances and the busy Goff saved well from Howards. St Neots best first half chance fell to Rhys Thorne, but he delayed his shot and Jack Myatt saved at his feet. The final phase of the first half fell away to a stalemate with each defence quite comfortably snuffing out the best that the other side could muster.

John Walker's Match Report EASINGTON SPORTS (A) 23-12-2023

The visitors looked the more lively of the sides’ after the break and had the better of the exchanges. Against the run of play Ellis Barton skied Easington’s best opening high over the bar and St Neots then pepped up their attack with the introduction of two substitutes. The pressure was building on the home defence and four minutes from time Harvey Williams took advantage of defensive hesitancy to score what was to be the winning goal. That sparked Easington’s late almost frantic spell of pressure as they sought an equaliser. Thankfully the St Neots defence marshalled by Nathan George and Murphy Culkin remained in control of the ariel bombardment from a string of corners for their side to hold out for all three points. St Neots: Goff, Josh Brown, Nickels, Tavernier, George, Culkin, Ajana, Muyembe, Thorpe, Hatch, Williams Subs: Dummett (for Ajana 62 mins), Rowley (for Tavernier 74 mins), Brooks (for Williams 90 mins), Akinbobola (for Thorpe 90 +1 min), and Batchilly Cards: George (Y – 56 mins), Culkin (Y – 71 mins), Akinbobola (Y – 90 + 4 mins), Josh Brown (Y – 90 + 4 mins). Easington Sports: Myatt, Fuller, Finch, Humphries, Barton, Convey, Swann, Reilly, Howards, Buckingham, Eyre Subs: Doak (for Reilly 72 mins), Cards: Barton (sin bin 22 mins), Buckingham (Y – 11 mins), Barton (Y – 34 mins), Humphries (Y – 90 + 4 mins) Attendance: 142 Referee: Gary Ogden (Leighton Buzzard)

(John Walker)

Match Report EYNESBURY ROVERS (A) 26-12-2023

Eynesbury Rovers

St Neots Town

23 years in the waiting, the Boxing Day derby match between the two most senior clubs in the town, turned out to be somewhat of a damb squib in a game which both sides displayed little penetrative attacking prowess and the defences of both teams dominated. In fact, there wasnt a single shot on target registered by either team in a game watched by an absolutely fantastic crowd of almost 800 people in the winter sunshine, which, as the game went on disappeared as did the likelyhood of either team finding a winner with both sides not wanting to make a defensive mistake and let the opposition in and snatch the bragging rights. Manager Cameron Mawer chose to make one change from the team which had won late on at Easington in the previous game, reinstating the previously suspended Jordan Brown in place of youngster Issy Ajana on the right wing, with the latter taking a berth on the Substitutes bench. Our hosts had the first real chance of the game when Dixon when he had a long range effort blocked then shortly after an audacious lob from around 30 yards by Rzeszutek flew wide of the mark with keeper Goff stranded in no mans land. Nathan George was to have our only notable attempt on goal, a header from a corner, but this went harmlessly wide and the game passed by until the referee brought the first half to an end with no real threats on either goal. The second half began with expectant travelling support awaiting the second half onslaught however this was never going to arrive, the closest we came to breaking the deadlock was when Rhys Thorpe evaded the shackles of his marker and sped away down the left wing and cut back a delicious cross into the six yard box but it was agonisingly out of the reach of the incoming Jordan Brown's outstretched boot and sailed away for a goal kick.

Match Report EYNESBURY ROVERS (A) 26-12-2023

With the clock ticking away, the game was petering out to it's conclusion and the only real moments of note where when the hosts' teenage substitute, George Holley, picked up a yellow card for a tug of a shirt and then was given a second yellow in the 78th minute when he was deemed to have dived in the Saints' penalty area. Sadly, St Neots couldn't make their numerical advantage count in the remaining minutes and the game ended with honours even and the Saints unbeaten in five outings and the hosts with a valuable point as they look to pull themselves away from the dreaded relegation zone down to Step Six. Manager Cameron Mawer said afterwards "If you can't win, don't lose the game" and they did just that. The team will have one more training session on Thursday evening before entertaining a fast improving Histon side at the Premier Plus Stadium on Saturday 30th December. St Neots Town: Goff, Josh Brown, Nickels, Tavernier, George, Culkin, Jordan Brown, Muyembe, Thorpe, Hatch, Williams Subs: Dummett (for Tavernier), Ajana (for Jordan Brown), Brookes (for Josh Brown), Akinbobola, and Batchilly

Attendance: 793 Referee: Ryan Allison

MIKE GREEN

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Opponent Spotlight HISTON FC

The club was formed in 1904 as Histon Institute FC, and played for 44 years in the Cambridgeshire Football League. John Chivers, chairman of major Histon employer Chivers & Sons, helped to found the football club. The company donated a field then covered in roses for the club to play on, which is commemorated in the rose on Histon’s crest. From 1926 the club moved to its current location, where a grandstand was erected in 1934.

In 1948 the club became champions of the Cambs League and joined the Spartan League, winning promotion to its Premier Division in 1951. The “Institute” was dropped from the club’s name that season. The top forward in those days was Mo Thurston, who scored 63 goals in season 1949-50. In 1960 Histon entered the Delphian League, which became part of the Athenian League structure in 1963, but struggled at that level. The pitch was resited at right angles to the old one in 1960-61, and a replacement stand opened in 1964-65. In 1965 Histon switched to the Eastern Counties League, where they were to play for the next 35 years. When the ECL adopted a two-division format in 1988, Histon were placed in the Premier Division. In the 1989–90 season, with Alan Doyle as manager, Histon won the ECL League Cup and sold players Lance Key and Shaun Sowden to Sheffield Wednesday and Giuliano Maiorana to Manchester United. The transfer fee rescued the club financially, and a Manchester United team played Histon on 19 May 1989. Following administrative and financial difficulties in 1993, the club was relegated to ECL Division One in 1995 but were promoted back to the Premier Division two years later. The 1997–98 season saw Neil Kennedy establish a club record by scoring 46 senior goals in the season, and Histon finished 3rd. Finally in the 1999–2000 season Histon won the ECL Premier Division title under the management of former Cambridge United player Steve Fallon, appointed on 27 July 1999, and were promoted to the Southern League Eastern Division. In the first three Southern League seasons Histon managed 4th spot twice and then a disappointing 10th, which momentarily halted the rise in fortunes experienced under Steve Fallon, but the 2003–04 season saw the club finish 2nd in the Eastern Division to claim promotion to the Premier Division. The following year Histon took on League Two side Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup 1st Round Proper, setting up a 2nd Round tie at home to Yeovil Town with a 2–0 victory. They lost to Yeovil, but clinched the Southern League Premier Division title on the last day of the 2004-05 season and were promoted to the Conference South. In their first Conference South season Histon finished 5th, enough to secure a place in the play-offs for promotion to the Conference National. They won their first play-off game away at Farnborough Town 3–0, but lost 2–0 in the final against St. Albans City. In the FA Cup they reached the second round proper. The team managed a draw away at Nuneaton Borough but were defeated in the replay at Bridge Road 2–1 before a crowd of 3,077. The season was also notable for a 5–0 win against local rivals Cambridge United in the FA Trophy.

Opponent Spotlight HISTON FC

On 14 April 2007 Histon, now popularly known as the Stutes, beat Welling United 1–0 at Bridge Road to go 19 points clear at the top of the Conference South in the final table. Two days previously, officials from the Conference had passed Bridge Road as fit for Conference National football, paving the way for promotion (the club’s fourth in 7 years) to the highest point in the non league pyramid. In the same season striker Neil Kennedy scored his 300th goal for the club with a hat-trick against Havant & Waterlooville. Histon’s 2007-08 season in the Conference National saw the Stutes play their first televised game, Setanta broadcasting the 1–0 home win against Oxford United. Later that season the club broke their record home attendance when a crowd of 3,721 saw Histon beat Cambridge United 1–0 on 1 January 2008. Histon finished the season 7th. The club’s record goal scorer, Neil Kennedy, played his last competitive game against Forest Green Rovers on the last day of the season in a substitute appearance. The second season of Conference National football saw the Stutes finish third, qualifying for the play-offs, where they were defeated 2–1 on aggregate by Torquay United in the semi-final. In the FA Cup Histon reached the third round, losing 2-1 at home to Championship side Swansea City, after beating League One opposition in Swindon Town 1–0 at home in the first round, and Leeds United 1–0 at home in the second round, the first time Leeds had lost to a nonleague side. The Leeds United match was on national television, the attendance was 4,103, and the winning goal was scored by Matt Langston. Histon’s fortunes declined after the high spots of the 2008-09 season, as the money ran out. In November 2009 Gareth Baldwin ended his 17-year tenure as chairman of the club, and in January 2010 Steve Fallon’s highly successful ten years as Histon manager came to an end. The club finished 18th in the Conference National in season 2009/10 and bottom in 2010/11. Alan Lewer, John Beck, and David Livermore served successively as managers. Histon finished their first Conference North season in 16th place and David Livermore left the club at the end of that season. Dennis Greene took over but left the Club in December 2012, to be replaced by former player Nacer Relizani assisted by the club’s youth team coach Brian Page. The duo led the team to Conference North safety on the last day of the 2012/13 season before Relizani stepped down and Page took over the top job.

Opponent Spotlight HISTON FC

Histon were now playing with a very young side largely drawn from the club’s youth structure. The 2013/14 season saw them relegated from the Conference North to the Southern Premier League. Brian Page kept them at that level in season 2014/15, securing an 18th place finish, but even the return of Steve Fallon in October 2015 could not prevent further relegation to the Southern League Division 1 Central at the end of season 2015-16. In October 2016 Fallon became Director of Football, with Lance Key returning to the club (again) this time as manager. Season 2016/17 however saw yet another relegation, back to the Eastern Counties League where it all started in the 1990’s. After a season of adjustment in 2017-18 at the end of which the team finished 6th in the Eastern Counties League Premier Division, 2018-19 saw the club heading in the right direction again as Key lead the side to promotion claiming the league title with an impressive 14 point margin. On returning to Step 4, the club was unexpectedly allocated a place in the Isthmian League for the first time in it’s 115 year history. After spending much of the 2019/20 season in the top half of the league’s North division, a mid-table finish looked to be on the cards before the season was curtailed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The end of the season also saw the club Chairman John Hall step down after four years in which the focus had been upon restoring community links, simplifying the ownership structure, repaying debts, cutting costs and introducing ladies teams. Under John’s leadership, youth development continued to feature high on the club’s priorities list with a clear pathway from Academy through Scholarship and into the First Team for our young players. John was succeeded by Richard Barlow, an existing Board member and longterm supporter of the club. After the 2020/21 season was curtailed Histon FC was moved into the new Northern Premier League Midlands Division and following the on and on-field disruption caused by that move was relegated to Step 5 at the end of the 2021/22, being placed in the United Counties League Premier Division South for 2022/23. Richard Barlow had stepped down as Chairman in late 2021 and the club continued temporarily without a named Chairman until June 2022 when John Hall resumed in that role and the club welcomed a number of new directors to the board, uniting to move the club forward on and off the pitch.

Manager - Cameron Mawer Assistant - Steve Kuhne Coach - Alex Minall GK Coach - Gary Dean Physio - Craig Lambert Kitman - Mick Hunt

Joint Manager - Chris Nunn Coach - Matt Vernon Coach - Jordie Williams Physio - Graig Galbo Kit Man - Mickey Hunter Analyst - Kyle Nunn

Squad List

James Goff (GK) Tommy Reynolds Dammy Nickels Nathan George Ollie Brookes Murphy Culkin Malaki Black Dean Dummett Joshua Brown Jamal Batchilly Magloire Muyembe Christian Tavernier Harvey Williams Israel Ajana James Hatch Jordan Brown Rhys Thorpe Tom Rowley

Sam Roach (GK) Connor Barnes Lene Burden Babacar Camara Luke Crisp Daniel Gould Miles Smith Will Summerfield Joe Sutton Ryan Towner Max York Marcus Cole Ed Rolph Jim Burnside Liam Mann Jake Kerins

Colours Navy/Light Blue Quarters Dark Blue Shorts Light Blue Socks

Referee

Paul McVey Assistant 1 Stewart Horn

Next Home Match.... Leicester Nirvana UCL Premier Division South Saturday 6th January 3.00 pm KO

Colours Red/Black Striped Shirts Black Shorts Black Socks

Assistant 2

Martyn Allen