THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE £2.00
Southern League Premier Division V
Redditch United Issue 02
08 Posh Friendly / We look back at our recent pre-season friendly when Peterborough Uniteds’ first team came to us
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Management Team / Looking at the three games so far
A Football History / An insight from its origin to now
Owner Mike Kearns
Club Secretary Gary Wilson
Chairman Mike Kearns
Fixture Secretary Marian Izzard
Managing Director Lee Kearns
Life President John Walker
Director Iain Parr
Team Officials Richard King (Goalkeeping Coach)
Football Managers Gary King Zema Abbey Assistant Manager Nathan Abbey
Youth Liaison & Development Mick Hunt
46 Stews Views / A cracking read by Craig!
Functions and Events Coordinator Louise Spark
Assistant Photographer Paulo Soares
St Neots Town TV Editor Adam Ridley
Site Manager Irmantas Sabaliauskas
Club Merchandise Linda Walters Programme Editor Mark Davies Club Photographer Claire Howes
Physio Chris Budd
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Chief Liaison Officer Mike Green Programme Sales Charlie Green Matchday Music / Scoreboard Simon Hutchinson Pitchcare Working Turf
200 Club Stuart Walters Design & Marketing Blue Prawn Print XL Press Limited
INSIDE
Issue 02 V Redditch United Southern League Premier Division
Also Inside 06 Action Replay 12 The Scholars’ Review 16 The Chairmans’ Views 20 Read All About It
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22 The Beautiful Game 28 News From The Youth 30 Pull-Out Poster 32 Greenies Greetings
The World’s Greatest Players Ever / Puskas and Alfredo di Stefano
Old Footie Programme Covers / This issue we look at the 1950s
36 Away Days 44 MD’s Views 48 Premier Division Review 50 Match Report vs Chesham Utd 51 Season 2014/15 Fixtures Matrix 52 The Non-League Paper 56 Season 2014/15 Statistics
24 Todays’ Visitors / We welcome The Reds to the Cozy Founded 1879 The Cozy Stadium Rowley Park, Kester Way St Neots PE19 6SL Telephone 01480 470012 Email enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk Official Website www.stneotstownfc.co.uk Official Forum www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/forum
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58 Premier Division League Table 60 Home & Opposition Squads
Introducing Ryan Frater / Focus on the ‘man mountain’ himself! Southern Football League Division One champions, 1 time United Counties League Premier Division champions, 2 times Division One champions, 1 time League Cup winners, 2 times Metropolitan League Champions, 1 time League Cup winners, 1 time Professional Cup winners, 1 time South Midlands League Champions, 1 time
Huntingdonshire League Champions, 4 times Huntingdonshire Senior Cup Winners, 37 times Hinchingbrooke Cup Winners, 2 times
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 03
THE MANAGEMENT TEAM
GARY / ZEMA / NATHAN Good evening everybody and welcome to our opponents Redditch this evening for our fourth league fixture of the new season. Well, it’s fair to say the season is well and truly underway and after three games a return of seven points from two away games and one home game is pleasing.
Our opening day fixture away to Hereford was always going to be tough, what with everything they are going through as a football club right now, the one thing they would have been determined to achieve is an opening day result at home to give their staff and supporters something to smile about. Hereford is a big football club but thankfully we were able to secure three points in what was a case of simply ‘getting the job done on the road’. The Chesham game threw up the unexpected in as much that I don’t think anyone would have expected us to be three down at half time. In fairness to Chesham on the back of an opening day win at Truro they hit us like a train in the first half, indeed, lesser teams than ourselves, teams
without the character and mental toughness we do possess may have folded at this point. Of course, we have our own standards at this club and our first half performance fell below those standards but, thankfully, half time gave us a chance to regroup and the second half became a reverse of the first – it was Chesham who were hanging on for a point following our three goal comeback. The comeback showed great team spirit and also, I believe, highlighted ourselves to be the fitter side. Our first home game of the season saw us come up against Weymouth, another big club, who are one of the sides tipped for promotion this season. We delivered our second clean sheet in three games in what I believe was a controlled performance. On the day I felt every player really had to dig deep, work hard, in order that the three points be delivered and the overall team performance showed a lot of the minerals it will take if we are to go on and have a successful season. Redditch will be tough opposition for us tonight. They come to us on
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the back of winning at Chesham on Saturday, maybe an indication of just how hard Chesham had to work against us on Tuesday. Redditch are a fit, young side who possess experience where it matters and as show on Saturday they can beat anyone in this league so once again we will have to be at our very best if we are to win tonight. It was important to us to keep the bulk of last years squad and it is pleasing how the players we have brought in have integrated into the team. This squad is together on and off the pitch. Newcomers - Nathan Frater, Springy, Josh and Martell all started on Saturday and all their performances reflected that they have settled in and they all enjoy being part of St Neots Town FC. The newcomers who haven’t quite got going yet, Dills, Drew Luke, Bruce and Jordan are absolutely chomping which can only be a good thing. We expect, in the coming week or so, to welcome back some injured players – Bruce Wilson is now free of injury, Ben Farrell, Dills and Luke T are all close to being available for selection and Drew’s suspension is now over. All for one and one for all. Kingy
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 05
FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Wembley 0
ST NEOTS TOWN 2
St. Neots manager Steve Kuhne summed up the game in his after match interview with Sky Sports who were there to cover the game. He said “It has been a good and enjoyable day and a result will bring in some income for the club”. The F.A. Cup, which ever round, win or lose, is always a day the supporters can enjoy and the St. Neots faithful enjoyed their day hoping that starting the competition at Wembley might be an omen for later in the season. Gary Walker opened the scoring for the visitors, midway through the first half, heading home a Simon Claridge head on from a long throw from Nicky Hurst. St. Neots up to this stage had had the better of the game with Gary Watts having the best chance, heading just wide from a Russell Lawes corner. The home team always looked dangerous going forward and created a number of good chances
of their own but new keeper Stefan Chamalin was equal to their best efforts. With St. Neots not taking advantage of the chances they created during the first period the game always looked to be in a fine balance. That was until Steve Kuhne tapped in from close range, in time added on, before the interval. Claridge acted as provider for the second time in the game, after heading a Lawes free kick, taken from the left flank, back into the goal area for Kuhne to double the visitors’ score.
Barry Dellar was guilty of the same after Kuhne had done well to get his cross in, from the right flank, only to see Dellar’s effort sky over the bar. Wembley threw everything at the visitors defence for the last 15 minutes but St. Neots weathered the storm to earn a good win and a home draw with Hemel Hempstead in the next round on Saturday August 27th.
Wembley looked far more positive during the second period with two good efforts shaving the St. Neots cross bar within the first five minutes. Matt Endersby probably should have wrapped the game up, for the visitors, seven minutes into the second half, but blasted over from just 15 yards.
Saints: Chamalin, Hurst, Lawes (Brown), Buckland, Watts, Claridge, Hoggett, Dellar, Kuhne, Walker (Franklin), Endersby (Moles). Subs not used: Cumberbatch. Goals: Walker (21), Kuhne (45
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MATTHEW SPRING
ST NEOTS TOWN 2 PETERBOROUGH UTD 5 Tuesday 5th August 2014 / Pre-Season Friendly / Att 786
St Neots concluded their pre-season campaign with an entertaining 5-2 defeat by Football League visitors Peterborough United. The deadlock was broken on four minutes and it was a debut goal for Posh summer signing Erhun Oztumer, who curled a left-foot freekick into the bottom corner past the despairing dive of Nathan Abbey. STRONG FIRST HALF At the other end Post stopper Alnwick made a superb point blank stop with his legs to deny former Posh youth product Jay Davies and then Britt Assombalonga saw a longrange shot saved by Abbey. On 33 minutes, Posh doubled their lead as left-back Kgosi Ntlhe rolled the ball home from closerange
after Assombalonga’s shot had been parried by Abbey. On 38 minutes Posh made it 3-0 as the front two combined to excellent effect, Washington collecting a pass down the right from Bostwick before crossing low for Assombalonga who had the simple task of converting past Abbey. Three minutes before the interval Posh made it 4-0 from the penalty spot as Spence felled Ntlhe allowing Assombalonga to step up and coolly convert from 12-yards, high to the keeper’s right. Posh made 10 changes at the interval with only MendezLaing remaining. Barnett was denied by a fine stop by Abbey and then Mendez-Laing’s curler found the roof of the net as Posh pressed for an early fifth goal in the second half. McEvoy was next to be denied by Abbey as the chances continued to flow. Abbey denied Mendez-Laing
on 55 minutes after the winger had beaten his man and burst into the penalty area. A minute later and St. Neots were on the score sheet as Jay Davies collected a pass into the box and showed good composure to poke the ball past the advancing Day. Richens saw a long-range shot tipped over by Abbey before Barnett’s header was cleared off the line. SMART STOP Tom Conlon replaced Mendez-Laing on the hour mark. Joe Day made a smart stop to keep out a low Spence free-kick midway through the second period. On 73 minutes, Posh made it 5-1 as the second half front two combined Vassell doing well down the right before crossing to Barnett who took a touch and then fired low past Abbey from 12-yards. The hosts reduced the arrears as the game entered the final quarter as Drew Roberts fired across Day and into the bottom corner. John Walker
St Neots Town FC
Peterborough United
Abbey, Spence, Hoyte, Lee, Spring, Ford (Thurlbourne), Powell (Frater N.), Davies, Ferrari (Roberts), Dillon (Nolan), Hilliard.
Posh first 45 minutes: Alnwick, Ntlhe, Bostwick, Zakuani, Baldwin, Oztumer, Payne, Anderson, Mendez-Laing, Washington, Assombalonga. Posh second 45 minutes: Day, Luto, Brisley, Santos, Richens, Mendez-Laing (sub Conlon 60min), McCann, Ferdinand, McEvoy, Vassell, Barnett.
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WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 09
‘DILLS’ SHOOTS
ST. NEOTS TOWN F.C
LE A R N I N G & S P O RT S AC A D EM Y
THE SCHOLARS’ REVIEW Keep up-to-date with news and views from our Academy Director Iain Parr FA Learning Tutor Training Leadership Through Football I am currently studying a FA Tutor Training course to deliver level 2 Leadership Through Football, this will allow us to deliver the award to all Scholars and Apprentices to add to their qualifications and help them to understand the importance of variety, delivery techniques and leadership qualities required as a coach. The course content is fantastic, it covers Football, Refereeing, Futsal, Football for players with disabilities, we will also look to bolt on Emergency Aid and Safe Guarding. This will give the participants a Level 1 Qualification and a registration to the FA Coaches Club.
SPACES STILL AVAILABLE!! Football Scholarship and Apprenticeship Opportunities with St Neots Town FC Learning and Sports Academy OPEN TO 16 YEAR OLD SCHOOL LEAVERS Please visit www.stneotswtownfc.co.uk and go to ‘downloads’ Email iain@stneotstownfc.co.uk or call 07970 851511
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ENGLAND GOALKEEPING LEGEND PETER SHILTON COMES TO ROWLEY PARK To provisionally book your tickets please email enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk
Enjoy an evening in the company of England and Nottingham Forest legend Peter Shilton Date: Friday 3rd October Venue: St Neots Town FC, Rowley Park, Doors Open: 7pm
Ticket Price: (including Fish and Chips) £20 per head or Tables of 10 for £180
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 13
The World’s
!
EVER
08. FERENC PUSKAS, HUNGARY The Galloping Major was a part of two of the greatest teams of all time. The most integral part of the “Magical Magyars” Hungary side of the early 1950s, Puskas and his teammates appeared certainties to lift the 1954 World Cup, but somehow lost in the final to Germany after Puskas had put them ahead and was then controversially denied an equalizer in the dying stages. Thankfully, his brilliant career did taste glory at club level, having won three European Cups with Real Madrid, including in 1960 when he scored four in the famous 7-3 defeat of Eintracht Frankfurt.
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07. ALFREDO DI STEFANO, ARGENTINA, COLOMBIA AND SPAIN When Alfredo passed recently Real Madrid had no qualms about declaring Di Stefano “the best player of all time� Born in Argentina, but having also turned out at international level for Colombia and Spain, Di Stefano played a key role in the history of European soccer, having famously come close to joining Barcelona before moving to arch rivals Real Madrid, and becoming an integral figure in the Spanish side winning the first five European Cups.
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 15
THE CHAIRMANS’ VIEWS
TIME TO PUSH ON Welcome to the Officials, Players and supporters of Redditch for todays fixture. I hope you have an enjoyable time with us. As I mentioned in my previous notes I would talk a little about our progression as a club but in particular the first team. Much work has been done on youth development and what has been achieved in such a short space of time is incredible. Thank you to all involved. SUCCESS I have also mentioned before that all of us want some kind of success for the first team and of course I’m no different, I get disappointed when things are not going well and when that happens we are all fed up and the weekend is just not the same as when we do well. I try not to get upset just disappointed at times but that is football and we cannot win every match and every league every season. Saying that I did want a period of time to consolidate the club as I thought that we were moving a little too fast without the right infrastructure behind the club. I believe that you all feel as I do that the time is right to try and move forward with the first team of which we are now trying to do. PROFESSIONAL TRIO
I am very comfortable with the first team management and the way they go about their business, a very professional trio I must say. Proof is in the pudding and their achievement’s since they took over the first team has been outstanding. Time to push on, yes I think so. Its funny really that I made that decision during last season when I very nearly become very upset. An opposing Manager stated live on radio that his club should really win against a club like St Neots Town and that we were not a very good team, that is after we had just won against them. It did make my blood boil and I said to my self that we would end up above that club at the end of the season even though they were in the top 8 of the division at the time. We achieved that target and even more gave them a football lesson at home later in the season. FORMIDABLE The line was really cast from that day to be honest and we constructed a very formidable squad of players who were becoming a team that were determined not to get beat and be very competitive in every game they played. Not much adjustment was needed and to that end we retained all of the players that we wanted to. We had our eyes new players and knew who we wanted to improve the squad. Thankfully
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they all agreed to join us for what we hope will be a squad capable of challenging at the top of the division and give us all weekends to enjoy. Nothing is certain in football and winning the league is not as they say in golf a gimmee. No targets have been set, we give our best and pressure ourselves in our own way if needed. HELLO AND GOODBYE I would like to welcome all of the new players to the club, and thanks to the players that have left with a special mention to Shane Tolley. If there is a nicer bloke about then he will only be equal to Shane. A big loss for us as a player of course but a bigger loss not to have him around. A real decent guy and I wish him and Hannah all the best in his relocation to Dubai. Right less of this and lets get this season moving. Please do not forget we try our hardest at all times, so be patient a little less demanding (let me do that if needed) of which I very much doubt that sort of thing will be needed, and enjoy your football because that’s what we are all here for. ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL Mike
‘FORDY’ SETS UP A CHANCE
A Football
History from its origin to now
There is no clear documentation stating the date and place of origination of today’s most popular sport - world football. However, most historians agree that some type of a ball game has been played for at least over 3000 years. The origins of the game can be seen in games played in China, Japan, Egypt, Greece before our modern game developed in England. Here is a brief outline of some of the events that have shaped the game of soccer throughout history.
A Football Timeline (Part Two)
1572
1605 Football became legal again in England.
1620
1820 In the USA, football was played among the Northeastern universities and colleges of Harvard, Princeton, Amherst and Brown.
1848 The rules were further standardized and a new version was adopted by all the schools, college and universities, known as the Cambridge Rules.
1862 Queen Elizabeth I of England, enacted laws that could sentence a football player to jail for a week followed by penance in a church.
1600 In Alaska and Canada the native Eskimos played a game called aqsaqtuk on ice, using balls stuffed with grass, caribou hair, and moss. One legend tells of two villages playing against each other with goals 10 miles apart.
In North America, native American Indians in the original Jamestown settlement played a game called pasuckuakohowog, meaning “they gather to play ball with the foot.” It was a rough game, played the beach, the field a half-mile wide with goals 1 mile apart, with as many as 1000 players at a time.
1815 Eton College of England established a set of rules for the games.
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The first soccer club formed anywhere outside of England was the Oneida Football Club, Boston USA.
1863 October 26 of 1863, the Football Association was formed when eleven London schools and clubs came together at the Freemason’s Tavern to establish a single set of rules to administer any football match that were to be played among them. On December 8 1863, Association Football and Rugby Football finally split onto two
different organizations. Later in the year, the first ever soccer match was played on Barnes common at Mortlake, London on 19th December 1863 between Barnes Football Club and Richmond Football Club. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 19
READ ALL ABOUT IT We take a look at what other non-league clubs are doing that’s making the news this week. CITY SIGN ICELANDIC MIDFIELDER
Gary Roberts, manager of Cambridge City, has agreed terms with Icelandic midfielder Heidar Juliusson. The 26-year-old comes to City after playing for Norwegian side Hamarkameratene, where he was loaned to whilst playing for Swedish Club IFK Uddevala.
He has been a prolific scorer at all levels during his time at Histon and Page was pleased to have secured the signature of yet another of the talented youngsters at Histon:
Biggleswade Town have taken youngsters Ian Rees (Pictured) and Zane Banton on three-month deals from Sky Bet League Two new boys Luton Town.
Hastings has been with the squad for the last couple of weeks and has impressed the manager during that time enough to earn himself a place in the squad.
Midfielder Rees signed professional forms last February after impressing manager John Still in training and in four appearances in the FA Trophy that season, and penned a deal until the end of the 2014/15 campaign.
EX-SPURS YOUNGSTER JOINS BANBURY
TWO MORE STUTES
Brian Page, manager of Histon, has added another two to his squad with the signing of strikers Matty Waters and Rob Hastings (pictured).
Former Tottenham Hotspur academy player Victor Zapata is latest recruit to Banbury United`s squad. The 19-year-old striker, who was born in Columbia but brought up in Hackney, came through the Spurs academy progressing to play for their under-18 and under-21 sides.
The central midfielder joined the Hatters in 2007 having previously been on the books of both Cambridge United and Rushden & Diamonds. Striker Banton became a pro in September 2013, signing a deal until May 2015 after impressing Still in a number of behind-closed-doors development games. MAGPIES BORROW A COUPLE OF CHERRIES
WADERS BORROW TWO YOUNG HATTERS
Waters is well-known to supporters at Bridge Road as the 19-year-old has been at the club for a number of years, progressing through the youth ranks and scholarship and into the first-team.
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Dorchester Town are set to bolster their ranks with the additions of youngsters. Callum Buckley and Mason Walsh (pictured) on initial one month loan deals from Sky Bet Championship side AFC Bournemouth. Left-back Buckley
BEES LEND CANARIES A HAND
and attacking midfielder Walsh, whose father is former Liverpool and Spurs striker Paul Walsh.
New Sky Bet Championship side Brentford have come to the aid of Hitchin Town by lending them highlyrated young goalkeeper Mark Smith.
GENERALS BORROW YOUNG CHAIRBOY
is a forward with electrifying pace and will add a new and exciting dimension to Bobby Wilkinson’s striking options
Chesham United have taken young defender Tommy Fletcher’s from Sky Bet League two neighbours Wycombe Wanderers to Chesham United on loan.
His previous clubs include Wealdstone, Maidenhead United, Beaconsfield SYCOB and Slough Town. BRETT MAKES TRURO SWITCH
The 19-year-old, who can play across the back four, has joined Andy Leese`s side on a three-month loan deal. The former Cheshunt youngster spent time on loan at Conference South side Bishop’s Stortford last season, having made his competitive debut for Wycombe as a substitute in September 2013, and moves to The Meadow until November 9th. MPI LEAVES TUDORS FOR CRUSADERS Charlie Mpi has joined Hungerford Town from Vanarama Conference South newcomers Hemel Hempstead Town Mpi played thirty-nine times for the Tudors after joining in May 2012 and
The Bees came to the Canaries` rescue after an SOS for a new keeper. Smith, 18, joined Brentford at the end of last season from West London neighbours Queens Park Rangers.
WILLIAMS MAKES ROVERS SWITCH
Truro City have secured the signature of Ryan Brett from Salisbury City. Brett, 23, is a proven left-sided defender or midfielder having spent the last three years at Conference outfit Salisbury. He was part of the side that saw the Whites gain promotion to the Conference Premier as well as experiencing the traumas of a club going into freefall.Brett, 6’2”, is currently injured with a broken foot but expects to feature in about four weeks.
Midfielder Ashley Williams has joined Southern League Premier Division newcomers Paulton Rovers from Southern Division One South & West neighbours Mangotsfield United. Williams played forty-six times for the Mangos last season, scoring four times, and has also worn the colours of Chippenham Town, Yate Town and Newport County.
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 21
THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
PRIDE, PASSION & BELIEF We may not hear the words Pride, Passion and Belief like we used to in relation to the National team but as football supporters, of any team in the land, these are three things we will never lose sight of. If we do, then perhaps it’s time to find an alternative pastime event at 3 o’clock on a Saturday afternoon? Without the hope and belief that our boys here today will put in a shift every game throughout this season and bring success, we may as well stay at home hadn’t we? We pay our money, we are proud, we are passionate and we believe (as we do at the start of every season) that when the season ends, we’ll have something to shout about. It’s what we do.
in France; lets restore that ‘Pride, Passion & Belief’ approach as in previous tournaments. And whatever happened to the ‘England Expects’ motto? Perhaps we don’t ‘expect’ anymore, have we given up on the National team? You look at the Germany; Holland and Argentina squads who have performed consistently well over the last few decades and wonder where we go wrong each time. Having said that, who’d have bet against Spain and Italy not making it beyond the Group
Having just returned home from my watching my third Pre-Season friendly, and being a neutral at each game, it’s renewed my faith in the English game, and if I’m honest, the three games I’ve seen were not the best! However, following the disappointment of the England teams’ efforts during the world cup, the three friendly games were full of passion, tenacity and fight. The three England games lacked all three of these components, hence the early plane home for our boys. Prior to the trip to Brazil, the England camp were positive. The media hype about the ‘new blood’ within the team and the buzz it created in the lead up to the event simply didn’t transform into dazzling (or even mediocre) displays of wizardry out there on the pitch. I don’t remember a more disappointing World Cup, apart from USA 94 when we couldn’t even qualify! Roll on Euro 2016
stages? Not many, I dare say. The exit of World Champions Spain was probably the biggest shock of Brazil 2014 but what of the Brazilian teams’ efforts? They were certainly not the Brazil we’re all used to were they? They too seem to have lost their usual flair. The Brazil fans, well, they did ‘expect’ and who can blame them, being on home soil, used to the climate, it wouldn’t have surprised any of us if Brazil had been the eventual lifters of the world cup but sadly, they never really got into second gear. After the exit of some of the ‘big boys’ and the unexpected progress of the Costa Rica’s and Columbia’s, it seemed to fizzle as a tournament until the Suarez incident
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which re-ignited the competition for all the wrong reasons. FIFA did act swiftly and removed the animal from the competition and thankfully, he’s legged it to Spain to eat the opponents of Barcelona rather than the Premiership players here. For me, my old-school view of disliking the Germans was put to one side for the World Cup Final. This surprised me as I favoured the Germans to win and found a renewed updated dislike for the Argentinian National side. For those of you who witnessed the ‘Hand of God’ goal during Mexico 86’, you’ll totally get where I’m coming from. Add to that the Falklands war and the Batistuta-Beckham clash in a previous encounter and there it is. I found myself a Germany fan for all of 90 minutes + extra time and not a moment more! Today’s game is one of many. It’s a long season ahead but as long as we do our bit and show that we are proud and passionate and that we do believe in this team, we’re half way there. We just need them to share those three components and the consequences will be fruitful. They know we expect. They just sometimes need us to be that 12th man to give them the mental strength to see out a game to the final whistle. Let’s be there for them as we always are. After all…that’s what we do! ADE
ARTHUR LEE NEAR AGAIN
TODAY’S VISITORS
REDDITCH UNITED
A special welcome to Redditch United our visitors today who finished tenth in the table last season – nine places higher than the previous season. However in February they were 17th in the table but in the last couple of months they dug out some improved form and results – despite losing at home our lads in the semi-final of the Red Insure Cup. At the time these notes were written Redditch had just completed their second home fixture of the season after their opening day defeat. They scored two early second half goals and then hung on to beat visiting Chippenham by two goals to one. Following that they were due on Saturday to follow in our lads footsteps to Chesham. Redditch have been in the Southern League for just three seasons following their relegation from the Conference North. Geographically located in the Midlands they are one of the ‘yo-yo’ clubs who have been shuttled
between the Northern and Southern pyramids but they will now be happy to settle to establish themselves in the Southern League – despite losing near neighbours Stourbridge who were moved north this season. So this will be a third visit to the Cozy Stadium for Redditch and they are one of the few teams that presently still have a 100% record on this ground but our lads will be happy to dent that record this evening. CLUB HISTORY Redditch Town was established in 1891 and immediately joined the Birmingham Combination, where they played for a single season. The club achieved its first success by winning the Worcestershire Senior Cup in 1894 and becoming
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runners-up in 1898. In 1914 they won the Birmingham Combination Championship for the first time and, finally, the Birmingham Senior Cup in 1925. The 1930s were a much more rewarding period for the club and its supporters, starting by winning the Worcestershire Senior Cup and the Birmingham Senior Cup in successive seasons. Reds almost achieved a notable double in 1932–33 when, having won the Combination, they were defeated in the Senior Cup Final. Apart from an unsuccessful appearance in the Birmingham Senior Cup final just before the World War, Reds moved into a fallow period. In 1953 Redditch regained the Combination Championship and was runners-up in the Worcestershire Senior Cup.
Year founded: 1891 Nickname: The Reds Chairman: Chris Swan
Website: www.redditchutdfc.co.uk Stadium: Valley Stadium Capacity: 5,000
Previous Meetings: 2013/14 St Neots 2-3 Redditch 2013/14 Redditch 0-0 St Neots
This Championship success was repeated in 1955. In 1957 they were runners-up in the Birmingham Senior Cup. In 1971–72 the club reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, losing 6–0 in the replay at Peterborough United after a 1–1 draw at home in front of a crowd of 4,500. At the end of the season they finished sixth in the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division and joined Division One North of the Southern League. They won the Worcestershire Senior Cup in 1974 and 1975. The following season they won Division One North and were promoted to the Premier Division. In 1978–79 they finished eighth in the league and became founder members of the Alliance Premier League (now the Football
Conference). However, they finished bottom in its first season and dropped into the Southern League’s Midland Division. After finishing as runners-up in 1985–86 the club was promoted to the Premier Division, where they remained until relegation in 1989. The following season they reached the first round of the FA Cup losing 3–1 to Merthyr Tydfil. At the end of the season they beat Northwich Victoria 4–3 over the two-legged final of the Staffordshire Senior Cup. In 1997–98 the Reds reached two cup finals, the Southern League Cup and the Birmingham Senior Cup. Both were lost, and the cup run caused a large fixture backlog that resulted in the club having to play nine matches in nine days at the end of the season.
In 2003–04 the club won the Southern League Western Division. Due to league re-organisation caused by the establishment of the Conference North and South, the club entered play-offs to be promoted to the new leagues. After a very difficult 2010–11 campaign in the Conference North Redditch was relegated to the Southern League Premier Division.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 25
WHO’S WHO
THE REDS
LEAVI OSHUNGBURE
JOEL CAINES
CALUM FLANAGAN
JORDAN JONES
JIM MUTTON
OMAR RECCI
DAN SCARR
GEORGE CARLINE
LIAM MCDONALD Liam McDonald takes charge for his second season at Redditch United having finished tenth in the league last season and having won the Worcestershire Senior Cup. A superb finish to his first managerial role. Liam played for Redditch United for two seasons, having played for Tamworth and Kettering. Liam also coaches for the Academy team for NEW College in Redditch. NICK GREEN Nick starts his second season as Assistant Manager at Redditch United. Nick started his playing career with Aston Villa and has had spells with Barwell, Solihull Moors, Quorn, Racing Club Warwick and Stourport Swifts. DAVID BRIDGWATER David commences his second year at The Valley as Coach/Player. David started as an apprentice at Preston North End, Telford United FC, TNS
PAGE 26 /
FC, Aberystwyth Town plus two previous spells at Redditch United. David has 15 International FUTSAL caps, 6 appearances in the UEFA Cup for TNS FC and 2 appearances in the Inter-Toto Cup for Aberystwyth Town FC. BRADLEY CATLOW Bradley now commences his third season with The Reds. Brad’s previous teams include Shirley Town and Bristol Rovers Academy. SAM HORNBY Sam joins The Reds for his second season. His previous footballing history is with Hednesford Town and Burton Albion. JOEL CAINES Joel back for his second season at The Reds has just turned 18. Joel was at the Walsall Academy for four years.
ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V REDDITCH UTD ISSUE 02
CALUM FLANAGAN Calum continues his playing career at The Valley for the second season. JORDAN JONES Jordan a local lad in his early 20’s joins The Reds from Stourport Swifts he is a quick attacking full-back. JIM MUTTON Jim joins us for his second season with Redditch United. Jim has a great family history with Redditch United with his granddad and his uncle being previous players here. Jim’s previous playing careers is with Birmingham County and Stratford Town. OMAR RECCI Omar is another playing who played with us last season. Omar has previously played for Nuneaton.
One to Watch - Simeon Maye Simeon has joined Redditch United from Boldmere St Michael where he was captain. Simeon bagged 17 goals from midfield for the Alliance runners-up and he trained with Redditch United towards the end of last season and has fitted in nicely to their style of play.
MAX LOVERIDGE
ASHLEY SAMMONS
LIAM SPINK
CAMERON YOUNG
EDWIN AHENKORAH
JERMAINE HYLTON
JAMIE MOLYNEUX
JAMIE SPENCER
DAN SCARR Dan, new to The Valley this season plays Centre Half. Dan’s playing history is with Worcester U21’s Academy and with Causeway United. GEORGE CARLINE George joins Redditch United for his first season. He is a box-to-box midfielder, having made the step up from local football side Cadbury Athletic. 20 year old George has scored over 30 goals from midfield and his scored throughout pre-season. MAX LOVERIDGE Having joined Redditch United in January of this year, Max previously played for two years at Birmingham City and then Alvechurch. LEAVI OSHUNGBURE Leavi becomes captain for his second season with Redditch United’s first team having come through the ranks from the Reserves.
Leavi has also played with Leicester City youth and England School Boys. LIAM SPINK Liam joins us for his first season at The Valley having previously played at Rushall Olympic and Alvechurch. CAMERON YOUNG Cameron has progressed through the reserves and is a player the club think very highly of. He’s versatile and is a key member of the first team squad. EDWIN AHENKORAH Edwin commences his second season with The Reds. Edwin has previously played at Rocester FC, Darlaston ad Birmingham City. JERMAINE HYLTON Jermaine starts his second season with Redditch United having progressed from the Reserves. He has previously played for Continental Stars, Birmingham City and Kidderminster Harriers.
JAMIE MOLYNEUX Jamie is starting his second season at The Valley. Jamie’s previous playing history is with West Brom, Walsall, Stratford Town and Jamie also had trials with Aston Villa. RIKARDO REID Rikardo joins Redditch United for his first season. His playing career so far has been with Derby County Youth Team, Tamworth and Continental Star. JAMIE SPENCER Jamie has signed up for his first season with Redditch United. His previous playing history is with Coventry City Youth Team, Birmingham City, Alvechurch and Rushall Olympic.
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 27
News from the Youth... Possibly the best time of the season for the Youth, full of excitement and ready to kick-off their new season! As predicted we have signed more children this year, becoming one of the largest youth clubs in the area with over three hundred players. As Chairman, I often get asked where do you foresee the club in five years time and I find this very difficult to answer. I find players are not the issue – children want to play football, will there be an issue obtaining coaching staff – possibly as people volunteer for the role and they are usually parents of a player, where we have a problem is retaining good experienced coaches to re-invest. The largest issue we face is pitches and winter training facilities. It’s good that we are building the right foundations, steady growth, structured training, and a pathway for player development. We have strength in numbers at the early ages, as with our Under 7’s this year, where we have over 25 Players all being kitted out in the playing kit, training kit, polo shirts and rain jackets. We are now starting training at five years of age, ready to start matches as and when they become Under 7’s where they go into mini leagues competing against other clubs such as Stevenage, Hitchin, Huntingdon and the like.
their ability. Players are often dual registered allowing them to work within their age group progressing up or down as they develop. Transition is good and allows more game time, skills and techniques to be improved and allowing children to enjoy their football. I am also very proud to announce a new squad – our Under 18 Girls Team who will be competing within the S-Tech League against teams that include Bedford Town and Cambridge City. The team managed by myself are from a mixture of local
Most age groups have two or three teams and much as you would expect, playing their matches in different leagues depending upon
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Under 16’s that have ceased playing. The Girls will play their matches on Saturday mornings. Fundraising will be high on the agenda again this year and we continue to seek a major sponsor who could assist with investment into new equipment, coaches training and other areas we want to get in to, such as disability football within the community. Enjoy the game.... Colin
Sponsored by Steve Ridley
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Official TV Channel
Extended Match Highlights Post-Match Analysis and Interviews All the Goals, Outtakes and Behind the Scenes Coverage Tune in to your club... www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
IT’S IN HIS EYES, PENALTY
GREENIES GREETINGS
INSPIRED SUBSTITUTIONS Good evening everybody and welcome to Rowley Park – The Cozy Stadium, for tonight’s Southern League Premier Division game. We extend a very warm welcome to the Players, Officials and Supporters of Redditch United and we trust they have an enjoyable, if brief, stay with us here at The Cozy Stadium. I am sitting here writing these notes the day after our opening day victory away at Hereford United and we are experiencing the back end of Hurricane Bertha with black skies and unbelievable showers of extreme rainfall. Thank goodness I fly out on my summer holidays on Thursday, the only minus points are that I will have already missed the Weymouth game on Saturday and of course, tonight’s fixture. PROTESTS Saturday turned out to be a good day for everyone that travelled across to Hereford (which is a most picturesque part of the country may I add ). The pre arranged protests of Bulls supporters went off outside the main stand without major incident, closely watched by a large police presence and television cameras covering the on-going off field events at Edgar Street. Back on the field, two inspired substitutions effectively won the game for us with Matt Nolan and Nathan Frater both coming off the bench to score two great goals. This game was also the debut of ex Football League player Matt Spring, who anchored the midfield along with Ben Ford and Jay Davies superbly
and to think we were missing Josh Bickerstaff, Bruce Wilson, Ben Farrell and Drew Roberts, things are looking very good long term. We may have only taken 38 supporters away from home but boy, did they make some noise, with the newly acquired upgraded drum beating out the tunes and every man singing for the lads. It was fantastic at the end of the game when all the team came over to us all perched up high in the segregated section in the stand and stood and applauded our efforts too, definitely a ‘one for all, all for one’ moment, which, had the Chairman been present at the game, would have made him very proud I’m sure. The journey home was quite entertaining too with all the new recruits, including physio Chris Budd, having to perform an Away Day initiation song on the mic at the front
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of the coach. Trust me, there are a couple of lads who have a hidden talent. I won’t embarrass them by giving away their identities but let’s just say Martell and Dills can hold a tune....Oh damn it, sorry lads. Any time you feel the urge to thrash out a tune, come up to the press box and I’ll gladly give you the mic. SOLID START Ok, on to tonight’s game. Hopefully everyone this evening is talking about good performances against both Chesham United and Weymouth who visited us on Saturday to back up the good, solid start we made at Hereford and I ask you all to play your part off the pitch, get behind the lads and make plenty of noise and with us all pulling together, the points will surely come. PUMP UP THE VOLUME
MATT GOES NEAR
AWAY DAYS
STEEL PARK Bank Holiday Monday (25th August) we head on up the A14 to Corby Town. Steel Park, home of the Corby Town Football Club, was opened on Monday 25th July 2011. The ribbon was cut by Corby Mayor Gail McDade ahead of a 2-0 victory for the Steelmen over Football League side Notts County. Nick Rogan scored the first goal at Steel Park against the Magpies, whilst the first competitive goal was scored by James Ozmen in a 6-1 Blue Square North victory over Bishop’s Stortford. The £1.5m stadium was designed by GSSArchitecture on behalf of Corby Borough Council. Corby Town’s first home was at the famous Occupation Road ground, which they occupied from 1948 until 1985, before moving to The Rockingham Triangle Stadium.
• Clubhouse Steelmen Social Club (open on match days and for other selected events) • Directions: On Northern Outskirts of town at junction of A6003 and A6116 opposite entrance of Rockingham Castle. • Nearest Railway Station: Corby Station Steel Park includes a mainstand which was erected with room for 577 spectators. With supporters also able to stand on the terrace behind the goal and around the perimeter of the pitch, the official capacity of the stadium is 3,893. The site also has training pitches, tennis courts, an athletics track, boardroom, sponsors lounge, social club and changing rooms.
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STEEL PARK, Jimmy Kane Way, Rockingham Road, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 2AE Capacity: 3893 Seats: 577 Pitch Dimensions: 110.6 yards x 72 yards
GAVIN TRIES HIS LUCK
OLD ‘FOOTIE’ PROGRAMMES
1950s
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WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 39
INTRODUCING
RYAN FRATER Ryan signed by the Saints in November 2013, he was the first player signed by our new management team when they took over managing the club at that time.
A central defender Ryan made his mark in the team right from his very first appearance. Tall dominant in the air and a great reader of the game Ryan always leads by example a man mountain of a man. Forwards just do not like playing against Ryan of which is a great testament to what a very good player he is Ryan came into senior playing for Bedford but Hitchin Town saw his full potential by signing him in 2006. Ryan’s early displays saw him attract clubs from the professional level; he had a trial at Chelsea. Following a 2-year spell with Hitchin Ryan joined St Albans City who were playing in the blue square south division at that time. Again establishing himself at a higher level
Ryan become captain of the “Saints” of whom he played for 2 years upon joining Arlesey Town who were in the Southern League Central Division at the time. Ryan’s dominance at the heart of the defence helped Arlesey to the Championship of that division and further honor’s came by way of the southern league cup of which he won two years in a row with different clubs Arlesey and of course St Neots Town.
“Frater came agonizingly close to giving his sides the lead in the seventh minute with a header from close range” BBC commentary v Coventry City FA Cup “You cannot go through the middle of their defence with Ryan there so we had to go down the flanks” St Albans Manager
PAGE 40 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V REDDITCH UTD ISSUE 02
WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 41
NATHAN FRATER CELEBRATES
MD’S VIEWS THE OXYGEN THAT WILL ALLOW THE CLUB TO BREATH UNAIDED And so we have the first three league games under our belt. An away win at Hereford (for the moment) a draw away at Chesham and a home win against Weymouth. I didn’t go to the Hereford game but by all accounts it was somewhat of an ugly performance against a spirited and determined home side. An unknown quantity is the best way to describe the new addition to our league, putting aside all the issues they have its as well to bear in mind that they are well supported and I hope they get through this difficult time. TRAVELLING IN NUMBERS Tuesday and I took the relatively short trip to watch us against Chesham. Great ground by the way and I together with my 7 year old were looking forward to seeing a good performance. We have a growing reputation for being one of the best supported visiting teams and Tuesday was no different. The first half at Chesham was poor, not for Chesham who we’re given the run of the park for 45 minutes and as a result where three goals up by the time the ref blew for the interval. I’m not sure what was said at half time but the second half was a different game. Chesham to their credit carried on playing to the very high aggressive tempo that had served them so well in the first half however we decided to join in and as a result got the three goals back and should/ could have got the winner late on. If you happen to call Mr Bunnage and he doesn’t answer it’s because he’s eaten his mobile.
that is beyond most. 2-0 was the final score and so we find ourselves joint top of the league, the highest league position ever. Great stuff.
Nice comment by one Chesham official at halftime by the way, it’s amazing how often ignorance turns into something rather humorous for those slighted. Anyway the season still has a long way to go so enough said, if you get my point. MOTIVATIONAL MASTER Weymouth on Saturday was a different test again. The day started with a motivational talk by Billy Schwer who I have to say is a top class act. Never met him before but what a nice man with not a hint of arrogance. As ‘arry would say a top top bloke and I’m in no doubt the 45 minute speech he gave would have given a great insight into what it takes to reach a level of performance
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And now for something new. We now have a 2 year Scholarship programme as well as a 2 year apprenticeship programme in place at the club. This is not all that new I know however it’s something that I’d like talked about more than it is. Why ? because it will become the oxygen that allows the club to breath unaided that’s why. MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL We are also in the later stages of putting together a youth development partnership with a league club which, unlike previous deals, will be mutually beneficial. Already we have had meetings with talented 16 year old lads that didn’t quite make the grade but who’s talent is undeniable and as such we have been asked to speak to them and offer them a position within our development programme. In time all of our development squads will feel part of the bigger picture with a cross pollination of coaching and opportunities. We like what we hear and we like whose talking because for once it’s making sense. Keep an eye out for future bits and bobs including an Evening with Peter Shilton no less. LEE
STEWS VIEWS
EARLY DOORS Well we are now 3 games into our SPL season and I think you’ll all agree? It’s been a great start.
I’d think that you’d also agree that the squad is looking very good, with some very strong additions signing on the dotted line, just before our first game away to Hereford FC. I’m certain I am not alone in wishing Matt Spring and Nathan Frater plenty of success and good times, in the coming games. For those that didn’t make any of the opening 3 games here is a brief overview from each of the games starting on the 9th August 2014 away to Hereford FC, a proud football club, currently in complete turmoil after a relegation of 2 leagues from the Conference Premier Division, due to financial irregularities and debt! The day started well and the journey on the team bus took around 4 hours from St Neots to Edgar Street in Hereford. If the assembled squad looks like it can play football a bit, many of them certainly can’t sing, initiations a plenty, only young Powell’s performance worthy of any credibility. Chamooooone!
Upon arrival we were met by around 300 Hereford fans protesting outside the ground, about their clubs recent troubles. We were quickly ushered into the club members bar where a good selection of beers were available at reasonable prices. Having eventually settled for that good old Herefordshire favourite “Coors Light” I had a mooch about and was overall, impressed by the facilities on offer. The game itself proved to be a tough test for both sides, the young inexperienced side fielded by Hereford, proving to be no mugs against there more experienced St Neots team. In an evenly contested 1st half, chances came for both sides but the finishing was decidedly still pre season, so the score remained 0-0. TURNING POINT Turning point of the match came when Nolan, on for the injured Dillon, slotted home the first goal of the
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game and from that point on St Neots always looked favourites for the 3 points. Although both teams had further chances, it was St Neots that scored a 2nd goal, another sub proving to be a match winner. Nathan Frater’s first touch of the game taking him past the Hereford defender who pulled him down in the penalty box. Davies saw his spot kick saved, but Frater following up, calmly slotted the ball home to score on his league debut and St Neots went home happy with all three points. Match number two was also away from home, against Chesham FC. I didn’t attend this match but was reliably informed that it was certainly a game of two halves and that the point gained from a creditable 3-3 draw, to St Neots felt like a win, for Chesham, this must of felt like a defeat, after leading 3-0 at half time. If anything this shows the clubs improvement, having been soundly beaten both home and away last season by Chesham, definitely a very good point against an experienced Southern League side. WEYMOUTH Match number three was our first home game of the season and welcomed Weymouth FC to Rowley Park. With 15 goals in the last 4 meetings between the two teams, goals were always on the cards.
Around 30 travelling Weymouth fans had made the trip (5hrs) on the team coach. They would of been quite hopeful of a result having previously fairing quite well against us, knowing also that two of our big summer signings Dillon & Roberts, were injured and suspended for the game. Topped with the fact Terra’s talisman Stewart Yetton, having scored 3 goals in his previous two outings and with both teams also having short odds with the bookies for winning the title this term, it looked set to be a close game. In truth St Neots dominated the match, especially in midfield. Jay Davies, Matt Spring and Ben Ford all have experience at a higher standard of football, in the not so distant past, in
fact on this display, I doubt there is a better ball playing midfield three in this league! With the very useful and also very experienced Ben Farrell and Dean Cracknell injured and waiting to return to the fold, places in this midfield diamond of three will be hotly contested. Anyone that can name a better 5 out and out midfield players at this level, please feel free to try and name them! Needless to say with such dominance in Midfield the Saints dictated play for a majority of the game, the Terra’s content to sit and counter attack where possible. And after a very early goal taken by the prolific “Arthur Lee” his second goal in successive games! You watch he
WE HAVE A TERRIFIC SQUAD OF PLAYERS, WE HAVE TAKEN 7 PTS FROM THE FIRST 3 GAMES AND HAVE PLAYED WELL IN PATCHES. GOD HELP THE TEAM THAT GETS THE FULL TREATMENT FROM US!
won’t score another now.....lol, the result rarely looked in doubt.... Notable performances from Ford, Spring, N Frater, R Frater and Nolan were eclipsed only by Jay Davies who for me gave one of his most assured and mature performances since joining the club. Topped off by a superbly taken goal after great team play, Davies is already proving to be a key player in the St Neots side. I wouldn’t be surprised, if he continues in this vain of form, that a club higher up the football pyramid doesn’t show an interest in the lad! Experienced players like Ford & Spring allow this lads real talents to shine thorough, long may it continue. Attendance for this game appeared low at 312, but proved to be the second largest home attendance in the league on Saturday. If the team continues to play well I can see this number steadily rising. Things most certainly look to be on the up, we have a terrific squad of players, we have taken 7 points from the first 3 games and have played well in patches. God help the team that gets the full treatment from us! Yours Aye Craig
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 47
Scorelines..
A brief round up of the weekend results from the teams that matter Southern Premier Division Weekend Action Cambridge City, trailing from the half hour mark, scored a penalty twenty minutes into the second half to secure a 1-1 home draw with Truro City and share top spot with St Neots Town who scored a goal in each half to defeat visiting Weymouth 2-0 while Slough Town, ahead at the interval, conceded and equaliser early in the second half but completed a 2-1 home victory over Banbury United to take third position above Corby Town who were held to a 0-0 draw at Cirencester Town but Poole Town scored in time added on in the first half to win 1-0 at home against Paulton Rovers to stay unbeaten with the four clubs above them. Dorchester Town, a goal up at the break, scored twice in the second half to complete a comfortable 3-0 home success over Hereford United while Chippenham Town, to ahead at the interval, added a goal seven minutes from time to also win 3-0 at home against Arlesey Town and Dunstable Town scored three in the opening twenty five minutes on the way to inflict
a 4-2 defeat on visiting Burnham. Hitchin Town recovered from going a goal behind to secure a 3-2 home win against Bideford while a penalty in the first minute gave Redditch United a 1-0 victory at Chesham United and Biggleswade Town, s goal up after five minutes but pegged back by the interval, struck in the final minute to win 2-1 at Frome Town. In the day’s other game a goal thirteen minutes after the break gave Hungerford Town a 1-0 home success against Histon.
Division One Central Weekend Action Kettering Town maintained their one hundred percent start when they scored twice in the opening eight minutes and completed a comfortable 3-0 victory at Egham Town with a third soon after the interval while Hanwell Town took over second place with a penalty six minutes into the second half securing a 2-1 home success over Aylesbury and Potters Bar Town, after a goalless first half, went behind soon after the break but hit back with a goal ten minutes from time to defeat visiting Daventry Town 2-1.
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North Greenford United scored three times in the first half and, though conceding a second half penalty, completed a 3-1 home success against Bedworth United while Barton Rovers secured a 3-2 victory at Uxbridge with a strike two minutes from time and Godalming Town, after leading at the interval, had to come from behind with two goals in three minutes to win 3-2 at Aylesbury United. Rugby Town scored in the opening minute of the second half to win 1-0 at home against AFC Hayes and Royston Town, a goal ahead at the break, needed a goal in the fifth minute of time added on to inflict a 2-1 home defeat on Northwood while Leighton Town won 2-0 at Bedford Town with a goal in each half. St Ives Town took the lead seven minutes after the interval but needed a goal in time added on to secure a 2-2 home draw after Beaconsfield SYCOB struck twice in four minutes and Marlow drew 2-2 at home with Chalfont St Peter with both sides scoring a goal in each half.
JAY SCORES THE SECOND AGAINST WEYMOUTH
CHESHAM UNITED 3 ST NEOTS TOWN 3 Tuesday 12th August 2014 / Southern Premier Division / Att 331 The two Chesham strikers had last season plundered 64 league goals between them in the Southern League Premier Division before transferring to St Neots in the close season but neither played against their former side with Drew Roberts (suspended) and Chris Dillon (injured). However last season’s runners-up Chesham had replaced them very effectively with new striker Ryan Blake who scored three goals for them in a fourteen minutes first half spell to put his side in what seemed an insurmountable half time lead. What was said in the St Neots dressing room at the break is not recorded but it certainly had the desired effect as St Neots came out firing on all cylinders to retrieve their three goals deficit and only be denied a winning goal deep into added time. After their opening day victory at Hereford, St Neots made just the one enforced change to their starting line up with Matt Nolan coming in for the injured Dillon. It was a first half that St Neots will be happy to forget. As early as the second minute St Neots skipper Gavin Hoyte was happy to concede a corner and then Nathan Abbey had to sprint off his line to dive fearlessly at the feet of former Saint Simon Thomas who was clear on goal. And the early pressure paid off on 16 minutes when Ryan Blake was allowed too much space and
time to cleverly lob the ball over the goalkeeper from the near post after good work by Ashley Smith. Abbey then had to dive full length to push away a stinging shot from the same Chesham player but after 24 minutes it was 2-0 as Thomas rounded Arthur Lee to cross for Ryan Blake to get his second goal. St Neots efforts were spoiled by sloppy passing that was too often careless or ambitious and up to that point they had managed just two lengthy shots by Lewis Hilliard both of which were comfortably gathered by Shane Gore. On the half hour Blake completed his hat trick after a bad mistake by Gavin Hoyte but it could have been worse for St Neots because before the break Blake unmarked at the far post totally misjudged a cross that should have produced his fourth goal. Chesham managed just one early second half effort on goal well saved by Abbey but the game had transformed with St Neots dominating possession and calling the shots. Matt Spring had a net bound effort blocked and then after
53 minutes the visitors introduced Nathan Frater for Martel Powell and he re-energised the attack. Within two minutes of his appearance he was on the end of a Mason Spence and Lewis Hilliard move down the right to score from close range and put St Neots back in the game. Gore then twice saved well to deny Hilliard and Matt Nolan and Gavin Hoyte lobbed onto the roof of the net. St Neots continued to press and with thirteen minutes remaining a lengthy effort by Ryan Frater was diverted by the head of Jay Davies over the head of the home goalkeeper to make it 3-2. Now the impetus was really with the visitors and four minutes later Hilliard went round his marker on the right and crossed for Arthur Lee to score from close range. It could have been the most unlikely St Neots victory for two minutes into added time Gore saved brilliantly from Hilliard and at the other end as the home side broke for a rare attack Abbey emulated that save as Thomas threatened an unlikely winning goal for Chesham John Walker
Chesham United
St Neots Town
Gore, Fletcher, Prosper, Brown, Purse, Hamilton-Forbes, Fotheringham, Smith, Blake, Thomas, Bell. Subs: Towner (for Bell 73 mins), Nwokeji (for Blake 78 mins), Cooper (for Smith 87 mins) Cards: Thomas (Y – 67), Brown (Y – 90+5) Goals: Blake (3) (16, 24 & 30 mins
Abbey, Spence, Lee, Spring, Frater (R), Hoyte, Davies, Ford, Nolan, Hilliard, Powell Subs: Frater (N) (for Powell 53 mins), Ferrari, Bickerstaff, Ivey-Ward and Greygoose. Cards: None Goals: Frater (N) (55 mins), Davies (77 mins), Lee (81 mins)
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WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 51
ALL SMILES
THE Vanarama Conference is well documented for being notoriously difficult to get out of for League clubs making the drop into the Non-League game – but it seems relegated clubs are also finding it extremely tough lower down the Pyramid too. You have to go back a decade to the 2003-04 season for the last side to bounce straight back up to the Football League. Carlisle United beat Stevenage in the play-off final to end their brief stay and Shrewsbury Town also went up via the play-offs the year before after relegation from the Elite 92. There are a myriad of reasons why no club has done a Carlisle or Shrewsbury for ten years: the Conference has become stronger; more Non-League sides investing heavily in search of the Football League and League clubs often don’t react well to the transition being only a few. Maybe it is having a knock-on effect further down the leagues as on first glance, most relegated sides did not kick off 2014-15 particularly well. Before you say it, I know we’ve only had one game. I’m not saying all of these clubs are going to endure miserable campaigns but it’s clear some will be nearer the bottom of the table than the top come May. While Bristol Rovers kicked off the Non-League season with a 0-0 draw with Grimsby Town on BT Sport,
Torquay United fared slightly worse, losing 3-1 at Gateshead. Not the trip they would have wanted on the opening day but maybe the eye opener everybody needed down on the Riviera. In the Vanarama Conference North, fancied Tamworth picked up a point at Harrogate while poor Hyde, who won just once last season, kicked off with a home defeat against Oxford City. Hereford United, who were demoted rather than relegated, started their Southern Premier campaign with a loss at home to St Neots while both Dorchester and Histon also lost after coming down from Step 2.
with tighter purse strings tend to struggle. So when sides do go down, they are often still nearer the bottom of the ‘budget league’ in their new divisions. There are, of course, exceptions and money isn’t everything but managers will always tell you that their budget is never enough!
It was a slightly more positive start for Tonbridge Angels in the Ryman Premier but they are most certainly the exception rather than the rule. Relegated sides at Step 4 did slightly better with Bedford winning in the Southern Central and AFC Totton in the Southern South & West while Thamesmead were victorious in Ryman North.
The Evo-Stik Northern Premier League finally kicks off today so if you support a newly relegated side – Workington, Droylsden, Stafford Rangers or Stocksbridge Park Steels – good luck... you’re probably going to need it!
Regardless of whether it’s the multi millions of the Premier League or the more modest figures of the grassroots game, money talks in football. Often the clubs with the bigger budgets finish at the top and those
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Steven Coney Follow us on twitter: @NonLeguePaper @SamElliott_NLP @Stuhammonds_NLP @MattBadcock_NLP
Opposition in CAPS denotes home fixture. Player name in BOLD CAPS denotes goal scorer.
Date
ATT
COMP
R
Pos
2
3
4
Sat 09 Aug
Opposition Hereford United
568
SLP
2-0
7
Abbey
Spence
Lee
Ford
Tue 12 Aug
Chesham United
331
SLP
3-3
5
Abbey
Spence
LEE
Spring
Sat 16 Aug
WEYMOUTH
312
SLP
2-0
2
Abbey
Powell
LEE
Bickerstaff
Tue 19 Aug
REDDITCH UNITED
SLP
Sat 23 Aug
Truro City
SLP
Mon 25 Aug
Corby Town
SLP
Sat 30 Aug
PAULTON ROVERS
SLP
Sat 06 Sep
Biggleswade Town
SLP
Tue 09 Sep
HISTON
SLP
Sat 13 Sep
DEREHAM/ST.IVES
FAC
Sat 20 Sep
Banbury United
SLP
Tue 30 Sep
Arlesey Town
SLP
Sat 04 Oct
BURNHAM
SLP
Mon 06 Oct
Hitchin Town
SLP
Sat 11 Oct
POOLE TOWN
SLP
Sat 18 Oct
Cirencester Town
SLP
Tue 21 Oct
CHESHAM UNITED
SLP
Sat 25 Oct
Weymouth
SLP
Mon 27 Oct
Redditch United
SLP
Sat 01 Nov
ILKESTON TOWN
FAT
Sat 08 Nov
Truro City
SLP
Sat 15 Nov
Hungerford Town
SLP
Tue 18 Nov
CAMBRIDGE CITY
SLP
Sat 22 Nov
Bideford
SLP
Sat 29 Nov
SLOUGH TOWN
SLP
Sat 06 Dec
DORCHESTER TOWN
SLP
Sat 13 Dec
Chippenham Town
SLP
Sat 20 Dec
FROME TOWN
SLP
Fri 26 Dec
CORBY TOWN
SLP
Thu 01 Jan
Dunstable Town
SLP
Sat 03 Jan
HEREFORD UNITED
SLP
Sat 10 Jan
Paulton Rovers
SLP
Sat 17 Jan
BIGGLESWADE TOWN
SLP
Sat 24 Jan
Histon
SLP
Sat 31 Jan
BANBURY UNITED
SLP
Sat 07 Feb
ARLESEY TOWN
SLP
Sat 14 Feb
Burnham
SLP
Sat 21 Feb
HITCHIN TOWN
SLP
Sat 28 Feb
Poole Town
SLP
Sat 07 Mar
CIRENCESTER TOWN
SLP
Sat 14 Mar
HUNGERFORD TOWN
SLP
Sat 21 Mar
Cambridge City
SLP
Sat 28 Mar
BIDEFORD
SLP
Sat 04 Apr
Slough Town
SLP
Mon 06 Apr
DUNSTABLE TOWN
SLP
Sat 11 Apr
Dorchester Town
SLP
Sat 18 Apr
CHIPPENHAM TOWN
SLP
Sat 25 Apr
Frome Town
SLP
PAGE 56 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V REDDITCH UTD ISSUE 02
Player name in these colours denotes substitute
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
Frater (R)
Hoyte
Spring
Davies
Dillon
Hilliard
Powell
NOLAN
FRATER (N)
Frater (R)
Hoyte
DAVIES
Ford
Nolan
Hilliard
Powell
FRATER (N)
Frater (R)
Hoyte
DAVIES
Spring
Nolan
Ford
Frater (N)
Spence
Hilliard
15
Ferrari
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 57
SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION / 17.08.14
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
+/-
Pts
01
Cambridge City
3
2
1
0
7
3
+4
7
02
St Neots Town
3
2
1
0
7
3
+4
7
03
Slough Town
3
2
1
0
6
3
+3
7
04
Corby Town
3
2
1
0
4
1
+3
7
05
Poole Town
3
2
1
0
2
0
+2
7
06
Dorchester Town
3
2
0
1
8
2
+6
6
07
Chippenham Town
3
2
0
1
6
2
+4
6
08
Dunstable Town
3
2
0
1
7
5
+2
6
09
Weymouth
3
2
0
1
7
5
+2
6
10
Hitchin Town
3
2
0
1
6
4
+2
6
11
Redditch United
3
2
0
1
5
5
0
6
12
Cirencester Town
3
1
1
1
7
4
+3
4
13
Chesham United
3
1
1
1
6
4
+2
4
14
Biggleswade Town
3
1
1
1
3
4
-1
4
15
Hungerford Town
3
1
1
1
2
3
-1
4
16
Truro City
3
1
1
1
3
5
-2
4
17
Paulton Rovers
3
1
0
2
3
4
-1
3
18
Frome Town
3
1
0
2
5
7
-2
3
19
Arlesey Town
3
1
0
2
1
5
-4
3
20
Histon
3
0
1
2
2
4
-2
1
21
Hereford United
3
0
1
2
2
7
-5
1
22
Banbury United
3
0
0
3
1
6
-5
0
23
Bideford
3
0
0
3
5
11
-6
0
24
Burnham
3
0
0
3
3
11
-8
0
PAGE 58 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V REDDITCH UTD ISSUE 02
Don’t succumb to just putting up a bookshelf, show your walls some love! Wall Art
Wallpaper
Wall Stickers
www.ilovemywalls.co.uk
Manager: Gary King / Zema Abbey Assistant Manager: Nathan Abbey
Manager: Liam McDonald Assistant Manager: Nick Green
Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers
Nathan Abbey
Sam Hornby
Jamie Greygoose
Brad Catlow
Defenders
Defenders
Josh Bickerstaff
Calum Flanagan
Ryan Frater
Jordan Jones
Gavin Hoyte
Leavi Oshungbure
Jordan Ivey-Ward
Dan Scarr
Arthur Lee
Jim Mutton
Midfielders
Joel Caines
Dean Cracknell
Midfielders
Jay Davies
Ashley Sammons
Matt Spring
Max Loveridge
Ben Farrell
George Carline
Lorenzo Ferrari
Liam Spinks
Ben Ford
Forwards
Lewis Hilliard
Jermaine Hylton
Martel Powell
Jamie Molyneux
Forwards
Rikardo Reid
Bruce Wilson
Edwin Ahenkorah
Chris Dillon Nathan Frater Matt Nolan Drew Roberts Colours Dark Blue Shirts, Shorts & Socks
Colours Red Shirts, Black Shorts & Socks
The match line up will be displayed on the electronic scoreboard Referee: Richard Hart Assistants: Ian Pascu / Richard May Next Home Game: St Neots Town v Paulton Rovers Southern League Premier Division / Saturday 30th August / KO 15:00
As a Club we support Grass Roots Football and stand firm against racism within football, visit www.thefa.com for more information on playing your part.