St Neots St Neots
Town F.C. Town F.C.
Established 1879
Established 1879
President - JohnWalker
BoardofDirectors
CEO-LouiseSales
Chairman-BarryCavilla
Secretary/Director- GaryWilson
CommercialDirector- MarkGearing
DirectorofFootball- IainParr
Director-JezGreen
Director-MikeGreen
BoardMember- BrianBarnes
BoardMember- AndyClay
BoardMember -DanielDodson
SaintsMatchDayTeam
FixtureSecretary- MarionIzzard
Hospitality-AndyandEvelynClay,PaulaRobertson
StadiumAnnouncer- MikeGreen
Music-CharlieGreen
Catering-DianeSales
Media
PressOfficer- MikeGreen
MatchReports-JohnWalker
SocialMedia- MikeGreen,GrayhamBonfield,CharlieGreen
GroundStaff
Pitchmaintenance- BarryOakley, BarryCavilla, BobCarpenter
FirstTeam
Manager-CameronMawer AssistantManager-SteveKuhne Coach-AlexMinall GKCoach-GaryDean Physio-CraigLambert
U18Manager-MarkPleasants Assistant-TylaJoseph
Academy
Manager-AlexMinall ClubWelfareOfficer- GemmaKeech
Academyenquiries -Alexsntfcacademy@gmail.com
ClubInformation
Address: RowleyPark,KesterWay, StNeots,Cambs., PE196SL
Website-www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
Enquires-enquires@stneotstownfc.co.uk
CommercialEnquiries- mgearing@me.com
Events-misslouises@yahoo.co.uk
Ownership:
Inaccordancewiththefootballassociationleaguerule2.13 publicationofownershipinrelationtostep1-4withinthe footballpyramid,weherebyconfirmthelegalstatusofStNeotsTownFootballClubIdentificationNumber02921210,andis aPrivateLimitedCompany
Forthepurposesofpublicationofownershipwecanconfirmthatthefollowing arelistedasDirectorsoftheCompany: LeeKearns(Significantinterest70%),IainParr,LouiseSales,GaryWilsonandasNonExecutiveDirectorsMikeGreen,Jeremy Green,andBarryCavilla
CompanySecretaryGaryWilson
Greenie’s Greetings
With Director Mike Green
"HelloeveryoneandwelcomebacktothePremier PlusStadiumforthisevening‘sGCEHirePlantUnited CountiesLeaguePremierDivisionSouthmatch. Todayweextendawarmwelcometoeveryone connectedtoGodmanchesterRoversFootballClub andwehopeyouenjoyourhospitalityherethis afternoon”.
Aftertwohugegamesintheleagueinthepastweekorso,we’vesuccessfullycome throughthetestoffacingMarchTownUnitedathomeandAylestoneParkaway buygatheringfourpointsfromapossiblesix.Ahardfought1-1drawhersusthe HareshereatthePremierPlusStadiumwhenwewerereducedtotenmenandstill didn’tlose,courtesyofDannyBaulk’slateleveller,followedbyourbest performanceoftheseasonattheleagueleadersearningusathoroughlydeserved 2-0wininLeicestershirewithMikeAmaeshikeandMurphyCulkinnettingtosecure thewin.Lokkingatourhosts‘previousattendancesthecrowdonthedaywas swelledbyafantasticSaintsfollowing,soonbehalfoftheclub,Iwouldliketothank everysinglepersonwhotravelledlastSaturdayandcheeredtheboyshome.
T d i t l toYaxleyforourHuntingdonshireFootball tieandweprogressedintothesemifinalsafter
wasathrillingencounterandyoucanreadallaboutit inJohnWalker’smatchreportfurtherinsidethis edition.
Right,backtotoday’sgameandasalwaysweneed youtoplayyourpartoffthepitchbygettingbehind theladsvocallyaswelooktocementourplaceinthe topfiveasaminimum
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BoardroomGossip
From The Dugout
WithChairmanBarryCavilla
With Manager Cameron Mawer
"GoodAfternoon.FirstlyI’dliketowelcometoday’s opponentsGodmanchesterRoverstothePremierPlus Stadium.TheappointmentofSebandacoupleofnew facesmakesthisareallytoughtest,hewillgetthecup finalmentalityintothemandweknowjusthowtougha gameitwillbe.Theyhavehadsomegoodresultsthis season,beatingMarchTownandHinckleysoitshowshow muchofadangeroussidetheyareontheirday”.
It’sbeensuchabusyscheduleoverthepasttwomonths,thegameshavecomethickand fastandOctoberwasalwaysgoingtobeanimportantmonthforus,playing8gamesand weendthemonthwith7winsand1draw,soweleaveourselvesinreallygoodshape goingintoNovember.Weknowwehave5gamesthatwillbeequallyastough.Sincemy lastprogramnotes,wecameawaywithapositivedrawagainstMarchTownaftergoing downto10menandthendefeatingtopoftheleagueAylestoneParkaway,whichwasa reallystrongperformance,anyonethereonthedaywouldhaveseenaproperaway performancewithtwoamazinggoals.Wethencompletedtheremarkablecomebackon TuesdaynightagainstaverygoodYaxleyside,inhonestyIdidn’tseeitcomingafter missing5players,Iwasn’tsurehowwewouldfair,butthecharacterinthegroupgot themoverthelineandnowasemifinaltolookforwardto.I’mdelightedtowelcome LaminJammehtothegroupwhoaddssomecompetitioninthewideareas,aswehave beenverythinonthegroundinrecentweeksandfelthewouldbea goodadditiontoanalreadygoodsquad.It’snoteasybringingplayers intomakethegroupbetteraswehaveaverytalentedgroupandwe arereallycarefulaboutthetypeofpersonalitieswebringin.You supportinyourhundredsathomeandthetravelawayinyour numbers,thisisnevertakenforgrantedandisappreciated.Keep pushingtheboysoverthelineandwehaveasetthatwillfightto theendforourwonderfulfootballclub. Ahugethankstoallthehomeandawaysupportthisseason it’sbeenhugeandismuchappreciatedbymyselfand theplayers. Ihopetoseeasmanysaintsfansas possibleatthegameasyoursupportisalways massiveandIknowitgivestheboystheextra pushandyou’reour12thplayerontheday.
Cam Cam Cam
BoardroomGossip
Boardroom Gossip
WithChairmanBarryCavilla
With Chairman Barry Cavilla
“Good afternoon everyone and a Big welcome to you all for todays home league fixture at the Premier Plus Stadium. Today we extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporter of our near neighbours Godmanchester who are our visitors today to the home of the Saints.”.
It’s been a very busy period for the Saints with many away ties and last week saw us entertaining another promotion chasing team in March Town who came full of confidence ,with a bumper crowd on a Tuesday evening the game proved very much to form with very little to choose between the teams . However after March scored with a fine finish in the second half, Saints had the misfortune of going down to ten men in the second half, this then spurred the Saints to rally together and up the pressure, finally with pressure on the March goal a fine finish from Danny Baulk helped to level matters and shortly after the same player nearly converting a header to win the game, however the spoils where shared. Saturday saw us travel to league leaders Aylestone Park and ,wow what an impressive performance was put in by the Saints from start to finish to thoroughly deserve and earn a excellent victory and build on the teams confidence for future tests that will come their way as the season progresses. The Saints are finding a spirt and togetherness and hitting the levels of performance and attitude needed to see games out with hard work and quality football for all to enjoy. We had another outing on Tuesday in the Hunts Senior Cup at Yaxley, sadly these notes were penned before this game.
Finally the incredible form of recent weeks by Cameron’s squad has underlined how important it is to have an incredible backing and Support to help them achieve that extra push that’s needed to get past the post: So Thank-you to all our supporters for your incredible support home and away and helping the lads to dig in and produce a fine performances and keep our dreams alive.
COMEONYOUSAINTS
Barry Barry Barry
SuitableFor:
Smallerweddingvenues/receptions&eveningparties
Smallerconferenceandbusinessmeetingfacilities
PartyCelebrationsyoungandold
Funeralwakes
Eventhire
Musicevents
Presentationevents
Amodernbarservingavastrangeofbeers,ciders,wines&softdrink WecaterforallfoodrequirementsincludingBuffetmenu’s,HogRoasts,Barbeques, Smalldancefloorperfectforanypartyorsmallweddingreception
Comfydiningfurnitureconfiguredtosuitrequirements.
Thispartyvenuecanbedressed/decoratedtosuitthecelebration.
FriendlyandexperiencedStNeotsstaff
Plentyofparking
Veryadaptable
Allourfacilitiesarewheelchairaccessible
SuitableFor:
Weddingvenues/receptions&eveningparties
Conferenceandbusinessmeetingfacilities
PartyCelebrationsyoungandold
Largefuneralwakes
Eventhire
Trade&CraftFaresetc
Musicevents
Presentationevents
Alarge,impressivebarservingavastrangeofbeers,ciders,wines&softdrinks WecaterforallfoodrequirementsincludingBuffetmenu’s,HogRoasts,Barbeques. Stageareaforbands,disco,andproductions
Alargeroomydancefloorperfectforanyweddingreception
Comfydiningfurnitureconfiguredtosuitrequirements
Thispartyvenuecanbedressed/decoratedtosuitthecelebration
FriendlyandexperiencedStNeotsstaff
Plentyofparking
Allourfacilitiesarewheelchairaccessible
WedohavealargeprojectorintheGregorySuitethatcanbeusedforcorporateevents.
Player Sponsorship Season 2024/25
(President)
St Neots Town Reserves Old
Saints Ambassadors
DAMMY
BLAST FROM THE PAST
FA CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND
IMPORTANT REPLAY EARNED
Godmanchester Rovers 1 St Neots Town 1
A heroic performance by ten-man St Neots earned them a second FA Cup chance against Step Five neighbours Godmanchester Rovers after playing for an hour one man short. That was because after 32 minutes Joe Sutton picked up a straight red card for kicking out at an opponent after he had been fouled. Because of the upcoming Bank Holiday programme, the replay will be at the Premier Plus Stadium on Tuesday week (3rd September). Played in oppressive heat the two teams tried to serve up a competitive performance, but they will be happy for the replay to be in cooler early evening conditions. The early dismissal handed the impetus to the host side, but they failed to capitalise whilst the hard-working St Neots side probably deserved their second chance as recompense for their gritty determination. There were memories of the previous meeting of the two clubs three months earlier when Godmanchester handed out a Cup Final thrashing to their opponents, but goals were always going to be at a premium in this contest.St Neots recalled Tim N’Kala and Jake Noble for Mason Rhiney and Sam Gomersall who were both on the bench.
Godmanchester looked the more positive in the opening phase of the game and carved out some early chances.After 12 minutes from a James Hall corner, defender Charlie Bowen blasted the ball high over the bar and in the next five minutes Josh Dawkin was twice prominent bringing a good save from James Philp and shooting wide when well-placed after neat work by Micky Hyem.The first half suddenly saw a change in the pattern of play after Joe Sutton was dismissed. St Neots took some time to reorganise and seemed happy to defend in numbers with Dawkin again breaking through the defence to shoot across the face of goal. The first half ended in stalemate with neither side either able or willing to take the initiative.
The second period livelier and more competitive. St Neots replaced Tim N’Kala with Sam Gomersall and took the weight off their defence by utilising long ball tactics. However, the breakthrough came just five after the restart when Dawkin crossed from the left and former Saint James Hall was left enough space to side foot the ball inside the far post to put Godmanchester in front. That could have signalled the incentive for them to take advantage of their numeric superiority, but it seemed to spur St Neots who had efforts by Jake Kerins and Sam Bennett just off target.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Johnny Hall moved forward to bring an important save from Philp and just past the hour in the same attack Dawkin saw his fierce effort parried and when the ball was not cleared James Hall saw his effort blocked by a defender. St Neots sent on Alfie Connor and began to look more comfortable and using their front players wide they stretched the home defence. There were just twelve minutes remaining when Sam Bennett rounded Johnny Hall and his pace took him clear to unleash a low shot under the dive of goalkeeper Niall Conroy to level the scores. Seven minutes later St Neots could have stolen the victory when Gomersall sent a delightful pass inside the home defence and from a similar position to where he scored his goal, Sam Bennett put his free shot wide of the far post.
St Neots Town: Philp, Kerins, Smith, Noble, Goode, Shaw, Sutton, Watkins, N’Kala, Bennett, Mutswunguma
Subs: Gomersall (for N’Kala 46 mins), Connor (for Mutswunguma 70 mins), Rhiney, Joseph, Walker and McCormick.
Cards: Sutton (RED – 32 mins), Kerins (Y – 27 mins)
Goal: Bennett (78 mins)
Godmanchester Rovers: Conroy, King, Hall (Johnny), Spark, Bowen, Munro, Dawkin, Diaper, Hall (James), Hyem (Micky), Chandler
Subs: McGregor (for Chandler 77 mins), Hyem (Chris) (for Spark 87 mins), White, King (Reece) and Radwell
Cards: none
Goals: James Hall (50 mins)
Referee: Lewis Morgan (Lincoln)
Attendance: 180
John Walker
The Saints Community
Memorial Wall
Wewouldliketoformally announcethattheSaints CommunityMemorial Wallisnowreadyand opportunitiesfor Supporterstoremember theirlovedones,whomay havebeenSaints Supportersthemselves, arenowavailable.
The Wall is completely under cover and protected from the elements and the flowers/shrubbery are cared for and tended to on a daily basis by our dedicated grounds staff. We would like to thank Kite Utilities, Ballinger Construction and Oasis Promotions and Print for all their collective help in getting this project from an idea by Chairman Barry Cavilla to a quite splendid addition to our stadium.
Stainless steel wall plaques are now available for loving messages to be engraved in the following two options:
6” x 4” Stainless Steel Wall plaque – Lasered with black text (feels smooth to touch)
Can come with 4 countersunk screws – or they can be without and glued
Total cost £36.00
8” x 4” Stainless Steel Wall plaque – Lasered with black text (feels smooth to touch)
Can come with 4 countersunk screws – or they can be without and glued
Total cost £48.00
Any interested supporters should contact Chairman Barry Cavilla for further details via email on bcavilla77@gmail.com or in person at The Premier Plus Stadium on a matchday.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Matchday Sponsorship Opportunities
Seasons Past - Seasons Past - With John Walker With John Walker
Edition Focuses on Season This Edition Focuses on Season 2011/12 2011/12
This
ST NEOTS TOWN FC 2019/2020 SEASON
ST NEOTS TOWN FC 2019/2020 SEASON
This is another in my statistical recollection of historical records, highlighting our spell in This is in my statistical recollection of historical records, highlighting our spell in the Southern League depicting both the highs and the lows in the recent proud history of the Southern League depicting both the highs and the lows in the recent proud history of the Club. the Club. It will always be a unique season for it is the first time ever that a season was It will always be a unique season for it is the first time ever that a season was aborted without finishing, this time of course due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. aborted without finishing, this time of course due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was going to be a difficult season after relegation back to Step Four after seven seasons It was going to be a difficult season after relegation back to Step Four after seven seasons playing at the highest level ever achieved by the club. It was further complicated by playing at the highest level ever achieved by the club. It was further complicated by budget restriction and the subsequent resignation of Manager Marc Abbott after just ten budget restriction and the subsequent resignation of Manager Marc Abbott after just ten months and 42 matches in charge. However, that led to a formal working arrangement months and 42 matches in charge. However, that led to a formal working arrangement with Cambridge United and the dual appointment of Manager Barry Corr who continued with Cambridge United and the dual appointment of Manager Barry Corr who continued to work for his parent club. to work for his parent club. Consistency in goal scoring was again our Achilles heel. Consistency in goal scoring was again our Achilles heel.
League League Southern League Division One Central Southern League Division One Central Final League position: Final League position: eighteenth/20 eighteenth/20 League playing record: League playing record:
For 33 For 33
Although we struggled for goals, we scored five at home against the two clubs below Although we struggled for goals, we scored five at home against the two clubs below us (Wantage and Kempston) including an Alan Musoke hat trick against Wantage. us (Wantage and Kempston) including an Alan Musoke hat trick against Wantage. We recorded our only League ‘double’ over Kempston and the low point in the league We recorded our only League ‘double’ over Kempston and the low point in the league programme was our 7-1 away defeat at Welwyn Garden City after a motorway programme was our 7-1 away defeat at Welwyn Garden City after a motorway accident on the way there, left us ‘parked’ on the carriageway for around two hours. accident on the way there, left us ‘parked’ on the carriageway for around two hours. The season began with a ‘round robin’ Hunts Premier Cup event in celebration the The season began with a ‘round robin’ Hunts Premier Cup event in celebration the competition’s 125th anniversary. competition’s 125th anniversary. We beat Eynesbury and Biggleswade United but lost We beat Eynesbury and Biggleswade United but lost to Yaxley in a penalty shoot-out. to Yaxley in a penalty shoot-out. In the FA Cup we had successive replays against Godmanchester (that match featuring In the FA Cup we had successive replays against Godmanchester (that match featuring a Prince hat-trick) and Biggleswade Town losing that second replay away from home. a Prince hat-trick) and Biggleswade Town losing that second replay away from home. We ran no Reserve side. We ran no Reserve side.
John Walker's Match Preview GODMANCHESTER ROVERS FC
Year founded: 1928 Chairman: Richard Cosbey
Club Website: www.godmanchesterroversfc.co.uk
GOOD AFTERNOON AND A VERY WARM WELCOME TO THE PREMIER PLUS STADIUM TO OUR NEIGHBOURS
This is only the fourth league meeting of our two clubs but over the past thirty years we have met no fewer than additional fourteen times in either local or national cup competition. Two of those meetings ended all square requiring replays (remember those) but of the twelve cup matches producing positive outcomes our visitors have won four and St Neots eight. In addition, St Neots have a perfect record in league competition winning all three meetings with a tally of eleven goals for and just two against. At present our visitors are going through a difficult time in league competition and are at the bottom of the league table with just two wins and two draws from their fourteen completed league matches. Last season was their third season in the UCL after their transfer from the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League and they finished eighteenth in the table five points clear of the relegation zone. In previous seasons they have finished fourteenth and eleventh, so they are still searching for consistency in their comparatively recent surroundings. In cup matches this season they have had no success so far. In the FA Cup they were beaten by the odd goal in three at Yaxley and in the FA Vase they suffered a similar fate beaten 8-0 away at a strong Mulbarton Rovers who are one of the stronger Thurlow Nunn Premier Division sides.Then in the league cup they were beaten 4-0 away at Newport Pagnell. So now they must look to the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup (away at Eynesbury) and the Hinchingbrooke Cup (at home to Deeping Rangers) for some success.
Previous meeting of our teams:
In the Hunts Senior Cup
1994/95 Godmanchester 2-2 aet St Neots (semi-final) St Neots 3-2 Godmanchester (semi-final replay)
1997/98 St Neots 2-0 Godmanchester (semi-final)
1999/2000 Godmanchester 2-0 St Neots (round one)
2002/03 Godmanchester 0-1 St Neots (round three)
2003/04 St Neots 1-0 Godmanchester (semi-final) 2007/08 Godmanchester 0-1 St Neots (round one)
2012/13 St Neots 1-0 Godmanchester (semi-final) 2016/17 St Neots 1-1 Godmanchester (semi-final) (St Neots won 5-4 on penalties)
2018/19 Godmanchester 6-0 St Neots (final – at St Neots)
2021/22 St Neots 0-2 Godmanchester (semi-final)
2023/24 St Neots 3-0 Godmanchester (semi-final) REPLAY ORDERED 2023/24 St Neots 1-3 Godmanchester (semi-final)
In the FA Vase
2005/06 Godmanchester 1-2 St Neots (first qualifying round) In the UCL 2023/24 Godmanchester 1-3 St Neots
St Neots 4-1 Godmanchester
2024/25 Godmanchester 0-4 St Neots
Enjoy the match
St Neots Town Academy Team Sponsors
John Walker's Match Report
MARCH TOWN UNITED (H)
05-10-2024
GCE HIRE PLANT UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH
ST NEOTS TOWN 1
MARCH TOWN UNITED 1
St Neots substitute Danny Baulk came on six minutes from time to snatch what might prove to be a vital goal in this top of the table clash at the Premier Plus Stadium. His 88th minute strike, with St Neots playing with ten men following the sending off of Connor Furlong, pegged back the visitors who have taken the lead sixty seconds after St Neots were reduced in numbers. Furlong had picked up his second yellow card for a seemingly careless challenge after 71 minutes, but this only seemed to act as spur to St Neots who went on to dominate the final twenty minutes and could have snatched a dramatic added time winning goal. There were two changes in the St Neots starting line-up from their weekend trip to Oadby with Christian Tavernier and Harvey Williams returning for the injured Nathan George and Danny Baulk who started on the bench.
The first half was a closely fought and at times a tactical affair with both sides keen to cling on to their respective challenging league positions. Visitors March were unbeaten in their previous nine league and cup outings whilst St Neots record was seven matches without defeat, so both had an excellent recent record to preserve. After a cagey start March produced the first significant attack after 12 minutes when St Neots custodian James Goff had to sprint from his line to save at the feet of Ben Tait and then three minutes later Christian Tavernier tested visiting keeper Jonah Gill with a rising shot. The competitive nature of the clash saw a player from each side cautioned in midfield incidents (Connor Furlong for the home side) and then Gill had to save at the feet of the lively Rhys Thorpe. A lengthy effort from Kieran Barnes forced Gill to save at full stretch ten minutes before the break and the half ended with Goff pushing a dipping effort from Craig Gillies over the bar after a piercing run down the flank by Josh Burrows.
John Walker's Match Report
MARCH TOWN UNITED (H) 22-10-2024
After the break St Neots had a good spell with Michael Amaeshike seeing his effort blocked after neat play by Sam Willis, and then it was Willis again who penetrated the March left flank to pick out Thorpe, but his finish was too high. Then, as March rallied, Charlie Bowen was booked for halting a visiting attack with a late tackle and as the exchanges became more physical Furlong picked up a second yellow card to reduce the home side to ten men. Within sixty second the visiting side took full advantage as the impressive Luke Pepper went past his marker to cross for Dan Cotton to put the visitors in front. That should have handed the initiative to the visiting side, but St Neots rallied and adjusted to three in defence and went in search of an equaliser. Barnes sent a free kick oved the bar, but it was the St Neots’ substitutions that made all the difference. Recent signing Lamin Jammeh and Danny Baulk reinvigorated the St Neots attack and with two minutes of normal time remaining Barnes ran at the visiting defence and slipped the ball to Danny Baulk who responded with a crisp finish for his second league goal of the season. That was sufficient to ensure the sharing of the points leaving the sides second and third in the table where they had started the match.
St Neots Town: Goff, Willis, Culkin, Tavernier, Parker, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams
Subs: Jammeh (for Tavernier 79 mins), Baulk (for Williams 84 mins), Nickels, Pitts-Wallace, and Sutherland.
Cards: Furlong (RED – 2xY – 22 & 71 mins), Bowen (Y – 67 mins)
March Town United: Gill, Green, Brumby, Withers, Emmington, Foy, Burrows, Tait, Gillies, Cotton, Saunders
Subs: Cowie (for Saunders 87 mins), Caloran (for Burrows 87 mins), Pepper, White, and Biggs.
Cards: Emmington (Y – 25 mins), Gillies (Y - 35 mins), Withers (Y – 78 mins)
Attendance: 239
Referee: Andrew Hitchcox (St Ives)
John Walker
John Walker's Match Report
AYLESTONE PARK (A)
26-10-2024
GCE HIRE PLANT UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SOUTH
AYLESTONE PARK 0 ST NEOTS TOWN 2
Two second half goals saw St Neots beat league leaders Aylestone Park on their own ground, lifting the visitors to within a single point of their hosts with a match in hand. It was an excellent all-round performance from the visitors who were able to name an unchanged starting line-up from their midweek home draw with March Town. Although both goals came after the break the victory was based on a first half display which saw the Saints dominate the home side without putting away their chances. Manager Cameron Mawer was delighted with his sides’ performance which ranks as one of their best of the season, and they have the opportunity to cement their position in their next league match at home to Godmanchester Rovers who are bottom of the table after a poor start to the season.
St Neots got off to the best possible start pinning the host side in their own half and creating four excellent chances in the opening ten minutes. The lively Connor Furlong left his marker for dead but saw his rising shot parried by home goalkeeper Liam Castle who minutes later had to fling himself full length to reach a lengthy effort from Murphy Culkin. Furlong again cut in to test Castle again and then Kieran Barnes shot over the bar after great work by Mike Amaeshike. Aylestone tried hard to stem the flow of attacks by slowing down the game and playing keep ball in their own half but the St Neots momentum continued, and the busy Castle had to sprint 25 yards from his line to smother a shot from Harvey Williams who was played clear by Christian Tavernier. Furlong had another effort saved by the home keeper and then six minutes before the break Corey Bucalossi produced the home sides’ first serious shot comfortably fielded by James Goff. The home sides’ best first half chance came just before the break when Bucalossi shot wide after neat play by former St Neots player Pearson Mwanyongo.,
John Walker's Match Report
AYLESTONE PARK (A)
26-10-2024
The second half saw a dramatic change in the pattern of play as the host side switched their tactics to a more attacking style and for a few minutes St Neots were on the defensive with Marshall Keenan squandering Aylestone’s best chance of the match. However, St Neots soon returned to a more confident and positive approach and after 53 minutes Mike Amaeshike was well placed at the far post to knock in a Williams pull back to open the scoring. Five minutes later, the Referee awarded St Neots a penalty but reversed his decision after consulting an Assistant. Aylestone almost levelled when Keenan was played clear, but the underworked St Neots keeper left his line to parry the effort. Then, after 72 minutes, St Neots won a throw in on the right and when Murphy Culkin’s long projection was returned to him by a defender he unleashed an unstoppable shot across the keeper and into the far corner of the net.
At 2-0 St Neots were able to look comfortable and confidently see out the remainder of the match with man of the match Williams twice having efforts blocked by defender and the home side finished with ten men after Bucalossi was sin-binned by the Referee.
St Neots Town: Goff, Willis, Culkin, Tavernier, Parker, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams
Subs: George (for Willis 80 mins), Jammeh (for Williams 90+3 mins), Nickels, Pitts-Wallace, and Joseph.
Cards: Barnes (Y – 85 mins), Parker (Y – 90 mins)
Aylestone Park: Castle, Kilburn, Articolo, Hood, Peace, Armeni, Cary, Hollis, Bucalossi, Mwanyongo, Keenan
Subs: Kee (for Armeni 69 mins), Wolf, Spencer, Young, and Hollis.
Cards: Bucalossi (sin bin 90+4)
Attendance: 205
Referee: William Norriss
John Walker
John Walker's Match Report
YAXLEY FC (A) 29-10-2024
HUNTINGDONSHIREFOOTBALLASSOCIATIONSENIORCHALLENGE CUPQUARTERFINAL
YAXLEY 3 STNEOTSTOWN 3 (StNeotswon6-5onpenalties)
WiththreeminutesofaddedtimecompletedYaxleywereleading 3-1andheading fortheSeniorCupsemi-finalsbutthenanunbelievablecomebackinacrazythree minutes’spellsawStNeotsregenerateandgrabtwolatelategoalstoearna dramaticpenaltyshoot-out.TherewasstilltimeforgoalkeeperJamesGofftoearn herostatusasheproducedafull-lengthstunningsavetodenyYaxleysubstitute DenysDushkin’spenaltybeforeJamesHatchdespatchedthewinningkick.So,St Neotsreturnedhomewitharepeatoftheir2018semi-finalvictoryonpenaltiesat Yaxley.Itwasamuch-depletedStNeotsline-upthatrecordedthevictorywithboth centraldefendersCharlieBowenandNathanGeorgemissingalongwithMichael AmaeshikeandthesuspendedConnorFurlong,butthissawLaminJammehand RobbieSutherlandmaketheirfirststartforthesidewithDammyNickelsreturning afteranabsenceofsevenmatchesandaplaceonthesubstitutesbenchforShane Fox,returningtohisfirstclubondualregistrationfromPottonUnited.
Ithadallstartedwellforthevisitorsforafter13minuteswhenthehomedefence ditheredastheyattemptedtoclear,andthelivelyKieranBarnesnippedintotake advantageandgivethevisitorsthelead.Thehomesiderespondedwithaperiodof ballpossessionbutwithlittletoshowintermsofattackingthreatandStNeots couldhaveincreasedtheiradvantagebutforsomegooddefendingbyhomekeeper JamieStephenswhotwicelefthisareatocleardanger.FormerStNeotsdefenderLil Franciscowasluckytoescapepunishmentafterabonecrunchingchallengeon LaminJammehandthenfourminutesbeforethebreakinarelativelyrareattack thehomesidelevelledasChristianTavernierconcededapenaltyandMatthew Harris-Herculesconverted.
John Walker's Match Report
YAXLEY FC (A) 29-10-2024
StNeotsresumedwithJamesHatchreplacingRobbieSutherlandandwhena defensiveerrorletinConnorPilbeam,JamesGoffsavedwell,beforePilbeamheaded widewhenwellplaced.InaStNeotscounter-attackSamWillissawanet-boundshot deflectedforacornerandthenwithsubstitutesDannyBaulkandShaneFoxonfor JammehandBarnes,StNeotssetaboutclawingtheirwaybackintothematch. RobbieParkershotwidefromdistance,butYaxleythenproducedapowerfulfinal twentyminutes.After72minutesformerSaint,JulinhoGomes,beathismarkerto shootdiagonallyacrossthegoalandinoffthefarposttoputYaxleyaheadandtwo minutesfromtheendofnormaltimethesameplayerpickedupaMatteoPerkins crosstogivethehomesideatwogoalsadvantage.Thatreallyshouldhavedecided theoutcome,butStNeotshadotherideas.Fourminutesintoaddedtimea25yards effortbyJamesHatchleftthehomekeeperhelplesstoreducethearrearsandatthe clocktickeddownintothefinalminuteofaddedtimevisitingskipperRobbieParker nettedwithacrispfinishtosendthematchintoasuddendeathshoot-out.Thefirst sixpenaltieswerenettedbeforeMatteoPerkinssenthiseffortoverthebar.Danny Baulkcouldhavewonthematchbutsawhisshotreboundfromapostbefore goalkeeperGoffproducedthesavetoallow JamesHatchtowinitforthevisitors.
StNeotsTown:Goff,Sutherland,Nickels,Tavernier,Parker,Culkin,Jammeh,Willis, Thorpe,Barnes,Williams
Subs:Hatch(forSutherland46mins),Baulk(forJammeh56mins),Fox(forBarnes61 mins),JosephandJessop.
Cards:Parker(Y–59mins),Willis(Y–63mins).
Yaxley:Stephens,Francisco,Henderson,Chilvers,Robertson,Rhaman,Bilicz,Gomes, Harris-Hercules,Perkins,Pilbeam
Subs:Opayinka(forPilbeam59mins),Dushkin(forRhaman67mins),Grigas (forHarris-Hercules74mins),Venters(forBilicz87mins),Kazombiaze(forPerkins87 mins).
Cards:none
Attendance:73
Referee:JackBadcock
JohnWalker
PLAYING RECORD
SEASON
7 8 9 10 11
Opponent Spotlight
GODMANCHESTER ROVERS
Situated on the banks of the River Great Ouse, 16 miles North West of Cambridge, on the A14. Godmanchester is a town, not a village as it was chartered in 1212 and again in 1604. Godmanchester has been inhabited for over 2000 years and was a very important Roman settlement. Football has been played in Godmanchester since the late 1890’s Godmanchester Rovers came into existence in 1911, previously playing as Godmanchester Town.
The first recorded mention of the club is from the ‘Cambridge Independent Press’ newspaper dated Friday 26th December 1913 where Godmanchester Rovers had a fixture against St-Ives on Boxing Day.
During the 1928–29 season, when they won the Hunts Junior Cup. They played in the Huntingdonshire League for many years before joining the Cambridgeshire League. They won the Hunts Junior Cup again in 1988–89, and in 1992 were promoted to the top division of the Cambridgeshire League. In 1994–95 they won the League Cup, retaining it for the next two seasons. However, they were relegated to the Senior Division in 2000. With the club about to move into a new ground, they made a speculative application to join the Eastern Counties League in 2002. Despite being in the second tier of the Cambridgeshire League, the club were successful. They finished bottom of the division in 2004–05 but were not relegated as the league was under strength in terms of numbers. In 2011–12 the club won the Eastern Counties Division One on goal difference to earn promotion to the Premier Division, also winning the Division One Knock-out Cup, defeating Whitton United 1–0 in the final.
In the 2014-15 season the club finished as runners-up in the Premier Division also adding the Hunts Senior Cup to an all-round successful record for the season. At the end of season, Nev Nania, retired from his role as First Team manager.
Opponent Spotlight
GODMANCHESTER ROVERS
The 2015-16 saw the appointment of Matt Clements as First Team Manager, with Matty Haniver keeping his role as First Team Player Coach. The season ended as the previous season with a second-place finish, unbeaten in the last 17 League games.
Before the start of the 2016-17 season Rovers saw the resignation of Matt Clements and the appointment of Adrian Cambridge as First Team coach. At the same time, much of the established first team players moved to different clubs, leaving Aidy Cambridge with the job of rebuilding the first team. Shortly into the new season Matty Haniver, 1st team Player Coach, departed, with his role filled by John Bitting. After 19 games in charge, Manager Aidy Cambridge and Assistant John Bitting stood down from their roles at the club. The clubs football consultant.
Former Godmanchester Rovers player, Chris Hyem was appointed First Team manager after being released from Histon FC. After securing Premiership football for the 2017-2018 season Chris Hyem stood down as manager. Ollie Drake was appointed first team manager, fresh from winning the Kershaw League, Drake will be joined at Rovers by his father Steve.
The 2017-2018 Season was marred with high number of postponed games creating a large backlog of matches to be played, several players that departed at the end of the 2016-2017 season put a run of 7 winning games putting Rovers in 10th position at the start of October. The next 6 weeks then proved to be a difficult period, losing three premiership games, and knocked out of the Hunts Senior Cup and FA Vase.
Fortune then returned and from Mid-November through to the end of the season, Rovers won 24, drew 1 and lost 6 of their remaining 31 matches landing Roves a 4th place finish in the seasons 24 team league. This also included a run of 9 games undefeated.
Opponent Spotlight
GODMANCHESTER ROVERS
The 2018-2019 season saw the retention of most of the squad from the previous season. Despite a strong winning run of pre-season matches and a win in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary round, Rovers lost their opening League match but bounced back with a FA Cup win in the next game. This was the start of pattern that Godmanchester had throughout the season, In Cup competitions, Godmanchester progressed to the FA Cup First Round Qualify, losing away to Histon. With the FA Cup exit, Godmanchester focused on the FA Vase, winning games against West Essex, Great Yarmouth and Holbeach United to reach the 4th Round and a home tie against Sporting Khalsa. The Club went on to win The Hunts Senior Cup for the 2nd time, The Hinchingbrooke Cup, and the Mayors Cup.
As we all know the 2019-2020 ended abruptly due to the Covid-19 outbreak, as with the 2019-2020 season and Covid-19, 2020 -21 started with no spectators and just 9 games played before the season was ended and nulled. The club took the opportunity whilst the ground was void of any sport and spectators to embark on several ground improvements and renovations. The biggest undertaking was a large expansion on the Club House, adding a new larger kitchen for match day refreshments and larger patio area.
Before the start of the 2021-22, First Team manager, Ollie Drake departed the club making way for Dean Greygoose to take charge with a fresh squad of players. The 2021-22 season see us move into the United Counties League from the eastern Counties League, a move that had been coming for a couple of years, with anew strong management team and a new group of exciting young players in the squad it was a great time to be around the club and building a new long-term project. On the field we finished mid table for our first season in the UCL and Dean and the young team was starting to come together nicely.
Opponent Spotlight
GODMANCHESTER ROVERS
The 2022-23 season has just started, and Dean has moved some players out and moved some new players in to the squad, the great work from within the club now sees 6 of our current and last season U18’s making it into the senior squad on match days, this is great for the future of the football club. Dean and his team are building a good squad and we look forward to the season ahead.
Of the field the club management and committee are working very hard behind the scenes and making sure the long term of the football club is a great place to be in and around, we now have our senior team competing in the UCL League, Reserves team competing in the UCL Reserve league managed by Tim Britt & Tony Tagg and our U18 team managed by Dave Stevens & Tony Tagg still competing in the Thurlow Nunn Youth League. We now have our youth section running 20 teams and we have just started a brand-new Ladies and Girls section to our football club running 4 teams.
Manager - Cameron Mawer
Assistant - Steve Kuhne
Coach - Alex Minall
GK Coach - Gary Dean
Physio - Craig Lambert
SquadList SquadList
JJamesGoff(GK) amesGoff(GK) DammyNickels DammyNickels
NathanGeorge NathanGeorge
RobbieParker RobbieParker
MurphyCulkin MurphyCulkin
CharlieBowen CharlieBowen
LilFransisco LilFransisco
ChristianTavernier ChristianTavernier
MichaelAmaeshike MichaelAmaeshike
SamWillis SamWillis
KieranBarnes KieranBarnes RhysThorpe RhysThorpe
ConnorFurlong ConnorFurlong
DannyBaulk DannyBaulk
ScottJoseph ScottJoseph HarveyWilliams HarveyWilliams
MarleyPitts-Wallace-Luke MarleyPitts-Wallace-Luke LaminJammeh LaminJammeh
RobbieSutherland RobbieSutherland BrandonJessop BrandonJessop
Colours Colours
LightBlueShirts LightBlueShirts
DarkBlueShorts DarkBlueShorts
Light LightBlueSocks BlueSocks
Manager – Seb Hayes
AssistantCoach –Coach –
GK CoachPhysio -
Squad List Squad List
Ben Arnold Ben Arnold
Daniel Brown Daniel Brown
Takula Chijota Takula Chijota
Matthew Cox Matthew Cox
Emmanuel Gbejuade Emmanuel Gbejuade
Matthew Green Matthew Green
Joshua George Hales Joshua George Hales
Will Jolly Will Jolly
Kristian Ogonowski Kristian Ogonowski
Ron Sosoli Ron Sosoli
Tom Spark Tom Spark
Declan Rogers Declan Rogers
Harry Brookes Harry Brookes
Ricki Goodale Ricki Goodale
Tommy Dear Tommy Dear Reece Page Reece Page
Jamal Shenille Jamal Shenille
Tom Wootton Tom Wootton
Colours Colours
Red Red Shirts Shirts
Red Shorts Red Shorts
Red Socks Red Socks
Referee Oliver Hollyoak Assistant I Arkadiusz Piotrowski Assistant 2 Paul Buck
