2022/23 - Issue 13 - Yaxley FC

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

Today we extend a warm welcome to the Players, Officials and Supporters of Yaxley FC and we hope your brief stay with us here in St Neots is an enjoyable one.

Another tough game in store today against our old United Counties League foes Yaxley as we look to keep this little unbeaten run going. What a game we served up on Boxing Day against Cambridge City, a stunning second half performance from the lads turning an odds on defeat into a deserved victory. This was followed up with a decent point on the road up at Hinckley, when Trey Charles scored his fourteenth goal of the season and had we had a little more luck, we could and probably should have had more than just the one goal to show for our efforts. Not a win but another vital point as we look to jump out of the danger positions and leapfrog Cambridge City who currently sit in the lowest safety position.

Today we go toe to toe with the club that are below us in the table and are going through a turbulent time on and off the pitch. This week, Manager Andy Furnell stepped down from his role as manager and was replaced by Seb Hayes, only for he, himself, to part company with the club just a matter of hours later, so we will have to be at our absolute best today as I'm sure players will be wanting to impress and perform for their former gaffer, so, please, always, get behind the boys from the first whistle, the noise and atmosphere you create off the pitch, can have the right effect on the boys on the green carpet.

BoardroomGossip

BoardroomGossip

WithChairmanBarryCavilla

WithChairmanBarryCavilla

Good afternoon and a Very Happy New year to everyone and welcome to today's Northern Premier league Midland Division home fixture versus our close neighbours Yaxley, to the home of the Saints .

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the Players, Officials & Supporters of Yaxley to the Premier Plus Stadium .

Both Yaxley and ourselves have found this midway point of the season a real challenge and have struggled to find the levels of consistency to make a bigger impact in this competitive league and enjoy a more positive league position so far.

However, Pete has been waiting patiently to get all his players back from injuries to have a full squad to choose from and the lads have responded brilliantly over the festive period and found some fine form, picking up 4 points along the way in the last 2 outings and this has helped push the Saints closer to the teams above them and hopefully given themselves a great platform to push onwards and upwards for the remainder of the season and start climbing away from the current position and to a safer league position.

Enjoy your time with us today and Thank you for your continued support and helping give Pete and the team a real boost in the second half of the season and making 2023 a positive year for all.

Yours in sport.

Barry Barry Barry

Partners-Visitwww.stneotstownfc.co.uktofindouthowtobecomeapartner.

Partners-Visitwww.stneotstownfc.co.uktofindouthowtobecomeapartner.

Partners-Visitwww.stneotstownfc.co.uktofindouthowtobecomeapartner.

BLASTFROMTHEPAST SATURDAY6th JANUARY2018

SouthernLeaguePremierDivision

StNeotsTown 2 StratfordTown 2

St Neots remain the draw specialists in the Premier Division – the tenth time they have finished all square this season, but they had to come from behind twice to salvage their point. In six Southern League meetings they have still failed to beat bogey opponents Stratford. In the end after a frustrating second half when they failed to find a way through a stubborn visiting defence, their perseverance paid off with an 85th minute second goaltorewardtheirefforts. ManagerMattClementshadtojugglehisteam just before the start when Lewis Irwin cried off ill, but he restored leading scorer Dylan Williams to the side after two substitute appearances and welcomed back Taylor Parr from suspension with Tom Wood switching to full back in place of Jack Bradshaw who was on the bench. Perhaps a draw was predictable with Stratford now finishing level in each of their three visitstothePremierPlusStadium. It was the visitors who made the brighter start to the match. Justin Marsden stung the hands of keeper Mike Emery with a snap volley as the sidessparredanditwasStratfordwhoforgedaheadafter15minuteswhen thelivelyWilliamGrocottlinkedcleverlywithBenStephenstosetupEdwin Ahenkorah for a close range finish. That was the strikers’ fourth goal in as many games with St Neots.The home side hit back quickly, Dylan Williams having one shot saved and a second blocked but after 27 minutes Stefan BroccolibeathismarkeronthebyelinetofeedKyronWiltshireandhisdeft backheel set up Williams for his eleventh league goal of the season to level thescores. However,StNeotswereonlyontermsforsixminutesandthen another example of charity defending gifted the visitors with their second goal. LiamMcDevittappearedtobeshepherdingtheballbacktowardMike Emery, but Ben Stephens nipped in to steal the ball and roll it into the unguarded net. The unlucky Nabil Shariff was then denied a goal when he climbed to win a Johnny Herd free kick but saw his header rebound from thecrossbar.

The second half was always going to be difficult as the visitors opted to sit on their slender lead rather than chasing further goals. Stefan Broccoli shot wide after a neat build up but in a breakaway attack Eli Bako should have done better for the visitors than volley over the bar when he was left unmarked. However, much of the attacking play was going to be around the Stratford box asDionSembie-FerriscutintoseehisshotdeflectedandTomWoodlinkedwith his attack but saw Connor make a good save at the second attempt.The pressure continued with substitute Scott Sinclair heading wide and then the hard-working Nabil Shariff had a rising shot parried by the overworked visiting keeper. Of course, when a team becomes too committed to attacking they are liable to be caught on the break and ten minutes from time Grocott broke free to get the ball in the St Neots net, but he was thwarted by an offside flag.Luke Knight then shot wide and Williams had an effort cleared off the line as St Neots redoubled their efforts and they were eventually rewarded five minutes from time when Wood knocked down a cross and Shariff pounced to force the ballhomefromcloserangeforhissecondStNeotsgoal.Therewasstilltimefor Sinclair to see a well-placed shot deflected wide and deep into added time substituteDavidBridgessawhisefforttouchedontothecrossbarbyConnor.

PitchingInNorthernPremierLeagueMidlandDivision

WithChairmanBarryCavilla

YAXLEYFOOTBALLCLUB

Yearfounded:1962 Chairman:MalcolmClements ClubWebsite:www.yaxleyfc.com

GOOD AFTERNOON AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR AS WE WELCOME YAXLEY TO THE PREMIER PLUS STADIUMFORTHEFIRSTTIMESINCE29SEPTEMBER2020

AspecialwelcomeforourvisitorsthisafternoonwhocometoStNeotsforaleaguefixturefor the first time for more than three years. The two most recent additions to our squad (Liam Hook and Jon-Paul Duncliffe) came from Yaxley and featured in the last game here between our two sides three years ago. Our last league meeting here at the Premier Plus Stadium was on 20th August 2019 – our first ever meeting at Step Four – when our visitors beat us 5-2 with Prince Mutswunguma and Sam Goode our marksmen. However, that proved to be a memorable season for Yaxley for our two sides met four times – twice in the league and once eachintheHuntsPremierCupandtheLeagueCup.Theresultstallythatseasonwasfourwins infourgamesforYaxley–oneafteraPremierCuppenaltyshoot-out.Sincethen,wehavemet just one at Leading Drove Yaxley on 29th September 2020 when we drew 2-2 with Liam Lobjoit andAaronSmithourmarksmenandBradleyGothardandJordanMcLeodscoringforthehome side who played most of the match with ten men after their keeper had been sent off early in the first half. The return match scheduled for January 2021 was never played because of the COVIDabruptNovemberendingtothatseason. LastseasonYaxleyweretransferredtoplayin the Northern Premier League Midland Division leaving us for a final season in the Southern League. Our visitors competed well in a very competitive division finishing fourteenth some twenty points above the relegation zone but this season they have really struggled and currently sit at the bottom of the table still searching for their first league victory of the season. Ironically their only league point this season was recorded in that 2-2 home draw lads detailedabove. The records of matches between our two clubs since our reformation in 1994 makes interesting reading. Our two clubs have faced each other no less than 49 times in the past 28 seasonsinavarietyofcompetitions.Wehavemetasfollows:

JWMatchlookingahead TheLastTimeWeMetHere.....

StNeotsTown 2 Yaxley 5

Yaxley deserved to win this first ever Step Four league meeting of these two Huntingdonshire sides but was flattered by the final score line. However, this fact should not mask the fact that St Neots’ home debut performance this season was disappointing. The match pattern was firmly set in the first twenty minutes when the visitors made a storming start to the contest scoring twice and leaving their hosts shell shocked and seemingly unable to respond. St Neots recovered somewhat in the second period of the first half and even replied with a goal but Yaxley were always the dominant side after the break, and they gave their hosts a lesson in finishing. Their precise and accurate passing movements always gave them the lions’ share of possession and they were able to respond each time St Neots looked like getting back into the game. St Neots boss Marc Abbott made two team changes bringing in Mason Rhiney for the injured Alfie Conner and he preferredSamGomersallinattacktoTimN’Kalawhostartedonthebench. Spectators were still taking their seats when after six minutes Yaxley forged in front. A Joe Butterworth free kick was knocked back from the far post and Tom Waumsley poked home from close range. Dan Cotton saw a rising shot blocked six minutes later and the ball deflected for a corner which was headed home at the far post by Ross Watson to increase the visitors’ lead. Yaxley’s ariel domination at set pieces was a problem for St Neots throughout the match and they almost contributed further to their woes when a poor clearance by goalkeeper James Philp went straight to Waumsley and the keeper was grateful to be able to atone with a smart save. After 25 minutes St Neots seemed to find some confidence as Sam Bennett saw his header from a Jake Kerins cross smartly saved by visiting keeper Aaron Butcher and then he made an outstanding save at full stretch to turn away a shot from Prince Mutswunguma that looked looking creeping under the bar at the far post. However, St Neots’ efforts were rewarded ten minutes before the break whenMasonRhineyfloatedinafreekickandSamGooderoseabovethedefenceto pullbackagoal.StNeots’continuedtolookgooduntilhalftimewithBennettfiring narrowlywideaftergoodworkbyJoeSuttonandLeeWatkins.

JWMatchlookingahead

TheLastTimeWeMetHere.....

EarlyinthesecondhalfanotherGoodeheaderfromasetpiecewasonlyjustwidebut after 52 minutes there was an unsightly melee after an injudicious challenge by Watkins.Whentheofficialshadsortedouttheonlyactiontakenwasayellowcardfor the St Neots skipper. Four minutes later a free kick by Jon-Paul Duncliffe was missed by a home defender and at the far post Tom Waumsley gratefully increased the score to 3-1. That two goals difference was only maintained for two minutes when the Yaxley defence got in a tangle allowing Prince Mutswunguma to reduce the deficit to a single goal again, and for a short time St Neots looked to be on the offensive. However, the home defence always looked vulnerable and substitute Mikkel Fosu making his debut was caught wrong side of Charley Sanders but recovered to block hisshot. Inabidtomaintaintheirattackingimpetus,StNeotsintroducedTimN’Kala to utilise his pace at the tiring Yaxley defence, but they responded by strengthening theirbackline.StNeotsdownfallwastobeself-inflictedbecausewithtwelveminutes remaining Dan Cotton got to the bye line only to be brought down by Jake Kerins and from the penalty spot Cotton increased the score line to 4-2. St Neots only hope was to go onto the attack and with three minutes left they were caught short in defence and from a free kick Ross Watson volleyed home his second goal of the match to complete the scoring. In added time there was a late chance for a consolation goal forthehomesidebutJoeSutton’sshotwasdeflectedforacorner.

St Neots Town: Philp, Kerins, Smith, Rhiney, Goode, Shaw, Watkins, Sutton, Mutswunguma,Bennett,Gomersall

Subs: Fosu (for Shaw 59 mins), N’Kala (for Gomersall 66 mins), Joseph (for Rhiney 78 mins),QuigleyandWalker

Cards: Watkins(Y–52mins),Fosu(Y–88mins) Goals: Goode(35mins),Mutswunguma(58mins)

Yaxley: Butcher, Duncliffe, Garner, Butterworth, Watson, Bettles, Waumsley (T), Hook,Sanders,Cotton,Nolan

Subs: Gow (for Nolan 69 mins), Williams (for Duncliffe 75 mins), Waumsley (S) (for Cotton86mins)StebbingandBlake.

Cards:Garner(Y–61mins),Cotton(Y–82mins)

Goals: Waumsley (T) 2 (6 and 56 mins), Watson 2 (12 and 87 mins), Cotton – pen – (78 mins)

Referee: AlistairWilson(Boston) Attendance: 203

JohnWalker

Partners-Visitwww.stneotstownfc.co.uktofindouthowtobecomeapartner.

StNeotsTownFCisnotjustaboutfootballweareacommunityfocusedbusiness.Wehavesomuchmoregoingonwhich ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that whenyouadvertisewiththeSaintsyougetsomuchmoreforyourmoney.

Partners-Visitwww.stneotstownfc.co.uktofindouthowtobecomeapartner.

StNeotsTownFCisnotjustaboutfootballweareacommunityfocusedbusiness.Wehavesomuchmoregoingonwhich ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that whenyouadvertisewiththeSaintsyougetsomuchmoreforyourmoney.

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE – MIDLAND DIVISION

St Neots Town 3 Cambridge City 2

After 64 minutes of this Boxing Day Derby, the points looked to be heading back along the A428 as Cambridge City had built a seemingly match winning 2-0 lead, however, the game was turned on it’s head by an inspired substitution by manager Pete Gill, replacing the largely ineffective Manny Osei with fit again youngster Dan Barton, who was to play an integral part in what could turn out to be an important win for the Saints as they look to climb away from the danger zone in the Midland Division.

Once again the Saints Squad was light on numbers due to injuries but we welcomed back Centre Half Tom Dickens who had resigned on a dual registration from National League side Cheshunt and he slotted in alonside makeshift centre half Panny Boxer.

The match couldnt have begun any worse for the home side as the visitors took the lead in the 3rd minute as slack defending from City’s first corner allowed Jarid Robson to head home at the far post totally unmarked and Saints looked to hit back straight away as Manny Osei dragged our first effort on goal wide of the mark three minutes later. only a smart save from Jamie Greygoose prevented City extending their lead after 7 minutes, palming a well placed lob around the post for a corner. in the 30th minute, another free header on the edge of the box gave City another chance to double the lead but Ofusu didn’t hit the target however just three minutes later they did capitalise, when former Saint Jake Battersby was allowed to maraud down the left and he fired home past the helpless Greygoose.

The second half begun with City replacing Ingrey with Tom Waulmsley who must have oicked up a knock in that opening half but in the 50th minute, Saints had a golden oppurtunity to get themselves back in the game when a ball was played over the top and both Njoku and Osei were clean through but it was the latter who was to get on the end of the ball and as he closed in on goal, his effort beat the onrushing Welch but rebounded from the right hand upright. Good interplay between Rider and Charles saw the latter slid in on goal but the visiting custodian saved well from Charles’s effort.

CAMBRIDGECITY (H)26-12-2022

Young Cambridge loanee Dan Barton entered the frey in the 64th minute after recovering from injury, replacing Osei and from this point onwards, he was to terrorise the visiting back four with his sublime dribbling skills and direct approach and it was no real surprise that just a minute later, JOE RIDER provided the now resurgant Saints a foothold in the game, dispatching a low drive past the dispairing dive of Welch. Panny Boxer almost restored parity to the scoreline in the 73rd minute but his header from a Hook corner was deflected wide and in the process he clashed heads with Ofosu but after treatment, both players were able to continue. Next to follow was the two minute spell that was to effectively give St Neots Town the valuable three points. In the 73rd minute, the dangerous Barton set off on one of his mazy dribbling forays through the middle and he spotted TREY CHARLES free on the right and delivered a sublime through ball for the striker to run on and unleash an unstoppable finish to level the scores. Better was yet to come and just a minute later, the in-form BRANDON NJOKU escaped the shackles of the Lilywhites back line and as he sped away down the left flank, he dispached what was to be the winner past a shell shocked Welch in the City goal to spark jubilant scenes among the players, dugout and of course the majority of the 347 paying spectators around the pitch.

St Neots must now build on this victory as the look to climb away from the relegation trapdoor, beginning with a trip to Hinckley LR on Monday 2nd January.

St Neots Town: Greygoose, Lewis, Smith, Anderson (c), Boxer, Dickens, Osei, Hook, Charles, Rider, Njoku

Subs: Barton (for Osei 64 mins), Barnett (for Hook 90 mins), and Abbott. Cards: None Goals: Rider (65 mins), Charles (73 mins), Njoku (74 mins)

Cambridge City: Welch, Akubuine, Miles, Maynard, Ofusu, Parr (c), Battersby, Swinton, Ingrey, Robson, Cotton

Subs: Waulmsley (for Ingrey 46 mins), Gothard (for Maynard 71 mins), Nolan (for Battersby 73 mins) Doorbar-Baptiste and Olukamni. Cards: Swinton (Y – 45 mins), Cotton (Y – 90 mins), Goals: Robson (3 mins), Battersby (34 mins)

Attendance: 347 Referee: Joe Woolmer

Mike Green ( In John Walker’s Absence)

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE – MIDLANDS DIVISION

Hinckley LR 1 St Neots Town 1

In their previous match St Neots had made up for an indifferent first half by coming back from two goals behind to take all three points. The pattern of this match was in stark contrast. St Neots dominated much of the first half and had chances to go to the break with more than the solitary goal that they led by. The home side then came back after half time in a much more positive frame of mind and in the final analysis St Neots did well to return home with one point. They had hoped to build on that morale boosting Boxing Day victory and the great thing in their favour was that for the first time this season Manager Pete Gill was able to name an unchanged line up from that previous victory. They also had the opportunity of being able to complete their first league double of the season because they had defeated Hinckley 3-0 in their first ever meeting at the Premier Plus Stadium on August Bank Holiday Monday. However, Hinckley, have a decent home record having won half of their completed matches at their Leicester Road ground and on the overall balance of play they were deserving of their point. St Neots began well and had the better of possession early on but both defences stood firm and in the opening twenty minutes neither goal was threatened except for when Brandon Njoku was unable to finish from ten yards out after a great run by Trey Charles who had outpaced the defence on the right flank. After 23 minutes Charlie Lewis forged forward exchanging passes but seeing his final shot blocked by a defender and as the ball broke Joe Rider sent a fierce effort just wide with the home keeper beaten. On the half hour the home side produced their first real threat on the St Neots goal as Jordan Burrow glanced a header over the crossbar after neat work by Lewis Jones. Four minutes later St Neots pressure paid off as Trey Charles cut in from the right to unleash a low left foot shot into the corner of the net to put the visitors in front. It was no less than they deserved and eight minutes later they should have increased their lead when Lewis and Liam Hook combined to set up Joe Rider, but he dragged his shot just wide. The half ended with Charles getting the ball in the net a second time but seeing his effort ruled out by an offside flag.

HINCKLEYLRFC (A)02-01-2023

Hinckley looked rejuvenated after the break as they set about retrieving their deficit.In their first attack full back Louie Gill got round the back of the defence and goalkeeper Jamie Greygoose was fully extended to tip the ball over the bar. The pressure on the visiting defence was maintained and after 59 minutes an attack down the left was not repelled and from a narrow angle Jordan Burrow sneaked his low shot into the far corner of the net for an equalising goal. St Neots responded by sending on Dan Barton for Manny Osei and he was soon in action teasing the home defence. A second St Neots change saw Robbie Mason on for the tiring Joe Rider and St Neots began to compete after a tepid start to the second period. A searching cross from Charles saw Mason just unable to reach the ball in front of a gaping net and from a cross by the same player Barton headed wide. A lengthy effort from Lewis was well saved by the home keeper and in a grandstand finish Charles was robbed in front of goal and substitute Nick Reeves put Hinckley’s last chance over the crossbar.

St Neots Town: Greygoose, Lewis, Smith, Anderson (c), Boxer, Dickens, Osei, Hook, Charles, Rider, Njoku

Subs: Barton (for Osei 61 mins), Mason (for Rider 74 mins), Duncliffe, Barnett and Goumou.

Cards: Smith (Y – 90 mins)

Goals: Charles (34 mins)

Hinckley: Highland, Acton, Gill, Alcott, Jenno, Humphreys, Jones, Gore, Williams, Brennan, Burrow

Subs: Lyne (for Jones 71 mins), Reeves (for Gore 85 mins), Banray, Smith and Roggero.

Cards: Jenno (Y – 55 mins), Acton (Y – 76 mins, Alcott (Y – 89 mins)

Goals: Burrow (59 mins)

Attendance: 172

Referee: Sam Lee (Byfield) John Walker

OpponentSpotlight

YAXLEYFC

YAXLEY FC HISTORY

The club was formed in 1900 with the forerunner of today’s club, Yaxley Rovers, being members of the first Peterborough League campaign contested during the 1902/03 season. History up until the Second World War is not well documented and the first instance of a post-war championship came about in 1950/51 when the club won the Peterborough League Division Two. Relegation was just around the corner though, and it was back in Division Three by the end of the 1950’s. The Club has always played either in or on the fringes of the highest levels of local leagues which, over the years have been sponsored and known by many names such as Eastern Counties, Jewson, and Peterborough League. The Cuckoo’s finished as runners-up three seasons in a row, the last of these being enough to see the club promoted to the Premier Division of the Peterborough League. The club’s first taste of Premier Division football came at the start of the 1975/76 season and once again they finished runners-up. The following season they went one better and won the Premier Division title. The 1983/84 season was a superb one with the first team winning the treble, the Peterborough Premier Division, the Peterborough Senior Cup and the Hunts Senior Cup, and the Reserves winning the Peterborough Division One Championship. The Cuckoos left the Peterborough League at the end of the 1987/88 season and made the step up to the Eastern League at the start of the following season. 1993/94 saw the purchase of the new ground and the facilities to step up to the United Counties League and the 1994/95 season was at that time, probably the most successful in its history. This was the debut season of the ill-fated West Anglian League (amalgamation of the Hunts & East Northants Leagues) and the first team won promotion to the United Counties League after winning the championship. The Reserves also won Division One of the same competition, thus emulating the feat of 1984/85. During the close season floodlights were erected and a stand was put up at the Leading Drove ground. The following season saw the Division One championship come to Leading Drove. The ‘02/03 season saw the Reserve and Youth teams win the lion’s share of league and cup silverware whilst Jim Watson took over the management of the First Team making a magnificent charge from the relegation zone of the United Counties League Premiership to finish seventh with 67 points – the club’s highest ever finishing position. The same season saw plans unveiled for new facilities that are part of a five years objective to take the club into the Dr. Martens (or equivalent) league.

OpponentSpotlight

YAXLEYFC

Plans were also made to incorporate Yaxley Juniors and establish a new Ladies team to assist in creating a community orientated football club. The ‘03/04, 04/05 and 05/06 seasons have undoubtedly been the clubs most successful ever with the 1st, Reserve, Youth, Ladies and Junior teams all bringing home trophies including at senior level, the prestigious Hinchingbrooke Cup and the UCL League Cup in May 06.

The club has achieved FA Charter Club status and was granted planning permission to redevelop the site, improving the facilities (e.g. new clubhouse and additional playing areas) to FA community standard. The project was severely delayed in 2005 resulting in significant commercial loses due to an access dispute halting the club’s entire development plan. The dispute was finally settled, and the project restarted in August ’06. Season 2008-09 saw the move to more temporary accommodation. The 09/10 season was one of the toughest in the clubs’ history and against most of the league pundit’s opinions, Clippo and the lads pulled survival from the jaws of relegation.

The 2012-13 season saw a total rebuild of the First Team and players under the management of former Cuckoos player and Reserve Team manager Brett Whaley (assisted by Chris Lenton) and the reinstatement of the clubs Reserve Team acting as a bridge between our flourishing U18s and First Team. They finished mid-table and were joint winners (along with Royston Town) of The Hinchingbrooke Cup, the reserve team were runners up in the league and the league cup and the U18s were league champions and league cup winners (comprehensively beating AFC Rushden & Diamonds). All in all, not a bad season. 2013-14 saw the dismantling of the Reserve Side due to a lack of bodies to manage the team to an acceptable level and a brand new U18s team coming up from U16s football – a very tough season ahead. The First Team finished sixth in the league table—a highly commendable result but the FA and League Cup competitions were massively disappointing although we probably created a couple of new records in the process. 2014-15 saw the Cuckoos enjoy a very good season with an excellent FA Vase run and a fourth position in the league but one of the worst disciplinary records in the club’s history compounded by an embarrassing County Cup Final display to round off a poor run-in to the end. The surprise of the season was the “shock” departure of Brett Whaley to Wisbech Town having only days before presented his plan and budget for the 2015-16 to the clubs committee which was approved.

OpponentSpotlight

YAXLEYFC

2015-16 A new brush and a new era with new manager Ian Benjamin, an ex-professional with massive experience in semi-pro and non-league and a track record of promotion at Step 4 and 5. The biggest change for the club was the new 3G pitch that the club and the community have already benefited from enormously. The club would like to place on public record its deep and sincere appreciation to all those silent partners who have made our dream for growth and sustainability a reality. Ian Benjamin resigned at the beginning of April and the position was filled by the return from Wisbech Town of Brett Whaley.

2016-17 Brett Whaley showed his intent to take the Cuckoos to a higher level of football by strengthening the squad with some impressive experience whilst retaining the vast majority of last season’s players. 2015-16 was a disappointing one for the whole club but that was quickly forgotten. Brett brought back players and a great coaching team. In addition to an impressive third place in the league we also won the UCL KO Cup beating Wisbech Town in a fiercely contested battle. 2017-18 saw our new Chairman Malcolm Clements officially set the clubs target for promotion and building on the success of last season, started what we all hoped was the next forward step for the Cuckoos. Our local attendances began to swell and also got behind our reformed Reserves. Assistant manager Andy Furnell took over the First Team management as Brett Whaley once again left the club. ‘Fern’s led the club again to the league cup final (runners up) but more importantly to the league title and PROMOTION to the Evo-Stik SOUTHERN LEAGUE. On the back of a tremendous promotion season, in 2018/19 the Cuckoos looked to sustain their rise to Step 4 retaining the complete squad from the previous year whilst bolstering in a couple of areas. The Reserve was led by Lloyd Burton. At Step 4 we entered the Southern League Midland Division and had two seasons there, although because of the covid outbreak the second season was not completed but at the time the club was just above mid-table. 2021-22 began another new chapter after the FA reshuffle saw the club moved laterally to the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, where they finished mid-table.

For 2022-23, the Cuckoos are looking forward to the challenge of this season, with a new younger squad and new additions to the management team, but still with the talented Andy Furnell at the helm

OpponentSpotlight PlayerProfiles-YAXLEYFC

Aaron Butcher: Goalkeeper. Great attitude and strong all-round game.

Kacper Kurylowicz: A promising shot-stopper who spent his youth career at Spurs.

Frazer Garner: Ex-Peterborough United defender. Strong and quick, one to watch.

Robert Squillace: A full back who recently signed from Buckingham Athletic.

Kyle Rowell: A promising young full back who joined from Peterborough Sports last season and improved as the season progressed.

James Hamill: A midfielder/wing back who joined from Daventry Town last season.

Jesse Airen: A centre back who joins from Soham Town Rangers.

Jude Adebayo: A young centre back whose recent clubs include Wisbech Town, Frickley Athletic and Ossett United among others.

Luke Hunnings: An experienced centre back who joins from Deeping Rangers and has also played locally for Blackstones and Northern Star.

Ethan Lack: A young defensive midfielder who joins on loan from King’s Lynn Town.

Jonathan Adebayo: A new signing to bolster our midfield options.

Lewis Baughan: Exciting young forward to watch for the future.

Edgar Silva-Morais: A pacy winger who loves to take full backs on and run into the channels.

Alfie Wren: A left-sided winger/full-back who is more than willing to take on a shot from distance.

Marcus Pancho: A tricky winger with an excellent work-rate. Joined from Deeping Rangers.

Marlay Hamilton: A new signing who likes to lead the line up front.

Joao Varela: A young striker who joins on loan from King’s Lynn Town.

P l a y i n g R e c o r d S e a s

P l a y i n g R e c o r d S e a s