2019-20 St Neots Town FS Vs Thame United - Issue 17

SAINTS

Thame United

Photo Courtesy of Kevin Richards @RTFC_tog

ISSUE 17: OFFICIAL ONLINE MATCHDAY MAGAZINE

tchside BetVictor Southern League Division One Central

FA CUP

1st Round proper 1966/67 4th Qualifying Round 2018/19

FA TROPHY

3rd Qualifying Round 2014/15

HUNTS PREMIER CUP

2001/02

HUNTS SENIOR CUP

39 times (first time 1888/89 – last time 2017/18)

HINCHINGBROOKE CUP

10 times (first time 1921/22 – last time 2011/12)

SCOTT GATTY CUP

18 times (first time 1927/28 – last time 2009/10)

HUNTS BENEVOLENT CUP

11 times (first time 1977/78 – last time 2009/10)

HUNTS JUNIOR CUP

1990/91, 1992/93, 1993/94

HUNTS LOWER JUNIOR CUP

1992/93, 1993/94

HUNTS RESEARCH CUP

1992/93

GAYTON (U18) CUP

8 times

1993/94, 1995/96, 2007/08, 2010/11, 2012/13, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19

SOUTHERN LEAGUE (CENTRAL DIVISION) CHAMPIONS

2011/12

SOUTHERN LEAGUE (PREMIER DIVISION) PLAY-OFF RUNNERS UP

2014/15

SOUTHERN LEAGUE KO CUP WINNERS

2013/14

UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

1956/57, 1967/68, 2010/11

UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CHAMPIONS

1994/95

UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE K.O. CUP WINNERS

1967/68, 1968/69

UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE DIV TWO K.O. CUP WINNERS

1965/66

SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIV ONE CHAMPIONS

1932/33

METROPOLITAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

1949/50

METROPOLITAN LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP

1949/50

METROPOLITAN LEAGUE PROFESSIONAL CUP

1964/65

HUNTINGDONSHIRE LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

1990/91, 1991/92, 199/93, 1993/94

HUNTINGDONSHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION TWO CHAMPIONS

1990/91, 1991/92, 199/93, 1993/94

CENTRAL ALLIANCE LEAGUE CUP

1959/60

BEDFORD HOSPITALS CUP

1927/28

BUCKINGHAM CHARITY CUP

2003/04

Welcome to Rowley Park - The Premier Plus Stadium and to the latest edition of the St Neots Town Matchday Magazine, enjoy great football, great hospitality and a great read.

Club Officials President: John Walker Life Vice Presidents: Marian Izzard and Mick Hunt Board of Directors Barry Cavilla – Chairman Kevin Hull – Community Chairman Gary Wilson – Secretary Matt Clements – Director of Football Louise Spark – F & B Director Iain Parr– Director Mike Green – Director Jeremy Green Director Andy Clay – Director Brian Barnes – Director

Club Information Facilities and Pitch Maintenance Barry Oakley – Groundsman Matchday and Hospitality Diane Sales – Catering Manager Andy Clay – Hospitality Charlie Green – Music / Scoreboard Mike Green – Stadium Announcements

First Team Barry Corr Manager Sean Greygoose – First Team Coach Matthew Joseph – First Team Coach Gary Dean – Goalkeeper Coach Craig Lambert – Head Sports Therapist Mick Hunt – Kitman Stanley Scotcher – Matchball Retriever

Media Mike Green – Club Press Officer James Ledwich – SNTtv / Social Media Rowan Presland – Social Media David Richardson – Club Photographer

Club Welfare Officer Mick Hunt

Founded 1879

The Premier Plus Stadium Rowley Park, Kester Way St Neots PE19 6SL Telephone

01480 470012 Email

enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk Official Website

www.stneotstownfc.co.uk 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.

Fixtures Secretary Marian Izzard

THE CLUB FOR THE COMMUNIT Y

League Rule 2.13 Ownership: In accordance with the Football Association Rule 2.13 Publication of ownership in relation to Step 1 to Step 4 Clubs within the football pyramid, we hereby confirm that the legal status of St Neots Town Football Club Ltd identified by Company Number 02921210, and is a Private Limited Company.

For the purposes of publication of ownership, we can confirm that the following named people are listed as Directors of the company: Lee Kearns (significant interest), Iain Parr, Louise Spark, Mike Green, Jeremy Green and Gary Wilson and officers of the company as Peter Naylor.

www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

Greeny’s Greeting Mike Green

Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium for today’s BetVictor Southern League Division One Central match.

Today we extend a warm welcome to Thame United and we hope their players,

officials and supporters enjoy their visit To St Neots Town before travelling safely home later this tea time.

As the old saying goes; “ If you don’t take your chances, you don’t win games”

and that has certainly been the case in our last two outings. After going a goal down against Biggleswade, we deservedly got ourselves on level terms and with the wind behind us in the second half, laid siege on their goal but just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net to seal the win with a couple of glorious chances going begging very late on in the game.

Saturday we travelled to Barton Rovers and came a way empty handed in a game where the score-line was extremely flattering for the hosts and didn’t tell the story of Saints dominance in the first half. Sadly, our inability to take advantage of such dominance came back to haunt us after the break. Pleasingly though, during that first half we played some very controlled, flowing football on what was a very tricky surface to run on let alone play football.

I was taken aback by our travelling numbers on Saturday, absolutely superb support as always cheering the boys on.

No win but continuing signs that we are capable of mixing it and being more competitive.

Please get behind the lads once again today, they really do appreciate your support off the pitch.

On behalf of everyone here at St Neots Town FC I would like to welcome all from Thame United to our stadium today.

In fact, I’m sure everyone attending the game today will be made feel most welcome. That’s something that has really stood out for me since arriving at the club. There’s such a family feel around the stadium. I’m aware that our club is renowned for the hospitality we show to our visitors. It’s something everyone involved should be really proud of.

Having said that, I hope we’re not too welcoming to the Thame players out on the pitch though!

We come into the game after a disappointing result last week at Barton Rovers. When we arrived and I saw the pitch I knew it would be a difficult afternoon. We really want to play good football and that was always going to be difficult on what was the worst pitch I’ve seen at this level. In hindsight, I wonder whether we should maybe have gone a little bit longer but in truth I really don’t think that suits the players we have here. I think if we play that type of game we will suffer as that’s what most of our opponents are good at. We’ll stick with what we believe and we’ll be better for it in the long term. For now we just have to be patient.

And by patient I don’t mean passively waiting for things to happen, I mean understanding that there’s a process to getting where we want.

We’ll keep following all these processes, keep doing all the right things on the training pitch, keep developing our style, keep working hard and in time we will all see the benefit of all this hard work in our results.

Thank you for your continued support and please get behind the lads today.

They say age is just a number but in football it’s one that can increasingly count against you – especially as it increases!

So let’s show our appreciation for some Golden Oldies, who are doing their bit to show if you’re good enough, you’re young enough also rings true.

After all, it was only a few years ago that Chris Swailes became the oldest scorer at Wembley when he notched for Morpeth Town in their 4-1 FA Vase final win over Hereford. Swailes was 45 years old when he turned the ball into the net to silence the mass of Hereford fans who had made the trip. Not bad for a defender who has had a long, career that took in plenty of stops in the Football League.

Non-League is always good for an evergreen footballer, particularly the strikers. Paul Brayson has been a regular scorer for Newcastle Benfield in recent years and he is still knocking them in aged 42.

Perhaps it’s something about those genuine goalscorers that, while the legs might not be as quick as they used to be, the minds is just as sharp. That gets them into the right goalscoring positions and then, when the ball is at their feet or the cross is in the right place, they just know how to stick the ball into the back of the net.

Jamie Cureton has scored at every level from the Premier League down. At 44 he isn’t just on the back nine of his career, he’s strolling up the 18th. But he’s still one of the leading scorers in the Isthmian Premier Division and despite a surprise departure from Bishop’s Stortford last week – the club couldn’t guarantee his continuing role as player-manager next season – he has already found the net for new club Hornchurch. I caught up with his new manager, Mark Stimson, last week and he spoke to Cureton’s desire to get in behind the back four burning as bright as ever. Stimson describes Cureton as a “clever” player and he’s sure the youngsters in their squad will take plenty on board from the former Norwich City man. Cureton himself says it is all about diet and re-fuelling the right way after matches. When I spoke to Cureton last year as he reached his 1,000th game, he said he genuinely felt like he could do a job in the League still. And while you’re feeling good, why not keep playing?

Back in the FA Vase, there was a familiar name on the scoresheet in Wroxham’s win over Stowmarket Town. Grant Holt, another former Norwich striker, turns out regularly for the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division Yachtsmen. He hit a penalty in the 2-0 win that has put them in the last eight of the competition. A final hurrah at Wembley Stadium for Holt?

Although aged 38, he could have far more opportunities yet. Just ask Swailes!

OPPONENT SPOTLIGHT

THAME UNITED Year founded: 1883

Chairman: Jake Collinge

WELCOME ESPECIALLY TO OUR VISITORS THAME UNITED WHO VISIT US HERE AT THE PREMIER PLUS STADIUM FOR THE FIRST TIME. Rightly regarded as one of the rising stars at Step Four of the pyramid system Thame United are an ambitious Club, recently moving to impressive new facilities on the edge of the town, and with a rich history of playing at a higher level as well as included a semi-final appearance in the FA Vase and a run to the fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Promoted back to Step Four in the Southern League in the 2017/18 season, they finished mid table (11th) in the East Division before an improved 8th place finish in the reconstituted Central Division last season.

Currently sixth in the table on the brink of a play-off place, they showed their class and quality when our two teams today played at the ASM Stadium back in October, and our lads finished on the wrong end of a 6-0 score line. Leading 2-0 at the break Thame really dominated in the second half adding four

Club Website: www.thamefootball.co.uk

further goals and a glance at their recent record shows a dip in form but four victories and a draw in their last eight matches is not a bad record!

Earlier this season they lost to Leighton Town in an FA Cup replay, whilst in the FA Trophy they also had an early round replay, beating Kidlington at home before beating Winchester City and then losing at home to Frome Town. In the League Cup Thame lost at home to Didcot Town in Round One. Club History Thame United was formed in 1883 making it one of Oxfordshire’s oldest clubs.

Its early years were spent in Oxfordshire Leagues and in 1906, 1909 and 1910.

Thame won the Oxfordshire Senior Cup and the Senior League in 1907, 1908,1910, 1930 and 1931.

A switch to the Hellenic League then brought further success culminating in the Hellenic League title in 196162 and 1969-70, as well as being runners up in 1960-61, 1976-77 and 1980-81. The Oxfordshire Senior Cup was won in both 1976 and 1981, but a poor spell in the mideighties preceded a crossing of the pyramid in 1988-89

to join the South Midlands League.

The Club finished runners up in both 1988-89 and 1989-90 before eventually winning the title in 1990-91.

Thame received the green light to join the Diadora League in 1991/92. 199495 saw the Club win the Division 2 Championship with 93 points – an 11-point margin. In 1995/96, the Club reached the 3rd Round Qualifying in the FA Cup and the FA Trophy. In the league we finished a creditable 13th in our first ever season in the Isthmian League Division One. Andy Sinnott was appointed first team manager in June 1997 and, with a dramatically reduced operating budget, the side were relegated into Ryman Division Two. The Club bounced straight back into Ryman Division One and reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase.

1999/2000 saw the Club come within two points of achieving promotion to the Premier Division.

In the 2000/2001 season the team lead the way for most of the season, putting together a club record of 12 consecutive wins, but a slump in form in the latter part of the season resulted in

a 5th place.

A mid-table finish followed in 2001/2002 season, but the Oxfordshire Senior Cup was retained. Mark West was appointed player/ manager when Andy left United during the summer of 2003. In October 2003 the club reached the 4th qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in its history, before being beaten 1-2 by Conference side Farnborough Town. After a mid-table finish the Club moved to the newly formed Southern League, Division 1 West. In October 2004, the Club again reached the FA Cup 4th qualifying round and finished the season 11th in the league.

Mark West left to join Slough and defender Tony Joyce was appointed player / manager. By July 2005, the Club was in financial trouble and, following a visit from Bailiffs acting on behalf of HMRC, the landlord enforced a clause in the tenancy agreement and evicted the club from Windmill Road. A ground share agreement was reached with neighbors Aylesbury United and, with the side struggling at the foot of the Southern League Division 1 West, Tony Joyce resigned in December 2005, with a new joint managerial partnership of Richard Searl and Alan Thorne appointed.

Relegation to the Hellenic League was confirmed later in the season.

A ground share agreement was reached with AFC Wallingford for 2006/07.

Mark West returned to the Club mid-way through the season but could not save the Club from relegation to the Hellenic League Division 1 East.

The 2010/11 season was the most significant in the Club’s recent history. With work on the new £3.1 million ground at Meadow View Park commencing in March 2010, United returned to Thame in December 2010, just over five years after their forced eviction from the town.

Boasting eight pitches, a floodlit 3G training pitch and a 8000 square ft. clubhouse, United now have one of the best sporting facilities in the Hellenic League. The official opening, against Oxford United in January 2011 saw a record crowd of 1,382.

United finished the 2010/11 season in 10th place in the Premier Division.

Player Profiles Craig Hill: Goalkeeper (Age: 24) Now in his third season with the club having joined from Oxford City. Previously with Aston Villa and Kettering Town.

David Lynn: Defence (Age: 24) Solid and assured left back with good technical ability.

Now in his fifth season with the Club having previously been with Oxford United, Chesham United and

Banbury United.

Harry Mepham: Defence ( Age: 21) Joined at the start of the 2017/18 season from Beaconsfield Town and has been a virtual ever-present since. Reads the game well with good distribution.

James Essex: Defence (Age: 26) Joined the Club in December 2017 from Hellenic League side Flackwell Heath.

Strong and powerful central defender with previous experience at Abingdon United and Chinnor.

Callum Mapley: Defence (Age: 21) Arrived at the Club in the close season from neighbours Aylesbury United. Previously been with Beaconsfield Town and already proved to be a solid and assured defender.

Carl Davies: Defence (Age: 34) Joined from Bracknell Town in December 2019.

Vastly experienced and assured central defender who has previously been with Hungerford Town and Burnham.

Jordy Ngathe: Defence (Age 21) Signed from league rivals North Leigh in January 2020.

Strong and athletic rightsided defender, previously with Oxford City and Banbury United.

Matt Peake-Pijnen: Defence / Midfield (Age: 21) Versatile player who is comfortable on either flank.

Joined United in December 2018 from neighbours Aylesbury United. Previously with Oxford City and Banbury United.

Thomas Ashworth: Midfield (Age: 21) Progressed through the youth team to be an everpresent for the last three seasons. Keeps it simple, but scorer of important goals.

Ben Sturgess: Midfield (Age: 32) Club captain who arrived at the start of the 2017/18 season from Flackwell Heath. Vastly experienced central midfield player who commands respect and expects nothing less than winning.

Greg Hackett: Midfield (Age 23) Signed at the start of the season having spent the latter half of last season with Didcot Town. Another wide player who contributes his fair share of goals.

Previously with Oxford United

Jack Tutton: Midfield (Age: 20) Joined United from North Leigh in January 2019 having previously been with Oxford City. Energetic and hard working midfield player who gets forward and causes problems in the opposition area.

Liam Tack: Midfield/Striker (Age: 24) In his second spell with the club having re-joined from Hanwell Town in December.

Tricky with a good range of passing. Previous clubs include Flackwell Heath.

Ryan Blake: Midfield/Striker (Age: 28) Signed earlier this season from Chesham United. Will bring a wealth of experience – quick and dangerous player with an eye for goal.

Daniel West: Striker (Age: 26) Joined seven years ago from Oxford United, initially as midfield player, but moved forward scoring 25 goals in the Championship winning side of 2016/17 before claiming the Golden Boot in the Southern League East Division in 2017/18.

Lynton Goss: Striker (Age: 23) Prolific striker who, scored over 80 goals for United in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons before making the

move to Harrow Borough.

Returned to the Club in October 2018.

Mark West: Manager (Age: 53) Former player with Thame United who re-joined the Club for his second spell as Manager in January 2007. Prolific goalscorer with Wycombe Wanderers, Slough Town and Farnborough Town.

Stuart Blaik: Assistant Manager (Age: 48) FA Level 3 Coach now in his fifth season with the Club.

Previously with Aylesbury United, Corby Town, Nuneaton Borough, Brackley Town, Buckingham Town and Tring Town.

Ben Johnson: Coach (Age: 33) Former player who has since gone on to manage the Development side and Reserve Team. Steppedup to First Team level last season Matt Timberlake: Goalkeeping Coach Been involved with Thame United and of other local sides for a number of years, brings experience and expertise.

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SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL St Neots Town Following two excellent home victories, St Neots were outplayed by league leaders Corby Town in their rearranged league match. Although the match was goalless at the break it only took Corby a few minutes after the break to forge ahead and St Neots could only point to the first twenty minutes and the last ten when they competed with any conviction. The victory propelled the visitors back to the top of the league table although displaced Berkhamsted have a game in hand and a superior goal difference, but this was a match in which the Northamptonshire side were determined to push home their advantage. Unusually after two unchanged starting line ups, Barry Corr made four team changes, two of then enforced with Joe Sutton unavailable, and playmaker Lee Simper injured but he also rested Stevan Shaw and Jonny Butler bringing in Sam Goode, Lee Watkins and Prince Mutswunguma and he also included teenager Jacob Joseph for just his second start since September.

The start was disappointing with neither side imposing themselves. St Neots, criticised for a slow start in their previous matches were out of the blocks quickly and they created the first real opening after eleven minutes when Lee Watkins ran at the defence, only to be brought down by a combination of two defenders and a penalty looked possible but the well-placed official waved play on. At the other end Stephen Diggin was proving the main threat and his searching cross after 17 minutes found Jordan Crawford behind the St Neots defence but his fierce volley was too high. St Neots were beginning to be forced back after their bright start where they had shaded possession and as Corby grew in confidence leading scorer Elliott

1

Corby Town

Sandy fired in from the edge of the area for Tom Dickens to clear off the goal line. James Clifton twice broke into the box from the left and the second time he was impeded by Tom Boxer earning the St Neots skipper a yellow card. From the free kick on the edge of the box Jake Duffy’s free kick was deflected wide.

Three minutes before the break, Jordan Crawford was left in too much space on the right and he crossed back to find Clifton at the back post whose effort was also deflected for a corner, from which defender Gary Mulligan fired high over the bar.

St Neots Manager Barry Corr clearly had to vary his sides’ approach if they were to compete in the second half and he freshened up his side with two half time substitutions replacing Jacob Joseph and Joe Neal with Reif Clarke and Lewis Foster. The changes had hardly registered because just five minutes in Corby stuck with a quick break through the heart of the home defence, as Clifton skilfully set up the unmarked Steve Diggin to fire across the keeper for the opening goal.

Tom Boxer was then injured to be replaced by Stevan Shaw, so the home side had utilised their three permitted substitutes with almost forty minutes remaining.

On the hour St Neots might have drawn level when Panny Boxer released Prince Mutswunguma beyond the visiting defence, but his finish was a foot too high and the opportunity squandered.

After 66 minutes the impressive Lee Watkins wove his way into the penalty area and looked to be fouled but once again St Neots’ penalty appeals were rejected. A rising Clifton shot was palmed away by Iron for a corner after 73 minutes. Before it could be taken, Corby replaced Sandy with James Ireland and the substitute, on the pitch for around ten seconds, headed

3 home Jake Duffy’s corner with his first touch to double Corby’s lead. That really was the killer blow although the visitors added a third goal nine minutes from time through Curtis Hartley. This stung St Neots into a late revival and although Sam Gomersall netted a consolation goal from the penalty spot after he had been brough down by a defender, the rally proved too little too late to have any meaningful effect on the outcome of the match.

St Neots: Iron, Goode, Smith, Boxer (P), Dickens, Boxer (T), Joseph, Watkins, Neal, Mutswunguma, Gomersall Subs: Clarke (for Joseph 46 mins), Foster (for Neal 46 mins), Shaw (for Boxer (T), Butler and Martin Cards: Boxer (T) (Y – 28 mins), Boxer (P) (Y – 57 mins) Goals: Gomersall – pen – (87 mins) Corby: Wortley, Hartley, Warburton, Ling, Wise, Mulligan, Clifton, Duffy, Sandy, Diggin, Crawford Subs: Ireland (for Sandy 73 mins), Robbins (for Diggin 82 mins), Robinson (for Crawford 87 mins) and Montgomery.

Goals: Diggin (50 mins), Ireland (73 mins), Hartley (81 mins) Referee: Luke Scott (Northampton) Attendance: 178 John Walker

SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL St Neots Town Two points lost rather than one point gained – that was perhaps a rather harsh assessment of the outcome of this local match, because St Neots had done almost everything except put the ball in the net in a dominant second half performance. After a slow start in which they had conceded a goal, St Neots came back to level the scores and share play in an entertaining first half. Biggleswade are a team in form having won five of their last seven matches – but only one of those victories had come on foreign soil. The home side lacked a killer punch but to the credit of the visitors they defended as those their lives were dependant upon it, and they paid the price for their determination when defender Daniel Newton picked up a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Lee Watkins. Even with a numeric advantage St Neots lacked the penetration their superior possession deserved, and the visitors will be well pleased to return home with a share of the spoils. St Neots inability to take full advantage was partly down to having to play without their main striker Joe Neal who had failed to shake off an injury picked up in the midweek match, and there were in total three St Neots team changes from the Corby match with Jacob Joseph also carrying an injury and Prince Mutswunguma left on the bench.

Into the reshaped side came man of the match Joe Sutton, playmaker Lewis Simper and Lewis Foster.

In an end to end start it was the visiting side that impressed. In their first real attack after five minutes they almost went ahead when a looping Tom Coles header bounced on the top of the crossbar from a Ryan Inskip corner, and then sixty seconds later they did forge into the lead.

A swift move from the back saw

1

Biggleswade FC

the ball switched wide towards Scott Joseph wide on the left, and with a neat turn of speed he nipped in between defender Tom Boxer and keeper Finley Iron to skilfully lob the ball into the unguarded net. This setback seemed to prompt St Neots into positive action, and they took the game to their visitors and were rewarded twelve minutes later when an Aaron Smith corner picked out Lewis Simper and his cross to the far post was bundled in by Tom Boxer from six yards.

St Neots then continued to look in control as Sam Gomersall had a shot well saved by Tyler Josephs, and Joe Sutton saw a net bound shot blocked by a defender. Biggleswade then had a good spell around the half hour as Joe Leslie had an effort blocked and when a St Neots defensive error set up the visiting attack, the unmarked Joseph was only inches away from what would have been a second goal for him and his side. In the St Neots goal Iron had to be alert to keeper at bay shots from Lee Northfield and Inskip and the half ended with St Neots full back Sam Goode moving forward to join his attack to see his effort blocked by a combination of two defenders.

St Neots had the wind at their backs after the break and quickly began to make it count. From a Lee Watkins cross, Gomersall went inside his marker to see his effort rebound from a post and then Tom Boxer headed narrowly over the crossbar. Sutton tested Josephs with a low shot and the keeper had to be at his best to get down to gather a low shot at full stretch from Panny Boxer. Sutton in full flight was then hauled down by Oswick but the free kick on the edge of the penalty area from Simper was too high. For 25 minutes nothing had been seen of the Biggleswade attack but then a clever through pass freed Joseph

1

beyond the St Neots defence, but his woeful finish was several yards wide of the goal. That proved to be an exception to the pattern of play as St Neots strove to keep the pressure on the visiting defence and they sent on Prince Mutswunguma for Lewis Foster but still created few clear openings. The sending off of Newton saw Biggleswade reinforce their packed defence in order to preserve their point and this they achieved despite Simper skimming the crossbar and late substitute Rajan Badiani and Mutswunguma both firing over the top.

St Neots: Iron, Goode, Smith, Boxer (P), Dickens, Boxer (T), Sutton, Watkins, Foster, Simper, Gomersall Subs: Mutswunguma (for Foster 74 mins), Badiani (for Gomersall 90 mins), Shaw, Butler and Crosby.

Cards: none Goals: Boxer (T) (18 mins) Biggleswade: Josephs, Hunt, Marsh, Northfield, Newton, Oswick, Coles, Fisher, Joseph, Leslie, Inskip Subs: Andrews (for Northfield 67 mins), Gauge (for Inskip 77 mins), Langley, Richardson and Simpson.

Cards: Newton (RED – 77 mins), Leslie (Y – 74 mins) Goals: Joseph (6 mins) Referee: Jeffrey Aldous (Bedford) Attendance: 287 John Walker

SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL Barton Rovers After picking up seven points from their past four matches this was a very disappointing overall team performance by St Neots. They were outmuscled and eventually outplayed by a host side struggling for form after four defeats in their last five matches. Having had much the better of the first half St Neots might well have hoped to go on to record their first away victory since Boxing Day, but two very late goals gave Barton a margin of victory that made a nonsense of the balance of play. An unchanged St Neots side, still without injured striker Joe Neal, might have expected to come into the game with a measure of confidence, but their overall possession was wasted due to very poor execution of the final pass whilst the home side failed to seriously test Fin Iron in the St Neots goal in the opening half hour, except for one headed attempt that the keeper collected under his crossbar. Lewis Foster continuing to lead the visiting attack could not be faulted for his commitment and effort but his finishing, like his colleagues was unconvincing after some neat team approach play. It was only the second time in eleven league and cup matches that St Neots have failed to score a goal – a failing that must be rectified urgently.

On an uneven bobbly pitch both sides struggled to play constructive football in the opening quarter of an hour.

Charlie Smith had the first opening for Barton but shot badly wide and at the other end a diving header by Sam Gomersall from a Tommy Boxer cross was well gathered by home custodian Niall Cooper. It was a looping header by Victor Osobu that was gathered by Iron but most of the play was in the opposite direction, with a stinging shot by Lewis Simper requiring a double save by Cooper and Joe Sutton

3

St Neots Town

seeing his effort blocked after he had left two defenders in his wake. Sutton was tormenting the home defence and Lewis Thomas earned the first caution of the match after upending him just outside the penalty area.

With almost half an hour played St Neots were dictating play and Foster had a shot saved when he should have done better and Gomersall cut in from the left to see his net bound shot blocked

by Kai Phelan. St Neots though they should have had a penalty when Lee Watkins was shoved in the back as he closed in on goal, but the referee waved play on. A minute before the break following more St Neots pressure Sam Gomersall had the ball in the net but was ruled offside and the half ended with Phelan picking up a yellow card as he callously ended a St Neots attack with a late challenge.

Prince Mutswunguma was introduced after half time with Gomersall having picked up an injury but the restart was marked by a first significant break for the home side. A corner carelessly conceded saw Osobu lift the ball to the far post where tall defender Lewis Thomas outjumped the defence to open the scoring.

This setback seemed to knock the stuffing out of St Neots whose play became ragged and unconvincing. Sensing their chance Barton, pushed their visitors back in defence and around the hour created three good chances. Iron had to be alert to gather a rising shot from Osobu, then, played clear of the defence Connor Vincent fired over the bar and Nathan Tshikina bore down on goal to bring the save of the match from Iron who had narrowed his angle to block the low shot. St Neots were collectively guilty of some very careless and often too optimistic passing when they were in possession and even the

0

introduction of substitute Rajan Badiani failed to inspire their attacking options and ideas. A collision between Simper and the home keeper looked to be nothing other than a legal 50/50 challenge but with the keeper requiring treatment the Referee booked the St Neots player – judged a harsh decision even by home officials. The constant and frustrating time-wasting tactics employed by the home side earned another yellow card but St Neots could not take full advantage and two minutes from time a long defensive clearance found Nathan Tshikina in space and he doubled the lead. In time added on for home side timewasting, they took full advantage as Victor Osobu made it 3-0 with the best goal of the match curling a shot over Iron and under the bar.

St Neots: Iron, Goode, Smith, Boxer (P), Dickens, Boxer (T), Sutton, Watkins, Foster, Simper, Gomersall Subs: Mutswunguma (for Gomersall 46 mins), Badiani (for Foster 74 mins), Shaw, Clarke and Crosby.

Cards: Simper (Y – 77 mins) Goals: none Barton: Cooper, Palmer, Ward, Smith (C), Phelan, Thomas, Osobu, Dummett, Vincent, Tshikina, Furlong Subs: Andrews (for Thomas 74 mins), Boland (for Dummett 77 mins), Williams (for Vincent 85 mins), Okuboyejo and McCormick.

Cards: Thomas (Y – 21 mins), Phelan (Y – 45+1 mins), Furlong (Y – 65 mins), Smith (C) (Y – 81 mins) Goals: Thomas (47 mins), Tshikuna (88 mins), Osobu (90+4 mins)

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ACTION FROM THE FA CUP

TIME TO MAKE HEADWAY! Parslow calls for con cussion review

FORMER National League champion and Non-Leag winner Daniel Parslow ue double is making a plea for football’s concussion protocol to be improved.

The 33-year-old ex-Cheltenham Town and York City defender retired in the summer following a head injury during a National League North game.

He is now calling on football to follow rugby union and allow temporary substitutions while by an independe a player is assessed nt allowed to continue.doctor before being Parslow told The NLP: “I feel there a place for that is in it will eventually football and I think come into play. I hope it doesn’t take just something serious for it to happen.”

●SEE PAGE

St Neots Town First Team

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Teams Berkhamstead FC Corby Town Halesowen Town Welwyn Garden City Aylesbury United Thame United Yaxley FC Bedworth United Biggleswade FC Barton Rovers North Leigh AFC Dunstable Daventry Town Coleshill Town Bedford Town Kidlington FC Didcot Town St Neots Town FC AFC Kempston Rovers Wantage Town

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

PTS

25

18

3

4

65

22

43

57

26

17

4

5

56

25

31

55

22

17

3

2

58

14

44

54

25

14

5

6

53

28

25

47

26

12

10

4

44

26

18

46

26

12

4

10

50

33

17

40

25

12

4

9

46

40

6

40

24

12

3

9

41

39

2

39

25

11

5

9

39

31

8

38

26

10

5

11

55

50

5

35

24

11

2

11

45

46

-1

35

26

10

4

12

49

44

5

34

25

10

4

11

36

43

-7

34

25

10

3

12

46

43

3

33

25

8

6

11

41

53

-12

30

25

8

5

12

29

44

-15

29

25

7

4

14

19

40

-21

25

26

6

3

17

32

56

-24

21

25

5

2

18

27

58

-31

17

26

1

1

24

14

110

-96

4

Division One Central As of 22:00 Friday 14th February

St Neots Town Under 18’S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

TEAM St Neots Town U18 Kings Lynn Town U18 St. Ives Town U18 Cambridge City U18 Holbeach United U18 Deeping Rangers U18 March Town United U18 Peterborough Sports U18 Wisbech St Mary U18 Godmanchester Rovers U18

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

PTS

10 7 8 8 10 7 8 4 8 8

6 5 4 4 3 3 2 3 0 0

1 0 2 0 3 2 5 0 3 2

3 2 2 4 4 2 1 1 5 6

18 27 17 20 17 15 13 12 17 8

19 13 12 17 16 7 10 11 27 32

-1 14 5 3 1 8 3 1 -10 -24

19 15 14 12 12 11 11 9 3 2

THURLOW NUNN YOUTH LEAGUE WEST DIVISION 2019/20

5% OFF ONLINE ORDERS AND WE’LL DONATE 5% TO ST NEOTS TOWN FC LEARNING & SPORTS ACADEMY

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CONCRETE

USE CODE: STNEOTS10 3/17/16 11:11 AM

Bedford Town

Bedworth United

Berkhamsted T.

Biggleswade FC

3 -- 2

2 -- 3

4 -- 1

0 -- 1

2 -- 0

Aylesbury Utd Barton Rovers

0 -- 0

2 -- 4

3 -- 1

2 -- 1

0 -- 0

2 -- 1

2 -- 2

4 -- 2

1 -- 1

0 -- 0

Bedford Town

1 -- 2 3 -- 2

Bedworth Town

3 -- 3 4 -- 0

Berkhamsted T.

3 -- 1

Biggleswade FC

3 -- 0

2 -- 1

4 -- 2

0 -- 5

Coleshill Town

1 -- 1

1 -- 5

2 -- 2

0 -- 3

Corby Town

2 -- 0

5 -- 2

2 -- 1

1 -- 4

3 -- 0

Daventry Town

3 -- 0

1 -- 3

1 -- 1

0 -- 3

0 -- 0

Halesowen Town

2 -- 0

4 -- 1

3 -- 1

6 -- 0

AFC Kempston

3 -- 2

2 -- 4

1 -- 4

1 -- 2

Kidlington

2 -- 1

1 -- 1

St Neots Town

0 -- 1

Wantage Town

2 -- 1

Welwyn Gdn City

3 -- 1

Yaxley FC

3 -- 2

3 -- 0

2 -- 1

1 -- 3

2 -- 2

2 -- 3

2 -- 3

1 -- 0

2 -- 0

2 -- 0 2 -- 1 2 -- 0

3 -- 0

1 -- 0

1 -- 3 0 -- 1 1 -- 2

2 -- 4 1 -- 1 1 -- 2 1 -- 2

0 -- 3 1 -- 1

3 -- 0

1 -- 3 0 -- 8

1 -- 2

1 -- 2

2 -- 1

1 -- 3

0 -- 7

1 -- 4

0 -- 6

4 -- 2

1 -- 1

1 -- 1

1 -- 0

0 -- 3

3 -- 1

0 -- 1

1 -- 0

2 -- 2

3 -- 2

0 -- 2 4 -- 1

0 -- 0

3 -- 0

0 -- 2

0 -- 2 2 -- 2

Thame United

2 -- 4

0 -- 1 4 -- 2

2 -- 5

3 -- 2

2 -- 0

1 -- 0

Didcot Town

North Leigh

1 -- 1

Corby Town

Barton Rovers

0 -- 0

Coleshill Town

Aylesbury Utd

AFC Dunstable AFC Dunstable

0 -- 3

2 -- 1

1 -- 4

3 -- 0 2 -- 1

3 -- 0

4 -- 0

1 -- 2

5 -- 1

1 -- 1 0 -- 0

3 -- 1

2 -- 1

3 -- 0

0 -- 0

0 -- 2

1 -- 1

1 -- 2

2 -- 0

0 -- 4

2 -- 1

0 -- 1

1 -- 0

1 -- 1

3 -- 0

1 -- 2

5 -- 1

1 -- 0

2 -- 1

1 -- 2

0 -- 5 1 -- 2

0 -- 0

1 -- 1

6 -- 0 4 -- 0

2 -- 0

6 -- 0

1 -- 5

3 -- 1

4 -- 1

2 -- 2

1 -- 0

0 -- 2

1 -- 0

4 -- 0 3 -- 0

3 -- 2

3 -- 2

2 -- 1

0 -- 3

9 -- 0 1 -- 2

7 -- 1

1 -- 2

1 -- 0

3 -- 2

1 -- 0

0 -- 3 1 -- 1 2 -- 5

2 -- 2 1 -- 5

2 -- 1

1 -- 0

5 -- 2

5 -- 0 6 -- 0

3 -- 0

1 -- 0

2 -- 0 3 -- 0

1 -- 3

7 -- 1

0 -- 1

0 -- 2

2 -- 2

2 -- 1

2 -- 0

1 -- 0 3 -- 1

2 -- 0

1 -- 3

1 -- 5 3 -- 0

0 -- 3

2 -- 1 2 -- 4

4 -- 1 1 -- 2

3 -- 2

2 -- 3

2 -- 1

1 -- 0

2 -- 1

1 -- 0

2 -- 0

1 -- 1

2 -- 0

0 -- 2

4 -- 1 0 -- 5

7 -- 0 4 -- 1

0 -- 0

1 -- 0 1 -- 0

Yaxley FC

St Neots Town

3 -- 2

1 -- 3

0 -- 2

1 -- 2

4 -- 0

4 -- 1

Thame United

North Leigh

4 -- 5

0 -- 1

5 -- 0

1 -- 2

3 -- 0

2 -- 0

1 -- 1

0 -- 4

0 -- 0

2 -- 1

0 -- 1 4 -- 1

2 -- 3

5 -- 1

2 -- 1 2 -- 1

1 -- 0

Welwyn Gdn City

3 -- 0

4 -- 3

Wantage Town

0 -- 0

Kidlington

AFC Kempston

Didcot Town

3 -- 4

Halesowen Town

Daventry Town

2 -- 2

1 -- 1 3 -- 2

Opposition in CAPS denotes home fixture. Player name in bold CAPS denotes goal scorer.

St Neots Town FC First Team Result Date

Opposition

Comp Res Att

1

2

3

4

17-Aug

Bedworth United

BETSL

0-0

211

Philp

Kerins

Smith

Connor

Go

20-Aug

YAXLEY FC

BETSL

2-5

203

Philp

Kerins

Smith

Rhiney

GO

24-Aug

Godmanchester Rovers

FAC

1-1

180

Philp

Kerins

Smith

Noble

Go

26-Aug

AFC Kempston R

BETSL

2-0

143

Philp

KERINS

Smith

CONNOR

Go

31-Aug

NORTH LEIGH

BETSL

1-5

172

Philp

Kerins

Smith

CONNOR

Go

3-Sep

GODMANCHESTER ROVERS

FACR

3-1

231

Philp

Kerins

Smith

Noble

Go

7-Sep

BIGGLESWADE TOWN

FAC

2-2

288

Philp

Kerins

Smith

Noble

GO

11-Sep

Biggleswade Town

FACR

0-2

289

Philp

Kerins

Smith

Noble

Go

14-Sep

Didcot Town

BETSL

1-2

241

Philp

Kerins

Smith

Connor

Go

17-Sep

AFC Kempston R

SLKOC

1-0

89

Philp

Boxer

SMITH

Connor

N

21-Sep

AFC DUNSTABLE

BETSL

2-5

148

Philp

Kerins

Smith

Connor

Go

28-Sep

Carlton Town

FAT

1-3

98

Philp

Kerins

Smith

Conner

GO

1-Oct

Yaxley FC

SLKOC

1-2

61

Philp

Kerins

Smith

Rhiney

Go

5-Oct

BARTON ROVERS

BETSL

0-2

224

Philp

Kerins

Smith

Boxer

Go

15-Oct

Welwyn Gn City

BETSL

1-7

125

Philp

KERINS

Smith

Noble

B

19-Oct

Thame United

BETSL

0-6

147

Philp

Kerins

Smith

Connor

N

23-Oct

Biggleswade FC

BETSL

0-0

144

Philp

Kerins

Smith

Boxer

Go

2-Nov

DAVENTRY TOWN

BETSL

1-2

142

Philp

Boxer

Smith

Butler

Go

9-Nov

AYLESBURY UTD

BETSL

0-1

214

Philp

Boxer

Smith

Butler

Go

16-Nov

Berkhamsted

BETSL

1-3

206

Philp

Boxer

Smith

Butler

Go

23-Nov

WANTAGE TOWN

BETSL

5-0

186

Philp

Shaw

Smith

Boxer P

Go

30-Nov

Kidlington

BETSL

0-1

53

Philp

Shaw

Smith

Butler

Go

7-Dec

Halesowen Town

BETSL

0-2

540

Philp

Shaw

Sutton

Butler

Go

10-Dec

EYNESBURY ROVERS

HSC

3-3

114

Philp

Gomarsall

Smith

Butler

S

26-Dec

Bedford Town

BETSL

2-1

334

Philp

Shaw

Smith

Boxer P

Go

1-Jan

AFC KEMPSTON ROVERS

BETSL

5-1

245

Crosby

Shaw

Smith

Butler

Go

4-Jan

Yaxley FC

BETSL

2-3

175

Philp

Shaw

Smith

Butler

Go

11-Jan

BEDWORTH UNITED

BETSL

1-2

205

Iron

Shaw

Smith

Butler

Go

18-Jan

Afc Dunstable

BETSL

0-1

94

Iron

Shaw

Smith

Boxer P

Dic

21-Jan

COLESHILL TOWN

BETSL

3-0

106

Iron

Shaw

Smith

Butler

DIC

25-Jan

DIDCOT TOWN

BETSL

1-0

205

Iron

Shaw

Smith

Butler

Dic

28-Jan

CORBY TOWN

BETSL

1-3

178

Iron

Goode

Smith

Boxer P

Dic

1-Feb

BIGGLESWADE FC

BETSL

1-1

278

Iron

Goode

Smith

Boxer P

Dic

8-Feb

Barton Rovers

BETSL

0-3

154

Iron

Goode

Smith

Boxer P

Dic

15-Feb

THAME UNITED

BETSL

ts, Appearances and Goals 2019/20 5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Sub 1

Sub 2 Rhiney

oode

Shaw

Watkins

Sutton

N'Kala

Bennett

Prince

Gomarsall

OODE

Shaw

Watkins

Sutton

Prince

Bennett

Gomarsall

Fosu

N'Kala

oode

Shaw

Watkins

Sutton

N'Kala

BENNETT

Prince

Gomarsall

Connor

Sub 3

Joseph

oode

Shaw

Sutton

Rhiney

N'Kala

Bennett

Joseph

Noble

Logan

Walker

oode

Shaw

Watkins

Noble

N'Kala

Bennett

Rhiney

Prince

Logan

Walker

oode

Shaw

Watkins

Connor

N'Kala

Bennett

PRINCE 3

Joseph

Rhiney

OODE

Shaw

Watkins

Connor

N'Kala

Bennett

Prince

JOSEPH

Boxer

oode

Shaw

Watkins

Boxer

N'Kala

Bennett

Prince

Joseph

Sutton

oode

Walker

Watkins

Boxer

N'Kala

Bennett

SUTTON

Gomarsall

Prince

Noble

Walker

Gomarsall

Watkins

Prince

Bennett

Sutton

Joseph

N'Kala

oode

Walker

Gomarsall

Watkins

PRINCE

BENNETT

Sutton

Boxer

N'Kala

OODE

Boxer

N'Kala

Watkins

Prince

Bennett

Sutton

Bradley

Rhiney

oode

Boxer

N'Kala

Watkins

Bennett

BRADLEY

Prince

Connor

Gomarsall

Quigley

oode

Shaw

Gomarsall

Watkins

Bennett

Bradley

Prince

Sutton

Boxer

Goode

Bradley

Watkins

Musoke

Olusemo

Davis

Prince

N'Kala Shaw

Sutton

Noble

Goode

Sutton

Boxer

Musoke

Olusemo

Davis

Prince

Bradley

Watkins

oode

Shaw

Watkins

Bradley

Musoke

Prince

Sutton

Gomarsall

Olusemo

Noble

oode

Shaw

Watkins

Gomarsall

Musoke

PRINCE

Sutton

Stokes

Foster

oode

Shaw

Watkins

Gomarsall

Musoke

Prince

Sutton

Bradley

Foster

Kerins

oode

Shaw

Sutton

Bradley

Musoke

Stokes

PRINCE

Kerins

Gomarsall

Foster

oode

Boxer T

WATKINS

Sutton

MUSOKE 3

Foster

PRINCE

Stokes

Gomarsall

O'Hara

oode

Boxer T

Watkins

Gomarsall

Musoke

Bradley

Sutton

Foster

Stokes

oode

Boxer T

Watkins

Massaro

Musoke

Bradley

Foster

Prince

Badiani

haw

Goode

WATKINS

Bradley

MUSOKE

Foster

Sutton

Prince

Clarke

oode

Boxer T

SUTTON

Bell-Toxtle

Foster

Gomarsall

PRINCE

O'Hara

Massaro

Clarke

oode

Boxer T

GOMARSALL 2 Bell-Toxtle

PRINCE

Boxer P

SUTTON 2

Clarke

Watkins

Massaro

oode

Boxer T

GOMARSALL

Bell-Toxtle

Prince

BOXER P

Sutton

Watkins

Foster

oode

Dickens

Joseph

Massaro

Gomarsall

Sutton

PRINCE

Boxer P

Foster

ckens

Boxer T

Gomarsall

Simper

Neal

Sutton

Prince

Foster

Stokes

CKENS

Boxer T

Gomarsall

Boxer P

NEAL 2

Simper

Sutton

Prince

Goode

Clarke

ckens

BOXER T

Gomarsall

Boxer P

Neal

Simper

Sutton

Watkins

Prince

Foster

ckens

Boxer T

Joseph

Watkins

Neal

Prince

GOMARSALL

Clarke

Foster

Shaw

ckens

BOXER T

Sutton

Watkins

Foster

Simper

Gomarsall

Prince

Badiani

ckens

Boxer T

Sutton

Watkins

Foster

Simper

Gomarsall

Prince

Badiani

Little Paxton Cricket Club Under 13’s

AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

SQUAD

SQUAD

Rajan Badiani

Craig Hill

Reif Bissett-Clarke

Jordy Ngathe

Tom Boxer ©

Matt Peake-Pijnen

Panny Boxer

Callum Mapley

Jonny Butler

Jamie Essex

Tom Dickens

David Lynn

Lewis Foster

Carl Davies

Sam Gomarsall

Harry Mepham

Sam Goode

Tom Ashworth

Finlay Iron (GK)

Ben Sturgess

Jacob Joseph

Jack Tutton

Prince Mutswunguma

Liam Tack

Joe Neal

Greg Hackett

Stevan Shaw

Ryan Blake

Lewis Simper

Lynton Goss

Aaron Smith

Dan West

Lee Watkins

Jack Stevens

Colours

Colours

Navy & Sky Blue

Black & White

The match line up will be displayed on the electronic scoreboard Today’s Officials: Referee: Shaun Barry

Assistant 1: Corey Snuggs

Assistant 2: Cameron Smith

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