Established 1879
Established 1879
President - JohnWalker
BoardofDirectors
JointCEO-LouiseSales&MehmetMimoglu
Chairman-BarryCavilla
Secretary/Director- GaryWilson
DirectorofFootball- IainParr
Director-JezGreen
Director-MikeGreen
BoardMember- BrianBarnes
BoardMember- AndyClay
BoardMember -DanielDodson
FixtureSecretary- MarionIzzard Hospitality-AndyandEvelynClay,PaulaRobertson
StadiumAnnouncer- MikeGreen
Music-CharlieGreen Catering-DianeSales
Media
PressOfficer- MikeGreen
MatchReports-JohnWalker
Photographer- DavidRichardson
SocialMedia- MikeGreen,GrayhamBonfield,CharlieGreen
Pitchmaintenance- BarryOakley, BarryCavilla, BobCarpenter
Manager-CameronMawer
AssistantManager-SteveKuhne Coach-AlexMinall
GKCoach-GaryDean
Physio-CraigLambert
KitMan-MickHunt
U18Manager-NickSchleising Assistant-BenWebster
Academy Manager-AlexMinall
ClubWelfareOfficer- ChrissieManly
Academyenquiries -Alexsntfcacademy@gmail.com
ClubInformation
Address: RowleyPark,KesterWay, StNeots,Cambs., PE196SL
Website-www.stneotstownfc.co.uk
Enquires-enquires@stneotstownfc.co.uk
CommercialEnquiries- mehmetmi@hotmail.com
Events-misslouises@yahoo.co.uk
Image
Ownership:
Inaccordancewiththefootballassociationleaguerule2.13 publicationofownershipinrelationtostep1-4withinthe footballpyramid,weherebyconfirmthelegalstatusofStNeotsTownFootballClubIdentificationNumber02921210,andis aPrivateLimitedCompany
Forthepurposesofpublicationofownershipwecanconfirmthatthefollowing arelistedasDirectorsoftheCompany:
LeeKearns(Significantinterest70%),IainParr,LouiseSales,GaryWilson,MehmetMimogluandasNonExecutiveDirectors MikeGreen,JeremyGreen,andBarryCavilla
CompanySecretaryGaryWilson
Front cover - copyright protected by David Richardson, used under license
"GoodafternooneveryoneandwelcomebacktothePremier PlusStadiumfortoday‘sUnitedCountiesLeaguePremier DivisionSouthmatch.Inthisedition,weextendawarm welcometotheplayers,officialsandsupportersofboth AylestoneParkFootballClubandEynesburyRoversandwe hopeyouenjoyourhospitalitythisafternooninyour respectivevisits“.
Herewearethen,EasterBankHolidayweekendandtwoveryimportantgamesfor us.Firstup,avisitfromAylestoneParkwhohavealreadysealedaplayoffberth andwillbelookingtoholdontoeithersecondorthirdspottoensurehome advantageinthesemifinal.TheyhavehadacrackingdebutseasonatStepFive andwillbelookingtogostraightup,however,asHistonhaveshowninrecent weeks,theyarebeatableonthedaysoI’msurewewillbeinforacrackingmatch.
BankHolidayMondayseesthereturnlegifyoulike,oftheTownderbyorthe HenbrookDerbywhichithasbeenlabelledrecently.OurBoxingDayvisitto EynesburyRoversturnedouttobeabitofadampsquibinfrontofthebiggest attendanceinthedivisionthisseasonsofar pocketsoftheotherside.Derbygamesareim I’msure,whilebothteamsneedthepointsfo commonfactorwillbethebraggingrightsup Monday,positionsinthetableandleaguefo one,it’sallaboutwhowantsitmoreonthed I’dalsoliketowelcomeBackNABILSHARIFF plyinghistradeatStep3withStIvesTowna DaventryTown.Let’shopehecanfindtheba remaininggames.
Asalways,pleasegetbehindtheladsfromth attendingthisweekend.Youknowyoucanm draworaloss.
BeLoud,BeProud,Be
We are delighted to have ADP Fire and Security as our Media Sponsors for the 2023/24 Season
"I’dliketogiveawarmwelcometoeveryoneatAylestonePark andEynesburyRoverstothePremierPlusstadium.“.
Aylestonehavehadafantasticseasonafterpromotionfromstep6andwillback themselvestogetpromotedwiththesquadtheyhaveattheirdeposal.Theyhave fantasticattackingplayersandcanscoregoalsatwill.Comingupagainstanother fellowpromotioncontenderistough,itwasaclosegameinthereversefixtureand asseenbeforethereislittlebetweenthetopsides,Ihavenodoubtthiswillbethe same.
EynesburyareattheotherendofthetablebutshowedagainstusonBoxingDay thatontheirdaytheycancompetewithanysideatthislevel.Theywillbelooking tosecurethepointsthatkeepsthemsafeandinthisdivisionnextyear.
DerbydayisalwaysexcitingandIknowandunderstandwhatthisgamemeansto thefootballclubandthefans,therivalryisfiece.Formandleaguepositionsgoout thewindowasbothsetsofplayersgivetheirallfortheirfootballclubforbragging rights.
Weareoffthebackofadifficultperiodinwhichwehaveprobablynottakenthe pointsinthelast6gamesourperformancesandeffortsdeserve,butwearen’tthe typeofgrouptositthereandfeelsorryforourselves.Wehavetorollupoursleeves andcomeoutfightingbecauseIdon’tbelieveinhardluckstories,Ibelieveyou makeyourownluckbyyourhardwork.
TuesdaynightwastoughagainstNewportPagnellandwedeservedmore,butyou onlyhavetolookatthemasawarningtohowtoughtheleagueis,theywouldhave expectedtobeintheplayoffsandwillprobablyfallshortnow.Ifwecansecureour playoffberthinthenexttwogameswecanbeimmenselyproudasaclubthatwe havebroughtawholenewteaminthisyearandbuiltanatmosphereinwhichwe areabletonowgrowandbuildon.
Twohugehomegamesandweneedthreepointstosecureourplayoffspotandwe needyouallpushingusoverthelineaswelooktoendtheseasononhigh.Iaskyou togetbehindtheboysandmakeasmuchnoiseasyoucan.
Thanksagainforbackingus,weekin,weekout......
#inittoget
“GoodafternoonandwelcometothePremierPlusStadiumfor thisEasterweekenddoubleheaderofhomefixtures”.
Firstup,Iwouldliketowelcomealltheplayers,officialsandsupportersof AylestonetotheHomeoftheSaintsfortodaygame.Aylestonehavebeenin tremendousformsinceweplayedandearnedahardfoughtshareofthepointsin Leicestershireearlierthisseason.Likeourselves,bothteamsarechallengingfor vitalpointstosecurethoseplayoffpositionscometheendofseason.
Solet’sallgetbehindCameronandtheladstodayandgivethemtheboostthey needtogainthoseimportantandvaluablepointstoachieveourgoal.
OnEasterMondayafternoonwewelcomeourcloseNeighboursEynesburyRovers tothePremierPlusStadiumforthisimportantlocalDerby.
OurBoxingDaygameatEynesburyfinishedinstalemateinfrontofahugecrowd, whichwearehopefulofrepeatingagainonMondayandhopefullygivethe supporterslotstocheeraboutontheday.
SowithyourincrediblesupportasalwayswecanhelpCameronandtheladsfinish thisEasterprograminpositiveterritory.
YourTown,YourTeam.
We pride ourselves on being open minded with a particular emphasis on working closely with our business partners to ensure mutually beneficial achievements. Our aim is to continue developing football for all, to offer duel career pathwaysandtocontinuetoengageand supporttheCommunityandlocalbusinesses.
Correct as at 6.00pm Thursday 28th March
CAMERON MAWER
STEVE KUHNE ALEX MINALL
GARY DEAN
CRAIG LAMBERT
MICK HUNT JAMES GOFF
TOMMY REYNOLDS
DAMMY NICKELS
KYLE LINCOLN NATHAN GEORGE
DEAN DUMMETT
John Walker (President)
Andrew Dodd
JOSHUA BROWN SAM JOHNSON
MAGLOIRE MUYEMBE
HARVEY WILLIAMS
TOM ROWLEY
ISRAEL AJANA
DEMI ROMEO JAMES HATCH
JORDAN BROWN
MATTEO PERKINS DOM LAWLESS
Holders St Neots progressed to the semi-final of the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup beating neighbours Eynesbury Rovers and a partial floodlight failure on the way. The victory will have gone some way to restoring the sides’ flagging confidence after winning just one of their last six League and Cup matches but Eynesbury did not make their task easy performing very creditably against a side that plays two levels above them. It was rather fortune that the floodlight problem which was apparently a local power surge came right on the stroke of half time and after a twenty-eight minutes elongated half time delay play was able to resume. The St Neots management team opted to rest several regulars making five changes in their starting line up from the Saturday trip to Banbury, so several fringe players got some useful playing time and still delivered the right result. So, St Neots who have lifted the trophy in each of the past two seasons, go on to an away semi-final tie at Yaxley early next year.
Both sides made a rather tentative start with their defences looking confident and sure. In fact, in the first 25 minutes there were only two legitimate chances – one at either end – with Andrew Wale doing well to block an early shot by Matt Nolan and Alex Marsh bringing a routine save from Jamie Greygoose after good work by Jordan Nicholson. However, during this period St Neots enjoyed the greater share of possession but their progress towards goal was not very effective. On the half hour Wale did well to block a shot from Nathan Frater who had burst through the defence to collect a Nolan flick and then a minute later St Neots forged ahead with a set piece goal as Ryan Frater rose almost unchallenged to firmly head a Matt Spring corner beyond Wale. Now St Neots grew in confidence with Nathan Frater bringing a good save from Wale and Gavin Hoyte heading wide from another Spring corner delivery. Rovers had one excellent chance to level when Marsh pounced on a defensive error by Ben Farrell to release Lee Bassett, but he could not finish. Martell Powell forced a full length save from the busy Wale and Lorenzo Ferrari twice cut inside his marker to shoot wide of the target on both occasions.
St Neots started the second half with a boost of confidence with Ferrari unable to beat Wale after an eye- catching run past three defenders but around the hour Rovers had their best spell of the match.Now Greygoose was in the spotlight in only his second appearance for St Neots as he twice pushed excellent shots from Tom Coles and James Freshwater over the bar and then denied Freshwater again pushing his low shot around a post. Nathan Frater was looking lively for the home side and the pivotal moment came 17 minutes from time when he scored the second St Neots goal that really put then in control. It came from a superb sixty yards pass over the visiting defence by Matt Spring to pick out Powell and his early cross found Frater who finished with a crisp shot. Four minutes later following a corner the Referee spotted a push by Josh Bickerstaff on an Eynesbury player and a penalty was awarded which Lee Bassett slotted home. However, any hopes of a Rovers revival were quickly snuffed out as five minutes later Jay Davies on as a substitute made his first touch significant as he played Powell clear on the right and the tiring defence had left another St Neots substitute, Drew Roberts, unmarked at the far post – the sort of chance he does not spurn. Rovers’ last effort was a clinical finish by Bassett well saved by Greygoose who could be well pleased with his performance on the night.
St Neots: Greygoose, Spence, Bickerstaff, Farrell, Frater (R), Hoyte, Ferrari, Spring, Frater (N), Nolan, Powell
Subs: Wilson (for Ferrari 64 mins), Roberts (for Nolan 74 mins), Davies (for Spring 80 mins), Hilliard and Wyer.
Cards: none
Goals: Frater (R) (31 mins), Frater (N) (73 mins), Roberts (82 mins)
Eynesbury: Wale, Duckett (R), Duckett (J), Herring, Woodend, Clark, Coles, Freshwater, Bassett, Marsh, Nicholson
Subs: Fox (for Nicholson 78 mins), Inskip (for Freshwater 85 mins), Flack (for Bassett 89 mins), Smith and Field.
Cards: Herring (Y – 30), Duckett (J) (Y – 69)
Goals: Bassett pen (77 mins)
Attendance: 171
Referee: Neil Hair (Peterborough)
(John Walker)
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.
Partners - Visit www.stn to find out how to becom
StNeotsTownFCisnotjustaboutfootballweareacommunityfocusedbusiness.Wehavesomuchmoregoingonwhich ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that whenyouadvertisewiththeSaintsyougetsomuchmoreforyourmoney.
Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/facility-hire to find out more......
THEREEDMANSSUITEHOLDSUPTO80PEOPLEANDISPERFECT FORSMALLERWEDDINGRECEPTIONSANDPARTIES
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
THEGREGORYSUITEHOLDSUPTO200PEOPLEANDISPERFECTFOR WEDDINGSANDLARGEFUNCTIONS.FULLYAIR-CONDITIONED
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.
Year founded: 1968 Chairman: John Greaves
Club Website: www.aylestoneparkfc.org.uk
GOOD AFTERNOON AND A VERY WARM WELCOME TO THE PREMIER PLUS STADIUM TO OUR VISITORS, AYLESTONE PARK, FOR THEIR FIRST VISIT.
Aylestone Park have probably been the surprise package in the UCL Premier Division South this season. Promoted as champions of Division One last season they made a cautious start in their new surrounding losing five of their first 14 league matches but since then they have only been beaten twice in their last twenty league outings - the second of those last Saturday at Histon where previously they had beaten their hosts in the League Cup. They are already assured of an end of season play-off place regardless of the remainder of their results and that is a fine achievement in their first season at this level. Never out of the play-off places from December onwards their consistency has been incredible in what will be a season to remember.
When our two sides met earlier in our first ever meeting in Leicester our hosts scored an early goal to lead at the break but a Rhys Thorpe penalty in the second half earned us a share of the points.
In the league cup Aylestone were beaten at Skegness Town following their first-round victory at Histon. In the FA Vase they defeated Lutterworth Town before losing away at Brocton whilst in the FA Cup they were beaten at home by Sherwood Colliery in a replay after a 2-2 draw.
Previous meeting of our teams:
27th January 2024
Enjoy the match.
John Walker
Aylestone Park 1 St Neots Town 1
Year founded: 1897 Chairman: Matt Plumb
Club Website: www.eynesburyrovers.com
Our visitors are having a very torrid season, struggling to find any consistency but confident of staying clear of relegation. Like St Neots, they suffered a home semi-final defeat in the Hunts Senior Cup so survival at this level is now their priority. When these notes were written just three points separated the bottom four in the UCL South Premier Division with the bottom side at the end of the season facing relegation to Step Six. On a brighter note, Eynesbury had recorded half of their league victories away from home when these notes were penned winning at Desborough, Leicester Nirvana, and Lutterworth and sharing the points at Godmanchester. In Cup competition this season they were beaten in penalty shoot-outs on both National competitions – by Ely City in an FA Cup replay and by Yaxley in the FA Vase. In the League Cup they were pitched against the powerful Newark and Sherwood United losing 4-1 at home. Last season they finished fifteenth in the league table nine points clear of the relegation zone. The first league meeting of our two side this season on Boxing Day finished in a 1-1 draw at Hall Road.
Previous meeting of our teams:
Our last league meeting at St Neots was twenty-three years ago when we completed a league double over our neighbours winning 4-1 at Hall Road and replicating the score at St Neots. A Jason Meeds hat trick was the highlight of the home tie with Paul Carey the other scorer whilst away from home Vince Petty scored twice plus goals from Simon Claridge and Michael McDonnell. Since then, our two sides have met no fewer than ten times in assorted cup competitions as follows: Hunts Senior Cup - seven times, Hinchingbrooke Cup twice: UCL KO Cup once. Out last meeting was on 10th December 2019 in a Hunts Senior Cup quarter-final here when our visitors defeated us 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out after a 3-3 draw. Unfortunately for them, that was the COVID affected season and the competition was abandoned.
Enjoy the match.
John Walker
Thisisanotherofthehistoricalrecords,highlightingthistimeanotherseasonatour Thisisanotherofthehistoricalrecords,highlightingthistimeanotherseasonatour RowleyParkstadiumdepictingboththehighsandthelowsintherecentproudhistoryof RowleyParkstadiumdepictingboththehighsandthelowsintherecentproudhistoryof ttheClub. heClub.IInthefinalofChrisHowell’sfourthseasoninchargethesuccessonthepitchwas nthefinalofChrisHowell’sfourthseasoninchargethesuccessonthepitchwas morelimitedandthefirstteamfinishedthirteenth,sevenplaceslowerintheleaguetable morelimitedandthefirstteamfinishedthirteenth,sevenplaceslowerintheleaguetable tthenthepreviousseason.Foronlythesecondtimeinsixseasonstheclubhadnotrophyin henthepreviousseason.Foronlythesecondtimeinsixseasonstheclubhadnotrophyin iitscabinetattheendoftheseasonwithtwoCupFinaldefeatsinthefirstweekinMay. tscabinetattheendoftheseasonwithtwoCupFinaldefeatsinthefirstweekinMay. BeatenintheHuntingdonshireSeniorCupinapenaltyshoot-outaftera3-3draw(a.e.t.) BeatenintheHuntingdonshireSeniorCupinapenaltyshoot-outaftera3-3draw(a.e.t.) bylowergradedHotpointwhenScottMcKenzie’seffortcamebackoffthecrossbar,we bylowergradedHotpointwhenScottMcKenzie’seffortcamebackoffthecrossbar,we tthenwentontolosetoWoottonBlueCrossintheHinchingbrookeCupFinal. henwentontolosetoWoottonBlueCrossintheHinchingbrookeCupFinal. Afurther Afurther embarrassmentwasour1-0homedefeatbyHuntingdonshireLeaguesideGreatPaxtonin embarrassmentwasour1-0homedefeatbyHuntingdonshireLeaguesideGreatPaxtonin ttheHuntingdonshirePremierCup. heHuntingdonshirePremierCup. However,onabrighternotewereachedthesemi-final However,onabrighternotewereachedthesemi-final oftheUCLKOCupcompetitionforthefirsttimefor34seasons. oftheUCLKOCupcompetitionforthefirsttimefor34seasons.
League League
UCLPremierDivision UCLPremierDivision
FinalLeagueposition: FinalLeagueposition: 113/21 3/21
Leagueplayingrecord: Leagueplayingrecord: P40 P40 W16 W16 D4 D4 L20 L20 For59 For59 Against69 Against69 pts52 pts52
Cupplayingrecord: Cupplayingrecord: P18 P18 W10 W10 D3 D3 L5 L5 For37 For37 Against25 Against25
Unbeateninourfirstsixmatches(fourwinsandtwodraws)wethenlostfiveofournext Unbeateninourfirstsixmatches(fourwinsandtwodraws)wethenlostfiveofournext sevenmatches.Ourperformancescontinuedtobeinconsistent,andweconcededseven sevenmatches.Ourperformancescontinuedtobeinconsistent,andweconcededseven goalsawayatNewportPagnellandsixeachatBuckinghamandCogenhoe.However,we goalsawayatNewportPagnellandsixeachatBuckinghamandCogenhoe.However,we recordedtwo5-0awayleaguevictoriesatLongBuckbyandDesborough. recordedtwo5-0awayleaguevictoriesatLongBuckbyandDesborough.
TherewerealsoextremesintheFACupbeatingStansted6-0athomebutlosing7-1away TherewerealsoextremesintheFACupbeatingStansted6-0athomebutlosing7-1away atHemelHempstead. atHemelHempstead.
TheReservesidealsolostgroundonthepreviousseasonfinishing12thintheUCLReserve TheReservesidealsolostgroundonthepreviousseasonfinishing12thintheUCLReserve DivisionOne. DivisionOne.
St Neots returned to the top of the league table with this workmanlike if not impressive victory over visitors Haverhill Borough. They had to work hard for the points especially in the second half when the visitors staged a determined comeback after a rather pallid first half display.However, second placed Deeping Rangers with matches in hand are still firm title favourites.
There was a slow start with St Neots unable to capitalise on clear territorial superiority. It was 19 minutes before there was a serious shot on target and then visiting keeper Harry Humpage saved well from Caleb Wright. Just one minute later Frankie Webster spurned a glorious chance firing high over the bar but after 23 minutes St Neots went ahead as Caleb Wright scored his seventh goal of the campaign with a neat finish. The visitors’ first clear chance fell to Jeffrey Afriyie on the half hour, but he shot across the face of goal and then at the other end the lively Lucca Ugarte-Edwards fired over the bar. The first half ended with the best save of the match from Humpage to deny Wright a second goal after good work by Toby Pendrick.
The visitors started the second half in a more positive way and home keeper Alex Bent saved well from Kyle Markwell. However, after 54 minutes the lead was increased when Lucca Ugarte-Edwards burst into the area to be upended and from the resultant penalty award he added to St Neots lead. Undeterred the visitors persevered and nine minutes later won a penalty of their own when Danny Lively was fouled and it was he who netted from the spot. The same visiting player then went clear on goal but shot wide with only the keeper to beat. Visiting substitute Lennie Brindley squandered a great chance top level the scores and his side paid the penalty when defender Joel Jolly confirmed St Neots victory two minutes from time with a goal from a corner.
St Neots Town: Bent, Barbi, Olive, Khoo, Jolley (J), Baker (A), Webster, Pendrick, Wright, Ugarte-Edwards, Tonks
Subs: Collins, Oakley, Anderson, McCann
Cards: none
Referee: Peter Howard
John Walker
Goldstraw Goldsmiths is an established, trusted, successful jewellery shop in the Cambridgeshire town of St Neots. At Goldstraws Goldsmiths we’ve been designing and caring for jewellery for over 30 years. We sell all styles of jewellery; new and antique. If you have a particular item in mind, we will always endeavour to source it. Two experienced goldsmiths work on the premises, offering quality craftsmanship with every newly created piece and repair. We take pride in our work and our customers tell us time and time again that wouldn’t go anywhere else. Why not come in and say hello we” be happy to help.
www.goldstraw.co.uk
01480 407704
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St Neots squandered an excellent opportunity to cement their play-off hopes when they served up an inept performance against a hard-working visiting side that came for a point and went home satisfied. Rugby was too easily able to stifle St Neots attacking ideas and even create chances of their own but in ninety minutes plus added time there was only once that either goalkeeper was severely tested and that was not until the 80th minute. There was a noticeable lack of quality in St Neots’ passing and finishing and they still need seven points from their six remaining matches to guarantee a place in the end-of-season play offs. With central defender Charlie Bowen unavailable Manager Cameron Mawer handed his role to utility player Rob Parker and rested Dean Dummett. A further change was required when Connor Furlong broke down in the warm-up so into the side came Michael Amaeshike for his league debut, Dammy Nickels and Israel Ajana.
In a low key first half St Neots was noticeably slow to settle whilst the visitors seemed happy to play with the ball in their own area making little headway forward. From a Murphy Culkin free kick, Michael Amaeshike won the ball in the air but directed his effort into the arms of the visiting keeper, and although Israel Ajana tried to boost his side with darting runs down the flank, he was either fouled by visiting defenders or unable to deliver a telling finish. James Hatch headed over from a Culkin free kick and then had a shot blocked after neat play by Amaeshike and when Ajana went past two defenders his finish was too high. At the other end the only notable attack by Rugby saw Gez McGahey head over the bar after good approach play by Max Johnson and the first half ended with a Dammy Nickels free kick deflected wide and an effort by Hatch that was too high.
The frustrating thing was St Neots waste of opportunity because they sent seven corners in a row directly into the visiting keeper’s arms whilst they were well on top in the second half. Midway through the second half they moved to a three-man defence pushing the full backs forward in support, but it rendered little improvement in their fortunes. Substitutes Dean Dummett and Tommy Reynolds provided a variety in their attacking efforts without any significant improvement in fortune although Rhys Thorpe had a clos-range effort blocked and Dummett fired wildly over the bar. Ten minutes from time visiting keeper Jake Bull twisted in the air to deny Hatch with an outstanding save and ironically in added time Jamal Adams could have stolen all the points but clear on goal he dragged his shot wide of the far post.
So now St Neots must redouble their efforts to pick up points away at Bugbrooke and at Newport Pagnell before the important Easter Programme which sees them with two home matches.
St Neots Town: Goff, Nickels, Culkin, Tavernier, George, Parker, Brown, Amaeshike Thorpe, Hatch, Ajana
Subs: Dummett (for Amaeshike 69 mins), Reynolds (for Ajana 69 mins), Akinbobola (for Thorpe 87 mins), Muyembe, and Brookes.
Cards: Ajana (Y – 62 mins), George (Y – 73 mins)
Rugby Borough: Bull, Blair, Flaig, Whitehead, Baker, Johnson, Cristofaro, McGahey, Lockley, Adams, Halim
Subs: Shaw (for Lockley 72 mins), Steele (for Cristofaro 87 mins), Cooke, Barnett, and Webb.
Cards: Adams (Y – 79 mins), Shaw (Y – 90+3 mins)
Attendance: 283
Referee: Sam Anderson (Corby, Northants)
(John Walker)
End of season nerves may have contributed to this result with Manager Cameron Mawer admitting ‘we must do better’. St Neots never looked comfortable against a hard-working host side and despite having the better chances they were unable to make them count. With two regulars, Nathan George and Rhys Thorpe unavailable for the trip, the Manager reshaped his side bringing in Charlie Bowen and Ollie Brookes at the heart of his defence, giving a debut to recent signing Nabil Shariff and reintroducing Magloire Muyembe and fit again Connor Furlong. That left Dammy Nickels, Israel Ajana and Michael Amaeshike on the bench. The side took some time to settle and never seriously tested the home keeper despite looking good against the wind in the first half. It was two points lost in the chase for an end of season play off slot and with Newport Pagnell winning at Rugby Borough, St Neots still need four points from their remaining five matches.
The visitors got an early shock when after just three minutes a superbly struck free kick from 35 yards by Cosmin Capatina with wind assistance beat James Goff at his near post to give Bugbrooke an early lead. St Neots replied with a shot from Connor Furlong pushed onto the crossbar by the home keeper. Magloire Muyembe then volleyed over the bar after neat work by Nabil Shariff whilst at the other end Bugbrooke could have increased their lead with the visiting defence split but set up by Capatina, Jake Webster fired high over the bar. Home keeper Luke Reeve saved well from Jordan Brown and Murphy Culkin, and on the stroke of half time Alvin Green forced Goff into an acrobatic save turning the ball over the bar for a corner. In added first half time the lively Brown got around his marker, but Reeve again saved well.
With the wind after the break St Neots fell into the trap over over-hitting their forward passes and began to look frustrated. However, after 62 minutes a flighted free kick by Culkin found the head of James Hatch and he levelled the scores. A second header by the scorer five minutes later was well saved, and substitute Ayo Akinbobola headed over after a neat build up by the visitors.
More substitutions followed but the home side proved themselves adept at wasting time to frustrate St Neots better efforts to find a winning goal. Up with his attack, defender Charlie Bowen headed narrowly over the bar and the lively Jordan Brown forced an important save from the busy home goalkeeper.
It was frustrating for the visitors, but one consolation was a rare defeat on the day for Aylestone Park just four points ahead of them and St Neots have a match in hand. The two sides meet at St Neots on Easter Saturday.
St Neots Town: Goff, Parker, Culkin, Tavernier, Brookes, Bowen, Brown, Muyembe, Shariff, Hatch, Furlong
Subs: Dummett (for Muyembe 63 mins), Akinbobola (for Shariff 77 mins), Ajana (for Furlong 84 mins), Nickels and Amaeshike.
Cards: Bowen (Y – 35 mins)
Bugbrooke St Michael: Reeve, Nash, Simmons, Green, Briggs, Walton, Binder, Webster (A), Capatina, Porter, Webster (J).
Subs: Shehi (for Porter 46 mins), Price (for Binder 80 mins), King (for Webster 84 mins), and Gibbon.
Cards: Porter (s/b 36 mins), Simmons (Y – 54 mins), Price (Y – 90+ 1)
Attendance: 100
Referee: Josh Williams (Milton Keynes) (John Walker)
With only two wins and four draws in their last nine league matches St Neots are determined to earn a play-off place the hard way. A victory at Newport Pagnell would more or less have assured that place at the end of the season but they now go into their remaining four matches still needing a victory to ensure any remaining chance of promotion. Once again team changes seemed to have upset the rhythm of the side with Charlie Bowen and recent signing Nabil Shariff unavailable for the trip and rested Christian Tavernier, joining Magloire Muyembe on the substitutes bench. Back into the side came Nathan George, Rhys Thorpe and Dean Dummett with Michael Amaeshike who was making only his third start.Manager Cameron Mawer saw his side struggle in a disappointing first half performance before creating enough second half openings to cancel out the first half injury time goal claimed by the home side.
On a miserable wet evening St Neots was looking to avenge a 3-0 home reversal at the hands of their hosts way back on August Bank Holiday at the start of the season. However, that never looked to be likely as the reshaped visiting side struggled to string passes together in a disappointing first 45 minutes. The first two serious attempts on goal came from the home side with efforts by former Saint Ben Ford and Luke Abraham but both were too high. St Neots first notable attack came after 40 minutes when Rhys Thorpe went clear but driven wide, he could only finish with an effort over the crossbar. On the stroke of half time Ford sent a free kick wide of target but in their next attack Pagnell took the lead as Ford crossed for defender Adan Miles to give his side a half time lead.
St Neots needed a positive response after the break and with Christian Tavernier on for Dean Dummett they adopted a more attacking approach and when James Hatch was brought down it earned Christian Smail a caution. Home substitute George Herbert joined his teammate in the Referee’s notebook for a foul on Jordan Brown and it was the same St Neots player who then saw his shot rebound back into play from the foot of a post. With ten minutes to go St Neots should have had an equaliser but Thorpe delayed his finish and Smail got back to hook the ball off the line and St Neots best chance of the match went begging. The match ended disappointingly with Robbie Parker and Kieran Baines sent off after an unseemly scuffle.
St Neots Town: Goff, Parker, Culkin, Amaeshike, Brookes, George, Brown, Dummett, Thorpe, Hatch, Furlong
Subs: Tavernier (for Dummett 54 mins), Ajana (for Furlong 67 mins), Nickels, Muyembe, and Akinbobola
Cards: Parker (RED – 84 mins)
Newport Pagnell Town: Rose, Miles, McNeil, Abraham, Burnside, Ford, Nketia, Smail, Barnes, Walker, Sheppard
Subs: Herbert (for Abraham 54 mins), Olukami (for Burnside 77 mins), Lynham, Patching, and Njorage
Cards: Barnes (RED – 84 mins), Nketia (Y – 4 mins), Smail (Y – 59 mins), Herbert (Y – 63 mins)
Attendance: 153
Referee: Simon Dutton (Bedford) (John Walker)
Aylestone Park Senior Section was formed way back in 1980 and at that point it was a natural progression from youth team football where we were very successful at local level.
Our early years saw us develop from Sunday morning adult football in the Charnwood League to our first taste of Saturday football courtesy of the Leicester & District League where we were very successful, gaining many league honours and various County F.A Cup successes.
Without doubt this was a very vibrant time for the club and on the back of our previous achievements we were eventually accepted into the Leicestershire Senior League which was not only a major step up in playing standards but also level of facility. Floodlights, a spectator stand and post and rail pitch were standard requirements back then in the late 80’s and without doubt
Leicestershire football was at a very good level, with the likes of Shepshed Charterhouse, Quorn, Coalville Town, Barwell, Friar Lane Old Boys to name but a few – all making for some very attractive fixtures.
Although ‘The Park’ thoroughly enjoyed their many years of Senior League membership, it became clear that the established clubs were looking to make progress and pursue pastures new. This ‘progression’ wasn’t lost on us and following our recent re-location to our new facilities in 2010 we finally enjoyed our best season to date in 2011-12, gaining promotion to the East Midlands Counties League which provides football at Step 6 on the National Football Pyramid System.
Our debut season was very satisfactory, finishing in 7th position and playing some excellent football against quality opposition. However, the following 2 seasons proved very difficult which resulted in consecutive bottom 2 positions, giving the club the unenviable prospect of relegation. Fortunately, we survived that threat and bounced back in style. Richard Hill along with a very experienced management team took control of First team matters having moved over from Ellistown & Ibstock where they achieved 2 top 3 finishes in the league. ‘The Park’ made massive strides forward following the change in management. However, following 2 excellent seasons which were highlighted by a League Cup trophy and 2 top 4 finishes Richard decided to step down midway through his 3rd season due to business commitments. As you can imagine this resignation was unsettling but fortunately our league position was never threatened and we finished a commendable 8th in the league but just missed out on FA Cup inclusion for the new season.
The season 2012/2013 was a beneficial one when APFC beat Ashby Ivanhoe 3-1 to lift the Senior Cup and the following season we were invited into the East Midlands Counties League following an 11th hour resignation from one of its member clubs, needless to say, we duly accepted the offer.
Season 2018/19 saw another milestone in the history of the club. The Leagues Committee that operates from the National Wembley Stadium decided to alter all step 5 and 6 Leagues in an effort to ease travelling time and also revert to 20 team constitutions. This re-organisation saw us relocated ‘sideways’ to the United Counties League. This also coincided with our highly successful youth team manager Matt Wormleighton stepping up to the plate to manage first team business. Matt’s loyalty, enthusiasm and dedication was there for all to see and he was ably assisted by other club stalwarts, Adam Hart and Kev Matthews plus the experience of Jason Genders and Tom Orton who completed the management team.
In July 2021 Bob Stretton, one of the founder members of the club, retired from the role of Chairman from the club. Without Bob’s vision, determination and ingenuity the club would not even exist and would certainly not be in the positive position it is now. John Greaves, a former player for the club, was elected as the new Chairman and has been hugely instrumental in continuing to deliver further progress to the club. Indeed, since his tenure, a new 500-seater grandstand complete with accessible and standing areas has been installed, a new 6M x 3M digital scoreboard is in evidence, a new post and rail system now surrounds pitches 1 & 2, a new sports bar was opened in June and a complete refurbishment of the changing rooms was completed prior to season 2021/2022. Season 2022/2023, saw a change in the management/coaching team with Matt Wormleighton stepping down after 4 years in the role as 1st team manager to undertake a new role at the club. Josh Dixon was appointed as first team manager and he was joined by Kade Lewis, as assistant manager, Liam Smith and Zack Marriott were the coaches and Martin Milnes was the goalkeeper’s coach. Dean Wright, the club’s physio and Kev Matthews, the club’s kit man continued in their roles. With the introduction of several new players and a different style of football the club won the UCL Division 1 title by 6 points and were top of the league throughout the season after the opening round of matches. Josh strengthened his staff for the 2023/2024 season with Matt Coates returning to the club in the role of 1st team coach.
At the end of October 2023 the club changed management with James Dodds being appointed first team manager and he recruited Elliot Shilliam as his assistant. Martin Milnes, Dean Wright, Matt Coates and Kev Matthews all continued in their roles with the club.
On a broader scale, Aylestone Park F.C provides football in the local community for not only adult football but also a wide range of age group sections i.e. minisoccer, junior, youth and ladies football plus an inclusive section for youngsters with learning difficulties. It is this vision of how we see the whole footballing picture and what is required in our community that has enabled us to be assisted by various grant aid in addition to our own dedicated fundraising efforts that have given us an outstanding, first-class facility, most notably a ‘state of the art’ 3G pitch complete with floodlights and a 100-seater covered stand. Aylestone Park has made a massive effort in providing the very best for its players, supporters and club members and equally important its visitors from other clubs.
The club were formed in 1897 and played friendly matches before joining the Biggleswade & District League and then the St Neots Junior League, which they won in 1910/11 and 1913/14. They lifted the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup for the first time in 1914 and won the County Junior Cup in 1921, 1927 and 1932. Whilst the first team competed in the Bedford & District League First Division Eynesbury’s Reserves won 2nd Division championships in 1927, 1931 and 1932. In 1934 Eynesbury joined the South Midlands League and promotion was achieved at the first attempt whilst the Scott-Gatty Cup was won, but Senior Cup finals in 1937 and 1939 ended in defeat. The post war era began with Rovers joining the United Counties League and they enjoyed spectacular cup success winning the Hunts Senior Cup and Hinchingbrooke Cup four times each in a five year period. In the 1950-51 campaign a Premier Cup success made it a cup hat trick. In 1952 Eynesbury joined the Eastern Counties League finishing fourth in their second season. In 1955 a crowd of 4,000 packed into Barford Road to watch a friendly against Fulham with the legendary Stanley Matthews guesting for Rovers. The club continued to enjoy cup success lifting the Senior Cup in 1955 and 1957, the Hinchingbrooke Cup in 1959 and Cambs Invitation Cup in 1962, but they were finding life difficult in the league. In 1963 they rejoined the UCL. Successes in the Hinchingbrooke Cup in 1967 and Hunts Senior Cup in 1970 masked a continued decline and relegation was suffered in 1972. A top flight place was regained in 1977 and floodlights were installed in 1981 with Luton Town providing the opposition for the official opening in front of a four figure crowd. The Hunts Senior Cup was won in 1985 before Gary Pilsworth enjoyed great success as manager, leading Eynesbury to a best ever third place in the league, two Hunts Senior Cup wins, a Premier Cup success and two East Anglian Cup finals, and Alan Day kept the momentum going with a 1993 Senior Cup success. Barry Cavilla was next in the hot seat and the 1995-96 campaign saw Eynesbury finish fifth in the league and win both the Senior and Premier Cups. Peter Schofield took over and done well to keep the team in the Premier Division on a small budget. Neil King returned and enjoyed success in the Hunts Senior Cup in 2000 but was followed by relegation a year later. Steve Galbraith took over and in 2002 Rovers again won the Senior Cup beating local rivals St Neots Town 3-0 in the final, while the 2003-04 campaign saw them reach the Huntingdonshire Premier Cup final only to lose 4-2 to Wootton Blue Cross. In the summer of 2005 Dean Shipp took charge and the following seasonRovers reached the final of the South Midlands Floodlit Cup losing 2-1 toSaffron Walden.
In December 2007 Rovers appointed the management duo of Al Lenihan and former player Pat O’Keeffe. Season 2008/09 saw Rovers near the top of the table for most of the season but had to settle for 9th place after being deducted six points. Al & Pat resigned at the end of that season and Eynesbury appointed Matt Plumb to take charge for the start of the 2009/10 campaign and with Martin Field he guided Rovers back to the Premier Division in 2013/14. In a record breaking season they finished with a record number of points (98) and goals (118) and recorded a club record 11 consecutive wins. Lee Bassett became the first Eynesbury player to score 50 goals in a season. Matt Plumb took on the role of chairman in the summer of 2015 before Martin Field resigned in October 2015. Mark Ducket was appointed asmanager and in four campaigns he led Rovers to three Hunts Senior Cup Finals, winning 1-0 against St Neots Town in 2017. Whilst in the same season recording 119 league goals and equaling their second best ever league placing finishing fifth. In 2019/20 Rovers rejoined the Spartan South Midlands League and enjoyed their best ever run in the FA Vase reaching the 4th Round. In January 2020 Mark Ducket left to manage Bedford Town and Rovers appointed Steve Kuhne as his replacement.
After two aborted seasons in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Rovers were moved back to the UCL Premier Division (South). However, Steve resigned in October 2021 and ex-professional Rob Sinclair was appointed as his replacement. He led the team to a ninth placed finish but moved on at the end of the season. The 2022/23 campaign started with former Eynesbury United manager Mark Spavins in charge with ex-player Neil Morris as coach but after a tough start Spavins resigned and Morris took over. In a difficult campaign the club finished 15th in a division of 18 clubs. For the 2023/24 season Rovers have appointed the management duo of Mark Garwood and Craig Smith, both former players, who were previously at local club Eaton Socon.
Manager - Cameron Mawer
Assistant - Steve Kuhne
Coach - Alex Minall
GK Coach - Gary Dean
Physio - Craig Lambert
Kitman - Mick Hunt
JJamesGoff(GK) amesGoff(GK)
TommyReynolds TommyReynolds
DammyNickels DammyNickels
NathanGeorge NathanGeorge
RobbieParker RobbieParker
OllieBrookes OllieBrookes
MurphyCulkin MurphyCulkin
CharlieBowen CharlieBowen
DeanDummett DeanDummett
MichaelAmaeshike MichaelAmaeshike
MagloireMuyembe MagloireMuyembe
ChristianTavernier ChristianTavernier
HarveyWilliams HarveyWilliams
IIsraelAjana sraelAjana
JJamesHatch amesHatch
JJordanBrown ordanBrown
RhysThorpe RhysThorpe
NabilShariff NabilShariff
ConnorFurlong ConnorFurlong
AyomideAkinbobola AyomideAkinbobola
Colours Colours
Navy/LightBlueQuarters Navy/LightBlueQuarters
DarkBlueShorts DarkBlueShorts
Dark DarkBlueSocks BlueSocks
Manager - James Dodds
Assistant - Elliott Shilliam
GK Coach - Martin Milnes
Coach - Matt Coates
Physio - Dean Wright
Kitman - Kev Matthews
Squad List Squad List
Josh Wormleighton (Gk)
Josh Wormleighton (Gk)
Tom Holyoak (Gk)
Tom Holyoak (Gk)
Charley Kilburn Charley Kilburn
Justin Peace Justin Peace
Declan Towers (C) Declan Towers (C)
Ryan Seal Ryan Seal
Matt Langham Matt Langham
Marshall Keenan Marshall Keenan
Callum Riley Callum Riley
Carl Sibson Carl Sibson
Jake Wormleighton Jake Wormleighton
Marley Spencer Marley Spencer
Aaron Preston Aaron Preston
Lee Barratt Lee Barratt
Leo Hicking Leo Hicking
Corey Bucalossi Corey Bucalossi
Jonah Mitchell Jonah Mitchell
Sam Preston Sam Preston
Sam Hollis Sam Hollis
Ethan Holley Ethan Holley
Billy Kee Billy Kee
Dominic Watts Dominic Watts
Adam Bessadi Adam Bessadi
Hamza Elkhowly Hamza Elkhowly
Jake Duffy Jake Duffy
Louis Samuels Louis Samuels
Colours Colours
Red Shirts Red Shirts
Red Red Shorts Shorts
Red Red Socks Socks
Manager - Cameron Mawer
Assistant - Steve Kuhne
Coach - Alex Minall
GK Coach - Gary Dean
Physio - Craig Lambert
Kitman - Mick Hunt
Manager - Darren Fairbrass
Assistant - Callum Douglas
Coach - Haani Rasool
Physio - Gemma Kohl-Brien
SquadList SquadList
JJamesGoff(GK) amesGoff(GK)
TommyReynolds TommyReynolds
DammyNickels DammyNickels
NathanGeorge NathanGeorge
RobbieParker RobbieParker
OllieBrookes OllieBrookes
MurphyCulkin MurphyCulkin
CharlieBowen CharlieBowen
DeanDummett DeanDummett
MichaelAmaeshike MichaelAmaeshike
MagloireMuyembe MagloireMuyembe
ChristianTavernier ChristianTavernier
HarveyWilliams HarveyWilliams
IIsraelAjana sraelAjana
JJamesHatch amesHatch
JJordanBrown ordanBrown
RhysThorpe RhysThorpe
NabilShariff NabilShariff ConnorFurlong ConnorFurlong AyomideAkinbobola AyomideAkinbobola
Colours Colours
Navy/LightBlueQuarters Navy/LightBlueQuarters
DarkBlueShorts DarkBlueShorts
Dark DarkBlueSocks BlueSocks
Squad List Squad List
Reece Lewis (GK) Reece Lewis (GK)
Brady Baffour Brady Baffour
Owen Dixon Owen Dixon
Jonny Hall (C) Jonny Hall (C)
Billy Roberts Billy Roberts
Dan Hammer Dan Hammer
Marcel Rzeszutek Marcel Rzeszutek
Adrian O'Hara Adrian O'Hara
Charlee Yearwood Charlee Yearwood
Dylan Surace Dylan Surace
Declan Rogers Declan Rogers
Chris Khoo Chris Khoo
Ben Hickling Ben Hickling
Dimagio Robinson Dimagio Robinson
Oliver Lee Oliver Lee
Jamal Said Jamal Said
Max Kimpton Max Kimpton
Colours Colours
Green Green Shirts Shirts
Green Green Shorts Shorts
Green Green Socks Socks
NextHomeMatch....
NextHomeMatch....
RugbyBorough RugbyBorough
UCLPremierDivisionSouth UCLPremierDivisionSouth
Saturday13thApril
Saturday13thApril
3.00pm 3.00pm KO KO
Referee Darren Lander Assistant 1 Khaneal Statham Assistant 2 Peter Moore