Chesham United

ST NEOTS TOWN Chesham United ISSUE 28: THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE £1.50 The Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division

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WELCOME Back to playing the game in the style we are known for Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium, home of The Saints and The Mick George Academy, for today’s Evostik League Southern Premier Division match.

Today we extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and of course, the travelling supporters of Chesham United Football Club and we hope you have a pleasant stay here in St Neots with us this afternoon.

So here we are, the last home game of what could best be described as a turbulent season at the Club. A season which promised so much yet delivered so very little (apart from a sore neck) until we eventually went back to playing football on the deck and managed to secure our Premier Division status for another season. This, of course has been largely due to our Academy Manager, Andy Davies, agreeing to come in and steady the ship and get us back to playing the game in the style we are known for and also Adam Tann and all the lads for buying into what he was trying to achieve so I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with the First Team (yes, that means you, Carol and Mick too), for saving what has taken four years plus to build and less than 10 months to destroy.

Our last game, played last Saturday, saw us record another

draw on the road, this time taking a well deserved point from Merthyr Town in a game played on their 3G pitch. A game of two halves as the match report records but a second half in which we had plenty of chances. Fair play to Drew and Brett also, who, due long delays on the way to the ground, just about made kick off and started the game without a warm up. Well done everyone.

So, a season in which we have struggled on the pitch for the majority (largely due to the style of football employed by the prior management team) but one in which the Club has grown significantly as a whole with the successful implementation of the Scholarship programme and the Mick George Academy, so I would say looking at the bigger picture, the Club is looking to have a healthy future.

I’d now like to thank everyone who has been involved with the production of this Matchday Magazine throughout the season, including Mike Kearns who has been instrumental in it’s design and production over the past few seasons and of course, you, the supporters, who have purchased it (or even just read it online). It has been a frustrating time for us all and you guys in particular but you’ve stuck with us and hopefully we are now coming out the other side of the storm intact and look to push on next season. Pre-season friendlies will be announced in due course so please keep an eye out in the local press/social media for details.

Ok then, let’s finish the season on a high with good performances today and next Saturday, when we travel to playoff hopefuls Hitchin Town.

Hope to see a good turnout of support next week as we head down the A1/ mainline rail track looking to avenge our narrow home defeat to the Canaries earlier in the season.

Till next season……

Mike Green

TODAY’S VISITORS

CHESHAM UNITED Founded: 1917 Nickname: The Generals Chairman: Brian McCarthy Website: www.cheshamunited.co.uk A very special welcome for our final home Southern League Premier Division fixture of the season with Chesham United our visitors this afternoon. Chesham are coming to the end of an extremely memorable season crowned of course by their brilliant FA Cup run. It began way back on 26th September 2015 when they travelled to Paulton Rovers to win a Second Qualifying match by two goals to nil. That was followed by home victories over North Leigh and Enfield Town and then on the weekend of 7th November when they were due to host us in a league match they were away in the first round proper at Bristol Rovers where they recorded a memorable 1-0 victory in front of 5,181 spectators. That took them on to the second round proper where on 6th December they travelled to Bradford City to be beaten 4-0 two of those goals coming in added time with the visitors almost dead on their feet watched this time by 6,047 spectators. Of course the two main consequences of this fantastic run was the financial reward reaped by the Club and the inevitable fact of falling behind with their fixtures. However, they have gradually recovered moving up from 20th place in the league after their FA Cup heroics to 15th on Monday night after their 5-1 defeat at Hitchin. Last season of course Chesham finished 12th after unsuccessfully contesting the play-offs two seasons ago. When out two sides met at Chesham in our rearranged fixture this season in January our hosts won 3-1 so we shall be looking to reverse that result this afternoon.

CLUB HISTORY The story of Chesham United has many highs and many lows.

It was formed in 1917 following the merger of Chesham Town FC (who were founder members of the Southern League in 1894 when still known as just Chesham FC) and Chesham Generals (who took their name from the General Baptist Church in Chesham Broadway).

Relative success in the following years paled into insignificance following the FA Amateur Cup run of 1967/68 when, against all the odds, little Chesham United went all the way from the Preliminary Round to the final of the FA Amateur Cup, finally losing 1-0 to Leytonstone in front of a 54,000 Wembley crowd. At a time when the population of Chesham was just 18,000 people, the club sold 22,000 tickets for this game. In January 1991, promotion and the Isthmian League Division One title were secured. In its inaugural season, the Loctite Final was reached but the match was lost to Bishops Stortford on penalties. In October 1992, the Club went to the very top of the Isthmian league after a famous win at Enfield, where they remained until the end of the season, being crowned Champions on the last day of the season following a 4-0 win over Dulwich Hamlet. Witnessed by an average home gate of just short of 1,000, the season also saw the arrival of ex-Liverpool star Mark Lawrenson. Promotion to the National Conference depended on ground improvements that could not be afforded. So, the season ended in disappointment after so much hard work. In the early 2000s the club again had an eye on promotion to the Conference as Bob Dowie led a strong Chesham

side to 6th in the Ryman Premier, possibly an under achievement when considering the resources at his disposable. The team that year included Wayne Andrews and Fitz Hall, both players having progressed to enjoy professional careers in the higher echelons of football. Two years later and the club were once again relegated back to Division One. United’s first year in the Southern League was certainly adventurous. At times they looked title contenders, and then they flirted with relegation and in the end were happy to finish in mid-table. The following summer the true price of years of over-achieving came to light.

Nearly two decades of wealthy Chairmen helping to fund the club was over and it was time for The Generals to stand on their own feet, a task that proved too much. The 2010/2011 season marked the start of a new era for Chesham United. For some time the club’s Supporters’ Trust has been the largest shareholder and in June 2010 the other two majority shareholders, including the club Chairman, relinquished control of the club and handed over their voting rights to the fans’ representatives ahead of the Trust securing sufficient funds to purchase shares for outright ownership. So, we went into the new season as a truly supporters’ run football club looking forward to the challenge of re-establishing ourselves at Southern League Premier Division level after a four years’ absence. In 2011/12 Chesham finished fourth in the Premier Division to earn a place in the play-offs but lost by the odd goal in five to third placed Totton in the semi-final.

SHANE GORE (GOALKEEPER): Shane signed for Chesham in the summer of 2010, following his release from Luton Town. Was rated in the top 4 Non-League keepers by the BBC Non-League Show in 2009. Shane has also played for Havant & Waterlooville, Barnet and Maidenhead United. Has twice won the Fans’ Player of the Season Award at Chesham United, and has made over 250 appearances for the club.

GEORGE LEGG (GOALKEEPER): A young goalkeeper who joined Chesham on loan from Reading for the start of the season.

Earned his first professional contract at the Royals in the summer having impressed in their under 18s team. Has also had work experience spells at Dunstable Town and Hendon.

LAURIE STEWART (DEFENDER): Centre half who joined Chesham from Hitchin Town in the summer of 2013. Was Hitchin Town’s Player of the Season for the 2011/12 season, having joined from Harlow Town the previous summer. Laurie has also played for Ware, Cambridge City and Bishops Stortford. Missed the whole of the 2014/15 season through injury.

TOMMY FLETCHER (DEFENDER): Young defender who joined Chesham on a permanent deal following his release

by Wycombe Wanderers in the summer of 2015, having previously played for Chesham on loan. He joined Wycombe as an 18-year-old in the summer of 2013, following a successful trial period. Tommy began his career at Cheshunt in the Ryman League.

ASHLEY SMITH (DEFENDER/MIDFIELD): Ashley is a utility player who came to The Meadow from Burnham in 2014. Ashley is able to play in a range of positions, including right back and right midfield.

Ashley also has experience of playing in Conference South with Maidenhead United, having played in that league from 2007 to 2011. Previous clubs include Hampton & Richmond Borough and Flackwell Heath.

TOBY LITTLE (DEFENDER/MIDFIELD): Toby is a left-sided player who re-joined the club in September 2014 after a brief spell at Conference South side Wealdstone. Initially joined the club from Basingstoke Town in October 2012, having previously played for Woking and Hayes, and also represented England at College and University level.

NICK BEASANT (DEFENDER/FORWARD): A versatile player who joined Chesham in January 2015. Nick is an experienced player in this league, having started out at Bedford Town, where he scored 11 goals.

Nick then moved on to play for Cambridge City, where he helped them to a play-off position. Nick then played for Dunstable, before moving to Chesham.

CURTIS UJAH (DEFENDER): A strong and uncompromising defender who moved to Chesham in the summer of 2015. Curtis is experienced in this level and the league above, being a key player for a number of clubs. Curtis is best known for his spell at St Albans, but has also played for Maidenhead United, Bishops Stortford, Boreham Wood, Hayes & Yeading United, Weston-super-Mare, Tamworth, Yeovil Town, Crawley Town, Tonbridge Angels, Halesowen Town and Hednesford Town.

GEORGE FENTON (DEFENDER): A strong and rapidly improving defender who was

the captain of the reserves at the beginning of the 2014-15 season, before earning a place in the first XI matchday squad, making 22 appearances. George was the captain of the under-18 team that won their league in the 2010-11 season, then went away to University before coming back to the club.

NATHAN POULTON (MIDFIELD): Nathan joined Chesham in October 2014 from Burnham, where he had been club captain and scored seven goals from midfield.

Nathan joined Burnham in the summer of 2014 from Beaconsfield SYCOB, where he had been a goalscoring midfielder in a successful side. Nathan has also had a spell at Flackwell Heath.

DAVE FOTHERINGHAM (MIDFIELD): A former Chesham United youth player, Fotheringham has notched up over 400 appearances for the club. Dave made his debut in 2002, but left in 2005 for Hemel Hempstead Town then Maidenhead United.

Returned in the summer of 2007 and is a favourite with the Chesham supporters for his inexhaustible work rate. Missed most of the 2014/15 season through injury.

DAVID PEARCE (MIDFIELD): Dave joined Chesham on a permanent deal in November 2014 after a successful loan spell. Dave was previously at Hemel Hempstead Town, where he scored 17 goals in the team that won the 2013/14 Southern Premier title. Joined Hemel Hempstead in February 2011 following the demise of Windsor & Eton, and won numerous awards in his time at Vauxhall Road including 3 individual awards in the 2011/12 season. Dave had come through the youth set-up at Wycombe Wanderers, and had enjoyed a successful loan period at Bracknell Town.

BRUCE WILSON (MIDFIELD): Bruce is another player who returned to The Meadow in the summer of 2015, having spent a year at St Neots Town. Bruce is able to play in a number of positions across the pitch, and his versatility has been a great asset to Andy Leese in his time at the club. Bruce initially joined the club in the summer of 2011, staying for three years and being a regular in the Chesham team that narrowly missed out on promotion in the 2013/14 season. Bruce has also played for Hemel Hempstead Town and Windsor & Eton, where he was part of the team that won the 2009-10 Southern League South & West Division.

SAM YOUNGS (MIDFIELD): Sam returned to Chesham in the summer of 2015, having had a short spell at the Meadow in the 2010/11 season. Sam is an energetic boxto-box central midfielder who has enjoyed three spells at Rugby Town, making a significant impact in the 2012/13 season, scoring 12 goals from central midfield.

Sam first played for Rugby Town in 2009, then joined Redditch United in the 2013/14 season before returning to Rugby. Other clubs include Hemel Hempstead Town, Banbury United, Ware and Halesowen Town.

BRAD WADKINS (FORWARD): A young and pacy forward who returned to The Meadow in the summer of 2015.

Wadkins was a key part of the Under-18 team that won the league in 2011. Was promoted to the first team squad making 46 appearances in the 2011/12 season.

Wadkins then moved onto Hendon before going to St Albans City, and scored 13 goals last season for Aylesbury. Other clubs include Leverstock Green, Potters Bar Town and Chalfont St Peter.

MATT TAYLOR (MIDFIELD/FORWARD): Matt is another summer signing, joining from Conference South side St Albans City where he made 12 appearances last season and 20 in the 2013/14 side that clinched promotion through the play-offs.

Matt was a youth team product of St Albans, Made his senior debut in the 2011/12 season having come through the youth team at St Albans.

BARRY HAYLES (FORWARD): A welltravelled forward who joined Chesham as a player-coach in 2015. Barry will offer Chesham great experience and quality up front, having played in the Premier League and earned ten caps for Jamaica.

Hayles started his career at non-league Stevenage Borough, where he impressed scoring 73 goals in 154 appearances.

Hayles then joined Bristol Rovers and was the top scorer in Division Two in the 1997/98 season. Hayles then signed for Fulham and helped the Cottagers to two promotions. Hayles then played for several Championship sides including Sheffield United, Millwall, Plymouth Argyle and Leicester City. After dropping out of the fulltime game Hayles twice helped Truro City to promotions, including scoring 20 goals in the 2010/11 season. Has also played for Arlesey Town and St Albans City.

RYAN BLAKE (FORWARD): A 24-yearold pacy and lively forward who joined Chesham in 2014 from Burnham. His previous clubs include Beaconsfield and Hemel Hempstead Town. Blake impressed at The Meadow in his first season at The Meadow, bagging 21 goals and winning several post-season awards.

KELVIN BOSSMAN (FORWARD): A lively forward who joined Chesham in October 2015 following a spell at Hungerford Town, whom he joined in the summer. A former Ghana Under 17 international, Kelvin started in the youth system at Reading.

Kelvin had a very successful 2014/15 season with Biggleswade Town, scoring 17 goals having also played for Arlesey Town.

Kelvin also has experience of a higher level having played for Hayes & Yeading United in the 2013/14 season and Havant & Waterlooville in the 2012/13 season. Other clubs include Cambridge City.

ALLEN BOSSMAN (WINGER): A winger who provides pace and energy to the team, Allen followed his older brother Kelvin to The Meadow from Hungerford Town. Allen has also played for Hayes & Yeading United and Cambridge City.

ADAM MARTIN (MIDFIELD): Adam joined Chesham in October 2015 having started the season at Slough Town. Adam is comfortable in a number of different roles, but his main position is central midfield. Adam provides great energy and experience to the team. Adam started his career at the former Berkhamsted Town, before moving onto Hemel Hempstead Town. Adam then moved to Conference South football with St Albans City in 2010/11 and was a regular that season, before moving to Slough Town, where he stayed for a couple of seasons before going to Burnham and Wealdstone.

Scorelines..

A brief round up of the recent results from the teams that matter Premier Division Saturday 9th April Leaders Poole Town were held to a 0-0 draw at Hitchin Town who were replaced in third by Leamington who, after taking an eleventh minute lead from the spot, scored again three minutes from time to win 2-0, a result which confirmed visiting Paulton Rover’s relegation, while second placed Redditch United, despite going behind in the opening minute, went ahead after twenty minutes before going on to complete a comprehensive 5-1 victory at Dorchester Tow. Kettering Town moved into the play-off places when they struck twice in the opening quarter of an hour to set up a 3-0 win at Chesham United but Kings Lynn Town and visiting Weymouth drew 0-0 while Chippenham Town, having found themselves two down two minutes after the break, scored three times in eleven minutes around the midway point of the second half to end a seven game run without a win with a 3-2 home victory over Biggleswade Town. Dunstable Town lost 2-0 at home when Cirencester Town scored twice in the second half while Merthyr Town, ahead after thirteen minutes, had to settle for a 1-1 home draw with St Neots Town when they conceded an own goal ten minutes later but Cambridge City, trailing at half time, equalised seven minutes after the interval and made sure of Premier Division football next season when they completed a 4-2 home win against Slough Town with two goals in the final ten minutes. Frome Town scored twice in the second half to record a 2-0 home win which left Stratford Town still needing a point for safety while Bideford, ahead after eleven minutes, conceded an equaliser ten minutes after the break but

secured a 2-1 home win with a strike on the hour to keep their slim chances of avoiding the drop alive but, at the same time, confirm relegation for visiting Bedworth United.

Division One Central Saturday 9th April Leaders Egham Town scored six minutes after the interval to secure a 1-0 victory at Chalfont St Peter and second placed Kings Langley scored a goal in each half to win 2-0 at Barton Rovers but third in the table Royston Town lost ground when a strike seven minutes from time gave visiting Godalming Town a 1-0 victory while St Ives Town, having taken the lead from a penalty midway through the second half, had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Beaconsfield SYCOB when the home side scored twelve minutes from time whereas AFC Rushden & Diamonds struck in the opening twenty minutes to record a 1-0 home win which left visiting Hanwell Town just a point above the drop zone after second from bottom Leighton Town, three ahead after half an hour, recorded a 4-2 victory at Northwood. Aylesbury’s hopes of reaching the play-offs took a knock when a penalty four minutes before the break gave Ware a 1-0 home win while Potters Bar Town secured a 1-0 victory at Fleet Town with a strike in the final minute and Aylesbury United, a goal up at the interval, picked up a valuable three points towards avoiding relegation when they completed a 2-0 win at Petersfield Town a minute into the second half. Uxbridge scored twice in the second half to record a 2-0 home win over Bedford Town while bottom of the table North Greenford United, ahead after twenty minutes but pegged back level soon after the break, completed

a 3-1 home win over Arlesey Town with two goals in six minutes.

Premier Division Monday 11th April On Monday, Hitchin Town moved into second place when, after taking the lead from a penalty soon after the half hour, they scored four in twenty second half minutes to record a 5-1 home win over Chesham United who had to wait until the final minute before replying. On Tuesday, Poole Town struck in the first half to win 1-0 at Stratford Town and move six points clear at the top of the table while fourth placed Leamington, trailing after fourteen minutes, converted a penalty two minutes before the break to secure a 1-1 draw at Kettering Town who lost their play-off berth when Hungerford Town scored in the ninth minute of time added on to win 1-0 at Kings Lynn Town. Merthyr Town scored twenty minutes before the end to win 1-0 at Bideford and confine their hosts to relegation while Paulton Rovers face the same prospect despite recovering from going a goal down to defeat visiting Cambridge City 2-1.

Division One Central Monday 11th April Leaders Egham Town, two up three minutes before the interval, had to settle for a 2-2 home draw when Fleet Town scored in the third minute of time added on at the end of both halves while third placed Royston Town enhanced their title hopes when they struck twice in each half to record a comfortable 4-1 home success over potters Bar Town and AFC Rushden & Diamonds scored three times in the first half to set up a 4-0 home win against Barton Rovers which moved them up into fourth place.

United Counties League Premier Division (25/April/2011)

ST NEOTS TOWN

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St Neots capped the best ever season in their history with the UCL Championship and almost certain promotion to Step Four next season – and all with one match to spare.

Their visitors for this pivotal match in their history were the old enemy from nearby St Ives and despite the final score line they did themselves proud pushing home side to the limit. St Ives have a great record against St Neots with three wins and three draws in their last eight meetings with all the respective victories decided by a single goal but there was only going to be one winner in this match once St Neots had their noses in front.

Roared on by a massive 800+ shirt sleeved crowd this was a memorable encounter and recorded for posterity on video.

Club skipper Glen Fuff replaced Ian Gayle in an otherwise unchanged line up as St Neots progressed to within two points of the all-time UCL record set in 1994 by Rothwell Town. With only one league defeat in 39 outings this will be a season to remember. St Neots began well dominating the opening phase. Dan Jacob won the ball to set up Stefan Moore whose shot was the wrong side of a post and then Niall Conroy Owen saved well from a speculative 35 yards shot from Dominic Green. After ten minutes the early nerves

ST IVES TOWN

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were settled as Dominic Green swapped flanks to cut in from the left and collect a superbly weighted pass from Stefan Moore to crash the ball into the roof of the net. A close range shot from Moore rebounded from the keeper’s chest and onto a post before being retrieved and a Dan Jacob cross beat the back peddling Conroy Owen but rebounded off the far post. St Ives responded with Scott Fielding shooting weakly at goal after good work by Matt Bannister and then Luke McShane comfortable saved a cross from Tom McGowan.

St Neots then seemed to lose momentum with too many long passes forward snapped up by the visiting defence although in one double attack Conroy Owen blocked shots with his legs from both Stefan Moore and Dominic Green. The game needed another goal and it came two minutes before the break when Green floated a free kick to the far post and with the defence opened up Will Fordham was able to walk the ball into the goal from close range to put one over on his former side.

The first twenty minutes of the second half really settled to outcome of this match. St Neots really produced their best form and were rewarded with two further goals. Junior Kanudu came on to replace Gavin Strachan and with his first clever touch he found Dan

Jacob who flicked the ball inside the final defender for Stefan Moore to pause and commit the keeper before slotting the ball into the net after an hour.

Four minutes later there was no way back for St Ives as Shane Tolley and Dan Jacob combined to set up Dominic Green for his second goal of the match.

St Neots sent on two further substitutes but St Ives were still not giving up and five minutes from time the hard working Scott Fielding gave them a well-deserved consolation goal with a volley that left Like McShane helpless. Conroy Own then saved well from Moore and denied Green his hat trick with best save of the match.

Ecstatic scenes and fireworks greeted the final whistle as League Vice Chairman George Whiting presented the medals and trophy.

St Neots: McShane, Moore (D), Hyem, Webb, Fuff, Fordham, Green, Strachan, Moore (S), Tolley, Jacob.

Subs: Kanudu (for Strachan 59 mins), Hilliard (for Webb 70 mins), Scully (for Tolley 70 mins), Gent and Davies.

Man of the Match: Will Fordham John Walker

ST NEOTS TOWN 1 CAMBRIDGE CITY 1 Southern League Premier Division / 02.04.2016 / Attendance: 351 / Referee: Alistair Wilson (Boston)

Points shared in derby game that could have gone either way Beaten only once in their last seven games a fourth consecutive draw afforded St Neots another important point towards retaining their Premier Division status next season.

Elsewhere Histon was beaten at Bedworth and Paulton drew at home with Dorchester so one more win by St Neots from their last three matches looks to be sufficient to ensure survival.

A match that was competitive throughout saw both sides spurn chances in the final ten minutes to snatch all three points but a draw was a fair result. St Neots have never beaten Cambridge at the Premier Plus Stadium in five attempts and this was their first draw other than the Red Insure Cup tie earlier this season when Cambridge went through on a penalty shoot-out.

St Neots made just one team change with fit again Josh Dawkin coming back from injury to face his former Club with Dan Schiavi relegated to the bench. St Neots looked full of confidence from the start. In their first attack Dawkin lifted a cross into the visitors’ penalty area and arriving late Drew Roberts shot narrowly wide but Cambridge hit back with an Adam Murray header from a Kaan Fehmi free kick forcing an important save from Alex Archer. However, St Neots were enjoying the best of the exchanges and after 14 minutes they forged ahead as Lee

Clarke crossed from the left and the ball deflected off a defender to Drew Roberts who claimed his third goal in four matches with a perfectly placed volley. It was no less than they deserved and just sixty seconds later with visiting keeper Zac Barrett off his line Dawkin was unfortunate to see his net bound shot blocked. From a Fehmi cross James Hall brought a good save from Archer but St Neots continued to prosper and Peter Clark fired narrowly over the bar after good work by Roberts and Remy Gordon. Clarke then tested Barrett but the visitors should have capitalized from a St Neots defensive slip eight minutes before the break. Tom Ward under hit a back pass which freed up Buster Harradine and he cleverly rounded the advancing Archer but lost control and could only fire into the side netting. The half ended with Hall shooting wildly over the bar as Cambridge tried to level the scores.

After Barrett had saved well from a narrow-angled finish by Gordon it was the visiting side that started the second half better. Ieuan Lewis shot across the face of goal when he had support square of him and then Brett Longden had to clear off the line from Hall. In an attempt to up the pressure still further Cambridge sent on their two remaining substitutes with more than half an hour to play and now St Neots had to defend

with skipper Adam Tann in good form in front of the back four. The match became very competitive with both sides looking to take advantage of a break from defence but on the hour it was Cambridge who benefitted from their more positive approach as Lee Clarke was judged to have fouled Danny Kelly just inside the penalty area and from the resultant penalty award James Hall made no mistake with the perfectly placed kick to level the scores.

Four minutes later Neots had a good shout for a penalty of their own as Peter Clark was hauled back but the Referee judged the offence outside the area and booked Harry Norman but the free kick was wasted. Cambridge substitute Charlie Woolf was played clear but Archer stuck out a hand to deflect his shot and then from a Longden throw Lee Clarke had the ball in the net but was ruled fractionally offside.

The last ten minutes saw further chances at either end. Zac Barrett saved brilliantly from a Roberts close range effort and Lee Clarke missed a golden opportunity for St Neots firing the rebound over the bar whilst for the visitors’ Joel Norris was denied by a full length one handed save by Archer.Then, in added time Hall was set up by a slick visitors’ attack but he shot high over the bar and the points were shared.

St Neots Town Archer, Casey, Longden, Tann, Ward, Burns, Dawkin, Clark (P), Clarke (L), Roberts, Gordon Subs: Brown (J) (for Dawkin 65), Schiavi (for Gordon 87), Coulson, Mazeo-Kelly and Jeckells Cards: None Goals: Roberts (14 mins)

MERTHYR TOWN 1 ST NEOTS TOWN 1 Southern League Premier Division / 09.04.2016 / Attendance: 551 / Referee: Stephen Oakley (Cheltenham)

Saints extend unbeaten run in Wales St Neots contrived to turn adversity into success as they returned from Wales with a vital point that ensures them of their Premier Division status next season.

That is of course providing the most unlikely occurrence that Bideford manage to win their remaining four matches with a goal difference of plus 35 and that St Neots lose their two final matches. The adversity came immediately before kick for with five minutes to go two key St Neots players, Drew Roberts and Brett Longden had not arrived at the ground having been held up for around two hours by an accident that had closed the M4. However, they made it onto the pitch without a warm up and within 20 minutes Longden celebrating his 50th start for St Neots by being the architect of the vital equalizing goal.

Manager Andy Davies shuffled his squad handing Jordan Brown his third start and bringing in Dan Schiavi with Danny Burns and Josh Dawkin left on the bench.

The result gave St Neots their FIFTH consecutive draw – a record not equaled since their return to senior football in 1995.

Parading the Red Insure Cup that they had won in midweek, Merthyr attracted a large crowd and they began well with a ninth minute attack that saw visiting skipper Adam Tann produce a last ditch

clearance from an inswinging free kick by Jon Brown. The danger was not cleared and the ball ran loose to Ashley Evans whose shot through a crowd of players was blocked by a reflex save by Alex Archer. However, Merthyr were now dominating and four minutes later Kayne McLaggon cut out a thinly disguised midfield pass and advanced on goal with pace performing a clever step over to outwit a defender and send a low shot beyond the reach of Archer.

Rhys Baggridge then headed over from a corner but after 20 minutes St Neots levelled as a looping cross from Brett Longden caused panic in the home defence with defender and goalkeeper uncertain who should clear and James Bloom tuned the ball into his own net for only St Neots second league own goal in their favour this season. Archer then produced an outstanding full length save to deny the lively McLaggon and the same played chipped over the bar from a corner whilst St Neots best attacks seemed to be halted by the offside flag. On the stroke of half time home substitute Ian Traylor on for the limping Corey Jenkins stabbed

the ball wide when scoring looked easier. If Merthyr had the better of the first 45 minutes the second half was a totally different story. St Neots with Lee Clarke prompting intelligently from midfield, began to create chances and Peter Clark was only just wide of goal from a Longden free kick. Drew Roberts had a net bound shot blocked by Jarrad Wright and Jordan Brown sent a shot narrowly over the bar.

The introduction of substitute Josh Dawkin for Schiavi after 63 minutes saw St Neots consolidate although Merthyr looked dangerous on the break with McLaggon just failing to reach a cross in front of an empty net and Reffell bursting through to force the save of the match from Archer after 73 minutes before Traylor picked up the rebound to fire wide.

St Neots though were holding their own and Remy Gordon beat his marker to pull the ball back into the path of Roberts who fierce shot was blocked with fifteen minutes remaining. St Neots then sent on two more substitutes clearly looking for a late winner but the only late chance fell to the home side when substitute Chris Hugh chased a long through ball but Archer was quickly off his line to smother at his feet.

A well contested match ended in rather disappointing style when Referee Stephen Oakley who had controlled it well decided in added time to flash three yellow cards for offences that were not significant.

St Neots Town Archer, Casey, Longden, Clarke (L), Ward, Tann, Brown (Jordan), Clark (P), Schiavi, Roberts, Gordon Subs: Dawkin (for Schiavi 63), Ofosu (for Brown 81), Coulson (for Clarke (L), Burns and Jeckells.

Cards: Longden (Y – 90+1), Gordon (Y – 90+3) Goals: Bloom o.g. (20 mins)

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11 – 11.15am: Snack Break 11.15am – 1.15pm: Multisports 1.15pm – 2pm: Lunch

9 – 11.00am: Multisports/Minecraft/Fifa 16

8.45am: Drop off and Register

Schedule:

SUMMER HALF TERM MULTI-SPORT

HOLIDAY CLUB

AT ST NEOTS TOWN FC

ONLY £12 PER DAY (£6 FOR SIBLINGS)

Your Child Will Need:

Packed Lunch (Plenty of Drink) Appropriate Clothing and Sports Footwear

Personal Medication (Inhalers etc) Sun Block

3.45pm – 4pm: Pick Up

Coaches are qualified and CRB/DBS Checked

2pm – 3.45pm: Multisports/Minecraft/Fifa 16

ST NEOTS TOWN FC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

Football and Education Programme in partnership with Longsands and Ernulf Academies open to to all post 16 year old boys and girls based at St Neots FC. To register your interest email: info@stneotslearningandsportsacademy.co.uk

Please post together with payment to St Neots Town FC, Kester Way, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 6SN or call 01480 279900 to reserve your place. Please make cheques payable to St Neots Learning & Sports Academy. or email info@stneotslearningandsportsacademy.co.uk

31st May 1st June 2nd June

I would like my child to attend (please circle)

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Allergies or Health Issues ………………………………..

CHAIRMANS’ VIEWS I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Chesham United, it’s officials, players and supporters.

I’m writing these notes before the Merthyr game due to the fact that for some reason my kids break up a week later than those in most other counties which means I’m off somewhere freezing, busy entertaining a nine, seven and five year old while at the same time trying not to argue with my darling wife about such trivial matters, for example, why won’t she let me barbeque the dog. Not that I particularly mind bringing the

dog on holiday with us it’s just the fact that 3 young children don’t divide two adults so TOMbyMEECHAN why not make life even more unmanageable by adding a Rottweiler into the mix.

The supporters match was great fun although I do have to say that it surprises me one or two who played are not, shall we say, regulars so to them I’d extend a warm welcome and ask that they come and watch a first team game some time soon. Job done if this happens because it wasn’t just about a big thank you it was also about a big hello. If they don’t make the effort as we (us collectively) RYAN HAWKINS

have I’d feel slightly irritated and no Connor this is not aimed solely at you.

We will be expanding our Football and Multi-sports Holiday clubs to include other sites. This helps us get into the community, get seen and allow us to interact with far more kids than we would otherwise be able to if we remain based solely here at the Premier Plus stadium.

Today we are running a Grassroots invitation day. The idea again is to make more people aware of who we are and what we are like. Our long term objective is to offer the same support we give to St Neots Town Youth and Saints to all Grassroots football clubs and to also offer senior clubs within our area the same support we already offer Paxton Utd. If anyone needs more information regarding this statement then please contact us by email enquiries@stneotstownfc.co.uk Hopefully by the time this goes out we will be safe and can start to relax a little bit more and look forward to a productive out of season and pre-season. The new Committee is taking shape with all those that have been asked to date saying a very positive yes. It not about just meeting up for a chat, it’s about ideas and sharing the work load but only to a degree that the individual is comfortable with.

We are a million miles away from where we were five years ago and with an ever expanding portfolio of new initiatives it’s important that we as a collective all have a say because we all

have a role to play.

Some of you would have noticed a game on the astro during the Camb City match, this was (as mentioned previous) Paxton United playing a league fixture. This is the first step towards expanding beyond our own boundaries so that we can work with like minded clubs and both benefit from the experience. We also have a partnership with Eynesbury Rovers who we hope will come on board with a joint scholarship programme however I still fear some hold reservations but I’d like to go on record and state quite clearly that it’s not us.

We will be talking to all clubs that play within St Neots and the surrounding villages about scholarship opportunities so watch this space Right let’s get on with the game.

I hope the weather is good at the Premier Plus Stadium and that the game is a good game to watch and Connor if you’re not here watching and supporting your home club...................... well that would be disappointing after all playing in a supporters match does by definition mean you’re supposed to be a supporter...right?

Finally a huge thank you to all our fantastic supporters on what has been a pretty strange year. I really appreciate your words of encouragement and ongoing words of support. And to all those who have lent me an ear.......great to know I have you to help.

Thank you Lee

SEASON TICKET APPLICATION FORM 2016-2017 Season Name……………………………………………………………………………………………

Address………………………………………………………………………………………..

E-Mail Address……………………………………………………………………………..

Contact Telephone No…………………………………………………………………..

Membership No……………………………………………………………………………

Type of Season Ticket (please circle the season ticket you require and payment method) Adult £170.00

Concession £99.00 (DOB proof required) Applied for and paid for before the first pre-season friendly 2016 (TBC) and Concessions are ladies and Gents 60+ and students with ID Payment method---Collect and pay---By Post with payment included----By post and then by credit card NB. Season Tickets are applicable to League Fixtures only. Two pass port size pictures must be submitted (for new season ticket applications) with the application form. Request the form via e-mail or call 01480 470012 or download from the website and social media. The club will call you to arrange a time best suited to collect and pay for your season ticket. If paying by chq and you want to post please make sure you include a photo copy of your DOB if applicable together with the application form and two passport size picture. Payment can be made over the phone so please indicate this when sending you application form in and we will call you to arrange payment before issuing your Season Ticket All current season Ticket holders please return your current season ticket upon application St Neots Town FC Season Ticket Rowley Park Kester Way St Neots PE19 6SN

Gregory Suite Suitable For Wedding venues / receptions & evening party's Conference and business meeting facilities Party Celebrations young and old Large funeral wakes (free room Hire) Event hire Trade & Craft Fares etc Fitness classes Music events Presentation events Stage productions Baby Classes Details Private and separate from the football - holds up to 250 people(120 seated) A large impressive bar serving a vast range of beers, ciders, wines & soft drinks We cater for all food requirements including Buffet menu's, Sit down Meals, Hog Roasts, Barbeques, Traditional Fish and Chips Stage area for bands, disco, and productions A large roomy dance floor perfect for any wedding reception Comfy dining furniture configured to suit requirements This party venue can be dressed / decorated to suit the celebration Friendly and experienced St Neots staff Door staff if required Plenty of parking Very adaptable...

How Much Gregory Function Suite Day Hire Hourly rate - £30 Evening Parties £350 Day/Evening Weddings £500 Food and beverage POA All our facilities are wheel chair accessible.

We do have a large projector in the Gregory Suite that can be used for corporate events Call 01480 470012 or email stneotstownfunctions@stneotstownfc.co.uk

Reedmans Suite

Suitable For Smaller Wedding venues / receptions & evening party's Smaller Conference and business meeting facilities Party Celebrations young and old funeral wakes (free room Hire) Event hire Trade & Craft Fares etc Fitness classes Music events Presentation events Baby Classes Details Private and separate from the football - holds up to 80 people A modern bar serving a vast range of beers, ciders, wines & soft drinks We cater for all food requirements including Buffet menu's, Sit down Meals, Hog Roasts, Barbeques, Traditional Fish and Chips Disco area Small dance floor perfect for any party or small wedding reception Comfy dining furniture configured to suit requirements This party venue can be dressed / decorated to suit the celebration Friendly and experienced St Neots staff Door staff if required Plenty of parking Very adaptable...

How Much Reedmans Function Suite Day Hire Hourly rate - ÂŁ25 Evening Parties ÂŁ150 Day/Evening Weddings POA Food and beverage POA All our facilities are wheel chair accessible.

We do have a two large TV's and remote projector in the Reedmans Suite that can be used for corporate events Call 01480 470012 or email stneotstownfunctions@stneotstownfc.co.uk

THE National League South title race took an excruciating twist last Wednesday afternoon – and perhaps this could be a watershed movement for football administration.

Essentially, with a few weeks to go, the division may now be won by a club who doesn’t deserve it. Sutton United, possibly the country’s form team, were still glowing after their ten lionhearts won at Maidstone United despite playing a man short for over an hour on Tuesday evening.

It was their 22nd league match in a row undefeated and they’ve since won twice more. Not only that, but the slow starters were all of a sudden new favourites – from nowhere – to win the league. Hours later arrived the blow that could well and truly suck the wind from their sails.

In all likelihood, with 20 days left, it has changed everything.

Their crime? Introducing Jamie Slabber with less than 20 minutes to go when the side were 3-0 up against St Albans City.

The allegation? The form filed when he completed a loan move from Hemel Hempstead wasn’t as it should be. The clubs agreed to the move, Hemel hadn’t complained of wrong doing, but a piece of paper not

arriving somewhere when they were convinced it had may just see a whole club’s season unravel in front of them.

game going seems to be dying out, the younger generation not so keen to get their hands dirty at their clubs.

We’ve seen it all before of course, but infrequently does it come to light so late into the season. Rarely does it matter this much.

We’ve got another problem too, and this could be linked. More and more secretaries seem to be falling foul of paperwork issues and it is costing clubs points as well as the hard workers lost sleep.

A month to the day since Slabber took to the field in the dead-rubber last quarter of the game, Sutton’s behind-thescene team had to pluck up the courage to explain to manager Paul Doswell, just minutes after the heart-racing 2-1 victory at the Gallagher Stadium on Tuesday night, that something was wrong. He took the news well, considering. “We’re not admitting the charge,” he said, “and we will request a personal hearing”.

Game face on, he adds that a possible three-point hit really doesn’t matter, as they had to win all their remaining matches regardless. The spirited response was a crowd pleaser, but quietly he will be steaming and dreading another stomachchurning summer should they lose the points, fall just short and have to endure another play-off disaster.

We’ve got a bit of a problem in Non-League football. The famed volunteer army which keeps the

We ask how difficult it would be to implement a match-day system, in the form of a mobile phone or tablet app or an easyto-build computer download.

In addition to exchanging the dated team sheet, you can tick a box on the device. If the player’s name comes up green, he’s good to go. If it’s red, any issues are highlighted. If he is not there at all, you know paperwork has not been received.

There’s a cost involved, but there’s also hundreds of thousands of pounds at stake should such a minor discrepancy spoil an entire season.

The two teams meet today.

And what a prospect that is.

Sam Elliott Follow us on twitter: @NonLeaguePaper @SteveConey_NLP

5 35 8 14 2 3 6 11 13 25 4 12 10 20 13 14 26 1 1 3 36 29 1 20

5

1 1 1 3

2 4

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1 1 3 12 16 4 6 2 5 30 4 6 28 1 21 1 13

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4

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8 4 8 5 3

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Details correct up to and including Saturday 9th April

1

RED

GOALS

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APPS

GOALS

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3

1 2

TOTAL

8 5

7

1 4 2 1

9 5

1 1

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1 2

CUP GOALS

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Akinyemi Dipo (L) Anton Jamie Archer Alex Blackett Shane Burton Ben Brown Jordan (L) Burns Danny (L) Casey George (L) Clark Peter Clarke Lee Coulson Charlie Dawkin Josh Frater Ryan Galliford Isaac (L) Gordon Remy Hall Connor Hawkins Ryan Heywood Jordan Hobbs Dan Horne Ryan (L) Jackson Ben (L) Lewis Dan Lewis CJ Longden Brett Mazeo-Kelly Harley Meechan Tom Muya Junior Mitchel-King Matt Nurettin Erhan Ofosu Claudio Roberts Drew Schiavi Dan Smyth Matthew (L) Tann Adam Vieira Luis Ward Tom Wilton Andy Wilkinson Jack

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APPS

LEAGUE

YELLOW

ST NEOTS TOWN FIRST TEAM St Neots Town First Team Player Stats 2015/16 PLAYER STATS 2015/16

1

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1

1

15

2

3

1

8

1

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Goalkeepers Alex Archer Evan Jeckells Defenders Brett Longden Adam Tann (Captain) Tom Ward George Casey Jordan Heywood Danny Burns Midfielders Charlie Coulson Peter Clark Josh Dawkin Dan Schiavi Dan Hobbs Harley Mazeo-Kelly

Line Up From: Shane Gore Ashley Smith Toby Little Curtis Ujah George Fenton Nick Beasant Dave Pearce Matt Taylor Stephan Hamilton-Forbes Ryan Blake Bruce Wilson Adam Martin Kelvin Bossman Sam Youngs Ashley Morrissey Joe Gater

Forwards Lee Clarke Drew Roberts Ryan Hawkins Remi Gordon

Barry Hayles

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The match line up will be displayed on the electronic scoreboard Referee: Ellis Clark Assistant 1: Martyn Gospel Assistant 2: David Jarrett 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.