Season 2024/25 - Issue Six - Downham Town (FAV)

Official Digital Matchday Magazine Season 2024/25

Matchball Sponsor Priory Parkside U11 Yellows

ISUZU FA VASE SECOND ROUND QUALIFYING

Affiliated to the Huntingdonshire Football Association

St Neots Town F.C. Established Established 1879 1879

First Team President - John Walker

Board of Directors CEO - Louise Sales Chairman - Barry Cavilla Secretary / Director - Gary Wilson Commercial Director - Mark Gearing Director of Football - Iain Parr Director - Jez Green Director - Mike Green Board Member - Brian Barnes Board Member - Andy Clay Board Member - Daniel Dodson

Saints Match Day Team Fixture Secretary - Marion Izzard Hospitality - Andy and Evelyn Clay, Paula Robertson Stadium Announcer - Mike Green Music - Charlie Green Catering - Diane Sales

Media Press Officer - Mike Green Match Reports - John Walker Social Media - Mike Green, Grayham Bonfield, Charlie Green

Manager - Cameron Mawer Assistant Manager - Steve Kuhne Coach - Alex Minall GK Coach - Gary Dean Physio - Craig Lambert Kit Man - Mick Hunt U18Manager - Mark Pleasants Assistant - Tyla Joseph

Academy Manager - Alex Minall Club Welfare Officer - Mick Hunt Academy enquiries - Alexsntfcacademy@gmail.com

Club Information Address: Rowley Park, Kester Way, St Neots, Cambs., PE19 6SL Website - www.stneotstownfc.co.uk Enquires - enquires@stneotstownfc.co.uk Commercial Enquiries - mehmetmi@hotmail.com Events - misslouises@yahoo.co.uk

Ground Staff Pitch maintenance - Barry Oakley , Barry Cavilla, Bob Carpenter

Ownership: In accordance with the football association league rule 2.13 publication of ownership in relation to step 1-4 within the football pyramid, we hereby confirm the legal status of St Neots Town Football Club Identification Number 02921210, and is a Private Limited Company.

For the purposes of publication of ownership we can confirm that the following are listed as Directors of the Company: Lee Kearns (Significant interest 70%) , Iain Parr, Louise Sales, Gary Wilson, Mehmet Mimoglu and as Non Executive Directors Mike Green, Jeremy Green, and Barry Cavilla.

Company Secretary Gary Wilson

Greenie’s Greetings With Director Mike Green "Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium for today‘s Isuzu FA Vase Second Round Qualifying Round match. In this edition, we extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Downham Town Football Club and we hope you enjoy our hospitality this afternoon on your first ever visit to Rowley Park”.

Here we go then ladies and gents, the road to Wembley continues here this afternoon with a home game after a run of tricky away games which began with the Emirates FA Cup Replay at Barking which we somehow contrived to lose in extra time and this was followed just four days later by a trip to Newark Town in the UCL League KO Cup. Three goals to the good and seemingly coasting, we capitulated in the second half to ship five goals and disappointingly exit the competition at the Preliminary round stage for the second year running. Saturday saw us return to League action (just our fifth game played) and we headed to Leicester Nirvana, who had previously been beaten just once this season. This time it was our turn to spin the game on it’s head, finding ourselves 2-0 down at the break and scoring three times in the second half to take the points, winning by the odd goal in five. Tuesday evening saw us make the relatively short trip to March Town United, always a tricky place to go and play and so this proved to be the case as we came away on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline. Not the ideal preparation for today but we dust ourselves down and mpove forward.

Back to today’s game and we entertain Downham Town from the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division. They currently sit mid table and I’m sure we will have to be back at our absolute best to progress this afternoon As always, get behind the lads from the first whistle.

BE LOUD, BE PROUD, BE A SAINT

Greenie

Saints Social Media Sponsor We are delighted to have ADP Fire and Security as our Media Sponsors for the 2023/24 Season

Boardroom Gossip From The Dugout With Chairman BarryCameron Cavilla With Manager Mawer " ’d like to give everyone associated to Downham Town a warm welcome to the Premier Plus Stadium. Downham are a side in form winning 4 on the spin scoring 11 goals in that time and beating the current league leaders of their league. The FA Vase brings excitement as we are all playing for a place at Wembley further down the line. We have seen rivals Newport Pagnell do it a few years ago, this gives everyone hope that it’s a competition they can progress in“.

It’s been two and a half weeks since I last wrote my program notes and since then we have had four tough away games starting with the replay away in Barking on a Tuesday night and after missing a last minute penalty we ended up losing in extra time, then we traveled to Newark another tough UCL north side and after being 3-0 up we lost a grip of the game and ended up losing 5-3. We had better luck in Leicester after a long trip down we found ourselves 2-0 down, but we showed great fighting spirit to win the game 3-2. On Tuesday we made the trip to March Town and lost 3-1 including a very dubious goal. It’s been a tough period but we had tough times last season and this team will bounce back stronger and I have no doubt they will again.

It’s going to be a long season with plenty of ups and downs. It’s hard to work out the true reflection of the league table and where everyone sits with so many differences in games played. But now it’s the time for us as a side to get our head down and go and fight for every point available as we continue a tough period of games as they come thick and fast.

Saturday will be twenty one days since we played at home and there’s no place like home, so we look forward to seeing and hearing you Saturday.

#inittogether

Cam

Saints

First Team Shirt Sponsor

Boardroom Gossip Boardroom Gossip With Chairman Barry Cavilla With Chairman Barry Cavilla “ Good afternoon and welcome everyone. Today we are playing in the FA Vase for a place in the next round of a trophy that many teams would like to progress as far as possible and maybe,just maybe with consistency good performances and a bit of that old Lady Luck get the Hallowed Turf of Wembley. I would like to welcome all the Players ,Officals and Supporters of our visitors this afternoon Downham Town FC”.

Downham have had a reasonable start to their season and sit in mid table but have recently shown some fine form, so Cameron and the lads will need to be at their very best if they are looking to progress further and be in the hat for next round.

Well it’s been an interesting few weeks since last communicating with you all. Several Away fixture on the run has given mixed fortunes to date. Our away trip to Newark proved to be a real jeckle & Hyde performance, after being 3-0 to the good after 60 mins ,we then let the lead slip away after all the hard work and run out second ; proving a very frustrating afternoon in Nottinghamshire for all. However after a weeks break and a bit of hard work on the training ground ,the Saints travelled to Leicester Nirvana last Saturday and after a difficult first half against a very strong wind and a direct approach from Leicester, the Saints found themselves 2-0 behind at half time. After the restart the Saints came out in a real positive fashion and took the game to our hosts and came away with a excellent 3-2 victory and 3 valuable points to keep us in touch with the leading pack.

Tuesday saw us travell to the much fancied March town :after a bright start and March taking early lead , Harvey Williams hit a stunner to get us back on level terms only for March to regain lead before half time and getting behind our defence for a easy tap in to go in 2-1 to the good . Unfortunately the Saints could not get in to any rhythm and March started to control the game and added a 3rd goal to seal the victory and left the Saints wondering. Now it’s time to regroup and dust ourselves down and start to get some clean sheets and build on . So hopefully the Lads can get back to their old selves and find that form that will give them confidence to push onwards and upwards together.

Barry

Saints Partners Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

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 pathways and to continue to engage and support the Community and local businesses.

Today’s match ball sponsor is the U11 Yellows from Priory Parkside FC, who are also our mascots for today’s fixture.

The U11 Yellow team are one of 20 teams within Priory Parkside FC, including 5 all girls teams. The club also offers Mini Soccer (Reception to Year 4), Wildcats (5-11 years) and Squad (11-14 years), as well as our popular Pumas group (516 years) for young people with additional needs.

To find out more about joining one of our sessions, being part of a team or volunteering with us, please email prioryfcsecretary@gmail.com

Saints Partners Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

Suite Hire Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/facility-hire to find out more......

THE REEDMANS SUITE HOLDS UP TO 80 PEOPLE AND IS PERFECT FOR SMALLER WEDDING RECEPTIONS AND PARTIES Suitable For: Smaller wedding venues / receptions & evening parties Smaller conference and business meeting facilities Party Celebrations young and old Funeral wakes Event hire Music events Presentation events A modern bar serving a vast range of beers, ciders, wines & soft drink We cater for all food requirements including Buffet menu’s, Hog Roasts, Barbeques, 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 Plenty of parking Very adaptable All our facilities are wheel chair accessible

For all enquiries and quotations please contact Louise on misslouises@yahoo.co.uk or call 07753222683 THE GREGORY SUITE HOLDS UP TO 200 PEOPLE AND IS PERFECT FOR WEDDINGS AND LARGE FUNCTIONS. FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED Suitable For: Wedding venues / receptions & evening parties Conference and business meeting facilities Party Celebrations young and old Large funeral wakes Event hire Trade & Craft Fares etc Music events Presentation events A large, impressive bar serving a vast range of beers, ciders, wines & soft drinks We cater for all food requirements including Buffet menu’s, Hog Roasts, Barbeques.

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 Plenty of parking All our facilities are wheel chair accessible We do have a large projector in the Gregory Suite that can be used for corporate events.

UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE Boardroom Gossip With Chairman Barry CavillaDIVISION SOUTH PREMIER

Player Sponsorship Season 2024/25 CAMERON MAWER

STEVE KUHNE

ALEX MINALL

John Walker (President)

CRAIG LAMBERT

St Neots Town Reserves Old Boys

CHARLIE BOWEN

Saints Ambassadors

GARY DEAN

Barry Cavilla and Paula Robertson

MICK HUNT

JAMES GOFF

Jeremy and Daniel Frome

Memorial Makeovers 01480 700840

NATHAN GEORGE

MURPHY CULKIN

DAMMY NICKELS

LIL FRANCISCO

ROBBIE PARKER

MICHAEL AMAESHIKE

SAM WILLIS

DANNY BAULK

CONNOR FURLONG

KIERAN BARNES

Bobby Bolton

Michael’s School of Motoring

RHYS THORPE

JORDAN BROWN

JAMES HATCH

DAN WALKER

PRIORY SAINTS

HARVEY WILLIAMS

SCOTT JOSEPH

6-A-Side

THE SAINTS AMBASSADORS

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP COSTS £75 + vat IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT OUR COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR MARK GEARING ON 07748 986932 OR VIA EMAIL ON MGEARING@ME.COM

BLAST FROM THE PAST

FA Vase Round One – 2/October/2010 ST NEOTS TOWN

11

FELIXSTOWE & WALTON

0

The big news in the week was St Neots’ signing of former Aston Villa striker Stefan Moore from Halesowen Town for a ‘five figure’ transfer fee. Stefan in his first full season in non-league football scored 39 goals for Halesowen winning the Zamaretto Premier League Golden boot for 2009/10 in the process. Within three minutes playing time of his debut for St Neots he had scored, and he added a further three goals to his tally by half time as St Neots led by a record breaking nine goals to nil.

It was inevitable that the tempo would drop after the break but Felixstowe refused to give up despite the score line and to their great credit they restricted St Neots to just two further goals in the second half. A series of substitutions did little to sustain the electric pace of the first half but this was to be St Neots biggest victory in any football since 1968/69 season. Although Moore rightly takes the limelight, he was greatly assisted by an outstanding all round team performance and especially

by Shane Tolley whose second hat trick for the club took his personal tally to thirteen in just eight appearances.

In the most dramatic of starts to a football match the first six minutes of play contained three goals for St Neots and the sad sight of the visiting goalkeeper Liam Jones being stretchered off with a suspected broken ankle. That happed after just seventy seconds in St Neots first attack when the keeper collided heavily with Will Fordham at a corner. It took five minutes for the injured player to be stabilized and removed from the pitch and replacement goalkeeper James Waters came on and within three minutes saw a brilliant lob by Stefan Moore fly over his head and inside the far post. Less than a minute later it was 2-0 as Lewis Hilliard miss hit a shot across the face of goal and Lewis Webb rose to head home and after eleven minutes Shane Tolley celebrated his UCL award as September leading scorer by drifting past two defenders to score with a well placed shot. After 19 minutes a superbly unselfish short pass by Moroe set up Shane Tolley for his second goal and seven minutes later Hilliard was brought down on the edge of the area and Will Fordham’s free kick was too hot for the keeper who got his hands to the ball but could not hold it. Moore then hit a post as St Neots piled on the pressure but his second and St Neots sixth goal was probably the pick of the lot.Fordham was the provider with a delightful short pass to Stefan Moore who accelerated past a statuesque defender and rounded the keeper to tap in from close range.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

When Moore was tripped by Martin Calver in the penalty area it was almost inevitable that he would pick himself up to complete his hat trick as he scored from the penalty kick with a tap in after his first effort had been parried by the unlucky Waters. Two more goals in the three minutes before the break from Lewis Hilliard and Stefam Moore made it 9-0 at the break.

Felixstowe looked far more determined after half time and Adam Hampson had their first real shot of the match after 49 minutes well saved by the previous spectatorial Luke McShane and two minutes later Dan Spencer missed a gilt edged chance with a misdirected header. However St Neots continued to create chances and from a Rob Hughes corner Will Fordham planted a header onto the roof of the net. After 62 minutes it was Fordham again the creator with a shrewd through pass to Shane Tolley whose pace took him past the last defender to send the score into double figures and with Tony Scully and Roy Essendoh on for Lewis Hilliard and Adam Jones new boy Moore was then handed a midfield role. He responded by laying ion the last of the eleven goals for Dan Jacob and that was deserved reward for another impressive performance. Roy Essendoh almost became the seventh scorer for St Neots but his header was cleared off the line by substitute George MacCallum.

St Neots: McShane, Jones, Hyem (M), Webb, Fuff, Fordham, Hilliard, Hughes, Moore, Tolley, Jacob.

Subs: Essendoh (for Jones 59 mins), Scully (for Hilliard 65 mins), French (for Hughes 73 mins) Haniver & Trebes.

Man of the match: Stefan Moore John Walker.

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

The Saints Community Memorial Wall We would like to formally announce that the Saints Community Memorial Wall is now ready and opportunities for Supporters to remember their loved ones, who may have been Saints Supporters themselves, are now available.

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.

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Matchday Sponsorship Opportunities

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Seasons Past - With John Walker This Edition Focuses on Season 2004/05

This is the sixth in a series of historical records, highlighting this time another season at our Rowley Park stadium depicting both the highs and the lows in the recent proud history of the Club. It proved to be another very disappointing season marked by a poor start to the season and an even worse finish! A lack of funds seemed to be the underlying reason for this decline and after his very successful season at the helm in 2003/04 John Taylor stayed just four months before resigning. Former groundsman Ken Davison with little managerial experience to his name was brought in to replace him and he presided over an exit of most of the senior players.Ken resigned in March with just over a month of the season remaining, with Chris Howell returning. The result of the ensuing chaos was that the team lost all seven of their final league matches. Despite playing 52 matches in league and cup no player recorded a hat trick – this for the first time in a season since moving to Rowley Park!

League

UCL Premier Division

Final League position:

14/22

League playing record:

P42 W14 D11 L17

Cup playing record:

P10 W4 D0 L6

For 67 Against 78

pts 53

For 15 Against 24

The poor start to the season saw just three wins in our first eleven matches. Goalscoring was clearly a problem because we failed to score in six of our 21 home league games and a further four away.

Despite seven of our ten cup matches being at home the senior side failed to win a trophy although we were runners up to Potton United in the Hinchingbrooke Cup with the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup home defeat by Peterborough League side Hotpoint a notable low point.

The Reserve side lifted the Huntingdonshire Benevolent Cup for the seventh time defeating Godmanchester Reserves 3-0 after extra time.

Our leading scorers were as follows: ·Liam Harrold 11 ·Barry Dellar 8 ·Simon Claridge 7 ·Ronnie fortune 6 ·Ozzie Foster 5 ·Peter Saunders 5

Chris Howell dragged the side through its final matches before resigning

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

John Walker's Match Preview Downham Town FC

Year formed: 1881 Chairman: Dale Stokes Club Website: www.downhamtownfc.com GOOD ARTERNOON AND A VERY WARM WELCOME TO THE PREMIER PLUS STADIUM TO DOWNHAM TOWN FOR OUR FIRST EVER MEETING Downham Town are members of the Premier Division of the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League and are currently eleventh in the league table with four wins and two defeats in their six completed matches. They received a bye in the previous round so this is where they enter the FA Vase this season. Last season they finished 7th in the final league table winning half of their 36 league matches and drawing a further seven.

They recorded a particularly memorable end to last season picking up the Norfolk Senior Cup for only the third time in their history when they defeated Stowmarket Town 2-0 in the Final. Our two sides have never met because when we were members of the Eastern Counties League between 1969 and 1973, Downham were playing in the Peterborough and District League winning five league championships between 1962 and 1988.In the FA Cup this season Downham bowed out at the first hurdle beaten at home by Ipswich Wanderers whilst last season they also fell in their first match beaten 1-0 away at Kirkley and Pakefield. However, in the FA Vase last season they capitalised on three successive home draws beating Swaffham, Newmarket and Coggeshall before suffering the same fate as our lads – beaten by eventual runners-up at Wembley, Great Wakering Rovers. In their league Cup competition, they are due to travel to FC Peterborough on 6th November.

Previous meetings of our teams: none

Enjoy the match.

John Walker

St Neots Town Academy Team Sponsors

U7s

U8s

U9s

U10s

Thank You for your ongoing support

U11s

St Neots Town Academy Team Sponsors

U12

U13

U14

U15

Thank You for your ongoing support

U16

John Walker's Match Report BARKING FC (H) 31-08-2024 EMIRATES FA CUP FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING ST NEOTS TOWN

2

BARKING

2

Each side led the other in an entertaining match, but St Neots were left counting the cost of a midweek replay in Essex after squandering a host of second half chances. Fortune also played a part with three second half efforts from the home side rebounding from the woodwork and visiting goalkeeper Max Spence left the town after a memorable display behind his overworked defence. Barking were a determined and resolute opposition but having been outplayed in a one-way second half, they will regard a second chance as a bonus. With Dan Walker cup-tied and Nathan George and Lil Francisco rested, into the side came Harvey Williams, Dammy Nickels and skipper Robert Parker.

St Neots thought they should have been awarded a second minute penalty when Kieran Barnes tumbled in the penalty area in their first attack, but the Referee waved play on. However, in their first foray into the St Neots half after nine minutes the visitors took a surprise lead as lone striker Juwon Akintunde chased a long ball into the penalty area and somehow managed to squeeze the ball past defender and goalkeeper from a narrow angle. St Neots responded with Barnes testing the visiting keeper Max Spence after 15 minutes with a close range shot but just sixty seconds later James Reynolds cut in past two defenders but sent his effort high over the bar. The equaliser came after 24 minutes when the Referee played a good advantage when Michael Amaeshike was brought down. Allowing play to continue, the lively Connor Furlong set Sam Willis through the visiting defence to level the scores with a crisp finish. From a Dammy Nickells corner after 36 minutes, Rhys Thorpe won the ball at the near post only to see his header rebound from the woodwork and then Harvey Williams went clear but shot across the face of goal. On the stroke of half time Thorpe headed narrowly wide from a Williams cross.

John Walker's Match Report BARKING FC (H) 31-08-2024 With Lil Francisco on for Nickels, St Neots took the lead in the second minute after the break when the lively Furlong set up Kieran Barnes for St Neots’ second goal with the visiting keeper looking unsighted. From that point on, St Neots looked likely winners with Spence in constant action denying Barnes and Thorpe. A second St Neots substitute Danny Baulk should have added to the score after a defensive error, but he skied his effort over the bar after 65 minutes. Then, in a rare breakaway attack completely against the run of play, the visitors levelled the scores as Juwon Akintunde wide on the bye line sent his narrow-angled shot off the body of the unfortunate Parker into the net to level the scores. In response the lively Barnes saw two efforts blocked on the goal line and in the next ten minutes both Amaeshike and Barnes saw efforts denied by the woodwork.

Three minutes from time a thunderous free kick by Barnes saw the visiting keeper beaten but the ball rattled the underside of the crossbar and was scrambled clear. So, it is now off to Essex for a midweek replay.

St Neots Town: Goff, Nickels, Culkin, Willis, Parker, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams Subs: Francisco (for Nickels 52 mins), Baulk (for Furlong 55 mins), George, Hatch and Joseph Cards: Nickels (Y – 34 mins) Barking: Spence, Smith, Bacon, Edwards, Cosson, Stacey, Reynolds, Greenslade, Akintunde, McDonald, Badenosi Subs: McDonald (for Reynolds 52 mins), Adejokun (for Greenslade 79 mins), Mignot, Thomson, Jackson, Shobowale, and Monks.

Cards: Bacon (Y – 42 mins), Adejokun (Y – 81 mins), Edwards (Y – 90+6 mins) Attendance: 338 Referee: Andrew Hitchcox (Peterborough)

John Walker

John Walker's Match Report BARKING FC (A) REPLAY 03-09-2024 FA CUP FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING REPLAY BARKING

3

ST NEOTS TOWN

2

(after extra time)

St Neots bowed out of the FA Cup in disappointing style in East London in their midweek replay. They led twice in a see-saw match but were knocked out by an extra time goal when their opponents were reduced to ten men. With Connor Furlong and Harvey Williams both sidelined with injuries sustained in the first match and Kieran Barnes unavailable, St Neots had to make major team changes in attack so into the side came Nathan George, James Hatch and Danny Baulk with skipper Robbie Parker moving into midfield and Michael Amaeshike moving forward into a striking role. In a very competitive encounter, the Referee issued eight yellow cards in addition to the sending-off and St Neots were eventually beaten by a 105th minute extra time goal after they had missed a penalty kick in time added after the first 90 minutes.

Competitive from the start the home side picked up their first booking after just seven minutes when Juwon Akintunde was penalised for preventing James Hatch from kicking from his hand and it was lucky thirteen for the visitors when in that minute Michael Amaeshike converted a James Hatch knock-down from a Dammy Nickels free kick to put St Neots ahead. The home side had adopted a more attacking approach than in the first match and Teddy Stacey headed over from a Sam Edwards free kick and Marcel McDonald broke clear of the visiting defence but fired wildly over the bar. St Neots best chance on the break fell to the lively Sam Willis but he volleyed wide after good work by Danny Baulk. The Referee played a good advantage when Rhys Thorpe was felled in midfield and when the St Neots attack foundered the official booked Ryan Cosson for the late challenge. The first half ended with Amaeshike testing home keeper Max Spence.

The home side dominated possession at the start of the second half but made little progress against a well organised St Neots defence. Goff saved well from Bradley McDonald, but the best efforts of the home side failed to produce any real threat on the visitors’ goal. Then after 72 minutes St Neots’ defence was breached as Ezekial Bademosi punished some defensive hesitancy as he levelled the scores. The visitors’ response was positive and six minutes later James Hatch claimed his first St Neots goal of the season with a close-range finish to put his side back into the lead.

John Walker's Match Report BARKING FC (A) REPLAY 03-09-2024 With the clock ticking down that should have seen St Neots hang onto their narrow advantage but three minutes later the two side were level again as from a Jay Bacon free kick, Teddy Stacey got behind the St Neots defence to level the scores again. A minute into added time St Neots should have clinched victory when Amaeshike was upended by the home keeper, but Thorpe’s poorly struck penalty kick was saved by Spencer. Deep into added time Barking was reduced to ten men when Miles Smith was sent off.

St Neots looked to be weary at the start of the extra time and with Lil Francisco on to replace James Hatch they were searching for some inspiration. The home side with substitutes on looked to have grasped the early momentum and they were rewarded after 104 minutes when one of their replacement players Jalen Johnson produced a burst of speed past tiring defenders to put his side ahead for the first time in the match. St Neots had to rally in the final 15 minutes, but the home side opted to pull players back to defend their narrow advantage. St Neots pushed players forward but failed to test the packed home defence that held out for their reward trip to Gorleston in the next round.

St Neots: Goff, Nickels, Culkin, Parker, George, Bowen, Thorpe, Willis, Hatch, Amaeshike, Baulk Subs: Francisco (for Hatch 96 mins), Joseph (for Baulk 105 mins), Mawer (for Willis 112 mins), and Bomolo.

Cards: Parker (Y – 17 mins), Baulk (Y – 58 mins), Thorpe (Y – 66 mins), Nickels (Y -109 mins), Bowen (Y – 112 mins) Barking: Spence, Smith, Bacon, Edwards, Cosson, Stacey, Badimosi, Greenslade, Akintunde, McDonald (M), McDonald (B) Subs: Cobblah (for Edwards 71 mins), Reynolds (for McDonald (M) 81 mins), Johnson (for Bademosi 83 mins), Malek (for Akintunde 107 mins). Mignot (for McDonald (B) 117 mins) Cards: Smith (RED – 90+5 mins), Akintunde (Y – 7 mins), Cosson (Y – 36 mins), Stacey (Y – 58 mins) Referee: Joe Gray (Tooting) John Walker

John Walker's Match Report NEWARK TOWN (A) 07-09-2024 SPORTS GROUND DEVELOPMENT UCL KO CUP NEWARK TOWN

5

ST NEOTS TOWN

3

St Neots experienced the full range of emotions at Newark – knocked out of the League Cup in the preliminary round for the second successive season. For the first fifty-five minutes their performance was good as they racked up a three goals lead.

However, it all went wrong just four minutes later and for the final thirty-five minutes of the match their overall performance was bad, and they returned home with an ugly 5-3 defeat knocked out of the KO Cup in consecutive seasons by sides from the North Division of the UCL. To lead 3-0 but then to concede five goals in just 35 minutes would be considered inconceivable had it just not happened. Manager Cameron Mawer must now restore some confidence – especially in his defenders, with two important away league fixtures prior to the home FA Vase visit of Downham Town later in the month.

The Manager had made three team changes with Dan Walker returning after being cup tied for the two FA Cup fixtures, Harvey Williams was back after injury and Lil Francisco was preferred at full back with Dammy Nickels, Dan Baulk and James Hatch making way.

It all began very promisingly with St Neots dominating the attacking play and keeping home keeper Josh Wilson in almost constant action. After a quarter of an hour Sam Willis won a corner which Dan Walker sent to the far post where Murphy Culkin got above the defence to nod in via the woodwork for his first goal of the season to put the visitors in control. The home keeper saved well from Walker and Rhys Thorpe whilst in a rare Newark sortie James Goff had to save bravely at the feet of Ryan Smith. The one-way traffic continued as both Walker and Thorpe were too high with their efforts from good approach play and then Wilson did well to rush from his line to save at the feet of Thorpe. Then four minutes into added time at the end of the half St Neots doubled their lead with a goal direct from an inswinging corner delivered by Dan Walker.

John Walker's Match Report NEWARK TOWN (A) 07-09-2024 The second period also began well with St Neots extending their lead after just four minutes when a through ball past a square lying home defence freed Rhys Thorpe and this time with a one-on-one on the keeper he planted the ball into the far corner of the net. With that 3-0 lead it should have been a place in the next round for the visitors’, but much was to follow. Newark mounted their first response to St Neots domination just four minutes after the third St Neots goal when from a corner Luke Anderson was permitted an almost free header to reduce the deficit, and eight minutes later Newark were firmly back in the game when Sean Woolley sent a low free kick around the St Neots defensive wall and in at the far post. St Neots looked stunned, but worse was to follows because after 64 minutes a free kick was headed home by Sam Bartle with the St Neots defenders looking accusingly at each other as the scores were levelled. St Neots needed a positive response to regain some confidence, but it never came as the frustrated Rhys Thorpe was sin-binned after 76 minutes and Newark took the initiative sixty seconds later landing goal number four through Ryan Smith. Ragged St Neots conceded a fifth goal two minutes from time from Sam Wright to bring to an end a miserable afternoon.

St Neots Town: Goff, Francisco, Culkin, Parker, George, Bowen, Walker, Willis, Thorpe, Amaeshike, Williams Subs: Hatch (for Amaeshike 53 mins), Nickels (for Francisco 68 mins), Baulk (for Walker 74 mins), Joseph, and Bomolo.

Cards: Willis (Y – 68 mins), Culkin (Y - 71 mins), George (Y – 90 mins), Thorpe (s/b – 78 mins) Newark Town: Wilson, Tsolakis, Robbins, Anderson, Biggs, Clarke, Hales, Greenfield, Smith, Czerwak, Woolley Subs: Rushen (for Smith 46 mins), Bartle (for Robbins 46 mins), Lewis (for Greenfields 72 mins), Braithwaite (for Woolley 81 mins), John (for Czerwak 90 mins) Cards: none Attendance: 162 Referee: Ryan Calvert

John Walker

John Walker's Match Report LEICESTER NIRVANA (A) 14-09-2024 United Counties League Premier Division South LEICESTER NIRVANA 2

ST NEOTS TOWN

3

Trailing 2-0 at the break, St Neots pulled off a memorable come-back to snatch all three points to stun their hosts. The conditions contributed to the pattern of the match with the brisk wind blowing end-to-end with the visitors facing the elements in the first half. Manager Cameron Mawer disclosed that he had told his players he would be happy for them to go to half time at 0-0 but he had to vary his instructions at the break in order to rescue the deficit, Nirvana have done well so far this season losing just once in their opening seven league matches and they look capable of shocking other visitors this season. St Neots made three team changes bringing Dammy Nickels, Kiran Barnes and Connor Furlong back into the side – the latter after injury -whilst leaving Lil Francico, on the bench.

After a bright start by the visitors with Charkie Bowen forcing a good save from the home keeper following a Kieran Barnes corner it was the home side that made the early running,Zakir Bham and Romady Sandhu brought good saves from James Goff as the visitors struggled with the brisk breeze in their faces, Williams’ pace on the flanks was St Neots most potent weapon but the home side were creating the better chances and Jason John twice went clear but Goff blocked his first finish before seeing his second attempt fly wide. However, after 39 minutes the home side took the lead when from a John corner Ollie Punt drove the ball through a packed defence to open the scoring. Five minutes later with half time beckoning from a Zakir Bham cross, Paybe Chichosz tapped in at the far post to leave the visitors two goals adrift.

St Neots came out after the break determined to exploit the conditions to their advantage. After Dammy Nickels had sent their first effort just over the bar they clambered back into contention with two goals in as many minutes, The revival was sparked as the lively Michael Amaeshike pounced on defensive hesitancy to put his side back in the game after 51 minutes and before the home side had regrouped it was Amaeshike again on target sixty seconds later.

John Walker's Match Report LEICESTER NIRVANA (A) 14-09-2024 The home side tried to rally but with Williams still marauding forward St Neots had the initiative. After having an effort disallowed St Neots had an anxious moment when Goff raced from his area to clear but only succeeded in upending his opponent before escaping with a yellow card after 72 minutes. Two minutes later Amaeshike and Williams combined to set up Rhys Thorpe for what was to prove the winning goal. With a home substitute sin-binned for dissent before he had touched the ball St Neots were able to introduce four late substitutes and see out the match but they had a full length save by Goff four minutes into added time to ensure that the points were secured to lift St Neots up to seventh in the table.

St Neots: Goff, Nickels, Culkin, Willis, Parker, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams Subs: Tavernier (for Furlong 89 mins), Francisco (for Williams 89 mins), Potts-Wallace (for Thorpe 90+3 mins), George (for Barnes 90+3 mins, and Joseph.

Cards: Amaeshike (Y – 44 mins), Goff (Y – 72 mins),

Leicester Nirvana: Williams, Pettet, Sandhu, Punt, Armintunse, King, Bham (Z), Chichosz, Wildbo 24 mins) ne, Bham (M), John Subs: McIntosh (for Sandhu 77mins), Mangandoza (for Wildbone 77 mins) Polli,, Mbye, and Ingram-Wright Cards: Sandhu (Y – 24 mins), Pettet (Y – 54 mins), Mangandoza (S/B 79 mins) Attendance: 60 Referee: Bradley Taylor (Burton on Trent)

John Walker

John Walker's Match Report MARCH TOWN UNITED (A) 17-09-2024 United Counties League Premier Division South MARCH TOWN

3

ST NEOTS TOWN

1

Andre Williams was the one of the stars of the St Neots U18 side in the 2016-2018 seasons scoring 26 goals in 45 appearances and he came back to haunt his peers with a superb 89th minute goal to clinch victory for March Town, as St Neots were pushing hard for a late equaliser. It was a second league defeat for Cameron Mawer’s side this season as they try to catch up a small backlog of league matches.

They had pulled back an early first half goal to level the scores after half an hour, but the Manager will not have been impressed by his sides’ overall performance that saw too few clear chances created. The home defence looked resolute and sure but St Neots lacked a cutting edge with key players Kieran Barnes and Sam Willis unable to make an impact.Manager Mawer elected to go with the side that had recorded the weekend victory at Leicester other than including Nathan George in defence for the unavailable Charlie Bowen.

After a cautious opening by both with no real forward impetus the home side took the lead with the first significant attack of the match after ten minutes when Matt Foy capitalised on a mishit clearance to net from close range. St Neots responded with their first serious attacking moves but Kieran Barnes shot over the bar and Harvey Williams dragged his effort wide of the far post. Then after half an hour the visitors were back in the match when Harvey Williams volleyed an equaliser from a Connor Furlong cross top the far post. However, parity was only maintained for seven minutes and then March regained the lead with a controversial goal. Flo Tsagium looked to be three yards offside when he was played clear on the right but the flag stayed down and his early cross set up Dan Cotton for a tap-in finish.St Neots protests went unheard, and March then squandered another good opening when Jack Withers sent a free header from a corner wide of its target a minute before half time.

The visitors needed to make an early impact after the break but Williams shot over when well placed and Nathan George saw his shot from a Barnes corner blocked by a defender.Robbie Parker was St Neots saviour getting back to clear off the line with his keeper beaten and then the lively Dan Cotton went clear but sent his shot wide.

A series of substitutions by both sides followed but the visitors failed to make a significant impact on the resolute home defence and from a long throw by Danny Emmington, the unmarked Withers headed over the bar.St Neots threw players forward in search of a late equaliser but were hit on the break a minute from time by that late Andre Williams strike that settled the outcome.

John Walker's Match Report MARCH TOWN UNITED (A) 17-09-2024 St Neots Town: Goff, Nickels, Culkin, Willis, Parker, George, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams Subs: Walker (for Williams 73 mins), Baulk (for Nickels 90+1 min), Tavernier, Joseph and Mawer.

Cards: Culkin (Y – 48 mins) March Town: Gill, Green, Brumby, Withers, Emmington, Burrows, Cotton, Tait, Gillies.

Foy, Tsagium Subs: Williams (A) (for Tsagium 62 mins), Saunders (for Burrows), Bucciero (for Brumby), Biggs and Carolan.

Cards: Tsagium (Y – 24 mins, Foy (Y – 78 mins), Attendance: 243 Referee: Ellis Mills

John Walker

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Boardroom Gossip With Chairman Barry Cavilla

PLAYING RECORD DATE

OPPONENTS

COMP

RESULT

ATT:

1

2

3

4

5

30 July

NEWPORT PAGNELL TOWN Real Bedford

UCL PREM FA CUP EPR

2-1 3-2

Goff

Nickels Nickels

Culkin Culkin

0-3 4-0

284 351 184 184

Nickels

Culkin

Willis Willis Willis

Parker Parker Parker

Goff

Nickels

248

Francisco Nickels Francisco

Culkin Nickels Culkin Culkin

WILLIS Parker Willis Willis

Parker George Parker George

Nickels

Culkin

WILLIS

Parker

Nickels Francisco Nickels Nickels

Culkin CULKIN Culkin Culkin

Willis Parker Willis Willis

George George Parker Parker

03 Aug 10 Aug

RUGBY BOROUGH

UCL PREM

13 Aug

Godmanchester Rovers

UCL PREM

17 Aug

EDGEWARE & KINGSBURY FA CUP PR FA VASE 1RQ SHERINGHAM FC UCL PREM Yaxley FC FAC 1RQ BARKING FC

24 Aug 26 Aug 31 Aug 03 Sept 07 Sept 14 Sept 17 Sept

Barking FC Newark Town Leicester Nirvana March Town United

FAC 1RQR UCL KO PR UCL PREM UCL PREM

Goff Goff

4-2 2-2

338

Goff Goff Goff Goff

2-3 aet 3-5 3-2 1-3

93 162 60 243

Goff Goff Goff Goff

3-0 5-0

191 138

SEASON 24/25 6

7

8

9

10

11

S1

S2

S3

S4

S5

Bowen Bowen Bowen George BOWEN Bowen Bowen Bowen Bowen Bowen Bowen

Furlong Furlong Furlong FURLONG Furlong FURLONG FURLONG Furlong Thorpe WALKER

Amaeshike Amaeshike Amaeshike Amaeshike Amaeshike Amaeshike AMAESHIKE Amaeshike Willis Willis

THORPE 2 THORPE Thorpe THORPE Thorpe Thorpe THORPE Thorpe HATCH THORPE

Barnes BARNES Barnes BARNES BARNES 2 BARNES 3 Barnes BARNES AMAESHIKE Amaeshike

Brown Brown Brown Walker Williams Walker Walker Williams Baulk Williams

Baulk Baulk Baulk Brown Brown BAULK WILLIAMS Francisco Francisco Hatch

Williams Williams Williams Baulk Baulk Williams Baulk

Hatch George Hatch Joseph George Joseph

Joseph Joseph Francisco Tavernier Joseph

Joseph Jessup Francisco

Furlong

AMAESHIKE 2

THORPE

Barnes

Williams

Tavernier

Baulk Joseph Nickels Francisco

Potts - Wallace

George

Furlong

Amaeshike

Thorpe

Barnes

WILLIAMS

Walker

Baulk

Baulk George

GCE Hire Fleet Ltd United Counties League Premier Division South

Opponent Spotlight DOWNHAM TOWN FC

The club was established in 1881 and were originally nicknamed the Saints. They initially played in junior leagues in the King's Lynn area, before joining the Peterborough & District League in 1949, when they gained senior status after being elected to the league's Premier Division. In 1961–62 they won the Peterborough Senior Cup, which they retained the following year, also winning the Peterborough & District League title. In 1963–64 they won the Norfolk Senior Cup, winning it again two years later. Further victories in the Peterborough Senior Cup came in 1966–67, 1971– 72 and 1986–87, whilst the league title was won in 1973–74, 1978–79.

Following back-to-back titles in 1986–87 and 1987–88, the club became founding members of the new Division One of the Eastern Counties League in 1988. They remained in the division until 2018, when the league reorganisation saw them placed in Division One North. In 2021–22 the club finished third in Division One North, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. Although they beat Norwich CBS 1–0 in the semi-finals, they lost 3–1 to Harleston Town in the final. The following season saw them finish as runners-up in the division, this time winning the promotion play-offs by beating Whittlesey Athletic 4–1 in the semi-finals and Harwich & Parkeston 4–0 in the final to earn promotion to the Premier Division.

Downham won the Norfolk Senior Cup for a third time in 2023– 24, beating Gorleston 4–2 in the final.

Manager - Cameron Mawer Assistant - Steve Kuhne Coach - Alex Minall GK Coach - Gary Dean Physio - Craig Lambert Kitman - Mick Hunt

Manager - Dales Stokes

Squad List

Squad List

James Goff (GK) Dammy Nickels Nathan George Robbie Parker Murphy Culkin Charlie Bowen Lil Fransisco Michael Amaeshike Sam Willis Kieran Barnes James Hatch Rhys Thorpe Connor Furlong Danny Baulk Scott Joseph Harvey Williams Dan Walker

Carlos Da Rocha Matthew Castellan Nick Castellan Jack Gould Natheniel Jamba Duncan McAnally Jake Miller Harley Murkin Lagshan Sivakumar Artur Visocanskis George Watts-Sturrock Daniel Hobbs Bruno Tavares Jacob White Dylan Edge Eion McQuaid Ben Terry Brody Warren

Colours Light Blue Shirts Dark Blue Shorts Light Blue Socks

Referee Anthonty Leadbitter Assistant Ian Reynolds

Next Home Match....

Bugbrooke St Michaels Saturday 28th September GCE Hire Plant United Counties League Premier Division South

Colours Red Shirts White Shorts Red Socks

I Assistant 2 Robert Walker