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Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to the Premier Plus Stadium for today’s FA Vase fixture against Saffron Walden Town. I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to their players, management team and supporters. We come into today’s game following a busy period of cup football. On Tuesday night, we picked up an excellent 3-1 victory away at Eaton Socon in the Hunts Senior Cup. It was a proper local derby, played on a difficult pitch against a side who are enjoying a fantastic season. These games are never easy, regardless of the level teams are playing at, so I was really pleased with the attitude, application and professionalism the lads showed to get the job done. When I first took over at St Neots, the club had recently suffered a 4-1 defeat against Eaton Socon, despite there being two divisions between the sides at the time. Fast forward to now, and although that gap has reduced to just one division, we’ve managed to win our last four meetings against them. For me, that means something. Local derbies are about pride, standards and bragging rights. I firmly believe St Neots Town are the biggest club in the local area, and that’s something we have to continue demonstrating on the pitch rather than just talking about it. We’ve now maintained those local bragging rights over four consecutive meetings, and that’s something the players and supporters should take pride in. That said, I’ve got nothing but respect for Eaton Socon. They’re flying high, and what their management team and everyone involved at the club are achieving is fantastic. They’re clearly doing a lot of things right, and I genuinely wish them every success for the remainder of the season. But when it comes to local derbies, we want to keep those bragging rights firmly on our side! Prior to that, we suffered a defeat against a very good Skegness Town side in the UCL Cup. Naturally, we’re disappointed to be out of the competition, but sometimes you have to recognise the quality of the opposition and take the positives from the experience. Over those two cup games, we’ve used a mixture of established first-team players and lads from our development group. It’s something we’ve been keen to do, and it’s given us a really good indication of the quality we’ve got coming through and the direction we’re trying to take the football club. There are some talented young players within that group who we genuinely believe have a future at this level, but it’s important we give them time.
There’s a big difference between development football and senior men’s football, and that transition doesn’t happen overnight. They’re going to make mistakes, they’re going to have difficult afternoons, but that’s all part of learning. What matters is that they continue to work hard, listen and improve. For me, developing these players is an important part of building something sustainable at St Neots. Of course, results matter, and they always will at this football club, but we also want to create an environment where younger players can see a genuine opportunity to progress into the first team.
We’ve seen some encouraging signs over the last couple of games, and while there’s still plenty of work ahead, I’m excited about the potential within the group. Our attention now turns to the FA Vase, a competition that I genuinely believe is one of the best in non-league football. It gives clubs at our level the chance to create something special, test themselves against teams from different parts of the country and, of course, dream of that day out at Wembley. The history and tradition of the FA Vase make it a fantastic competition to be involved in. Every season you see clubs go on incredible runs, bringing their communities together and creating memories that players, staff and supporters will never forget. I’ve been fortunate enough to experience success in cup competitions during my coaching career, and there’s nothing quite like those occasions. The excitement, the big games and the feeling around a football club when you’re progressing through the rounds are what make all the hard work worthwhile. But football has a way of bringing you back down to earth very quickly, and you certainly can’t start thinking about Wembley when you’ve got a difficult game in front of you. Saffron Walden will arrive here with exactly the same ambitions as us. They’ll want to progress, they’ll be up for the challenge, and we know we’re going to have to earn the right to get through to the next round. For us, it’s about showing the right attitude, intensity and togetherness. I want us to be competitive, organised and difficult to play against, but most importantly, I want to see a group of players who are willing to work hard and give everything for each other. That’s the minimum expectation whenever you pull on a St Neots Town shirt. Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who continues to get behind the team. Whether that’s travelling away on a Tuesday night or coming down to support us at home, it doesn’t go unnoticed. Your support is massively appreciated, and hopefully we can reward you with another positive performance and take another step forward in the FA Vase. Enjoy the game.
Cameron.
Welcome All for this afternoon’s game at the Premier Plus stadium. We continue with Cup football again this afternoon with our 3rd game in 7 days in this very busy month of football in October for the Saints. Today we welcome all the players ,officials and supporters of Saffron Walden for this important FA Vase 2nd round tie. Our Visitors Saffron Walden play in the Essex Senior League and have started well and sit just outside the top 6 and will be Strong opponents for the Saints this afternoon and will have to be at their very best if the club wants to continue their journey in this national competition and be in the Hat come Monday. It’s been a very mixed week for Cameron and the lads following injuries to someone of the squad and decided to rest several senior players and blood several of the U18s/ Reserve players last Saturdays in the UCL league cup against a physical and direct Skegness side who just edged Saints out in poor weather conditions to progress to the next round. Midweek saw the return of most of the main squad to challenge for the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup and made the short journey to face our local Neighbours Eaton Socon ,for a place in the semi final at stake. Saints had to draw on all their strength and experience to overcome a very good Eaton Socon team and ran out worthy winners 3-1 . So today’s match, Cameron and the lads will hopefully continue their fine form of late and put in a strong performance to get their name in the HAT for Mondays draw. So please join us and get behind the lads today and give them that incredible support that you have been giving them to achieve their goal. Finally we hope on this Halloween day you will make it a really special day and join us for the football and our Octoberfest Event with real ales and live Music after the game in the Gregory suite for all the family to Enjoy. Best Wishes
Barry
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https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/swtfc DETAIL
INFORMATION
Club name
Saffron Walden Town FC
Nickname
The Bloods
Founded
1872
Home ground
Catons Lane (The Meadow), Saffron Walden
Club colours
Red and black
Current league
Essex Senior League
Last 5 Games……… 27/10 vs Romford X-X (HX) 24/10 vs Sporting Bengal Utd 3-0 (HW) 17/10 vs Harwich & Parkeston 0-1 (AW) 14/10 vs Ilford 4-4 (AD) 3/10 vs Hutton 1-4 (AW) 8 Goals so far this season
Jordan Gent Centre Back Ex Saints player
Not including 27/10 vs Romford
SAFFRON WALDEN TOWN AFC (the bloods) Year founded: 1872 Chairman: Jamie Sharp Club Website: www. saffronwaldenfc.com
GOOD AFTERNOON AND A WARM WELCOME TO SAFFRON WALDEN FOR THEIR FIRST EVER VISIT TO ST NEOTS TOWN Saffron Walden has the privilege of being the oldest Club in the County of Essex having been established in 1872, just seven years before our club first saw the light of day. Despite our two teams being only 33 miles apart and both being around 150 years old, records show that this is our first meeting at senior level. However, our U18 sides have met in league competition – the last time being in the 2018/19 season when our lads won the Eastern Counties Youth league and our visitors finished in eighth place. Our meetings that season resulted in two victories for St Neots – 2-1 at home and 3-1 away. Saffron Walden boasts a host of experience in various settings that include no fewer than eighteen league championships having competed in the Eastern Counties League, the Essex Senior League, the Spartan League, the Herts and Essex Border League, the Stansted and District League, and the Haverhill and District League. Their last notable success was in the 1999/2000 season when they lifted the Essex Senior League championship. They are currently eighth in the Essex Senior League with six wins and a draw in their twelve completed league matches. In midweek they were due to host Romford in the league fixture and their recent away form has been excellent with two wins and a draw in their last three trips. In the FA Cup this season they drew away with Wisbech Town before losing the home replay by the odd goal in five. Then in the Essex Senior Cup their came up against their current league leaders Frenford who are based in Ilford, who beat them by five goals to two. In the FA Vase last season Saffron Walden had a great run, thanks in part to having four consecutive home games. They beat Hackney Wick 2-0, but then required a 3-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Brimsdown to progress. A home tie in the next round saw them defeat March Town by the odd goal in three before another home tie with Great Yarmouth Town saw then draw 0-0 before losing a penalty shoot-out by four goals to three. Previous meetings of our Clubs none
Another in a series of historical records looking back at our fortunes in a past season (both good and bad!)
ST NEOTS TOWN FC 2004/2005 SEASON This is another in the 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:
fourteenth/22
League playing record:
P42 W14 D11 L17 For 67 Against 78 pts 53
Cup playing record:
P10 W4
D0 L6
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 seven matches before resigning
An FA Trophy victory from nine seasons ago (29/10/2018)
FA TROPHY – FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING
St Neots Town
1
Matlock Town
0
St Neots maintained their record in the FA Trophy of having only lost once in the First Round Qualifying since joining the Southern League eight seasons ago. However, this was a hard-fought game between two well-matched sides and St Neots only saw off the challenge of their visitors Matlock Town because of a determined second half performance. It was suitable revenge for a second-round qualifying defeat at Matlock four years ago, and it was achieved despite being short of three first choice players due to injury. Club skipper Luke Knight and Harry O’Malley had both missed the midweek trip to Lowestoft, and they were joined on the treatment table by defender Taylor Parr. Into the side came full back Matty Miles into an unfamiliar midfield role alongside Tom Wood – also a defender – but it was another defender Russell Short who earned the plaudits for a faultless display at the heart of the home defence. St Neots created the first real opening after three minutes when Tom Wood headed on a Johnny Herd throw and Nabil Shariff was only inches away from reaching the ball in front of a gaping net. Matlock then settled quickly looking stronger in midfield and Craig King headed across the face of goal from a Nathan Whitehead cross. Jordan Chappell saw a well-placed shot comfortably saved by Harry Reynolds and Whitehead shot wide when left unmarked on the edge of the penalty area. At the other end Shariff knocked down a cross to the feet of Russell Short but off-balance he fired over the bar and back came Matlock with King heading wide when well placed. A defensive error by the visiting side let in Dion Sembie-Ferris but he volleyed over the bar and on the stroke of half time a Shariff shot was deflected over the bar by a retreating defender. The heavy rain welcomed the players back after the break making ball control more difficult but St Neots were quickly into their stride and after 49 minutes a Sembie-Ferris cross found Gary Wharton eight yards from goal, but his shot rebounded to safety off the outside of a goalpost. The visitors tried to vary their attack by sending on two attacking players but the St Neots back line was well able to deal with anything thrown at them. Just past the hour visiting keeper Ross Durrant did well to block a close range shot from Shariff but the striker had to wait only three minutes to make up for that disappointment as Tom Wood won the ball and sent it over the retreating Matlock defence and Shariff went clear before cleverly chipping the ball over the advancing keeper for what proved to be the winning goal. St Neots sent on Claudio Ofosu for Gary Wharton and the substitute was immediately involved twice having shots either blocked or wellsaved. Nathan Whitehead went close for the visitors having his effort deflected over the bar and Matlock’s recently acquired striker Luke Hinsley fired into the side-netting. As the second half progressed St Neots looked the more comfortable team in possession and a full length save by Durrant prevented Ofosu from extending the lead. In the final five minutes Matlock redoubled their efforts and Reynolds saved well from a Harry Vince free kick and on the break Shariff twice went close. The nearest to an equaliser for the visitors came late in the game when defender Bradley Beatson saw his volley clip the crossbar and bounce to safety. St Neots: Reynolds, Stanley, Herd, Wood, Short, Olaniran, Sembie-Ferris, Miles, Shariff, Williams, Wharton Subs: Ofosu (for Wharton 65 mins), Mutswumguma and Fulianty. Cards: Stanley (Y – 86 mins) Goals: Shariff (64 mins) Matlock: Durrant, Lemon, Green, Whitehead (N), Beatson, Hall, Chappell, Taylor, Westcarr, Vince, King Subs: Hinsley (for Westcarr 57 mins), Jackson (for Chappell 57 mins), Whitehead (B) (for Lemon 77 mins, Knowles and Pierrepoint. Cards: Whitehead (N) (Y – 58 mins) Goals: none Referee: Callum Walchester (Lowestoft) Attendance: 249
UCL SPORTSGROUND DEVELOPMENT K.O. CUP ROUND TWO TIRED SAINTS BOW OUT St Neots Town 2 Skegness Town 3 St Neots October schedule is becoming for them over-taxing, and their seventh match is just 21 days proved to be a step too far. A much-changed line-up from their hard-earned league victory at Desborough seven days earlier, was outplayed by a visiting Skegness side that had been beaten in their last three away league fixtures. This was no fluke result, for the visitors largely controlled a game where the final scoreline actually flattered the home side regardless of a brace of goals (the second a late penalty) from home skipper and man-of-the-match Rob Parker. There were no less than six changes from their win at Desborough with loan goalkeeper Milai Perott being replaced by regular custodian Ben Heath and the other changes saw Luke Burgess and Magloire Muyembe (both injured) along with Connor Barnes, Michael Amaeshike and Jake Kerins (all rested), replaced by Tyrelle Luke-Joseph, Freddie Grant, Joe Sutton, Will Grocott, and Dimagio Robinson. The visiting side controlled the match from the first whistle. Playing patient approach football with plenty of possession they almost opened the scoring after just eight minutes when Jamie Potts found himself unmarked in the penalty area, but he dragged his shot wide. However, in their next attack Skegness did take the lead when speedy striker Dec Johnson picked up a through ball from Liam Adams to outpace his marker and net. Just seven minutes later the same combination of visiting players were at it again for Johnson’s second goal with the St Neots defence looked mesmerised. Little was seen of the home attack that never looked like mastering their tail wind and the visiting side almost increased their lead after 26 minutes when home keeper Ben Heath saved well touching a dipping Johnson effort over the crossbar. Ten minutes later as the away side continued to dictate, another Heath save denied McCauley Parker whose well-placed shot was just under the bar. Then on the stroke of half time St Neots saw a chink pf light as Rob Parker pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after Dimagio Robinson had been pulled down. St Neots came out after the break and had a good opening spell, but after 56 minutes the visitors broke through again and attacking defender Conor Marshall reinstated their two goals advantage. St Neots were still looking to have a more attacking approach, but they never managed to seriously test visiting keeper Jake Lovelace. A length effort by Joe Sutton was as good as it got for St Neots who tried to vary their approach with a couple of substitutions, but the visiting defence held firm. Skegness slowed the game down and skilfully kept possession as St Neots upped their efforts but made little impact and they became frustrated. Lloyd Asamoah tried hard to get the home attack going and he had a dipping shot deflected for a corner but that was the best that the home side had to offer. Heath denied Robinson his hat-trick with a fine save and in added time St Neots were awarded a late penalty kick after a penalty area handball and skipper Rob Parker stepped up for his second goal of the match – hardly any consolation for a disappointing display. St Neots: Heath, Luke-Joseph, Grant, Parker (R), Henderson, Joseph, Furlong, Sutton, Robinson (D), Grocott, Asamoah Subs: McKenna -Manall (for Sutton 68 mins), Egan (for Luke-Joseph 72 mins), Starling (for Grant 90 mins), Keen (for Robinson (D) 90 mins), and Pawlina. Cards: Grant (Y – 70 mins) Scorers: Parker (R) (2 – 45 & 90+5 mins) Skegness: Lovelace, Marshall, Thompson, Clarke, Forth, Ward, Dakin, Parker (M), Johnson, Potts, Adams Subs: Wheatley (for Marshall 46 mins), Bridges (for Adams 85 mins), King (for Johnson 87 mins), Robinson (J), and Supierz. Cards: none Scorers: Johnson 2 (9 &16 mins), Marshall (56 mins) Referee: Junior Jones (Stamford)
HUNTINGDONSHIRE SENIOR CUP QUARTER-FINAL SAINTS BOUNCE BACK Eaton Socon 1 St Neots Town 3 In a repeat of last season’s Huntingdonshire Senior Cup Final, this time at Eaton Socon’s home ground, holders St Neots were again successful in a rather disappointing encounter. The visitors were almost at full strength, but the home side made several changes, and the result was a match which produced a lack of positive football from either side. Socon worked hard to limit St Neots’ possession and looked dangerous on the break, but their finishing was disappointing. The visitors failed to convert their time with the ball to significant openings and the home defence looked in control. The first half was fairly even but, in the end, superior fitness and experience was significant as St Neots ran out deserved victors. The visitors’ team changes saw the return to the side of full backs Jake Kerins and Lewis Burgess, and more significantly striker Connor Barnes who scored the important third goal of the match and deservedly picked up the man-of-the-match award. The draw for the semi-finals is yet to be made. St Neots began well enough and took the lead after just nine minutes when a swift attack down the right saw a Connor Furlong cross reach the far post where full back Lewis Burgess claimed his second goal of the season. In their next two attacking moves the visitors could have increased that lead but Harvey Henderson’s effort rebounded from the crossbar, and Furlong shot over the bar after going clear of his marker. However, the home side worked their way back and after 28 minutes they levelled when a wellplaced Stan Dawkes free kick went in at the far post. Now it was game on as the hosts seemed to grow in confidence as Dawkes went through the visiting defence to shoot wide, and Jacob Borisuth had a great chance but delayed his shot and was robbed by a defender. For the visitors a Will Grocott effort passed just beyond the far post. The host side came out after the break looking determined and confident and made the second half early running. Borisuth went clear of the visiting defence but shot disappointingly over the crossbar and then a snapshot from Dawkes skimmed the visitors’ cross bar. The home side then made the first of four substitutions on a bid to maintain their momentum and after 65 minutes under pressure visiting keeper Ben Heath did well to push away a dipping shot from Ollie Lee. However, the momentum changed as St Neots began to look more composed and they were quickly rewarded when the hard-working Connor Barnes picked up a flick-on from substitute Danny Baulk’s first touch to reinstate St Neots’ lead. Further home substitutions followed but now with their noses in front St Neots began to dominate. Furlong broke clear of the home defence to shoot over the bar before he set up Baulk who close range effort earned a corner. With four minutes remaining Baulk headed wide after unselfish work by Barnes and as the final whistle approached a long throw from Burgess caused confusion in the defence and home keeper Wale could only help the ball into his own net to confirm St Neots’ victory and passage into the semi-finals.
St Neots: Heath, Kerins, Burgess, Parker (R), Henderson, Joseph, Furlong, Sutton, Barnes, Grocott, Asamoah Subs: Baulk (for Grocott 68 mins), Robinson (for Barnes 90+2 mins), Nickels, Grant, and Egan. Cards: Parker (Y – 64 mins), Mawer (Y – 45 mins) Scorers: Burgess (9 mins), Barnes (69 mins), OG (90 mins) Eaton Socon: Wale, Francis. Buckle, Lee, Duckett. Mason, Dawkes, Kane. Williams, Choo, Borisuth Subs: Roberts (for Kane 46 mins), King (for Dawkes 72 mins), Noonan (for Khoo 75 mins), Lewis (for Mason 78 mins), and Armiger. Cards: Williams (Y – 64 mins), King (85 mins) Scorer: Dawkes (28 mins) Referee: Michael Dunkley (Peterborough)
U7- Jude
U8- Fredrick
U10 B- Rory
U10 R- Theo
U11- Levi
U12- Teddy
U13 B- Harry
U13 R- Ben
U14 EJA- Noah
U14 JPL- Oscar
U15- Freddie
U16- Zac
U18 EJA- Tristan
U18- Alfie
Reserves- Philip
St Neots Town Ben Heath Jake Kerins Dammy Nickels Lewis Burgess Robbie Parker Harvey Henderson Scott Joseph Micahel Amaeshike Magloire Muyembe Will Grocott Danny Baulk Connor Furlong Connor Barns Joe Sutton Lloyd Asamoah Milai Perott Dimagio Robinson Manager : Cameron Mawer Asst Mgr : Steve Kuhne Coach : Caolan South GK Coach : Gary Dean Physio : Erin Wesley Kitman : Graham Horgan
Saffron Walden Town George Coton (GK) Thomas Head Tom Skelton Jack Clark Jordy Gent Toby Salmon Sam Deering Albert Barns Chinedum Ohanweh Jack Martin Toby Barton Oscar Bear Sam Black Gene Ghag Evander De Brito Lopes Emmanuel Okunwobi Joe Poxon Coby Miles Nathan Constable-Woodley James Reynolds Ethan Williams Ollie Miles Enock Soganile Harry Carter Michael Osei-Saahene Hugo Young Mekhi Charles-Armstrong Zevieyan Makangu Jamal Obeng Managers -John Hughes & Sam Deering Coach – James Pugsley & Lee Chapman