Season 2024/25 - Issue Eleven - Godmanchester Rovers

Official Digital Matchday Magazine Season 2024/25

Today’s Match Sponsor

GCE PLANT HIRE UNITED COUNTIES PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH

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

U18Manager - Mark Pleasants Assistant - Tyla Joseph

Academy Manager - Alex Minall Club Welfare Officer - Gemma Keech 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 - mgearing@me.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 and as Non Executive Directors Mike Green, Jeremy Green, and Barry Cavilla.

Company Secretary Gary Wilson

Greenie’s Greetings With Director Mike Green "Hello everyone and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium for this evening‘s GCE Hire Plant United Counties League Premier Division South match.

Today we extend a warm welcome to everyone connected to Godmanchester Rovers Football Club and we hope you enjoy our hospitality here this afternoon”.

After two huge games in the league in the past week or so, we’ve successfully come through the test of facing March Town United at home and Aylestone Park away buy gathering four points from a possible six. A hard fought 1-1 draw hersus the Hares here at the Premier Plus Stadium when we were reduced to ten men and still didn’t lose, courtesy of Danny Baulk’s late leveller, followed by our best performance of the season at the league leaders earning us a thoroughly deserved 2-0 win in Leicestershire with Mike Amaeshike and Murphy Culkin netting to secure the win. Lokking at our hosts‘ previous attendances the crowd on the day was swelled by a fantastic Saints following, so on behalf of the club, I would like to thank every single person who travelled last Saturday and cheered the boys home.

Tuesday evening saw us travel up to Yaxley for our Huntingdonshire Football association Senior Challenge Cup tie and we progressed into the semi finals after what was a thrilling encounter and you can read all about it in John Walker’s match report further inside this edition.

Right, back to today’s game and as always we need you to play your part off the pitch by getting behind the lads vocally as we look to cement our place in the top five as a minimum

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 " Good Afternoon. Firstly I’d like to welcome today’s opponents Godmanchester Rovers to the Premier Plus Stadium. The appointment of Seb and a couple of new faces makes this a really tough test, he will get the cup final mentality into them and we know just how tough a game it will be. They have had some good results this season, beating March Town and Hinckley so it shows how much of a dangerous side they are on their day”.

It’s been such a busy schedule over the past two months, the games have come thick and fast and October was always going to be an important month for us, playing 8 games and we end the month with 7 wins and 1 draw, so we leave ourselves in really good shape going into November. We know we have 5 games that will be equally as tough. Since my last program notes, we came away with a positive draw against March Town after going down to 10 men and then defeating top of the league Aylestone Park away, which was a really strong performance, anyone there on the day would have seen a proper away performance with two amazing goals. We then completed the remarkable come back on Tuesday night against a very good Yaxley side, in honesty I didn’t see it coming after missing 5 players, I wasn’t sure how we would fair, but the character in the group got them over the line and now a semi final to look forward to. I’m delighted to welcome Lamin Jammeh to the group who adds some competition in the wide areas, as we have been very thin on the ground in recent weeks and felt he would be a good addition to an already good squad. It’s not easy bringing players in to make the group better as we have a very talented group and we are really careful about the type of personalities we bring in. You support in your hundreds at home and the travel away in your numbers, this is never taken for granted and is appreciated. Keep pushing the boys over the line and we have a set that will fight to the end for our wonderful football club.

A huge thanks to all the home and away support this season it’s been huge and is much appreciated by myself and the players. I hope to see as many saints fans as possible at the game as your support is always massive and I know it gives the boys the extra push and you’re our 12th player on the day.

Cam

Saints

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Boardroom Gossip Boardroom Gossip With Chairman Barry Cavilla With Chairman Barry Cavilla “ Good afternoon everyone and a Big welcome to you all for todays home league fixture at the Premier Plus Stadium. Today we extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporter of our near neighbours Godmanchester who are our visitors today to the home of the Saints.”.

It’s been a very busy period for the Saints with many away ties and last week saw us entertaining another promotion chasing team in March Town who came full of confidence ,with a bumper crowd on a Tuesday evening the game proved very much to form with very little to choose between the teams . However after March scored with a fine finish in the second half, Saints had the misfortune of going down to ten men in the second half, this then spurred the Saints to rally together and up the pressure, finally with pressure on the March goal a fine finish from Danny Baulk helped to level matters and shortly after the same player nearly converting a header to win the game, however the spoils where shared. Saturday saw us travel to league leaders Aylestone Park and ,wow what an impressive performance was put in by the Saints from start to finish to thoroughly deserve and earn a excellent victory and build on the teams confidence for future tests that will come their way as the season progresses. The Saints are finding a spirt and togetherness and hitting the levels of performance and attitude needed to see games out with hard work and quality football for all to enjoy. We had another outing on Tuesday in the Hunts Senior Cup at Yaxley, sadly these notes were penned before this game.

Finally the incredible form of recent weeks by Cameron’s squad has underlined how important it is to have an incredible backing and Support to help them achieve that extra push that’s needed to get past the post: So Thank-you to all our supporters for your incredible support home and away and helping the lads to dig in and produce a fine performances and keep our dreams alive.

COME ON YOU SAINTS

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.

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at St Neots Town FC

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Proud sponsors of the Real Heat Arena

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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

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BLAST FROM THE PAST

FA CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND IMPORTANT REPLAY EARNED Godmanchester Rovers

1

St Neots Town

1

A heroic performance by ten-man St Neots earned them a second FA Cup chance against Step Five neighbours Godmanchester Rovers after playing for an hour one man short. That was because after 32 minutes Joe Sutton picked up a straight red card for kicking out at an opponent after he had been fouled. Because of the upcoming Bank Holiday programme, the replay will be at the Premier Plus Stadium on Tuesday week (3rd September). Played in oppressive heat the two teams tried to serve up a competitive performance, but they will be happy for the replay to be in cooler early evening conditions. The early dismissal handed the impetus to the host side, but they failed to capitalise whilst the hard-working St Neots side probably deserved their second chance as recompense for their gritty determination. There were memories of the previous meeting of the two clubs three months earlier when Godmanchester handed out a Cup Final thrashing to their opponents, but goals were always going to be at a premium in this contest.St Neots recalled Tim N’Kala and Jake Noble for Mason Rhiney and Sam Gomersall who were both on the bench.

Godmanchester looked the more positive in the opening phase of the game and carved out some early chances.After 12 minutes from a James Hall corner, defender Charlie Bowen blasted the ball high over the bar and in the next five minutes Josh Dawkin was twice prominent bringing a good save from James Philp and shooting wide when well-placed after neat work by Micky Hyem.The first half suddenly saw a change in the pattern of play after Joe Sutton was dismissed. St Neots took some time to reorganise and seemed happy to defend in numbers with Dawkin again breaking through the defence to shoot across the face of goal. The first half ended in stalemate with neither side either able or willing to take the initiative.

The second period livelier and more competitive. St Neots replaced Tim N’Kala with Sam Gomersall and took the weight off their defence by utilising long ball tactics.

However, the breakthrough came just five after the restart when Dawkin crossed from the left and former Saint James Hall was left enough space to side foot the ball inside the far post to put Godmanchester in front. That could have signalled the incentive for them to take advantage of their numeric superiority, but it seemed to spur St Neots who had efforts by Jake Kerins and Sam Bennett just off target.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Johnny Hall moved forward to bring an important save from Philp and just past the hour in the same attack Dawkin saw his fierce effort parried and when the ball was not cleared James Hall saw his effort blocked by a defender. St Neots sent on Alfie Connor and began to look more comfortable and using their front players wide they stretched the home defence. There were just twelve minutes remaining when Sam Bennett rounded Johnny Hall and his pace took him clear to unleash a low shot under the dive of goalkeeper Niall Conroy to level the scores. Seven minutes later St Neots could have stolen the victory when Gomersall sent a delightful pass inside the home defence and from a similar position to where he scored his goal, Sam Bennett put his free shot wide of the far post.

St Neots Town: Philp, Kerins, Smith, Noble, Goode, Shaw, Sutton, Watkins, N’Kala, Bennett, Mutswunguma Subs: Gomersall (for N’Kala 46 mins), Connor (for Mutswunguma 70 mins), Rhiney, Joseph, Walker and McCormick.

Cards: Sutton (RED – 32 mins), Kerins (Y – 27 mins) Goal: Bennett (78 mins) Godmanchester Rovers: Conroy, King, Hall (Johnny), Spark, Bowen, Munro, Dawkin, Diaper, Hall (James), Hyem (Micky), Chandler Subs: McGregor (for Chandler 77 mins), Hyem (Chris) (for Spark 87 mins), White, King (Reece) and Radwell Cards: none Goals: James Hall (50 mins) Referee: Lewis Morgan (Lincoln) Attendance: 180 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 2011/12

ST NEOTS TOWN FC 2019/2020 SEASON This is another in my statistical recollection of historical records, highlighting our spell in the Southern League depicting both the highs and the lows in the recent proud history of the Club. It will always be a unique season for it is the first time ever that a season was aborted without finishing, this time of course due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was going to be a difficult season after relegation back to Step Four after seven seasons playing at the highest level ever achieved by the club. It was further complicated by budget restriction and the subsequent resignation of Manager Marc Abbott after just ten months and 42 matches in charge. However, that led to a formal working arrangement with Cambridge United and the dual appointment of Manager Barry Corr who continued to work for his parent club. Consistency in goal scoring was again our Achilles heel.

League Final League position: League playing record: Cup playing record:

Southern League Division One Central eighteenth/20 P28 W6 D3 L1 For 33 Against 59 pts 21 P11 W4 D2 L5 For 17 Against 15

Although we struggled for goals, we scored five at home against the two clubs below us (Wantage and Kempston) including an Alan Musoke hat trick against Wantage.

We recorded our only League ‘double’ over Kempston and the low point in the league programme was our 7-1 away defeat at Welwyn Garden City after a motorway accident on the way there, left us ‘parked’ on the carriageway for around two hours.

The season began with a ‘round robin’ Hunts Premier Cup event in celebration the competition’s 125th anniversary. We beat Eynesbury and Biggleswade United but lost to Yaxley in a penalty shoot-out.

In the FA Cup we had successive replays against Godmanchester (that match featuring a Prince hat-trick) and Biggleswade Town losing that second replay away from home.

We ran no Reserve side.

Our leading scorers and appearances (max. 39) were as follows: ·Prince Mutswunguma 12 * Aaron Smith ·Joe Sutton 5 * Sam Goode ·Sam Gomersall 4 * Joe Sutton ·Alan Musoke 4 * James Philp ·Lee Watkins 3 * Lee Watkins ·Sam Goode 3 * Stevan Shaw ·Alfie Connor 3 * Prince Mutswunguma ·Jake Kerins 2 * Panny Boxer ·Sam Bennett 2 * Sam Gomersall ·Joe Neal 2 * Jake Kerins Barr Corr replaced Mark Abbott as Manager in January.

John Walker

37 33 29 28 28 27 26 24 19 18

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 GODMANCHESTER ROVERS FC

Year founded: 1928 Chairman: Richard Cosbey Club Website: www.godmanchesterroversfc.co.uk GOOD AFTERNOON AND A VERY WARM WELCOME TO THE PREMIER PLUS STADIUM TO OUR NEIGHBOURS This is only the fourth league meeting of our two clubs but over the past thirty years we have met no fewer than additional fourteen times in either local or national cup competition. Two of those meetings ended all square requiring replays (remember those) but of the twelve cup matches producing positive outcomes our visitors have won four and St Neots eight. In addition, St Neots have a perfect record in league competition winning all three meetings with a tally of eleven goals for and just two against. At present our visitors are going through a difficult time in league competition and are at the bottom of the league table with just two wins and two draws from their fourteen completed league matches. Last season was their third season in the UCL after their transfer from the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League and they finished eighteenth in the table five points clear of the relegation zone. In previous seasons they have finished fourteenth and eleventh, so they are still searching for consistency in their comparatively recent surroundings. In cup matches this season they have had no success so far. In the FA Cup they were beaten by the odd goal in three at Yaxley and in the FA Vase they suffered a similar fate beaten 8-0 away at a strong Mulbarton Rovers who are one of the stronger Thurlow Nunn Premier Division sides.Then in the league cup they were beaten 4-0 away at Newport Pagnell. So now they must look to the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup (away at Eynesbury) and the Hinchingbrooke Cup (at home to Deeping Rangers) for some success.

Previous meeting of our teams: In the Hunts Senior Cup 1994/95 Godmanchester 2-2 aet St Neots (semi-final) St Neots 3-2 Godmanchester (semi-final replay) 1997/98 St Neots 2-0 Godmanchester (semi-final) 1999/2000 Godmanchester 2-0 St Neots (round one) 2002/03 Godmanchester 0-1 St Neots (round three) 2003/04 St Neots 1-0 Godmanchester (semi-final) 2007/08 Godmanchester 0-1 St Neots (round one) 2012/13 St Neots 1-0 Godmanchester (semi-final) 2016/17 St Neots 1-1 Godmanchester (semi-final) (St Neots won 5-4 on penalties) 2018/19 Godmanchester 6-0 St Neots (final – at St Neots) 2021/22 St Neots 0-2 Godmanchester (semi-final) 2023/24 St Neots 3-0 Godmanchester (semi-final) REPLAY ORDERED 2023/24 St Neots 1-3 Godmanchester (semi-final) In the FA Vase 2005/06 Godmanchester 1-2 St Neots (first qualifying round) In the UCL 2023/24 Godmanchester 1-3 St Neots St Neots 4-1 Godmanchester 2024/25 Godmanchester 0-4 St Neots Enjoy the match

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John Walker's Match Report MARCH TOWN UNITED (H) 05-10-2024 GCE HIRE PLANT UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH ST NEOTS TOWN

1

MARCH TOWN UNITED

1

St Neots substitute Danny Baulk came on six minutes from time to snatch what might prove to be a vital goal in this top of the table clash at the Premier Plus Stadium. His 88th minute strike, with St Neots playing with ten men following the sending off of Connor Furlong, pegged back the visitors who have taken the lead sixty seconds after St Neots were reduced in numbers. Furlong had picked up his second yellow card for a seemingly careless challenge after 71 minutes, but this only seemed to act as spur to St Neots who went on to dominate the final twenty minutes and could have snatched a dramatic added time winning goal. There were two changes in the St Neots starting line-up from their weekend trip to Oadby with Christian Tavernier and Harvey Williams returning for the injured Nathan George and Danny Baulk who started on the bench.

The first half was a closely fought and at times a tactical affair with both sides keen to cling on to their respective challenging league positions.

Visitors March were unbeaten in their previous nine league and cup outings whilst St Neots record was seven matches without defeat, so both had an excellent recent record to preserve. After a cagey start March produced the first significant attack after 12 minutes when St Neots custodian James Goff had to sprint from his line to save at the feet of Ben Tait and then three minutes later Christian Tavernier tested visiting keeper Jonah Gill with a rising shot. The competitive nature of the clash saw a player from each side cautioned in midfield incidents (Connor Furlong for the home side) and then Gill had to save at the feet of the lively Rhys Thorpe. A lengthy effort from Kieran Barnes forced Gill to save at full stretch ten minutes before the break and the half ended with Goff pushing a dipping effort from Craig Gillies over the bar after a piercing run down the flank by Josh Burrows.

John Walker's Match Report MARCH TOWN UNITED (H) 22-10-2024 After the break St Neots had a good spell with Michael Amaeshike seeing his effort blocked after neat play by Sam Willis, and then it was Willis again who penetrated the March left flank to pick out Thorpe, but his finish was too high. Then, as March rallied, Charlie Bowen was booked for halting a visiting attack with a late tackle and as the exchanges became more physical Furlong picked up a second yellow card to reduce the home side to ten men. Within sixty second the visiting side took full advantage as the impressive Luke Pepper went past his marker to cross for Dan Cotton to put the visitors in front. That should have handed the initiative to the visiting side, but St Neots rallied and adjusted to three in defence and went in search of an equaliser. Barnes sent a free kick oved the bar, but it was the St Neots’ substitutions that made all the difference. Recent signing Lamin Jammeh and Danny Baulk reinvigorated the St Neots attack and with two minutes of normal time remaining Barnes ran at the visiting defence and slipped the ball to Danny Baulk who responded with a crisp finish for his second league goal of the season. That was sufficient to ensure the sharing of the points leaving the sides second and third in the table where they had started the match.

St Neots Town: Goff, Willis, Culkin, Tavernier, Parker, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams Subs: Jammeh (for Tavernier 79 mins), Baulk (for Williams 84 mins), Nickels, Pitts-Wallace, and Sutherland.

Cards: Furlong (RED – 2xY – 22 & 71 mins), Bowen (Y – 67 mins) March Town United: Gill, Green, Brumby, Withers, Emmington, Foy, Burrows, Tait, Gillies, Cotton, Saunders Subs: Cowie (for Saunders 87 mins), Caloran (for Burrows 87 mins), Pepper, White, and Biggs.

Cards: Emmington (Y – 25 mins), Gillies (Y - 35 mins), Withers (Y – 78 mins) Attendance: 239 Referee: Andrew Hitchcox (St Ives)

John Walker

John Walker's Match Report AYLESTONE PARK (A) 26-10-2024 GCE HIRE PLANT UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH AYLESTONE PARK

0

ST NEOTS TOWN

2

Two second half goals saw St Neots beat league leaders Aylestone Park on their own ground, lifting the visitors to within a single point of their hosts with a match in hand. It was an excellent all-round performance from the visitors who were able to name an unchanged starting line-up from their midweek home draw with March Town. Although both goals came after the break the victory was based on a first half display which saw the Saints dominate the home side without putting away their chances. Manager Cameron Mawer was delighted with his sides’ performance which ranks as one of their best of the season, and they have the opportunity to cement their position in their next league match at home to Godmanchester Rovers who are bottom of the table after a poor start to the season.

St Neots got off to the best possible start pinning the host side in their own half and creating four excellent chances in the opening ten minutes. The lively Connor Furlong left his marker for dead but saw his rising shot parried by home goalkeeper Liam Castle who minutes later had to fling himself full length to reach a lengthy effort from Murphy Culkin. Furlong again cut in to test Castle again and then Kieran Barnes shot over the bar after great work by Mike Amaeshike. Aylestone tried hard to stem the flow of attacks by slowing down the game and playing keep ball in their own half but the St Neots momentum continued, and the busy Castle had to sprint 25 yards from his line to smother a shot from Harvey Williams who was played clear by Christian Tavernier. Furlong had another effort saved by the home keeper and then six minutes before the break Corey Bucalossi produced the home sides’ first serious shot comfortably fielded by James Goff. The home sides’ best first half chance came just before the break when Bucalossi shot wide after neat play by former St Neots player Pearson Mwanyongo.,

John Walker's Match Report AYLESTONE PARK (A) 26-10-2024 The second half saw a dramatic change in the pattern of play as the host side switched their tactics to a more attacking style and for a few minutes St Neots were on the defensive with Marshall Keenan squandering Aylestone’s best chance of the match. However, St Neots soon returned to a more confident and positive approach and after 53 minutes Mike Amaeshike was well placed at the far post to knock in a Williams pull back to open the scoring. Five minutes later, the Referee awarded St Neots a penalty but reversed his decision after consulting an Assistant. Aylestone almost levelled when Keenan was played clear, but the underworked St Neots keeper left his line to parry the effort. Then, after 72 minutes, St Neots won a throw in on the right and when Murphy Culkin’s long projection was returned to him by a defender he unleashed an unstoppable shot across the keeper and into the far corner of the net.

At 2-0 St Neots were able to look comfortable and confidently see out the remainder of the match with man of the match Williams twice having efforts blocked by defender and the home side finished with ten men after Bucalossi was sin-binned by the Referee.

St Neots Town: Goff, Willis, Culkin, Tavernier, Parker, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams Subs: George (for Willis 80 mins), Jammeh (for Williams 90+3 mins), Nickels, Pitts-Wallace, and Joseph.

Cards: Barnes (Y – 85 mins), Parker (Y – 90 mins) Aylestone Park: Castle, Kilburn, Articolo, Hood, Peace, Armeni, Cary, Hollis, Bucalossi, Mwanyongo, Keenan Subs: Kee (for Armeni 69 mins), Wolf, Spencer, Young, and Hollis.

Cards: Bucalossi (sin bin 90+4) Attendance: 205 Referee: William Norriss

John Walker

John Walker's Match Report YAXLEY FC (A) 29-10-2024 HUNTINGDONSHIRE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER FINAL YAXLEY

3

ST NEOTS TOWN

3 (St Neots won 6-5 on penalties)

With three minutes of added time completed Yaxley were leading 3-1 and heading for the Senior Cup semi-finals but then an unbelievable comeback in a crazy three minutes’ spell saw St Neots regenerate and grab two late late goals to earn a dramatic penalty shoot-out. There was still time for goalkeeper James Goff to earn hero status as he produced a full-length stunning save to deny Yaxley substitute Denys Dushkin’s penalty before James Hatch despatched the winning kick. So, St Neots returned home with a repeat of their 2018 semi-final victory on penalties at Yaxley. It was a much-depleted St Neots line-up that recorded the victory with both central defenders Charlie Bowen and Nathan George missing along with Michael Amaeshike and the suspended Connor Furlong, but this saw Lamin Jammeh and Robbie Sutherland make their first start for the side with Dammy Nickels returning after an absence of seven matches and a place on the substitutes bench for Shane Fox, returning to his first club on dual registration from Potton United.

It had all started well for the visitors for after 13 minutes when the home defence dithered as they attempted to clear, and the lively Kieran Barnes nipped in to take advantage and give the visitors the lead. The home side responded with a period of ball possession but with little to show in terms of attacking threat and St Neots could have increased their advantage but for some good defending by home keeper Jamie Stephens who twice left his area to clear danger. Former St Neots defender Lil Francisco was lucky to escape punishment after a bone crunching challenge on Lamin Jammeh and then four minutes before the break in a relatively rare attack the home side levelled as Christian Tavernier conceded a penalty and Matthew Harris-Hercules converted.

John Walker's Match Report YAXLEY FC (A) 29-10-2024

St Neots resumed with James Hatch replacing Robbie Sutherland and when a defensive error let in Connor Pilbeam, James Goff saved well, before Pilbeam headed wide when well placed. In a St Neots counter-attack Sam Willis saw a net-bound shot deflected for a corner and then with substitutes Danny Baulk and Shane Fox on for Jammeh and Barnes, St Neots set about clawing their way back into the match.

Robbie Parker shot wide from distance, but Yaxley then produced a powerful final twenty minutes. After 72 minutes former Saint, Julinho Gomes, beat his marker to shoot diagonally across the goal and in off the far post to put Yaxley ahead and two minutes from the end of normal time the same player picked up a Matteo Perkins cross to give the home side a two goals advantage. That really should have decided the outcome, but St Neots had other ideas. Four minutes into added time a 25 yards effort by James Hatch left the home keeper helpless to reduce the arrears and at the clock ticked down into the final minute of added time visiting skipper Robbie Parker netted with a crisp finish to send the match into a sudden death shoot-out. The first six penalties were netted before Matteo Perkins sent his effort over the bar. Danny Baulk could have won the match but saw his shot rebound from a post before goalkeeper Goff produced the save to allow James Hatch to win it for the visitors.

St Neots Town: Goff, Sutherland, Nickels, Tavernier, Parker, Culkin, Jammeh, Willis, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams Subs: Hatch (for Sutherland 46 mins), Baulk (for Jammeh 56 mins), Fox (for Barnes 61 mins), Joseph and Jessop.

Cards: Parker (Y – 59 mins), Willis (Y – 63 mins).

Yaxley: Stephens, Francisco, Henderson, Chilvers, Robertson, Rhaman, Bilicz, Gomes, Harris-Hercules, Perkins, Pilbeam Subs: Opayinka (for Pilbeam 59 mins), Dushkin (for Rhaman 67 mins), Grigas (forHarris-Hercules 74 mins), Venters (for Bilicz 87 mins), Kazombiaze (for Perkins 87 mins).

Cards: none Attendance: 73 Referee: Jack Badcock 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

338

Goff Goff Goff Goff

Nickels

Culkin

WILLIS

Parker

93 162 60 243 277 Not Known 285 271 226 156 Not Known 55 239 205 73

Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff

Nickels Francisco Nickels Nickels Parker Francisco Nickels Parker Parker Parker Francisco Parker Willis Willis Sutherland

Culkin CULKIN Culkin Culkin Culkin Nickels Culkin

Willis Parker Willis Willis Willis TAVERNIER Tavernier Tavernier Tavernier Tavernier WILLIS Willis Tavernier Tavernier Tavernier

George George Parker Parker George George Parker George George George PARKER 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

3-0 5-0

Barking FC FAC 1RQR Newark Town UCL KO PR UCL PREM Leicester Nirvana UCL PREM March Town United DOWNHAM TOWN FAC 2RQR UCL PREM North’ton ON Chenecks BUGBROOKE ST MICHAELS UCL PREM LUTTERWORTH TOWN UCL PREM HISTON FC UCL PREM Sileby Rangers UCL PREM Huntingdon Town HINCH CUP GNG Oadby Town UCL PREM MARCH TOWN UNITED UCL PREM Aylestone Park UCL PREM Yaxley FC HSC

2-3 aet 3-5 3-2 1-3 0-1 2-2 5-1 3-1 3-1 3-0 8-1 3-0 1-1 2-0

24 Aug 26 Aug 31 Aug 03 Sept 07 Sept 14 Sept 17 Sept 21 Sept 24 Sept 28 Sept 05 Oct 08 Oct 12 Oct 15 Oct 19 Oct 22 Oct 26 Oct 26 Oct

4-2 2-2

3-3 6-5 pens

191 138

Goff Goff

Culkin Culkin Culkin Culkin Culkin Culkin CULKIN Nickels

PARKER

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 Furlong

AMAESHIKE 2

THORPE Thorpe

Barnes Barnes

Williams WILLIAMS

Tavernier Walker

Baulk Joseph Nickels Francisco

Potts - Wallace

George

Furlong Furlong FURLONG

Amaeshike AMAESHIKE

Thorpe Hatch Hatch

Barnes Williams Williams

Joseph

Hatch Thorpe THORPE JOSEPH 2 THORPE Thorpe Thorpe Thorpe

Pitts-W-Luke Bomolo Francisco Pitts-W-Luke

Joseph

Amaeshike AMAESHIKE Amaeshike AMAESHIKE Amaeshike Amaeshike AMAESHIKE Willis

Francisco Walker BAULK THORPE 2 Willis WILLIS Sutherland Sutherland Jammeh Jammeh HATCH

Pitts-W-Luke

FURLONG FURLONG FURLONG BAULK 2 FURLONG Furlong Furlong Jammeh

Walker Barnes BARNES Barnes BARNES Barnes Barnes BARNES Barnes Barnes BARNES

Williams

AMAESHIKE 2

George Bowen Culkin George Bowen Bowen Bowen BOWEN Bowen Bowen Bowen Culkin

Amaeshike

Williams Williams Williams Williams Baulk Williams Williams Williams

Baulk

Baulk Tavernier Baulk Willis Willis Baulk Baulk Jessop Pitts-W-Luke BAULK George Baulk

Furlong Jessop

Fox

Joseph

GCE Hire Fleet Ltd United Counties League Premier Division South

Opponent Spotlight GODMANCHESTER ROVERS

Situated on the banks of the River Great Ouse, 16 miles North West of Cambridge, on the A14. Godmanchester is a town, not a village as it was chartered in 1212 and again in 1604. Godmanchester has been inhabited for over 2000 years and was a very important Roman settlement.

Football has been played in Godmanchester since the late 1890’s Godmanchester Rovers came into existence in 1911, previously playing as Godmanchester Town.

The first recorded mention of the club is from the ‘Cambridge Independent Press’ newspaper dated Friday 26th December 1913 where Godmanchester Rovers had a fixture against St-Ives on Boxing Day. During the 1928–29 season, when they won the Hunts Junior Cup. They played in the Huntingdonshire League for many years before joining the Cambridgeshire League. They won the Hunts Junior Cup again in 1988– 89, and in 1992 were promoted to the top division of the Cambridgeshire League. In 1994–95 they won the League Cup, retaining it for the next two seasons. However, they were relegated to the Senior Division in 2000.

With the club about to move into a new ground, they made a speculative application to join the Eastern Counties League in 2002.

Despite being in the second tier of the Cambridgeshire League, the club were successful. They finished bottom of the division in 2004–05 but were not relegated as the league was under strength in terms of numbers. In 2011–12 the club won the Eastern Counties Division One on goal difference to earn promotion to the Premier Division, also winning the Division One Knock-out Cup, defeating Whitton United 1–0 in the final.

In the 2014-15 season the club finished as runners-up in the Premier Division also adding the Hunts Senior Cup to an all-round successful record for the season. At the end of season, Nev Nania, retired from his role as First Team manager.

Opponent Spotlight GODMANCHESTER ROVERS

The 2015-16 saw the appointment of Matt Clements as First Team Manager, with Matty Haniver keeping his role as First Team Player Coach. The season ended as the previous season with a second-place finish, unbeaten in the last 17 League games.

Before the start of the 2016-17 season Rovers saw the resignation of Matt Clements and the appointment of Adrian Cambridge as First Team coach. At the same time, much of the established first team players moved to different clubs, leaving Aidy Cambridge with the job of rebuilding the first team. Shortly into the new season Matty Haniver, 1st team Player Coach, departed, with his role filled by John Bitting.

After 19 games in charge, Manager Aidy Cambridge and Assistant John Bitting stood down from their roles at the club. The clubs football consultant.

Former Godmanchester Rovers player, Chris Hyem was appointed First Team manager after being released from Histon FC. After securing Premiership football for the 2017-2018 season Chris Hyem stood down as manager. Ollie Drake was appointed first team manager, fresh from winning the Kershaw League, Drake will be joined at Rovers by his father Steve.

The 2017-2018 Season was marred with high number of postponed games creating a large backlog of matches to be played, several players that departed at the end of the 2016-2017 season put a run of 7 winning games putting Rovers in 10th position at the start of October. The next 6 weeks then proved to be a difficult period, losing three premiership games, and knocked out of the Hunts Senior Cup and FA Vase.

Fortune then returned and from Mid-November through to the end of the season, Rovers won 24, drew 1 and lost 6 of their remaining 31 matches landing Roves a 4th place finish in the seasons 24 team league.

This also included a run of 9 games undefeated.

Opponent Spotlight GODMANCHESTER ROVERS

The 2018-2019 season saw the retention of most of the squad from the previous season. Despite a strong winning run of pre-season matches and a win in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary round, Rovers lost their opening League match but bounced back with a FA Cup win in the next game. This was the start of pattern that Godmanchester had throughout the season, In Cup competitions, Godmanchester progressed to the FA Cup First Round Qualify, losing away to Histon.

With the FA Cup exit, Godmanchester focused on the FA Vase, winning games against West Essex, Great Yarmouth and Holbeach United to reach the 4th Round and a home tie against Sporting Khalsa. The Club went on to win The Hunts Senior Cup for the 2nd time, The Hinchingbrooke Cup, and the Mayors Cup. As we all know the 2019-2020 ended abruptly due to the Covid-19 outbreak, as with the 2019-2020 season and Covid-19, 2020 -21 started with no spectators and just 9 games played before the season was ended and nulled. The club took the opportunity whilst the ground was void of any sport and spectators to embark on several ground improvements and renovations. The biggest undertaking was a large expansion on the Club House, adding a new larger kitchen for match day refreshments and larger patio area.

Before the start of the 2021-22, First Team manager, Ollie Drake departed the club making way for Dean Greygoose to take charge with a fresh squad of players. The 2021-22 season see us move into the United Counties League from the eastern Counties League, a move that had been coming for a couple of years, with anew strong management team and a new group of exciting young players in the squad it was a great time to be around the club and building a new long-term project.

On the field we finished mid table for our first season in the UCL and Dean and the young team was starting to come together nicely.

Opponent Spotlight GODMANCHESTER ROVERS

The 2022-23 season has just started, and Dean has moved some players out and moved some new players in to the squad, the great work from within the club now sees 6 of our current and last season U18’s making it into the senior squad on match days, this is great for the future of the football club. Dean and his team are building a good squad and we look forward to the season ahead.

Of the field the club management and committee are working very hard behind the scenes and making sure the long term of the football club is a great place to be in and around, we now have our senior team competing in the UCL League, Reserves team competing in the UCL Reserve league managed by Tim Britt & Tony Tagg and our U18 team managed by Dave Stevens & Tony Tagg still competing in the Thurlow Nunn Youth League. We now have our youth section running 20 teams and we have just started a brand-new Ladies and Girls section to our football club running 4 teams.

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

Manager – Seb Hayes Assistant Coach – Coach – GK Coach Physio -

Squad List

Squad List

James Goff (GK) Dammy Nickels Nathan George Robbie Parker Murphy Culkin Charlie Bowen Lil Fransisco Christian Tavernier Michael Amaeshike Sam Willis Kieran Barnes Rhys Thorpe Connor Furlong Danny Baulk Scott Joseph Harvey Williams Marley Pitts-Wallace-Luke Lamin Jammeh Robbie Sutherland Brandon Jessop

Ben Arnold Daniel Brown Takula Chijota Matthew Cox Emmanuel Gbejuade Matthew Green Joshua George Hales Will Jolly Kristian Ogonowski Ron Sosoli Tom Spark Declan Rogers Harry Brookes Ricki Goodale Tommy Dear Reece Page Jamal Shenille Tom Wootton

Colours Light Blue Shirts Dark Blue Shorts Light Blue Socks

Colours Red Shirts Red Shorts Red Socks

Referee Oliver Hollyoak Assistant I Arkadiusz Piotrowski Assistant 2 Paul Buck

Next Home Match....

Hinckley AFC Saturday 9th November GCE Hire Plant United Counties League Premier Division South