Issue 19 Yaxley FC

Official Digital Matchday Magazine Season 2024/25 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 Club Welfare Officer - Gemma Keech 07734 821330 email - sntfcwelfareofficer@gmail.com

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 50/50 & Merchandising - Shelly Phypers & Lily Dean

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

U18Manager - Tyla Joseph

Academy Manager - Alex Minall Academy Welfare Officer - Chrissie Manly 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

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

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 "Good afternoon to you all and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium for today‘s GCE Hire Plant United Counties League Premier Division South match. Today we extend a warm welcome to everyone connected to Yaxley Football Club and we hope you enjoy our hospitality here this afternoon”.

Here we are then, February already and we currently sit very proudly at the top of the United Counties League Premier Division South table with a nice lead of five points. January turned out to be a good month for us, remaining unbeaten in the league, bouncing back from the Boxing day debacle to beat Easington Sports and Coventry United here at the Premier Plus Stadium and most recently, a really tough trip to Histon where we came away with a well earned 1-0 win courtesy of Connor Furlong’s long range effort sending the large travelling contingent into raptures.

Sandwiched inbetween the league matches was our Hunts FA Senior Cup Semi Final versus Eaton Socon and after what turned out to be an extremely close tie, we progressed to our first final for some six years when the in form Harvey Williams netted what was to be the winner late in the second half.

We will now face Step Three Side St Ives Town in the Final, Date and Venue to be announced in the coming weeks.

These notes are being penned ahead of Tuesday evening’s trip to March Town in the Hinchingbrooke Cup Semi Final so hopefully we will be talking about a second Cup final appearance but should this not be the case, we have the small matter of a League Championship to win.

Get behind the Lads from the off today and enjoy the game.

Your support off the pitch makes such a difference......

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 " I’d like to give everyone associated to Yaxley a warm welcome to the Premier Plus stadium. Yaxley haven’t had it easy of late in terms of results but you only have to look at the players in their ranks to know they have players that can hurt you and the make up of the side from last season that wasn’t to far from the play offs”.

We have already had two good battles with them this season and I have no doubt this game will be the same, the two managers are two good guys, who are building a good young side who can on their day beat anyone.

We come off the back of a really good display against Histon, we showed so much grit and determination to find the winner, it was a hard pitch to play on and they had so many bodies behind the ball it was hard to create anything clear cut but I believe last season we would have drawn that game and at the moment we are finding ways to win games and this must continue.

Since my last notes we managed to secure a cup final spot against local rivals St Ives in the Hunts cup which will be a really exciting occasion. We had to find a way to beat Eaton Socon, it wasn’t a classic but it never is when it comes to derbies and it’s all about winning which is managed to.

We have had a great response to Boxing Day defeat having now won 4 in a row since and after going out the FA Vase in September we have lost twice in 23 games, which is a brilliant run but if we are going to get over the line then we will have to show a similar run in the last 11 league fixtures.

There’s still a long way to go but we have 11 cup finals now and we need your continued support and noise, so keep being the 12th player and keep pushing this group as it makes a huge difference.

#inittogether

Cam

Saints

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Boardroom Gossip Boardroom Gossip With Chairman Barry Cavilla With Chairman Barry Cavilla “ Good afternoon and a warm Welcome to you all for todays UCL Premier Division South home fixture. We are pleased to welcome to the Premier Plus Stadium today all the Players,Officals & supporters of Yaxley”.

Yaxley have always been a tough fixture over the years for the Saints and I am sure the same will apply today. So I am certain Cameron and the lads will be hoping to build on their fine performance last week at Histon and continue to push on and maintain there quest for three valuable points today and challenge themselves to put pressure on all the teams on their heels looking to knock them back .

There is, however, a confidence, spirit and steel about the Saints this season that has grown with the squad and with your incredible support behind them this will give them all the confidence they need to continue this fine form and get the job done in this busy and competitive League run in.

The club is busy working behind the scenes on projects to improve both facilities and offering exciting and different club social Events for all the local community to enjoy and with your fantastic support we can do great things together for now and in the future.

Thank you all and enjoy the game this afternoon.

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.

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

Proud sponsors of the Real Heat Arena

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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.

INTRODUCING OUR NEW CLUB WELFARE OFFICER We would like to introduce our new Club Welfare Officer (CWO) Gemma Keech.

Gemma has many years of safeguarding experience through careers in Teaching and Children’s Social Care, as well as being the Club Welfare Officer for Priory Parkside Football Club for almost 4 years.

Gemma’s role as CWO is to be the first point of contact for all club members regarding concerns about the welfare of any child, young person or adult at risk at St Neots Town Football Club. She will liaise directly with the Designated Safeguarding Officer for Hunts FA and is familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns.

Gemma is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for all players, staff and volunteers within SNTFC. If you need to contact Gemma, her details are as follows:

sntfcwelfareofficer@gmail.com

Tel: 07734 821330

UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE Boardroom Gossip With Chairman Barry CavillaDIVISION SOUTH PREMIER

GCE Hire Fleet Ltd United Counties League Premier Division South

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

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at St Neots Town FC

Player Sponsorship Season 2024/25 CAMERON MAWER

STEVE KUHNE

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John Walker (President)

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St Neots Town Reserves Old Boys

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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

Huntingdonshire Senior Cup Round One – 27th October 2015 YAXLEY

1

ST NEOTS TOWN

6

St Neots eased their way into the Hunts Senior Cup semi-final with six separate players on their scoresheet on what proved to be a simple victory over an out-ofsorts Yaxley side. They must relish a 3G surface for this is the second time this season they have scored six on the synthetic turf. However, they were matched in the first half by their hosts leading by just a single goal and it was not until the home side visibly tired in the second half that the floodgates opened. With their league backlog of matches piling up this was one match St Neots would have been pleased to have avoided but Manager David Batch used the opportunity to rest several regulars and utilise almost the entire extent of his squad making five changes from the side that had been beaten at home on Saturday. It was an ideal chance for the newcomers to show their pedigree and three of the scorers recorded their first goals of the current campaign. Tom Meechan had netted a hat trick for Godmanchester the last time he had faced Yaxley and although he only got one in this match, he also recorded an important assist with three of the other five goals.

The match got off to the perfect start for the visitors when they forged ahead in their first attack after just four minutes. An Isaac Galliford corner was not clear and from twelve yards the unmarked Tom Ward netted with a shot that bounced into the roof of the net. Ryan Horne then should have doubled the lead, but his free shot was too high and then Guy Mailancol, shot disappointingly wide. Playing a 4-33 system with lots of one touch short passing St Neots looked comfortable, but Yaxley had three chances to level. A shot from Jon Stead was pushed away by Ollie Sutton who then saved well after Stead had set up Dan Cotton. Stead was also involved in the third chance setting up Scott Carter who dragged his shot well wide.

Tom Meechan almost doubled the lead after 25 minutes skilfully lobbing Andy Stevens, but Sam Spencer got back to clear off the line but in the next attack St Neots did extend their lead when Meechan cleverly flicked a Galliford cross to the unmarked Luis Vieira who netted from close range. Back came Yaxley and deservedly pulled a goal back ten minutes before the break when Cotton’s hard work set up Scott Carter to score with his second attempt after his first had been blocked.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Stevens made an excellent save to push a stinging shot by Horne over the bar at the start of the second half as St Neots began to cruise although Carter almost got through their defence only to see Ollie Sutton dive bravely at his feet to smother.

After 55 minutes St Neots introduced teenage substitute Claudio Ofosu to add pace up front and with his second touch he made the score 3-1 after unselfish skill by Meechan. Now Stevens was busy fielding several shots from Galliford, Horne and Ofosu as St Neots upped their pace. It was clear that Yaxley were wilting and after a net bound shot by Galliford had been deflected wide St Neots capitalised on the corner after 73 minutes as skipper Adam Tann netted a rare goal. That was the start of a five minutes’ spell in which St Neots destroyed the confidence and will of their hosts as they added their last three goals.Two minutes later Tom Meechan was rewarded for his non-stop hard work when he was in the right place to score after impressive work by Ofosu and Vieira and after 78 minutes the scoring was completed when Meechan again took on two defenders to lay on a first goal for the club by Isaac Galliford who had delivered his best game for St Neots. It was especially satisfying for those non-regulars who had featured in a memorable victory.

St Neots Town: Sutton, Anton, Hall, Beech, Ward, Tann, Vieira, Horne, Mailancol, Meechan, Galliford Subs: Ofosu (for Mailancol 55), Berkes (for Ward 84), Gomes and Wilton Cards: none Goals: Ward (4 mins), Vieira (28 mins), Ofosu (58 mins), Tann (73 mins), Meechan (75 mins), Galliford (78 mins) Yaxley: Stevens, Duncliffe, Ogbonna, Nolan, Spencer, Morris, Gearing, Hook, Carter, Cotton, Stead Subs: Napier (for Carter 57) Bogusz (for Duncliffe 76), Henbury (for Gearing 82).

Furnell and Coleman.

Cards: none Goals:Carter (35 mins) Attendance: 98 Referee: Richard Hart (St Ives) 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 2021/22

ST NEOTS TOWN FC 2021/2022 SEASON This continues my statistical recollection of historical records, highlighting our recent spell in the Southern League depicting both the highs and the lows in the recent proud history of the Club. It was good to be back to complete a season after two aborted by COVID. It was a season of highs and lows that saw us challenging well early in the season with a spell in the play-offs up to the end of September and a league cup victory over higher graded Hitchin Town. However, after that it was downhill as spells of successive defeats saw up slip to mid-table. From midNovember to early February, we failed to win a game - drawing five and losing nine league and cup matches slipping to fourteenth in the league table. We did however, rally to finish tenth in the final league table – a massive eighteen points shy of the play-off places.

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

Southern League Division One Central 10/20 P38 W19 D11 L8 For 57 Against 53 pts 53 P6 W2 D0 L4 For 3 Against 10

The highlight of a disappointing season was our league cup campaign which produced exciting consecutive penalty shoot-out victories over Hitchin and Biggleswade FC before losing away at Premier opponents Royston Town.

We were beaten at home seven times in the league, and we failed to score in twelve of our 38 league matches – six times at home and six times away. We did score six goals in a match twice – at home to Barton Rovers and Colney Heath but lost to both sides in the return league matches!

Apart from our moderately successful league cup campaign we were disappointing in cup matches losing in the first outings in the FA Cup, the FA Trophy, and the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup – at home to Godmanchester Rovers.

We again ran no Reserve side.

Our leading scorers and appearances (max. 44) were as follows: ·Joe Rider 19 * Lee Watkins ·Nehemiah Richard-Noel 11 * Wynford Marfo ·Lee Watkins 6 * Louis Chadwick ·Miles Cowling 4 * Charley Barker ·Kwai Marsh-Brown 3 * Charlie Johnson ·Robbie Mason 3 * Nehemiah Richard-Noel ·Felipe McConnell 3 * Myles Cowling ·Harvey Beckett 2 * Ben Heal ·Ben Heal 2 * Aaron Smith * Marsh-Brown Kwai * Joe Rider * Callum Anderson Pete Gill managed the side for the whole season.

39 37 35 34 34 31 30 26 25 23 22 20

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 YAXLEY FC Year founded: 1962 Chairman: David Cattermoul Club Website: www.yaxleyfc.com GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO ALL AT THE PREMIER PLUS STADIUM ESPECIALLY TO OUR VISITORS – YAXLEY We accompanied each other in relegation from the Northern Premier League two seasons ago so our common goal now is to earn promotion back to the higher level. We both made a promising start to the campaign with St Neots now leading the way, but Yaxley’s challenge has faltered recently with just one win and one draw in their last ten league matches. Both home and away they have struggled for results and are currently in the lower reaches of the league table. This is to be the third meeting of our two sides this season but the first at St Neots.Back on August Bank Holiday at the start of the season our lads won 4-2 at Yaxley running up a 4-0 lead in the first 64 minutes with Rhys Thorpe, Connor Furlong, Michael Amaeshike and Harvey Williams all on the scoresheet, but a spirited comeback in the final ten minutes saw former St Neots player Julinho Gomes, and Enoch Opayinca register goals for the home side. Then in October our two sides met again at Yaxley in the Hunts Senior Cup. That proved to be a much closer encounter with our lads surrendering an early lead as Yaxley came back to be leading 31 as the match moved into added time. Then goals from James Hatch (90+4) and Robbie Parker (90+7) gave us an unlikely lifeline to go on to win the resultant penalty shoot-out by five goals to four.In the FA Cup this season Yaxley beat Godmanchester Rovers before losing at home to Grantham Town, whilst in the FA Vase They beat Kirkley and Pakefield 4-3 at home and Foley Meir (Stoke on Trent) 4-2 away before losing at home to Melton Town. In the League cup they were beaten 3-1 at home by Eastwood.

Previous meetings of our teams: The records of matches between our two clubs since our reformation in 1994 makes interesting reading. Our two clubs have faced each other no less than 53 times in the past 31 seasons in a variety of competitions. We have met as follows: Southern League Northern Premier League UCL Southern League Cup UCL Cup Hunts Senior Cup Hinchingbrooke Cup Hunts Premier Cup

3 times 2 times 30 times 1 time 2 times 9 times 4 times 2 times

The goals tally in those 53 matches is interesting – St Neots have scored 104 goals and Yaxley 81.

There have only been three goalless draws one at St Neots in 2009/10 and one at Yaxley in 2006/07, and of course the match here last season

Enjoy the match.

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John Walker's Match Report COVENTRY UNITED (H) 18-01-2025 GCE HIRE PLANT UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH ST NEOTS TOWN

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COVENTRY UNITED

1

With Aylestone Park without a game, St Neots moved four points clear at the top of the league table with this victory over Coventry United. The result avenged a 2-1 defeat at Coventry in November and set St Neots up for two important Cup semi-finals in the next ten days. It was an unchanged side that took the field for the home side. The visitors came to town on the back of a well-earned home draw with former league leaders Aylestone Park and were looking for their first league points at the Premier Plus Stadium.

In the first half the visitors had a good share of possession but made little attacking progress again a sturdy home defence in which skipper Rob Parker and Charlie Bowen were outstanding. St Neots took the lead early after just seven minutes when a trademark long throw into the six yards box from Murphy Culkin was only cleared as far as Charlie Bowen and from the edge of the penalty area, he drove home past a visiting keeper who may have been unsighted. Eight minutes later following a build up out of defence Harvey Williams was close to extending the lead, but his low shot passed the wrong side of a goalpost. However, St Neots did double their advantage on 16 minutes when the lively Williams was hauled down in the area and Sam Willis stepped forward to net from the penalty spot. Rhys Thorpe should have added to the lead three minutes later after intercepting a careless pass, but his finish was wide, and then Williams saw another net bound effort deflected for a corner. The same player saw another effort just off target after good work by Culkin and the only serious first half threat to the home goal came after 40 minutes when visiting striker Curvin Ellis volleyed over the bar from close range. The half ended with a speculative effort from Barnes going just wide with the visiting keeper out of position.

John Walker's Match Report COVENTRY UNITED (H) 18-01-2025 The visiting team looked more positive and aggressive upon the restart with the addition of two substitutes in attacking roles. St Neots soaked up most of the attacking play without looking in danger of relinquishing their comfortable advantage and both Barnes and substitute Danny Baulk tested the visiting keeper. Williams continued to threaten down the left flank and visiting keeper Jake Bull did well to parry his effort after he had broken clear. Then, after 78 minutes, a visiting defender handled in the area and Sam Willis tucked away his second spot kick of the match to increase St Neots’ lead. That seemed to stiffen the visitors’ determination and they set about pressurising the home defence. James Goff saved well from substitute Scott Hammond but with one minute of normal time remaining they did get a consolation goal from Cameron Dunn, another substitute. In a rather generous ten minutes of added time St Neots were happy to defend their lead to pick up three more valuable points to cement their position as league leaders.

St Neots Town: Goff, Willis, Culkin, Tavernier, Parker, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams Subs: Baulk (for Furlong 68 mins), Hatch (for Thorpe 90+6 mins), Peters (for Williams 90+7 mins), and Sutherland Cards: Bowen (Y – 74 mins), Baulk (Y – 85 mins).

Coventry United: Bull, Osazee, Dickens, Cox, Ritson, Mussa, Dube, Merrick, Ellis, Parker, Devoile Subs: Cairns (for Ellis 64 mins), Hammond (for Merrick 64 mins), Dunn (for Dickens 68 mins), Mort (for Parker 80 mins), and Owen.

Cards: Ellis (Y – 53 mins), Bull (Y – 85 mins) Attendance: 252 Referee: Daniel Miller (Northampton) (John Walker)

John Walker's Match Report EATON SOCON (H) 21-01-2025 HUNTINGDONSHIRE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP SEMI FINAL ST NEOTS TOWN

1

EATON SOCON

0

St Neots made hard work of this narrow victory over their lower-graded neighbours to reach their first Hunts Senior Cup Final for six years. Visting Eaton Socon did themselves proud in defeat pushing their hosts for the whole of the match and were unlucky not to win a penalty shoot-out decider. St Neots were outplayed at times by their opponents and never reached the level of momentum that has taken them to the top of their league table. They fielded their usual league side with just the single change of teenage full back Robbie Sutherland coming in at full back for Christian Tavernier, but they lacked the rhythm and confidence displayed in recent outings. They will face St Ives Town in their first Senior Cup Final for six years as they attempt to lift the trophy for the first time since 2018 when they had beaten St Ives in that seasons’ semi-final.

St Neots began well enough with plenty of possession in the opening quarter of an hour. Michael Amaeshike broke through the visiting defence after ten minutes but dragged his shot wide and then defender Murphy Culkin saw a searching cross pushed away at full length by the visiting goalkeeper.Gradually the visiting side gathered confidence and in a confident first half spell they created a couple of good chances but both Hayden Armiger and Ben Hickling saw their efforts both blocked by defenders. St Neots were having to defend in numbers but after 33 minutes they broke away to get the ball in the Socon net only to be thwarted by an offside flag. Just before half time the visitors created the clearest first half chance and when Jake Williams’ shot was parried at full stretch by James Goff the ball fell to Dom Mason, but his free shot was disappointingly wide. St Neots better chances emanated from searching runs down the left by Harvey Williams, but his crosses failed to find a home forward.

S

John Walker's Match Report EATON SOCON (H) 21-01-2025 St Neots made a half time change replacing Robbie Sutherland with Christian Tavernier with Sam Willis moving to full back and a Willis corner presented Kieran Barnes with a shooting opportunity, but his effort was wide of its target. The visitors growing in confidence then had their best spell of the match dominating play from midfield. Goff had to dive bravely at the feet of Armiger after the home defence was breached, and a dipping free kick by Mason was pushed over the crossbar by the home keeper. St Neots retaliated with a coupled of breakaway attacks with Barnes firing wide and Thorpe testing Shay Griffiths with a rising shot. Then after 69 minutes a cross from the right to the far post from Connor Furlong set up Harvey Williams who netted with a low shot to open the scoring. Any thoughts of that signalling a spell of St Neots pressure were quickly dispelled as Socon hit back but they lost Mason to the sin bin which did not help their cause.Griffiths then kept Socon’s lingering hopes alive when he denied Williams a second goal but a series of substitutions by both sides added valuable minutes to the match which ended with Socon unsuccessfully bombarding the home defence which stood firm until the final whistle.

St Neots Town: Goff, Sutherland, Culkin, Willis, Parker, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams Subs: Tavernier (for Sutherland 46 mins), Baulk (for Furlong 78 mins), Hatch (for Thorpe 87 mins), Jessop and Fox. Cards: Thorpe (Y – 82 mins) Eaton Socon: Griffiths, Hickling, Fisher-Diaz, Buckle. Roberts, Ducket (R), Mason, Ducket (R), Williams, Burnside, Armiger Subs: Ryan(for Armiger 85 mins), Ansell-Carter (for Mason 88 mins), Dawkes (for Fisher-Diaz 88 mins), and Banton.

Cards: Burnside (Y – 61 mins) Attendance: 243 Referee: Ryan Andrews

John Walker's Match Report HISTON FC (A) 25-01-2025 GCE HIRE PLANT UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH HISTON FC

0

ST NEOTS TOWN

1

St Neots extended their lead at the top of the table to five points with this single goal victory over Histon.The home side boasted one of the best home records in the UCL Premier South Division this season with just a single league defeat prior to this visit by St Neots. Elsewhere Aylestone Park moved into second place after comprehensively defeating Rugby Borough who are now third – seven points behind St Neots with one match in hand.

St Neots had one enforced team change with James Peters coming in for the unavailable Charlie Bowen and also brought back Christian Tavernier for Robbie Sutherland. The goal came late in the second half after St Neots had dominated proceedings after the break, although the home side did create chances of their own after soaking up constant pressure from the visiting side.

In front of a sizable crowd St Neots began well with Kieran Barnes shooting wide in the third minute after good work by Christian Tavernier but the home side responded with former Saint Joe Sutton seeing a shot deflected wide. A spectacular overhead effort by Rhys Thorpe was too high and then Danny Setchell drove a free kick into the St Neots defensive wall. The sides were looking evenly matched, and St Neots appeals for a penalty were waved away. As the first half moved into its final ten minutes St Neots began to dictate play as Barnes tested home keeper George Whitehall, Connor Furlong got the ball in the net to be denied by the offside flag and defender Murphy Culkin burst through the defence but his finish was wide. fter the home side had squandered an early second half opening as Connor Barnes miscued his effort when played clear of a square lying St Neots back four, the visitors began to dominate play and James Peters got behind the home defence to set up Barnes but his lob over the home keeper also cleared the crossbar.

John Walker's Match Report HISTON FC (A) 25-01-2025 AAs St Neots pressed both Culkin and Harvey Williams had shots blocked and in another concerted St Neots attack Furlong had two shots blocked in succession with the home defence always in the right place.In a breakaway Histon attack, Taylor Franklin went clear of the visiting defence but shot disappointingly wide of the far post and then with substitutes on Histon seemed to find second wind having survived St Neots best efforts.

However, the chances kept coming for the visitors as Williams and Culkin linked cleverly down the left side, but Whitehall was equal to the full back’s finish. Then after 77 minutes St Neots made the important breakthrough as the lively Connor Furlong moved inside two defenders to send a shot over the diving Whitehall and under the bar for what proved to be the winning goal. The competitive nature of the game did not relent as it moved to its finish with visiting keeper James Goff having to make a crucial save to deny Charlie Black deep into added time.

St Neots Town: Goff, Willis, Culkin, Tavernier, Parker, Peters, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes (K), Williams Subs: Baulk (for Furlong 89 mins), George, Sutherland, Jessop, Fox. Cards: Willis (Y – 70 mins), Thorpe (Y – 83 mins) Histon: Whitehall, Black, Leka, O’Neill, York, Saffery, Franklin, Crisp, Barnes (C), Setchell, Sutton Subs: Binder (for Setchell 64 Mins), Cole (for Franklin 69 mins), Cardines (for Sutton 77 mins), Kirkup, and Bruce.

Cards: Setchell (Y – 61 mins), O’Neill (Y – 70 mins), Leka (Y – 83 mins)

Attendance: 304 Referee: Andrew Hitchcox (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

Goff Goff Goff Goff

Francisco Nickels Francisco

Culkin Nickels Culkin Culkin

WILLIS Parker Willis Willis

Parker George Parker George

Nickels

Culkin

WILLIS

Parker

Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff Goff 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 Parker WILLIS Willis

Culkin CULKIN Culkin Culkin Culkin Nickels Culkin

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

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 GODMANCHESTER ROVERS UCL PREM HINCKLEY AFC UCL PREM Daventry Town UCL PREM LEICESTER NIRVANA UCL PREM Coventry United UCL PREM POTTON UNITED HINCH CUP UCL PREM AYLESTONE PARK Newport Pagnell Town UCL PREM UCL PREM EYNESBURY ROVERS UCL PREM EASINGTON SPORTS UCL PREM COVENTRY UNITED

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 29 Oct 02 Nov 09 Nov 16 Nov 23 Nov 30 Nov 10 Dec 14 Dec 21 Dec 26 Dec 04 Jan 18 Jan 21 Jan 25 Jan

EATON SOCON Histon FC

HSC S/Final UCL PREM

4-2 2-2

3-3 6-5 pens

8-2 4-2 0-0 6-0 1-2 0-0 4-3 pens

3-2 1-0 2-5 5-0 3-1 1-0 1-0

191 138 338 93 162 60 243 277 Not Known 285 271 226 156 Not Known 55 239 205 73 286 339 232 206 186 209 418 220 1,104 319 252 243 304

Goff Goff

WILLIS Willis Nickels Willis Willis Willis WILLIS WILLIS 2 Sutherland Willis

Culkin Culkin Culkin Culkin Culkin Culkin CULKIN Nickels Nickels Culkin Sage Culkin CULKIN Culkin Culkin Culkin Culkin Culkin Culkin Culkin Culkin

PARKER George Parker Parker Sage Sage Parker Bowen Bowen Parker Parker Parker Parker Parker

SEASON 24/25 6

7

8

9

10

11

S1

S2

S3

S4

S5

Bowen Bowen Bowen George BOWEN Bowen Bowen Bowen

Furlong Furlong Furlong FURLONG Furlong FURLONG FURLONG Furlong

Amaeshike Amaeshike Amaeshike Amaeshike Amaeshike Amaeshike AMAESHIKE Amaeshike

THORPE 2 THORPE Thorpe THORPE Thorpe Thorpe THORPE Thorpe

Barnes BARNES Barnes BARNES BARNES 2 BARNES 3 Barnes BARNES

Brown Brown Brown Walker Williams Walker Walker Williams

Baulk Baulk Baulk Brown Brown BAULK WILLIAMS Francisco

Williams Williams Williams Baulk Baulk Williams Baulk

Hatch George Hatch Joseph George Joseph

Joseph Joseph Francisco Tavernier Joseph

Joseph Jessup Francisco

Bowen Bowen Bowen

Thorpe WALKER

Willis Willis

HATCH THORPE

AMAESHIKE Amaeshike

Baulk Williams

Francisco Hatch

Furlong Furlong

AMAESHIKE 2

THORPE

Amaeshike

Thorpe

Barnes Barnes

Williams WILLIAMS

Tavernier Walker

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

Furlong Furlong FURLONG

Amaeshike AMAESHIKE AMAESHIKE 2

Thorpe Hatch Hatch

Barnes Williams Williams

FURLONG FURLONG FURLONG BAULK 2 FURLONG Furlong Furlong Jammeh FURLONG

Amaeshike AMAESHIKE Amaeshike AMAESHIKE Amaeshike Amaeshike AMAESHIKE Willis WILLIS

Hatch Thorpe THORPE JOSEPH 2 THORPE Thorpe Thorpe Thorpe THORPE 3

Walker Barnes BARNES Barnes BARNES Barnes Barnes BARNES Barnes Barnes BARNES BARNES

Williams Williams Williams Williams Baulk Williams Williams Williams Williams

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

BOWEN Bowen Bowen Bowen Sage Sage

FURLONG Furlong FURLONG Furlong Furlong Furlong

Amaeshike Amaeshike Amaeshike Amaeshike Amaeshike

Barnes Barnes Barnes Barnes Willis BARNES

Williams Williams BAULK 2 Baulk Baulk Williams

Baulk Baulk Joseph Williams Hatch Baulk

Hatch

Joseph

NICKELS Joseph Williams Hatch

Hatch

Sutherland

AMAESHIKE

THORPE Thorpe THORPE Thorpe Thorpe THORPE

Sage

Baulk

Amaeshike

Thorpe

Barnes

WILLIAMS

Ajana

Peters

Sage

Furlong

THORPE

BARNES

Williams

Baulk

Bowen BOWEN Bowen Peters

FURLONG 2 Furlong Furlong FURLONG

Peters Amaeshike Amaeshike Amaeshike Amaeshike

THORPE Thorpe Thorpe Thorpe

BARNES Barnes Barnes Barnes

Williams Williams WILLIAMS Williams

Baulk Baulk Tavernier Baulk

Jessop Peters Hatch

Peters

George

Baulk Joseph Nickels Francisco

Baulk Potts - Wallace

George

Williams

Pitts-W-Luke

Joseph

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

Joseph

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

Hatch Hatch Baulk

Furlong Jessop

Joseph

Fox Jammeh

PITTS-W-LUKE

Joseph

George

Goldstraw Goldmiths St Neots Town Main Stand Sponsor

Goldstraw Goldsmiths Goldstraw Goldsmiths is an established, trusted, successful jewellery shop in the Cambridgeshire town of St Neots. At Goldstraws Goldsmiths we’ve been designing and caring for jewellery for over 30 years. We sell all styles of jewellery; new and antique. If you have a particular item in mind, we will always endeavour to source it. Two experienced goldsmiths work on the premises, offering quality craftsmanship with every newly created piece and repair. We take pride in our work and our customers tell us time and time again that wouldn’t go anywhere else. Why not come in and say hello we” be happy to help.

www.goldstraw.co.uk 01480 407704

Opponent Spotlight Yaxley FC

2The club was formed in 1900 with the forerunner of today’s club, Yaxley Rovers, being members of the first Peterborough League campaign contested during the 1902/03 season. History up until the Second World War is not well documented and the first instance of a post-war championship came about in 1950/51 when the club won the Peterborough League Division Two. Relegation was just around the corner though, and it was back in Division Three by the end of the 1950’s.

The Club has always played either in or on the fringes of the highest levels of local leagues which, over the years have been sponsored and known by many names such as Eastern Counties, Jewson, and Peterborough League. The Cuckoo’s finished as runners-up three seasons in a row, the last of these being enough to see the club promoted to the Premier Division of the Peterborough League. The club’s first taste of Premier Division football came at the start of the 1975/76 season and once again they finished runners-up. The following season they went one better and won the Premier Division title.

The 1983/84 season was a superb one with the first team winning the treble, the Peterborough Premier Division, the Peterborough Senior Cup and the Hunts Senior Cup, and the Reserves winning the Peterborough Division One Championship. The Cuckoos left the Peterborough League at the end of the 1987/88 season and made the step up to the Eastern League at the start of the following season.

1993/94 saw the purchase of the new ground and the facilities to step up to the United Counties League and the 1994/95 season was at that time, probably the most successful in its history. This was the debut season of the ill-fated West Anglian League (amalgamation of the Hunts & East Northants Leagues) and the first team won promotion to the United Counties League after winning the championship. The Reserves also won Division One of the same competition thus emulating the feat of 1984/85. During the close season floodlights were erected and a stand was put up at the Leading Drove ground. The following season saw the Division One championship come to Leading Drove.

The 2002/03 season saw the Reserve and Youth teams win the lion’s share of league and cup silverware whilst Jim Watson took over the management of the First Team making a magnificent charge from the relegation zone of the United Counties League Premiership to finish seventh with 67 points – the club’s highest ever finishing position. The same season saw plans unveiled for new facilities that are part of a five year objective to take the club into the Dr. Martens (or equivalent) league. Plans were also made to incorporate Yaxley Juniors and establish a new Ladies team to assist in creating a community orientated football club.

Opponent Spotlight Yaxley FC

The ‘03/04, 04/05 and 05/06 seasons have undoubtedly been the clubs most successful ever with the 1st, Reserve, Youth, Ladies and Junior teams all bringing home trophies including at senior level, the prestigious Hinchingbrooke Cup and the UCL League Cup in May 06. The club has maintained FA Charter Club status and was granted planning permission to redevelop the site, improving the facilities (e.g. new clubhouse and additional playing areas) to FA community standard. The project was severely delayed in 2005 resulting in significant commercial loses due to an access dispute halting the club’s entire development plan. The dispute was finally settled and the project restarted in August ’06. Season 2008-09 saw the move to more temporary accommodation. The last 3 seasons have been some of the toughest in the clubs history as against the pundit’s opinions; Gary Clipston pulled survival from the jaws of relegation.

The 2012-13 season saw a total rebuild of the 1st team and players under the management of former Cuckoos player and Reserve Team manager Brett Whaley (assisted by Chris Lenton) and the reinstatement of the clubs Reserve Team acting as a bridge between our flourishing U18’s and 1st Team. The 1st team finished midtable and were joint winners (along with Royston Town) of The Hinchingbrooke Cup, the reserve team were runners up in the league and the league cup and the U18’s were league champions and league cup winners (comprehensively beating AFC Rushden & Diamonds). All in all, not a bad season.

2013-14 saw the dismantling of the reserve side due to a lack of bodies to manage the team to an acceptable level and a brand new U18’s team coming up from U16’s football – a very tough season ahead. The 1st team finished 6th in the league table— a highly commendable result but the FA and League Cup competitions were massively disappointing although we probably created a couple of new records in the process.

2014-15 saw the Cuckoos enjoy a very good season with an excellent FA Vase run and a 4th position in the league but one of the worst disciplinary records in the clubs history compounded by an embarrassing county cup final display to round off a poor run-in to the end. The surprise of the season was the “shock” departure of Brett Whaley to Wisbech Town having only days before presented his plan and budget for the 2015-16 to the clubs committee which was approved.

Opponent Spotlight Yaxley FC

2015-16 A new brush and a new era with new manager Ian Benjamin, an exprofessional with massive experience in semi-pro and non-league and a track record of promotion at Step 4 and 5. The biggest change for the club was the new 3G pitch that the club and the community have already benefited from enormously. The club would like to place on public record its deep and sincere appreciation to all those silent partners who have made our dream for growth and sustainability a reality. Ian Benjamin resigned at the beginning of April and the position was filled by the return from Wisbech Town of Brett Whaley.

2016-17 Brett Whaley showed his intent to take the Cuckoos to a higher level of football by strengthening the squad with some impressive experience whilst retaining the vast majority of last season’s players. Last season was a disappointing one for the whole club but that was quickly forgotten. Brett brought back players and a great coaching team. In addition to an impressive 3rd place in the league we also won the UCL KO Cup beating Wisbech Town in a fiercely contested battle.

2017-18 saw our new Chairman Malcolm Clements officially set the clubs target for promotion and building on the success of last season, started what we all hoped was the next forward step for the Cuckoos. Our local attendances began to swell and also got behind our reformed Reserves. Assistant manager Andy Furnell took over the 1st Team management as Brett Whaley once again left the club. Ferns led the club again to the league cup final (runners up) but more importantly to the league title and PROMOTION to the Evo-Stik SOUTHERN LEAGUE. 2018-19 on the back of a tremendous season, the Cuckoos are looking to sustain their rise to step 4 retaining the complete squad from last year. And bolstering in a couple of areas. The Reserve team led by Lloyd Burton is looking to improve on a successful last season having finished a solid 6th in the league and UCL Reserves KO cup title. We are all looking forward to the challenge – COME ON YOU CUCKOOS!!

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

Manager – Wilkins Makate Manager – Raph Frascogna Head Physio - Pete Foskett Physio - Jemma Hill

Squad List

Squad List

James Goff (GK) Nathan George Robbie Parker (C) Murphy Culkin Charlie Bowen James Peters Christian Tavernier Michael Amaeshike Sam Willis Kieran Barnes Shane Fox Rhys Thorpe Connor Furlong Danny Baulk Harvey Williams Robbie Sutherland Brandon Jessop James Hatch

Adrian Bilicz (GK) Jay Chilvers Denys Dushkin Julinho Gomes Matthew Harris-Hercules Enoch Opayinka Max Rigby Harvey Robertson Jordan Venters Evan Watkins Jae Mead Mark Baines George Carder Lewis Lilley Callum Pratt Joshua Turner

Colours Light Blue Shirts Dark Blue Shorts Light Blue Socks

Colours Orange Shirts Orange Shorts Orange Socks

Referee Wyndham Trusler Assistant Ian Brown Assistant 2 Paul Buck Next Home Match....

Sileby Rangers Saturday 8th February - 3.00pm GCE Hire Plant United Counties League Premier Division South