Saints 02 Poole Town

ST NEOTS TOWN Poole Town Football Club ISSUE 02: THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE £2.00 The Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division

INSIDE

Issue 02 V Poole Town Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division

Also Inside 06 Action Replay 08 Match Report - Bideford 13 Chairman’s Views

26

18 The Stars Who Got Us To Step

Three - Lewis Webb

38

Todays’ Visitors / A warm welcome to the Dolphins

20 Read All About It 24 Pull-Out Poster

A physical encounter but 3 points / Read the Leamington match report

30 Greenies Greetings 34 MD’s Views 36 Introducing Danny Gay 40 Leagues Review 41 Season 2015/16 Fixtures Matrix 44 Season 2015/16 Statistics

04

14

View From The Dugout / Batchy salutes the fans’ dedication

48 Home & Opposition Squads

Non-League Greats / It’s the turn of the Pyscho!

Owner Mike Kearns

Fiest Team Coach John Beck

Chairman Mike Kearns

Club Secretary Gary Wilson

Managing Director Lee Kearns

Fixture Secretary Marian Izzard

Director Iain Parr

Life President John Walker

Football Manager David Batch

Team Officials Darren Plowman (Goalkeeping Coach)

Assistant Manager Steve Eastaugh

46 Premier Division League Table

Youth Liaison & Development Mick Hunt Physio Carol Holland Functions and Events Coordinator Louise Spark St Neots Town TV Editor Adam Ridley

Programme Editor Mark Davies Club Photographer Claire Howes Site Manager Irmantas Sabaliauskas Chief Liaison Officer Mike Green Programme Sales Charlie Green

Matchday Music / Scoreboard Simon Hutchinson Pitchcare Working Turf Design & Marketing Blue Prawn Print XL Press Limited

Club Merchandise Linda Walters

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 03

one of the most cutting attacking performances you will see from any team in the first 60 minutes of the game. It really seemed as though we were going to score with every attack and we should have been five nil up by half time.

Good afternoon and welcome to the players staff and supporters of Poole, we hope you have a safe trip home.

Firstly, the most important thing our support. This week has been incredible. To have nearly 400 people at a midweek home fixture, singing and backing your new, young team throughout was a brilliant welcome to the new arrivals as well as the old guard. I’m pleased we got the result you and the players deserved.

IN AWE A special mention however, must go out to all those who travelled to Bideford last Saturday. I am in awe of you guys who plan holidays around the games near to where we play, who take time off work as holiday and travel hours on end at your own expense, so that you can follow the

team away from home - particularly on trips as far as Bideford.

The players are extremely grateful to you, but didn’t get the chance to thank you properly for your support. As a small token of their appreciation, they want to buy all those who came a pint! It’s not going to cover the cost of your petrol, but it is a small thank you nonetheless.

We will give photographer Claire a voucher that you can redeem at the club bar. (Not Bideford’s club bar I should add!).

4 POINTS GAINED From a football perspective, we’ve seen two completely different games which have seen us gain 4 points in the first week. The first match was full of goals. We delivered probably

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In a way that contributed a little bit towards our downfall, as we attempted to add to that tally throughout. I’ve already said that I have to take responsibility for that, and we have already begun the process of improving this area of our game.

SUPERB PERFORMANCE - Ryan Hawkins had a great game on Tuesday night

“We delivered probably one of the most cutting attacking performances you will see from any team in the first 60 minutes of the game” PHYSICALITY Onto Tuesday night and a very tough, competitive game against probably the most physical side we have encountered since my arrival here on January 1st this year.

Whilst we had the better territorially of the first half, we did lack quality in our attacks. This I feel was not down solely to our performance, but also the competitiveness of the Leamington team made it very difficult for us to get into our stride.

It’sCAROL also theHOLLAND first time I’ve seen the opposing goalkeeper be the

biggest attacking threat a side has.

That said, exactly the same thing applied to them, as we matched that physicality and knew that the second half would reward the team that kept the coolest head and added the best quality at an important time.

We certainly saw this from the excellent turn, run and cross from Ryan Hawkins, followed by a sublime finish from Tom Meechan. As the game wore on and we kept our head, what unfolded in the last five minutest when two of their players were dismissed, came as no surprise.

OLD FOES Onto today, and we reacquaint ourselves with our old foes Poole, whom we played twice in the last couple of months of the season, both times at their ground.

Both were tight affairs, with only one goal in the two games. Fortunately of course that went to us and we found ourselves against the odds, in the play off final. I expect and hope that today’s match to be equally as tight as those two encounters and hope the support that you guys are bringing will help give us an added boost. Enjoy the game.

Batchy

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FROM THE FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND TEN YEARS AGO UCL PREMIER DIVISION (Saturday 20 August 2005)

Wembley 0 - 2 St Neots Town St. Neots manager Steve Kuhne summed up the game in his after match interview with Sky Sports who were there to cover the game.

He said “It has been a good and enjoyable day and the result brings in some income for the club”.

The FA Cup which ever round, win or lose, is always a day the supporters can enjoy and the St. Neots faithful enjoyed their day within sight of the famous National stadium.

Gary Walker opened the scoring for the visitors, midway through the first half, heading home a Simon Claridge head on from a long throw from Nicky Hurst.

St. Neots up to this stage had had the better of the game with Gary Watts having the best chance,

heading just wide from a Russell Lawes corner.

The home team always looked dangerous going forward and created a number of good chances of their own but St Neots new keeper Stefan Chamalin was equal to their best efforts.

With St. Neots not taking advantage of the chances they created during the first period the game always looked to be in a fine balance. That was until Steve Kuhne tapped in from close range, in time added on, before the interval.

Claridge acted as provider for the second time in the game after heading a Lawes free kick taken from the left flank back into the goal area for Kuhne to double the visitors score.

Wembley looked far more positive during the second period with two good efforts shaving the St. Neots cross bar within the first five minutes.

Matt Endersby probably should have wrapped the game up, for the visitors, seven minutes into the second half but blasted over from just 15 yards. Barry Dellar was guilty of the same after Kuhne had done well to get his cross in, from the right flank, only to see Dellar’s effort sky over the bar.

Wembley threw everything at the visitors defence for the last 15 minutes but St. Neots weathered the storm to earn a good win and a home draw in the next round to Hemel Hempstead on Saturday August 27th.

St Neots: Chamalin, Hurst, Lawes (Brown), Buckland, Watts, Claridge, Hoggett, Dellar, Kuhne, Walker (Franklin), Endersby (Moles).

Subs not used: Cumberbatch.

Goals: Walker (21), Kuhne (45) Report: John Walker

PAGE 06 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

BIDEFORD AFC 4 ST NEOTS TOWN 4 Southern League Premier Division / 08.08.2015 / Attendance: 233 / Referee: Robert Dabbs

Football is back but St Neots’ first Southern League Premier Division performance of the season promised much but delivered little.

Leading 4-1 with just ten minutes left it was looking like the perfect antidote to their play-off final disappointment last season but almost unbelievably they collapsed to concede three goals and return from Devon leaving two valuable league points behind.

St Neots Management team were said to be ‘seething’ at the teams’ total ineptness at the performance in those last few minutes but some credit must be paid to the home side who clearly have no notion of a lost cause.

The biggest pity is that the final score line does not give the credit that is deserved to new striker Tom Meechan who announced his arrival two steps up in seniority in the Southern League with a personal hat trick which is a memory he will treasure for the rest of his career.

St Neots were without last season’s leading scorer Drew Roberts who is awaiting surgery and their first line up of the season included six players not with the club last season.

Their pre-season preparation had been mixed with injuries and nonavailabilities preventing Manager David Batch from assessing the full potential of his rearranged squad but they gelled almost immediately to suggest that he has prepared them well.

They started strongly with Remy Gordon producing a first minute cross that was won in the air by Nathan Frater – his header just grazing the wrong side of the crossbar. Bideford’s first effort on goal by Billy Tucker eight minutes later flew harmlessly wide and then a long clearance by Danny Gay found Gordon free on the left and his cross saw the lively Tom Meechan win the ball in front of home keeper Kyle Moore only to see his header cleared off the line by a defender.

However in the next attack Brett Longden threaded a fine pass forward for Meechan to race clear and claim his first Southern League goal to put Sty Neots in control.

After 16 minutes the advantage was doubled as Jack Wilkinson’s long throw was flicked on by Mat Mitchel-King for Meechan to net with an acrobatic overhead kick and from that point on until the break St Neots were in almost total command. After 17 minutes Gordon outpaced the defence to cross for Ryan Hawkins who was just unable to apply the finishing touch and three minutes later Meechan turned to free Hawkins who drilled the ball into the keeper’s chest.

As half time approached Gordon looked likely to create defensive panic each time he got the ball and St Neots almost got a third goal when a net bound Hawkins effort was blocked. Bideford looked more

determined after the restart with a free kick and a corner both coming to nothing and then after 47 minutes a long clearance by Mitchel-King was collected by Meechan who turned provider to set up Gordon for the third St Neots goal. After 63 minutes St Neots replaced Longden and Frater with Lee Clarke and Bamoussa Cisse and this seemed to hamper the sides’ rhythm.

Five minutes later Bideford produced a significant break-through when skipper Matt Hockley converted a Tucker cross at the near post to signal his side a faint chance of a comeback.

St Neots steadied the ship and with ten minutes left they seemed to have clinched victory when Hawkins fed Meechan and he cleverly tricked his way around two static defenders to complete his hat trick and make the score 4-1. Within sixty seconds however Tucker bent a shot around his marker to make it 4-2 but even worse was to follow.

With five minutes left Danny Tapp knocked down a corner for substitute Kevin Squire to fire in through a packed six yards box and a minute into added time a Sean Downing cross was forced in at the far post by Squire for his second goal that earned the host side a most unlikely share of the points.

John Walker via Mick Hunt

Bideford

St Neots Town

Moore, Sampson, Reed, Downing, Harrison, Tapp, Hockley, Tucker, Charran, Andrews, Milton Subs: Squire, Phillips and Johnston Cards: None Goals: Hockley (70 mins), Tucker (82 mins), Squire 2 (85 and 90+1 mins)

Gay, Anton, Wilkinson, Tann, Mitchel-King, Hall, Frater, Longden, Meechan, Hawkins, Gordon Subs: Clarke (for Frater 63), Cisse (for Longden 63), Harty, Hobbs and Mailamcol. Cards: Longden (Y – 54) Goals: Meechan 3 (12, 16 and 80 mins), Gordon (47 mins)

PAGE 08 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

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TOM MEECHAN DEBUT HAT-TRICK

Welcome to our opponents today Poole Town, their officials, players and supporters; I hope you enjoy your day with us.

Both clubs know each other very well now and last season was indeed a very disappointing one for us loosing in the play off final but of course an even more disappointing one for Poole who as they and everyone else knows should have won this league comfortably, however as they say its never over till its over and I for one really did have mixed emotions after our semi final play off victory down in Dorset last April.

Yes we won the match but I think all of our supporters felt for Poole, as they were without doubt the best team we had played all season.

However even if they did beat us that night I believe that they would THE MACK IS BACK! possibly have encountered what we

did in the play off final down at Truro.

I do try and get that episode out of my mind and in time it will go away but the sour taste still remains at this moment.

A top fixture is on the cards today in what the bookies believe are the two favorites to gain promotion.

So today’s game is a real test for both sides so early in the season, of course the result will not be that dramatic as it is only the third game in a very long season.

Our first away game of the season saw us make the incredibly long journey to north Devon the home of Bideford of which we will be talking about that result for a very long time.

An outstanding performance by the team in scoring four away goals but only taking home a draw was a little disappointing for all of us.

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These things do happen in football as Poole Town know only too well, and to be honest it is very hard to get anything from a long trip down to Bideford so that journey is out of the way and before the game I think we would all have settled for an away point.

On to our old friends Leamington who on Tuesday nights’ performance must have had a bit of a rough time in the National North Division these past two years as they came to us and really did try to rough us up with their ‘take no prisoners’ type tactics which saw some serious foul play and an off the ball elbow smash into Matt Kings face unnoticed by the officials of which ended his night, the guy who did that was a very lucky man as I doubt if any player could be comfortable if Matt got angry.

Having a pre-match chat with the Leamington Chairman he was saying just how hard and tough the National North Division was to play

better than most) that the two goal areas and the center of the pitch would be near impossible to rectify over this summer, but yes we did it and thank you to all those that were involved in getting the pitch looking like a carpet again.

in and in his opinion was that the standard was very much higher than that of the Southern league, what he means by standard I’m not sure, as the Leamington manager must have learned something from his experiences over those two years and implemented some of that into his team on Tuesday night.

What pleased me with our team and it is made up with a majority of young players all under 21 years is how they stood up to this kind of treatment and also did what they maybe failed to do against Bideford was to manage the game until the final whistle.

That was the highlight for me and the players have learned very quickly since, that they can manage the game right up to the final whistle.

A great win against a team that without doubt be up there in the mix at the end of the season. A hard and very tough league this in more ways than one.

Moving on I must say it is a pleasure to be able to work with David and his management team, in my last programme notes I spoke about just how professional they were and always looking to improve the club to a professional level equal to any other football club.

Another way David is improving this is the way he is communicating with you the supporters and general public with his “from the dugout” articles for the web site.

All the news on everything good or not so good as in his very open and honest review of the Bideford game.

which we wanted it to look clean and white and more in line with that of the inside pages but also giving that maybe old style of programme front cover look. The inner pages have mainly remained the same except for any new articles we will publish over the season. To be honest we did have a problem with trying to improve the layout, design and copy of the content, as we believe we had already got it just about right.

I hope you too like what we have come up with as it really does take many hours of hard work to get the publication as near to perfection as we can.

Any ideas on improvements then we are only too willing to listen as its not easy thinking up all these new articles.

Having been away for a while at the end of last season when the pitch had its usual overhaul I must say by the end of the season I was very concerned (even though it was still

We have always been proud of all of our facilities and the pitch is something I take a real personal interest in, every player and I remember this very well from my playing days would love to play on a pitch like ours me included, it just makes it all worth while for a footballer, unfortunately for us it means that the opposition are always “up for it” when they arrive and come out to look at the pitch.

I remember last season when the opposition arrived and I was standing pitch side when I heard a couple of players say “Is that a 3G Astro pitch” praise indeed that our pitch could look like an Astro pitch.

The club have now finalized a deal with Cozys coaches for our match day travel requirements of which will again give supporters the opportunity to enjoy there away trips on the team coach. This will start for our next away fixture this coming Tuesday against Bedworth.

Lastly thank you to all you fantastic supporters who made the very long journey to Bideford by car and gave the team your usual very loud and unreserved support.

All for one and one for all.

Mike

David takes all this to another level and its refreshing to read these articles as they are published, in fact I think we all look forward to them as the main highlight of the football week.

The programme cover has had a revamp and after three seasons of trying to improve it, myself and mark have come up with the new design of

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Born in Shepherds Bush, London, Pearce first attended Fryent Primary School in Kingsbury, North West London before attending Claremont High School in Kenton.

He failed a trial at Queens Park Rangers and then rejected an offer from Hull City, instead settling into a career in the non-league game with his local side, Wealdstone, while training and working as an electrician. For almost five years, he was the first choice full back for the team, then amongst the biggest names of non-league football in the Alliance Premier League.

In 1983 Wealdstone received an unexpected offer of £30,000 (then a huge sum for a semi-professional player) for Pearce from then topflight club Coventry City. Sky Blues manager Bobby Gould had been to watch Wealdstone, and was impressed by Pearce’s determination and combative attitude. Pearce agreed to the step up in clubs reluctantly – making his professional debut for Coventry immediately.

He established himself as an uncompromising left back who played hard but fair.

Two years later he was brought to Nottingham Forest by manager Brian Clough as the makeweight in a £300,000 deal which also saw Coventry’s centre back Ian Butterworth move to Forest.

Indeed, so unsure was Pearce of his footballing future that, after the transfer, he actually advertised his services as an electrician in Forest’s match-day programme.

Pearce spent 12 years at Forest, most of it as club captain.

During his playing career he won two League Cups and the Full Members Cup, while also scoring from a free kick in the 1991 FA Cup final, when Forest were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur.

Stuart played for a host of top clubs including, Newcastle United West ham United and Manchester City.

IN 1999 Stuart was awarded the OBE by the Queen in recognition of his talents and charity work.

His England career included winning 78 caps, but unfortunitly he will with Chris Waddle always be remembered for that world cup penalty miss in the shoot out against West Germany in 1990.

LORENZO FERRARI PAGE 14 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

Moving on to management Stuart managed clubs he had previously played for including Nottingham Forest and Manchester City before moving on to be caretaker manager of England and under 21s manager, Stuart even managed the Great Britain Olympic football team.

All in all not bad for a former non league player who played for “five” years with Wealdstone before hitting the big time.

STUART PEARCE

“Everyone remembers Stuart Pearce as a determined, agressive player who played with great heart and enthusiasm that gave him a great career in the game” Sir Alex Ferguson

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 15

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Please contact Louise on Misslouises@yahoo.co.uk or 07753 222683 PAGE 16 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

REMY SCORES HIS FIRST FOR THE CLUB

YES, IT’S IN!

LEWIS WEBB PAGE 18 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

THE STARS WHO GOT US TO STEP THREE Lewis captained the side in the 2011/12 season and was an uncompromising midfield general.

He made his debut on 23 January 2010 away at Blackstones scoring his first goal in April in the home derby match with St Ives. He also scored the only goal in the Senior Cup Final victory over Yaxley that season. He moved on after our first season in the Southern League making his final appearance in the Hinchingbrooke Cup semi-final away at Huntingdon on 2 May 2012.

Career Record MATCHES PLAYED 104 plus 15 as substitute GOALS SCORED 28 APPEARANCES IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE ERA 38 plus 8 as substitute GOALS SCORED (2011/12 ONWARDS) 5

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READ ALL ABOUT IT We take a look at what other non-league clubs are doing that’s making the news this week.

CAMBRIDGE CITY

Gary Roberts has added two new players to his Cambridge City squad, Danny Burns is an 18-year-old centre-half who joins on a youth loan for a month from Sky Bet League Two neighbours Cambridge United. Burns has been part of the U’s successful under-18 team, and joins up with the City squad ahead of the opener against Weymouth at Westwood Road tomorrow. Also added to the squad is 29-yearold Michael Malcolm (above). The striker started his career as a youth with Wycombe Wanderers and Tottenham who paid £1million for him when he was just 14 years of age. Malcolm then went on to play for teams such as Stockport County and Crawley where he made fortyone appearances each. In recent seasons he has played for the likes of Bromley, Maidenhead United, Wealdstone and St Albans City.

CHESHAM UNITED

Talented Reading under-21 goalkeeper George Legg has joined Chesham United on-loan Securing the Reading shot-stopper’s signature will come as welcome news for both United fans and the management team alike, who were impressed

by Legg’s agility and unwavering goalkeeping displays against both Watford X1 and Hemel Hempstead Town. Legg, 19, was awarded a one-year professional contract by the Championship club at the end of his scholarship in June. Prior to turning professional, the Reading man gained invaluable pitch-time with the likes of Oxford United, Holyport, Hendon and Dunstable Town between 2013 and 2014.

The youngster also managed to avoid the Berkshire club’s infamous goalkeeping cull at the end of the 2014/15 season, which was a clear sign of Reading’s faith in Legg, who is well thought-of among his fellow peers and earmarked for bigger things to come. Standing at 6`5” – and with a reach to even outstrip many Premier League and Championship goalkeepers – Legg has the right attitude, agility and build to become a household footballing name in future years.

Throughout the course of his expected four-month loan-spell at The Meadow, Legg will continue to train with his Reading team-mates during the day, but come to the aid of United on match days in bid to help the club improve on its midtable finish in the Southern Premier Division last season.

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HITCHIN TOWN

Hitchin Town have announced that Sam Barker has signed for the coming season along with Kane Smith. Twenty-two-year-old holding midfielder Barker joined the Canaries at the start of the 2013/14 season from Chesham United and was originally with Luton Town. Teenager Smith signed first-team forms in February after coming through the club`s scholarship scheme.

This is excellent news for supporters as they are both key members of the squad. Keeper Tahj Bell will not be signing, although manager Mark Burke has wished him all the best for the future. However, goalkeeper Charlie Horlock (above) is now a Hitchin player rather than just on loan after his release from Sky Bet League Two side Wycombe Wanderers.

Michael Johnson has also signed to provide competition and cover for Horlock.Striker Brett Donnelly faces a spell out of the game after picking up an injury in pre-season training. Liam Brooks, another who came through the club`s scholarship scheme, will also be unavailable in the short-term because of illness.

CIRENCESTER TOWN

Cirencester Town have signed winger Zack Kotwica on a six-month youth loan from Vanarama National League neighbours Cheltenham Town. The Gloucester-born 19-year-old has progressed through the Robins’ youth ranks and also spent time out on loan at Gloucester City and Bishop’s Cleeve. He scored his first senior goal in the 1-1 draw at Mansfield Town last December and signed a one-year extension to his contract which ties him to the World of Smile Stadium until the end of this season. Kotwica played, and scored against them in Cheltenham’s 3-0 friendly win on July 11th and he appeared for the Centurions in their 3-0 victory over Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

FROME TOWN

Frome Town have announced that their squad has been added to with four players all signing ahead

of Saturday`s start to the season.

Full-backs Callum Thompson and Alex Stafei have both signed after impressing in pre-season, while goalkeeper Ed Baldy (pictured) and midfielder Ben Worlock have both signed again after being part of last season’s squad. Stafei, who is a Romanian, is currently awaiting international clearance before he can play competitively for the Robins

Stevenson at Mansfield Town, in winning a championship medal and I am looking forward to working with him as we strive to hit the ground running in the Southern league next weekend. Now, along with my other strikers, we have some real potency at the top end of the field and competition for places which is always very healthy.”

BIDEFORD

KINGS LYNN TOWN

King`s Lynn Town`s summer-long search for a striker has finally ended with the announcement of the signing of the vastly experienced Jake Speight from Vanarama National League North outfit Harrogate Town. Manager Gary Setchell, who since April has been on the hunt for a new hit, man is delighted to finally have landed his man. He said: “It’s been a long and sometimes painful search. I am really pleased to have finally got Jake to the club. “His record, at a particularly high level of football, speaks for itself. He has scored goals at a decent rate over a period of time and I feel he will prove to be a very, very valuable acquisition for King’s Lynn Town football Club. He has tasted success, along with Lee

Jordan Charran a striker has signed for Bideford from Carlsberg South West Peninsula League side Witheridge. He scored 99 goals in five seasons and has been a longterm target for Robins` manager Sean Joyce. After flirting with a permanent move to the Southern Premier club over the past two years, Charran felt the time was right to try to nail down a place in the team.

“You’ve got to push yourself and get out of your comfort zone,” Charran told the North Devon Journal. “I came here last season but it was difficult to commit. It’s a lot easier now because my young one is eight months old. I’m fully committed for this season and want to give it 100%.”

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NATHAN FRATER HEADS AGAINST THE BAR

TOM MEECHAN FLICKS IT IN

TODAY’S VISITORS

POOLE TOWN

After leading the way in the Premier Division for much of last season Poole had to settle for a play off place – beaten by St Neots in the Semi-Final!

A very special welcome for our next Southern League Premier Division engagement to Poole Town our visitors this afternoon who are making their third visit to the Premier Plus Stadium.

Our two clubs have a similarity in our history because we are two of the clubs with the shortest recent record at Step Three in the Football Pyramid.

Poole achieved their step Four status in the 2011/12 season fifteen years after relegation from the Southern League following a string of regular successes in the Wessex League.

St Neots also won their way to that level the same season winning the Central Division of the Southern League and promotion to Step Three at the first attempt.

Poole finished runners-up to Bideford in the South and West Division but lost to Gosport in the play off final and had to wait a further season before appearing in the Premier Division.

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In 2013/14 they threatened to make it back to back promotions because at the turn of the year Poole was in fifth place in the Premier Division table with 41 points – eleven points behind second placed Cambridge City but with a whopping SIX matches in hand.

This backlog arose because of a combination of National Cup matches either for themselves or scheduled opponents and the loss of matches to weather conditions.

However that second half of season heavy schedule proved to be their downfall because Poole finished seventh in the final table two points short of fifth placed Stourbridge who claimed the final play off place. Then last season after leading the way in the Premier Division for much of the season Poole had to settle for a play-off place – beaten by St Neots in the semi-final!

However a glance at the records shows that in four league meetings each side can boast a home victory and an away

ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

draw so we could not be more closely matched.

CLUB HISTORY Poole FC were formed on 20th September 1890 by the merger between two local sides, Poole Rovers and Poole Hornets, who can trace their origins back to 1880. Poole do not enter the Dorset League until 1896, where they stay until 1902/03. In 1903/04 Poole join the Hampshire League for the first time, but only for one season. They competed in the West Div finishing in 4th place with 17 points from 14 games, just above Bournemouth FC. After a year out of league competition, Poole return to the Hampshire League West Division for a longer stay, finishing 5th out of 7 teams in 1905/06. They finished 4th out of 7 in 1906/07, 4th of 8 in 1907/08. Poole could always rely on success in cup competition, and won the Dorset Senior Cup for the 5th time in 1907, winning the original trophy outright. Poole’s best season was 1908/09 when they finished runners

(2014-15 Season) Year founded: 1890 Nickname: The Dolphins Chairman: Clive Robbins

Website: www.pooletownfc.co.uk Stadium: Tatnam Ground

Previous Meetings: 2014/15 Poole 0-0 St Neots St Neots 3-2 Poole

up, just 1 point behind Longfleet St Mary’s. Much interest was expressed by football supporters in the outcome of this competition and a crowd of 400 was in attendance at the Sterte ground to see Poole beat Boscombe 3-1, and over 1000 were to see the late season decider between Longfleet St Mary’s and Poole. Unfortunately Poole finished 6th out of 7 the following season and drop back into the Dorset County League, their place being taken

by Lymington.

inexplicably lost their last two league games! They also won the Dorset Senior Cup (beating Dorchester 2-0 aet), in a thriller at Weymouth’s Radipole Lane ground and reached the semi finals of the League Cup. They were, however denied promotion to level 4 due to inadequate ground grading at the Tatnam. They won the Wessex League Title again in 2009-10 by an impressive 18 points and reached the final of the League Cup, but again failed to gain promotion after the plans to build a new ground at Bracksome Rec fell through. The real coup for the 09/10 season was more personnel, Top goalscorer, Charlie Austin made the successful leap from Poole to Swindon Town in the Football League Division One and is now lining up for QPR after more success at Burnley in the Championship, as an established talent.

2010/11 and Poole reached the F.A. Vase semi finals losing out to Whitley Bay. They also won Wessex Premier title for the third successive season once more by a huge 20 point margin

and at last gained Promotion back to their spiritual home in the Southern league after a 15 year absence having finally been given permission to make improvements to the ground to take advantage of the offered Promotion.

The first season back in 2011-12 saw them make a late charge to secure second place behind Champions Bideford. They beat Hungerford convincingly in the play off Semi’s and were minutes away from winning the Final against Gosport. But hopes of a second straight promotion were dashed by two late goals from Steve Claridge to send Gosport up to the Southern Premier.

2012/13 – sees Poole win the S&W league title + the Dorset Senior Cup + the Southern League Championship trophy and Premier football is back at Poole.

After a chequered and varied history over the next hundred years that elusive Silverware finally arrived in the 2008/9 season. Poole Town won the Wessex Premier title and were to finish as the second best team of 1,600 Football Association clubs in the whole of England, based on points per match, with the following record: played 42, won 38, drawn 2, lost 2. At the time of securing the title they had been unbeaten in the league and were the top team in the country, but then they

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 27

WHO’S WHO

THE DOLPHINS

TOM KILLICK TOM KILLICK (MANAGER) Took over in May 2004, previously a Town player with a long non-league career as a prolific striker. NonLeague Player of the Year 1991/2 + member of the F.A. Vase winning Wimborne team in 91/92. Arrived from Salisbury City where he was Assistant Manager. Steered club to promotion in his first year and established Poole as a powerhouse team in the Wessex Premier Division. Winning the last three titles.

Promoted to The Southern South and West in 2011-12, he built a squad to finish second in their first year and missed out on Promotion in the play-off final but won the league outright in 2012-13, He won the Dorset Senior cup in 2010, 2013 and 2014.

MARVIN BROOKS (MIDFIELD) Home grown talent coming through from the youth reserve system well established now in the Southern League side. He played a major part in the club success forming a formidable partnership with Steve Devlin in central midfield. Although his normal position is in midfield, he has also been used as central defence when numbers have been short at the back. 173 apps 66 goals.

MICHAEL WALKER: (DEFENDER) Previously joined Poole in 2008 from Dorchester Town but played just 14 solid games before disappearing to Wimborne Town from where he PAGE 28 /

WILL SPETCH

TOM WHELAN

plagued our strikers in those derby games. Rejoined Jan 2010 after a year away Michael captained the side to Wessex title and then the Southern S & W title before another year away this time at Weymouth – Back for 2014/15 and now has 229 apps and 41 goals.

WILL SPETCH: (DEFENDER) Home grown talent from our Youth sides who rightfully claiming first team status. After transferring to Sutton Utd late in 2013/14 he suffered injury problems he arrived back at Tatnam at the end of October 2014. Apps 194 Goals 23.

STEVE DEVLIN (MIDFIELD) Signed in January 2012 from Dorchester Town. Aggressive, never say die skilful, midfield player who has added a real zip to the centre of the Poole squad. Debut 28 Jan 2012 v Mangotsfield. Took on Kingpin role in 12 -13 season with 16 goals to boot. Apps 172 goals 57.

JAMIE GLEESON: (MIDFIELD) Jamie is a Midfielder who joined us from Dorchester ahead of the 2015/16 season. Jamie was born in Poole and began his career as a trainee at Southampton before joining Kidderminster Harriers in 2004. He played seven matches in the Football League with the Harriers before returning south to Eastleigh and then Dorchester Town, for whom he played over 300 times in a 10 year spell.

ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

STEVE DEVLIN

ALAN CONNELL: (FORWARD) Alan, born in Enfield in 1983, is a former Professional Striker who has played for Ipswich Town, AFC Bournemouth, Torquay Utd, Hereford Utd, Brentford, Grimsby Town, Bradford City, Northampton Town and Havant & Waterlooville. Alan is now based in the local Poole area.

LEWIS LINDSAY (DEFENDER) Lewis joined us in the 2014/15 season.

After being with AFC Bournemouth Academy from a very early age, he was released after his first year as a professional. Knee injuries prevented him progressing, but after a full recovery, Lewis has battled to win himself a regular place in Poole Town’s defensive line. He provides some fantastic versatility playing in the midfield when needed too. Apps 36 Goals 0.

LUKE ROBERTS (FORWARD) Youngster signed from AFC Totton in pre-season 2014/15 after being named the Stags’ player of the season. Apps 55 Goals 13 LEWIS TALLACK (DEFENDER) 21 year old, equally adept at right-back or centre-half. Was a first team regular for Eastbourne Borough in the Conference South during 2013/14 following his release from Portsmouth FC and a spell at the Nike Academy, dependable, unflappable defender who had appeared on a few loan games for the Dolphins before. Apps 64.

Richard Gillespie: (Striker) Prolific striker over many seasons including at Bashley and AFC Totton with well over 350 goals to his credit, joined from AFC Totton at the start of 2013/14 but suffered an injury hit season, returned from a working spell in Australia mid season 2014/15. Apps 46 Goals 27

NICK HUTCHINGS

LEWIS LINDSEY

NICK HUTCHINGS (GOALKEEPER) Joined mid way through 2010-11 campaign initially to cover Nic Jones. Top keeper in the Wessex for several years, plying his trade for New Milton & Wimborne Town joined from Hamworthy Utd, taking over as number one keeper early in 2011-12. Was outstanding in 2012/13 and played a major part in the club’s notable defensive record, only 45 conceded having played 49 games in all competitions. That form led him to win the Non-League Paper Goalkeeper of the Year award which was voted by non-league fans, the young keeper’s award, keeping 17 clean sheets - Appearances 196.

KEITH EMMERSON (MIDFIELD) Much travelled and highly rated Army PTI signed for Poole Jan 2012 and made debut at Thatcham on Jan 7th.

Proved to be a vital part of the 201112 late season success has recently rejoined the squad - Keith made a spectacular return to the Dolphins when he appeared in the match day squad to face Chesham, scoring on his return. He backed this up with a goal against local rivals Wimborne.

The midfielder helped Poole get promotion from the Southern Division One South & West in the 2012-13 season. Previous experience with home town side Hartlepool Utd. Apps 85 4 goals.

CARL PETTEFER (MIDFIELD) The midfielder made a decision to team up with Jamie Whisken, Jonathan

LUKE ROBERTS

Davies and Richard Gillespie again when he joined the club from AFC Totton in July 2013. Carl Pettefer started his career at Portsmouth before moving to join professional outfits Oxford United and Southend United. Totals – 96 Appearances + 1 goal.

CARL PRESTON (WINGER) The Poole Town winger joined his hometown club after ending his apprenticeship at AFC Bournemouth and after a short spell at Weymouth.

His pace and a talented left foot soon established him as a regular. Still a young footballer and is going to improve as he gains more experience with Poole’s quest to go through the leagues. Totals - 287 Apps and 76 goals JAMES WHISKEN (DEFENDER) The defender was one several players that moved west to Poole Town from AFC Totton in the summer of 2013. The defender’s main position is in central defence but he can also play along the back four as he is just as comfortable going forward as he is in defence.

He started his career at AFC Bournemouth, where he only managed to play one game in the league cup against Wigan Athletic. He has also played for Basingstoke Town, Bognor Regis and Farnborough Town took over as captain of the side during the 2013/14 season. Totals – 112 Appearances and 6 goals.

JAMES WHISKEN

LUKE BURBIDGE (MIDFIELD) Summer 2012 signing from neighbours Hamworthy Utd joined Weymouth at the start of 2013/14 but was back in Poole colours part way through 2013/14 - His main position is on right wing position where his pace comes in to effect, but Tom Killick used the player in the right back position when defensive options were limited.

126 apps 29 goals.

JORDAN SEABRIGHT (GOALKEEPER) Keeper who was at the club as a youngster and then went on to AFC Bournemouth, Dagenham & Redbridge + Torquay Utd now back with his home town club.

TOM WHELAN (FORWARD) Another young arrival for 2014/15 previously at Verwood Town signed in the latter part of the season.

Apps 7 Goals 1.

JACK DICKSON: Jack is a talented young player, who has starred in the last few seasons in both our U18’s and U21 sides. He has shown himself to be very effective on our right hand side as a full back or winger. Jack has worked hard to earn a place in the 1st team squad.

16 Apps 1 goal.

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 29

GREENIES GREETINGS

The season’s started with a bang!

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and welcome to The Premier Plus Stadium, home of St. Neots Town Football Club for today’s Evostik League Southern Premier Division match.

Today we extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and true supporters of Poole Town Football Club and we hope you have an enjoyable stay with us up here in Cambridgeshire before embarking on a safe journey home to Dorset later this evening.

Well, the season has begun with a bang and our points tally accrued so far is maybe what I would have settled for but perhaps not in the manner in which they have arrived.

Saturday saw us return home from the monumental trip to Bideford with only one point after letting what you would consider a match winning lead to slip in the last ten minutes and then of course was the fiery encounter with Leamington on Tuesday evening which was settled by a moment of pure class from Tom Meechan, hot on the heels of his debut hat-trick on Saturday.

It was great to catch up with Big Ben and his dad, who, as ever, were very gracious in defeat and wished us all the best. It was also nice to see Lewis Hilliard’s dad Mark, who popped over to see the game and he said he couldn’t believe how much quicker the game was in the National League South than the Southern League. All in all, a good evening’s entertainment watched by a healthy midweek crowd with a decent atmosphere and the right result at the end of the match too.

As you may have seen on the Website and Social Media, the Club have now completed negotiations regarding away travel and have concluded a deal with Cozys Coaches and Travel.

This now means that there will be the opportunity for supporters to travel along with the team to way matches.

PAGE 30 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

Seats can be reserved by leaving a message on the Club forum or by sending me a text message on the number listed on there. Bookings are now being taken for our trip to Bedworth on Tuesday evening, first come first served so don’t miss out, reserve your seat now.

Ok then, back to today’s match up, Poole Town, beaten play off semi finalists last season by ourselves and if our past meetings with the Dolphins were anything to go by, we should be in for a cracker here today so we will definitely need you guys to play your vital part too, firstly by adding to the atmosphere and just as importantly, supporting your Club in the right manner. Remember.......

Be Loud, Be Proud, Be A Saint GREENY

SO CLOSE

BY STEVE EASTAUGH

Creating a Talent Pathway As with our previous clubs, it has now been possible to start shaping the player development pathway into the first team.

‘A’ coach who came with a glowing reference from her peers at the FA and a track record of developing young footballers.

Steve Eastaugh Fortunately for us strong foundations were already in place here, which has left us only some fine tuning to do.

All of the staff at first team level are from player development backgrounds at professional clubs, so we have always been open to young players progressing into the team if they show the required skills.

With the experience she is gaining working with the England National Under 17 Women’s teams, including travelling the world competing in international tournaments, her remit with the U21s to do just that.

The development in a player from U18 to U21 can not be underestimated, with the step into senior football throwing up many more challenges than a junior player would be used to.

players at U16, U17, and U18 already getting game time at this level.

We in turn must provide pathways for players that are exceeding this level but are not quite ready to perform consistently at first team level, with the need for dual registrations and loans to make sure they too are getting the level of football they require for their stage of development.

We have recently exposed two young players to this experience, with Luis Viera and Ebey Marango being loaned to St Ives on a one month deal.

The physical, tactical and physiological demands are much greater and all players will learn and progress at different rates during the course of a season.

Each are now playing regularly at Step 4, after a season last year of regular Step 6 football and a splattering of Step 3 with our first team.

Results for us at U21 level are individually based, with the score line very rarely reflective of the development taking place.

We have a report on each player after every game and will be hoping both players adapt to regular exposure to the demands of first team football.

We were delighted to recruit Lydia Bedford in the close season, a UEFA

We feel it vital for our young players to be exposed to this opportunity when THEY are ready for it with

Steve

Iain Parr

Andy Davies

Iain Parr, Andy Davies and the other youth coaches are doing a fantastic job in growing and maintaining a highly regarded youth set up and scholarship programme, which ensures we will have plenty of young talent feeding into senior football at U21 level.

PAGE 32 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

Lydia Bedford

MD’S VIEWS

WE CAN’T STAND STILL HERE So I now find myself submitting planning to drop in a mobile classroom at the football club. Not just a mobile classroom but a unit that will allow us to present lots of different sports and community based initiatives.

You see we can’t stand still, we can’t not try and improve on what we can offer and what we can achieve. We have as a business three working fronts. Firstly we have football (there’s a surprise) secondly we have functions and events and thirdly we have commercial and community growth.

Yes they are all related but certain aspects of each one offers a new and exciting pathway and this in turn will provide a platform to take both St Neots Town FC and The St Neots Learning and Sports Academy in a direction that most other clubs (outside of the top four division) would never envisage taking.

The academy is now up and running but with training kit still to be delivered, Coaching and management kit, first aid packages and training equipment all ordered

but not with us as yet it all seems a little full on. Next year at least we will have the experience of five teams already established before we drop in the missing age groups. Monday (12th Aug) saw our younger teams take on Posh academy teams with great aplomb. Losing by the odd goal however it was only pointed out to Posh that our teams are playing up a year so in fact the posh academy teams were playing against teams that were a year younger.

The U10’s will play in an U11 league, 11’s will play in a 12’s and the 12’s will play in an under 13’s league with just the three Nerf development sides 15’s, 16’s and 18’s all playing in their own age bracket. Exciting times I’m sure you’ll all agree.

Anyway back to the classroom.

This (if we get planning) will be the hub of the scholarship programme

PAGE 34 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

with all lessons taking part within its four walls however it will also be used as a canteen of sorts to feed all academy teams after home fixtures as well as allowing free use for community programmes such as the scouts (which at present use the Gregory FOC on a Monday evening).

Community support is a priority going forward however (there’s always a however ) we can only work with those who want to be honest and upfront with their intentions and we will not be working with groups or individuals who we have supported in the past but then they have shown a lack of understanding.

I’d like to welcome Poole Town to the Premier Plus Stadium.

PS look out for the ezone coming soon!

LEE

A QUICK CHAT WITH THE SKIPPER

INTRODUCING

DANNY GAY Danny is an experienced Goalkeeper having played at this level many times.

Danny graduated through the youth, academy and reserve sides at Norwich city before moving on to Southend United where he made eleven appearances for the club in the football league division two.

After two seasons with Southend Danny dropped out of full time professional football, where he played for Braintree Town, Bishops Stortford and Chelmsford City before moving to Leiston in October 2014.

He was also on stand by for the welsh Under 21 squad for their UEFA championship qualifiers.

He joined the Saints in June 2015.

Danny brings experience, strength of character and has very good

PAGE 36 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

distribution, and will be a great asset to the club.

THE OVAL Our next away day after the long trip to Bideford is to ‘The Oval’ the home of Bedworth United.

Many changes have been made to the ground since our memorable away match there a few seasons ago which just about clinched promotion and won us the southern league central division.

Who can forget proberbly the best goal St Neots have ever scored certainly in current history.

A through ball from Lewis Hilliard on to a running Stefen Moore who chased the ball towards goal and then gave a cheeky back heal on the run to the oncoming Rene Steer who just flicked it over the keeper from an astute angle. That memory will live forever, it might still be on our You Tube channel so those who have not seen it have a look at a truly amazing goal. Yes even better than the FA Cup wonder goal.

So back to our friends at Bedworth who have installed a 3G main pitch which will be our first ever competitive match on that kind of surface.

THE OVAL Miners Welfare Park, Coventry Road, Bedworth, Warwickshire, CV12 8NN Wheelchair Access: Yes Matchday Magazine: £2 Capacity: 3,000 (500 seated) Round Trip from (PE19 6SL): 140 Miles

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STNEOTSTOWNFC / PAGE 37

ST NEOTS TOWN 1 LEAMINGTON 0 Southern League Premier Division / 11.08.2015 / Att: 368 / Referee: Mark Wardell (Wellingborough)

St Neots began their home programme with a narrow victory over Leamington and three well deserved points but their opponents who were relegated from the Conference North at the end of last season contributed to their own downfall.

Their physical approach to the match resulted in them picking up two red cards and four yellow as they finished the match with just nine players.

For long spells St Neots seemed unable to cope with their visitors’ robust approach but the match was lit up by a peach of a winning goal that gave Tom Meechan his fourth goal in just two matches.

There was one initial team change with St Neots able to welcome back central defender Tom Ward after injury and this saw Mat Mitchel King moved into midfield and skipper Adam Tann slotted in at full back with Jamie Anton on the bench.

The first half was very disappointing.

Neither side managed to find any rhythm amongst the littering of free kicks and it was difficult to identify a single save made by either goalkeeper.

touchline treatment he failed to recover and had to be replaced by Jamie Anton.

Brett Longden shot well wide and Tom Ward had an attempt at a corner deflected whilst at the other end old boy Ben Mackey looking sharp rounded his marker but saw his shot blocked.

Jamie Hood was booked for a cynical foul as he upended Remy Gordon and the half ended with a Mackey volley that flew over the bar.

The second half began well for the home side. A silky move after 48 minutes saw Ryan Hawkins win his way to the bye line and his early pull back was met at the near post by Tom Meechan whose Zola like flick went past goalkeeper and defenders to open the scoring.

No one in the midfield area seemed to have the confidence to slow play down and produce a significant pass to mobilise an attack and the efforts on goal were limited to lengthy shots off target.

Three minutes later Gordon crossed from the opposite flank and Hawkins rose above the defence but sent his header the wrong side of a post.

Leamington’s best effort of the game to that point after 55 minutes saw Mackey cleverly release Rob Ogleby who beat the offside trap but shot straight at Danny Gay.

St Neots had to overcome an early setback after ten minutes when Mat Mitchel-King was injured in an off the ball incident and despite lengthy

Conner Gudger then tested the keeper with an out swinging cross well claimed by the keeper but the visitors’ resurgence was only

temporary. Hawkins headed down a cross into the path of Nathan Frater but he shot well wide and then St Neots thought they were denied a penalty when Hawkins was bundled over by two defenders but play was waved on.

Four minutes from time Jack Edwards picked up his second yellow card of the game and was sent off but Leamington made a determined effort to salvage a point and substitute Will Green should have done better in injury time when he shot wildly over the bar with his sides’ best chance of the game.

Then three minutes into added time Joe Magunda became the second visiting player to depart for an early bath after picking up a straight red card for kicking an opponent when he was down and in the melee that followed visiting skipper goalkeeper Tony Breeden was also booked and really very lucky to stay on the field of play.

Overall St Neots deserved their victory but for much of the game were pushed out of their rhythm by a side that come to town to operate negative tactics.

John Walker

St Neots Town

Leamington

Gay, Tann, Wilkinson, Mitchel-King, Ward, Hall, Frater, Longden, Meechan, Hawkins, Gordon Subs: Anton (for Mitchel-King 14), Clarke (for Frater 74), Cisse (for Meechan 83), Harty and Mailancol.

Cards: Frater (Y – 13) Goals: Meechan (48 mins)

Breeden, George, Gudger, Magunda, Hood, Mace, Moore, Edwards, Ogleby, Mackey, Jones Subs: Green (for Jones 72), Taundry, Westwood, Mitchell and Fenney. Cards: Edwards (RED – 86), Magunda (RED – 90+3), Hood (Y – 30), Jones (Y – 50), Breeden (Y – 90+3)

PAGE 38 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 39

Scorelines..

A brief round up of the recent results from the teams that matter Opening Day Matches: Premier Division (8 August 2015)

A goal after just three minutes was enough to give last season’s Runners-up their first points with a 1-0 home success over Division One Central Champions, Kettering Town, and relegated Leamington also secured a 1-0 home victory Chesham United with a goal shortly before the half hour while Division One South & West winners Merthyr Town scored twice before the interval to win 2-0 at home against Kings Lynn Town. The other promoted sides had mixed fortunes with Bedworth United, two behind at the break, going down to a 4-2 home defeat by Biggleswade Town but Stratford Town completed a satisfying 3-2 victory at Hitchin Town. St Neots Town scored twice in the opening thirteen minutes and added a third just after the break but had to settle for a point when hosts Bideford staged a comeback and secured a 4-4 draw with a goal in time added on whereas Paulton Rovers and Slough Town were both held 0-0 at home by Hungerford Town and Frome Town respectively. A first half strike gave Cambridge City a 1-0 home victory over Weymouth but Redditch United lost 1-0 at home when Cirencester Town scored with sixteen minutes remaining and Dorchester Town, a goal ahead at the interval, scored twice in the second half to complete a 3-0 home win against Histon while Chippenham Town, who had taken the lead with a first half own goal, conceded an equaliser two minutes from the end before securing a 2-1 success at Dunstable Town with a

strike in the second minute of time added on.

Opening Day Matches: Division One Central (8 August 2015) Aylesbury secured a 1-0 home win over Egham Town when they struck in the sixth minute of time added on and Chalfont St Peter scored five minutes from time to secure a 1-0 victory at Hanwell Town while Northwood welcomed relegated Arlesey Town back to the Central Division by completing a 5-0 home win. Potters Bar Town went behind after four minutes and, having equalised just after the mid-way point of the second half, lost 2-1 at home when Aylesbury United scored six minutes from time and Uxbridge, ahead two minutes before the interval, completed a 3-1 home win over Royston Town. AFC Rushden & Diamonds, behind on the hour, secured a 1-1 home draw with Petersfield Town when they scored with fifteen minutes remaining while Bedford Town, behind after ten minutes, also drew 1-1 at home North Greenford United as did Barton Rovers with Beaconsfield SYCOB, Kings Langley with St Ives Town, and Fleet Town with Ware. In the days other game Leighton Town were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Godalming Town.

Midweek Action: Premier Division (w/c 10 August 2015) On Monday night Hungerford Town secured a home point from a 0-0 draw with Poole Town.

PAGE 40 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

On Tuesday, Biggleswade Town, two ahead at the interval, completed a 5-1 home win over Slough Town to top the table while Stratford Town continued their perfect start with two second half strikes giving them a 2-0 home victory over Bedworth United and Chippenham Town also made it two out of two scoring a goal in each half to also record a 2-0 home success against Bideford whereas Cirencester Town, a goal up after two minutes but trailing at half time, scored twice in three minutes but secured a 4-3 home win with a late penalty after Dorchester had equalised eleven minutes from time.

Weymouth went behind after just two minutes but, having levelled shortly before the break, scored three times in the second half to win 4-1 at home against Paulton Rovers but Cambridge City conceded a goal two minutes after the interval to go down 1-0 at Kings Lynn Town and St Neots Town scored three minutes into the second half to defeat visiting Leamington 1-0.

Histon went behind in the sixth minute but, having levelled from the spot just after the half hour, scored twice after the break to record a 3-1 home win over Dunstable Town but Chesham United were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Hitchin Town and Kettering Town shared a 0-0 draw with visiting Redditch United.

On Wednesday, Frome Town went ahead two minutes before the break but had to settle for a point from a 1-1 home draw when Merthyr Town equalised with nineteen minutes remaining.

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 41

24.10.15

Bideford

5.12.15

22.8.15

19.3.15

16.1.15

6.2.15

Paulton Rovers

Poole Town

Redditch United

Slough Town

Weymouth

20.2.15

22.8.15

22.9.15

10.10.15 12.12.15

6.2.15

16.1.15

3.10.15

3.10.15

5.3.15

22.8.15

9.4.15

5.9.15

6.2.15

26.3.15

3.10.15

14.11.15

13.2.15

2.4.15

2.4.15

16.4.15

23.1.15

4 -- 3

12.3.15

16.1.15

2.4.15

16.4.15

2.1.15

22.8.15

2.4.15

26.3.15

31.8.15

3 -- 1

6.2.15

22.8.15

23.1.15

20.2.15

16.4.15

12.12.15

5.3.15

2.4.15

20.2.15 26.12.15 15.8.15

6.2.15

1 -- 1

6.2.15

5.12.15 19.9.15

5.9.15

2.4.15

2.1.15 31.8.15

5.3.15

16.4.15

30.1.15

23.1.15

27.2.15

2.4.15

5.9.15

9.1.15

2.4.15

29.9.15

30.1.15

19.3.15

13.2.15

5.12.15

23.4.15

5.3.15

3.10.15

0 -- 0

18.8.15

26.12.15

6.2.15

6.10.15

26.3.15

1 -- 1

27.2.15

2.4.15

1 -- 0

16.1.15

5.3.15

10.10.15

2.1.15

22.8.15

7.11.15

1 -- 0

6.2.15

31.8.15

24.10.15

16.4.15

13.2.15

6.2.15

5.12.15

6.10.15

22.9.15

9.4.15

5.3.15

4 -- 1

6.2.15

0 -- 0

7.11.15

26.3.15

30.1.15

13.2.15

23.1.15

5.9.15

28.3.15

9.1.15

15.8.15

27.2.15 20.10.15

27.2.15

19.9.15

31.8.15

30.1.15 20.10.15 29.9.15

9.1.15

19.3.15

9.4.15

1.12.15

28.3.15

16.1.15

18.8.15

2.1.15

23.4.15

27.2.15 10.10.15 29.9.15

23.4.15

2 -- 3

12.3.15

5.3.15

31.8.15 10.10.15

2.1.15

1.12.15

7.11.15

19.9.15

9.4.15

22.8.15

12.12.15 29.8.15

23.1.15 12.3.15

5.12.15

22.8.15 19.12.15

5.12.15 21.11.15 19.3.15

19.10.15 28.9.15

26.12.15 15.8.15

20.2.15

22.9.15

26.3.15

16.1.15

28.10.15

19.9.15 12.12.15 13.2.15

23.4.15

9.4.15 30.1.15

3.10.15 19.12.15 21.11.15 26.3.15

12.3.15

28.3.15

12.3.15 27.10.15 29.9.15

5.9.15

28.11.15

2.1.15

17.10.15 22.8.15 28.11.15 10.8.15 16.11.15

9.4.15

1 -- 0

27.2.15

7.11.15 19.12.15 23.4.15

28.10.15 7.11.15

29.8.15 10.10.15 20.10.15 27.10.15 21.11.15

9.4.15

30.1.15 10.10.15 18.8.15

1.12.15

Stratford Town 26.12.15 13.2.15

4 -- 4

18.8.15

St Neots Town

7.11.15 10.10.15 12.12.15 17.11.15 13.2.15

20.2.15 14.11.15 17.10.15 29.8.15

2.4.15

5.12.15

5 -- 1 9.4.15

28.3.15 26.12.15 23.4.15 28.11.15

19.3.15

14.11.15 28.3.15 17.11.15 20.2.15

2.1.15

16.4.15

23.1.15 24.10.15

5.9.15

12.12.15

9.1.15

15.8.15 27.10.15 6.10.15

17.10.15 28.11.15 29.8.15

19.9.15 19.12.15 24.10.15 20.10.15

2 -- 0

15.8.15 23.1.15

19.9.15 30.1.15

23.4.15 17.11.15 7.11.15 27.10.15

29.9.15 27.10.15 20.10.15

31.8.15 17.11.15 15.8.15

27.2.15

19.9.15 23.4.15

5.9.15

Redditch United 9.1.15

Slough Town

31.8.15 17.11.15 27.2.15 28.11.15 16.1.15

19.9.15

5.9.15 9.1.15

5.10.15 19.12.15 3.10.15

30.1.15 10.10.15 14.11.15

17.8.15 30.11.15 19.9.15 28.3.15

3.10.15

5.9.15

19.3.15

16.4.15

9.1.15

27.2.15 20.10.15 15.8.15

29.8.15

30.1.15

23.9.15 12.12.15

29.8.15

Paulton Rovers 23.1.15 12.12.15

Poole Town

13.2.15 26.12.15 29.9.15

26.3.15 28.11.15 16.1.15

2.12.15

20.2.15 26.10.15 17.8.15

9.4.15

24.10.15 1.12.15

6.10.15 14.11.15

18.8.15

9.1.15 7.11.15

Merthyr Town

29.9.15 26.12.15 12.3.15

Kings Lynn Town

5.12.15 10.10.15 22.8.15

24.10.15 3.10.15 28.11.15 19.3.15

26.3.15

0 -- 0

9.4.15

29.8.15 27.10.15 21.11.15

30.1.15 21.11.15 13.2.15 9.1.15

22.9.15

10.10.15 21.11.15 23.4.15

1.12.15 26.12.15

3 -- 0

16.4.15 24.10.15 28.9.15

16.1.15

12.3.15

19.9.15

18.8.15

24.10.15 19.12.15 14.11.15 19.3.15 6.10.15

28.3.15

Leamington

7.11.15 21.11.15 23.1.15

23.1.15 20.10.15

5.9.15

12.3.15 26.12.15 13.2.15

6.10.15 12.12.15 22.9.15 17.11.15

3.10.15 17.10.15 22.9.15

5.9.15

0 -- 1

16.4.15

24.10.15 13.2.15 14.11.15 15.8.15

26.12.15 20.2.15 17.10.15 1.12.15

18.8.15 17.10.15 22.9.15

Hungerford Town

20.10.15 29.8.15

Kettering Town

3.10.15 21.11.15 26.12.15 28.3.15 17.10.15 12.3.15

17.11.15 10.10.15 28.3.15

14.11.15 20.2.15 19.12.15 17.10.15

15.8.15

5.3.15

Histon 2.4.15

Hitchin Town

12.3.15 20.10.15 29.8.15 12.12.15

7.11.15 12.12.15 16.1.15

23.1.15

5.3.15

12.3.15

Dunstable Town

29.8.15 28.11.15 29.9.15

3.10.15

23.4.15 28.11.15

29.8.15 17.10.15 22.9.15

16.4.15

9.1.15 5.9.15

7.10.15 18.11.15

26.3.15 21.11.15 14.11.15 18.8.15

19.3.15

1 -- 0

9.1.15

1.12.15 24.10.15 26.12.15

6.10.15

1 -- 2 20.2.15

30.11.15 5.12.15 21.11.15

29.9.15

23.1.15

28.3.15

5.12.15 24.10.15 6.10.15

1 -- 0

28.3.15

6.2.15

29.8.15

30.1.15 19.12.15 1.12.15

2.1.15

19.3.15

5.3.15

27.2.15 19.10.15 31.8.15

2.1.15

31.8.15

15.8.15

30.1.15

16.1.15

26.3.15 21.11.15 22.8.15

20.2.15

31.8.15

6.10.15

19.8.15

Frome Town

16.4.15 14.11.15 27.2.15

Dorchester Town

1.12.15 27.10.15 28.3.15

9.1.15

Cirencester Town

12.3.15 24.10.15 12.12.15

27.2.15

3.10.15 17.11.15 17.10.15 28.11.15 14.11.15 22.9.15

2 -- 0

29.9.15

19.9.15

22.8.15 19.12.15 20.10.15

15.8.15 27.10.15

16.4.15

7.11.15

2.1.15

5.3.15

18.8.15

26.3.15

Chippenham Town

13.2.15 10.10.15 21.11.15

Chesham United

19.3.15 19.12.15 19.9.15

9.4.15

17.11.15 28.11.15 31.8.15

5.12.15

Merthyr Town

St Neots Town

31.8.15

Leamington

2.1.15

20.2.15

Stratford Town

19.3.15

19.12.15 16.1.15

21.9.15

Kings Lynn Town

Kettering Town

Hungerford Town

Hitchin Town

27.10.15 19.12.15

23.4.15

Dunstable Town

2.1.15

Histon

7.11.15

Dorchester Town

2.4.15

2 -- 0

17.10.15 23.9.15

26.3.15

Cirencester Town

2 -- 4

Biggleswade Town

23.4.15

Cambridge City

17.10.15 5.12.15 17.11.15

6.2.15

Frome Town

5.3.15

15.8.15

Chesham United

7.10.15

28.11.15 14.11.15

9.4.15

Bedworth United

Chippenham Town

Cambridge City

Biggleswade Town

Bideford

Bedworth United

Weymouth

IT’S good to be back isn’t it?

AFC Fylde have transfer listed forward Richie Allen after his sending off in the Coasters’ opening day defeat at Solihull Moors.

For some today will be your first competitive match of the season.

For others, it could well be your third or fourth!

The club’s all-time leading scorer deliberately handled to give the hosts a penalty and the lead, leading to the popular forward being put up for transfer.

With no international tournament this summer, the regular season makes a welcome return, although it couldn’t have just been me that has been enthralled by England’s Ashes victory!

Pre-season is done and dusted, and the first week of competitive action certainly didn’t disappoint – apologies to those who have had to wait in the Evo-Stik NPL leagues.

Bradley Bubb lit up the opening weekend in Vanarama National League South with his strike from the halfway line for Oxford City against Chelmsford, that is an early contender for goal of the season.

It was a strike that we’ve all tried in Sunday League. Bubb shot straight from kick-off, just after City went behind, leaving Clarets’ keeper Ashley Timms scrambling as the ball hit the underside of the bar on its way in.

And while some will say it had a stroke of luck about it, Oxford captain Darren Pond revealed it was a move that had been planned in training. Pond said: “It was funny actually because our goalkeeping coach said to me about shooting from the halfway line.

“I told him I can’t kick it that far, so I had to tell Brad to do it and he couldn’t have hit it any better to be fair.”

It’s not just wonder goals that got The NLP’s reporters tapping their keyboards after the first weekend.

PAGE 42 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

Fylde manager Dave CHallinor commented: “Richie is a fans’ favourite, has undoubted ability and on his day is a match winner but like many players of quality, has his flaws.

“He’s had countless opportunities and warnings and unfortunately he’s failed to heed these and this has begun to effect other players in the dressing room. Our dressing room is close knit and it is our responsibility as a management team to keep the harmony in there. He’ll be a loss on the pitch but no one is bigger or more important than the club.”

And for Scott Rendell, the season is already over with the Woking striker being ruled out for the rest of the campaign after suffering a knee injury in the Cards’ opening day defeat at Tranmere Rovers.

So there is plenty to talk about, even so early in the season. Long may it continue.

Joshua Peck Follow us on twitter: @NonLeguePaper

Opposition in CAPS denotes home fixture. Player name in BOLD CAPS denotes goal scorer.

THE FAMOUS FIVE! Date

ATT

COMP

R

Pos

2

3

4

Sat 8 Aug

Opposition Bideford

233

EVO

4-4

11

Gay

Anton

Wilkinson

Tann

Tue 11 Aug

LEAMINGTON

368

EVO

1-0

5

Gay

Tann

Wilkinson

Mitchel-King

Sat 15 Aug

POOLE TOWN

Tue 18 Aug

Bedworth United

Sat 22 Aug

STRATFORD TOWN

Sat 29 Aug

Weymouth

Mon 31 Aug

BIGGLESWADE TOWN

PAGE 44 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

Player name in these colours denotes substitute

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

14

Hall

Mitchel-King

Frater

Longden

MEECHAN 3

Hawkins

GORDON

Clarke

Cisse

Ward

Hall

Frater

Longden

MEECHAN

Hawkins

Gordon

Anton

Clarke

15 Cisse

WWW.STNEOTSTOWNFC.CO.UK / PAGE 45

EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION / 13.08.15

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

+/-

Pts

01

Biggleswade Town

2

2

0

0

9

3

6

6

02

Stratford Town

2

2

0

0

5

2

3

6

03

Chippenham Town

2

2

0

0

4

1

3

6

04

Cirencester Town

2

2

0

0

5

3

2

6

05

Merthyr Town

2

1

1

0

3

1

2

4

06

St Neots Town

2

1

1

0

5

4

1

4

07

Poole Town

2

1

1

0

1

0

1

4

08

Dorchester Town

2

1

0

1

6

4

2

3

09

Weymouth

2

1

0

1

4

2

2

3

10

Cambridge City

2

1

0

1

1

1

0

3

11

Leamington

2

1

0

1

1

1

0

3

12

Histon

2

1

0

1

3

4

-1

3

13

King's Lynn Town

2

1

0

1

1

2

-1

3

14

Frome Town

2

0

2

0

1

1

0

2

15

Hungerford Town

2

0

2

0

0

0

0

2

16

Hitchin Town

2

0

1

1

3

4

-1

1

17

Chesham United

2

0

1

1

1

2

-1

1

18

Kettering Town

2

0

1

1

0

1

-1

1

19

Redditch United

2

0

1

1

0

1

-1

1

20

Bideford

2

0

1

1

4

6

-2

1

21

Paulton Rovers

2

0

1

1

1

4

-3

1

22

Slough Town

2

0

1

1

1

5

-4

1

23

Dunstable Town

2

0

0

2

2

5

-3

0

PAGE 46 / ST NEOTS TOWN F.C. V POOLE TOWN ISSUE 02

PROUD TO SUPPORT AND SPONSOR THE SAINTS

#AllForOneAndOneForAll

Experts in Company Branding, Marketing and Website Design www.blueprawndesign.co.uk

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01767 677559

Manager: David Batch Assistant Manager: Steve Eastaugh First Team Coach: John Beck Goalkeeping Coach: Darren Plowman

Manager: Tom Killick Assistant Manager: James Wood Club Coach: Shaun Brooks Goalkeeping Coach: Robbie Yates

Goalkeepers

Team From:

Danny Gay

Nick Hutchings

Jamie Greygoose

Lewis Tallack Lewis Lindsay

Defenders

Michael Walker

Brett Longden

Jamie Whisken (Capt)

Jack Wilkinson

Carl Pettefer

Adam Tann (Capt)

Luke Burbidge

Tom Ward

Steve Devlin

Connor Hall

Marvin Brooks

Jamie Anton

Alan Connell

Sam Harty

Jamie Gleeson Richard Gillespie

Midfielders

Jordan Seabright

Ryan Hawkins

Luke Roberts

Lee Clarke

Tom Whelan

Mat Mitchel-King

Jack Dickson

Guy Mailamcol

Will Spetch

Remy Gordon

Carl Preston Lerone Plummer

Forwards Drew Roberts Tom Meechan Nathan Frater Bamoussa Cisse

Colours Dark Blue Shirts, Shorts & Socks

Colours Red & White Halved Shirts, Red Shorts & White Socks

The match line up will be displayed on the electronic scoreboard Referee: Richard Kendall Assistant 1: Brian O’Sullivan Assistant 2: George Younger

Next Home Game: Stratford Town The Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division Saturday 22nd August / KO 15:00

As a Club we support Grass Roots Football and stand firm against racism within football, visit www.thefa.com for more information on playing your part.