GCE Hire Fleet United Counties League Premier Division Champions Cup
ST NEOTS TOWN 2 LINCOLN UNITED 0
St Neots Town sealed the end to a perfect season as they picked up their third trophy to become supreme UCL Champions. Lincoln United had picked up the North Division championship with both sides having only lost five matches in a memorable season for both. However, on the day the St Neots side oozed confidence and could have won more convincingly had they converted the chances they created. It was a fitting end to St Neots’ second season back in the UCL and they now await the Judgement of the Football Association to see where they play at Step Four next season. In truth this was a near perfect performance from Cameron Mawer’s side that incredibly featured nine players who had played in their first league match of the season.
St Neots began strongly with Harvey Williams forcing into a near post save by Jack Steggles after just 12 minutes and three minutes later a sharp effort from Kieran Barnes was pushed away at full stretch by the visiting keeper. The pressure was maintained with the lively Connor Furlong seeing a net bound shot blocked but the early pressure paid off after 24 minutes when St Neots went ahead. They broke swiftly from defence and Barnes split the back peddling visiting defenders setting up Rhys Thorpe for his 32nd goal of the season. Four minutes later the visiting keeper had to rush from his line to save bravely at the feet of Furlong and then Mike Amaeshike shot over the bar after neat work by Sam Willis. The pace of visiting striker Gbolahan Okewoye was the biggest threat to the home defence and he cleverly outwitted two defenders before firing high over the bar – Lincoln’s first serious threat on goal after 33 minutes. As half time approached Furlong shot over the bar, Willis overlapped to set up Thorpe, but the keeper saved well, and the half ended with a Williams effort being well saved by the under pressure visiting custodian.
St Neots began strongly with Harvey Williams forcing into a near post save by Jack Steggles after just 12 minutes and three minutes later a sharp effort from Kieran Barnes was pushed away at full stretch by the visiting keeper. The pressure was maintained with the lively Connor Furlong seeing a net bound shot blocked but the early pressure paid off after 24 minutes when St Neots went ahead. They broke swiftly from defence and Barnes split the back peddling visiting defenders setting up It was as you were after the break for St Neots as Murphy Culkin joined the attack to bring a smart save from Steggles and the visitors responded by reshaping their side just past the hour with three substitutions. Jack McMenemy saw a shot deflected for a corner but little changed as St Neots continued to create openings. Williams was giving his marker a torrid time and he broke clear but shot wide and then Furlong carved his way past two defenders but shot wildly over the bar.
St Neots sent on Shane Fox for Thorpe and he almost broke clear in his first involvement in the game but defender Henry Moore recovered to clear the danger. St Neots sent on a second substitute – Cole Butler, for the limping Amaeshike and they continued to dominate. Barnes and Butler saw shots blocked as the visiting side resorted to packing their defence and Moore cleared a header from Fox off the line with his keeper beaten. As the full time whistle approached the lively Williams cut in to bring the save of the match from Steggles but St Neots were not finished and three minutes into added time Harvey Williams fittingly brought the victory to its inevitable conclusion when he picked up the perfect cross from Butler to guide the ball into the unguarded net. It was a fitting finish to an excellent performance and a memorable season.
St Neots sent on Shane Fox for Thorpe and he almost broke clear in his first involvement in the game but defender Henry Moore recovered to clear the danger. St Neots sent on a second substitute – Cole Butler, for the limping Amaeshike and they continued to dominate. Barnes and Butler saw shots blocked as the visiting side resorted to packing their defence and Moore cleared a header from Fox off the line with his keeper beaten. As the full time whistle approached the lively Williams cut in to bring the save of the match from Steggles but St Neots were not finished and three minutes into added time
Today’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match – In Association with The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – Connor Furlong
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