AYLESTONE PARK 1 ST NEOTS TOWN 1
The first ever meeting of these two sides was always going to be tight. Separated by just a point in the top five of the table and both with decent records, St Neots might well have settled for a draw before the match but having the luxury of playing against ten men for the last 45 minutes should have rendered a better result. In fact, after a red card for home defender Sam Preston, Aylestone were reduced to nine men for ten minutes with Lee Barrett sin-binned for verbal abuse at the Referee in the same incident. However, St Neots did come back from behind to earn their point and maintain their third place in the table. There were three changes in the starting line-up with recent signing Charlie Bowen making his debut and Rob Parker and Rhys Thorpe returning to the side, at the expense of Magloire Muyembe, Michael Amaeshike and Josh Brown.
The first ever meeting of these two sides was always going to be tight. Separated by just a point in the top five of the table and both with decent records, St Neots might well have settled for a draw before the match but having the luxury of playing against ten men for the last 45 minutes should have rendered a better result. In fact, after a red card for home defender Sam Preston, Aylestone were reduced to nine men for ten minutes with Lee Barrett sin-binned for verbal abuse at the Referee in the same incident. However, St Neots did come back from behind to earn their point and maintain their third place in the table. There were three changes in the starting line-up with recent signing Charlie Bowen making his debut and Rob Parker and Rhys Thorpe returning to the side, at the expense of Magloire Muyembe, Michael Amaeshike and Josh Brown.Harvey Williams broke though the home defence in the first minute but sent his effort wide and then the game settled as a very close contest between two well-match sides. Aylestone struck the first
blow in their first attack of the match when a cross from the right found Sam Hollis not closely enough marked and he netted with a smart finish after eight minutes. Four minutes later in only their second serious attack the home side could have added to their lead, but James Goff prevented further embarrassment diving bravely at the feet of Hollis. The keeper also saved well from Cory
Bucalossi but St Neots responded with skipper James Hatch twice just off target. As half time approached the home keeper saved well pushing a Jordan Brown effort around a post and then
Hatch had a shot blocked on the line. Hatch also had a header from a Murphy Culkin corner well saved by Lewis Landers.
The second half was just six minutes old when Rhys Thorpe (Left) tangled with home defender Preston on the deck in the penalty area and with the ball still live and in play, was caught as the defender appeared to foolishly kicked out at the Saints man in full view of the linesman, earning Preston his early bath and the St Neots striker got up to level the scores from the penalty spot. Playing against the depleted home side St Neots then basked in possession and territorial superiority but the home side filtered back in defence surrendering possession and denying St Neots best efforts to defend soundly. St Neots sent on a couple of substitutes to vary their attack but met with some resolute defending and when they did get clear sight of goal their finishing was disappointing. Rob Parker (twice), Thorpe and Dean Dummett all sent efforts wide or high and with two minutes left Thorpe went clear of the home defence but shot over from a tight angle. St Neots final effort in added time saw a Hatch effort deflected for a corner. It was disappointing not to take advantage but at least St Neots stretched their inbeaten league run to ten league and cup matches.
The second half was just six minutes old when
Rank
Teams
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Against
Goal difference
Points
1
Wellingborough Town
38
29
5
4
92
32
60
92
2
Racing Club Warwick
38
24
8
6
90
44
46
80
3
Aylestone Park
38
25
5
8
103
60
43
80
4
St Neots Town FC
38
22
9
7
74
35
39
75
5
March Town United
38
22
9
7
69
40
29
75
6
Newport Pagnell Town
37
19
5
13
70
53
17
59
7
Yaxley FC
37
16
8
13
76
60
16
56
8
GNG Oadby Town
38
16
7
15
74
89
-15
55
| Rank | Teams | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellingborough Town | 38 | 29 | 5 | 4 | 92 | 32 | 60 | 92 |
| 2 | Racing Club Warwick | 38 | 24 | 8 | 6 | 90 | 44 | 46 | 80 |
| 3 | Aylestone Park | 38 | 25 | 5 | 8 | 103 | 60 | 43 | 80 |
| 4 | St Neots Town FC | 38 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 74 | 35 | 39 | 75 |
| 5 | March Town United | 38 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 69 | 40 | 29 | 75 |
| 6 | Newport Pagnell Town | 37 | 19 | 5 | 13 | 70 | 53 | 17 | 59 |
| 7 | Yaxley FC | 37 | 16 | 8 | 13 | 76 | 60 | 16 | 56 |
| 8 | GNG Oadby Town | 38 | 16 | 7 | 15 | 74 | 89 | -15 | 55 |
Today’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match – Kindly sponsored by The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – TOMMY REYNOLDS
St Neots Town: Goff, Reynolds, Culkin, Parker, Brookes, Bowen, Jordan Brown, Dummett, Thorpe, Hatch, Williams
Subs: Muyembe (for Dummett 61 mins), Rowley (for Brown 80 mins), Nickels, Amaeshike, and George
Cards: none
Aylestone Park: Landers, Barrett, Kilburn, Preston, Peace, Towers, Hollis, Seal, Kee, Bucalossi, Keenan
Subs: Wormleighton (for Seal 52 mins), Holley (for Kilburn 52 mins), Mitchell, Bessadi, Riley
Cards: Preston (RED – 51 mins), Barrett (s/b – 51 mins), Towers (Y – 87 mins)
Referee: Chris Walton (Kettering)
Attendance: 193
(John Walker)
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