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UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH

 

LEICESTER NIRVANA         2          ST NEOTS TOWN          3   

 

Trailing 2-0 at the break, St Neots pulled off a memorable come-back to snatch all three points to stun their hosts. The conditions contributed to the pattern of the match with the brisk wind blowing end-to-end with the visitors facing the elements in the first half. Manager Cameron Mawer disclosed that he had told his players he would be happy for them to go to half time at 0-0 but he had to vary his instructions at the break in order to rescue the deficit, Nirvana have done well so far this season losing, just once in their opening seven league matches and they look capable of shocking other visitors this season. St Neots made three team changes bringing Dammy Nickels, Kieran Barnes and Connor Furlong back into the side – the latter after injury -whilst leaving Lil Francisco, on the bench.

After a bright start by the visitors with Charlie Bowen forcing a good save from the home keeper following a Kieran Barnes corner it was the home side that made the early running,   Zakir Bham and Romady Sandhu brought good saves from James Goff as the visitors struggled with the brisk breeze in their faces,  Williams’ pace on the flanks was St Neots most potent weapon but the home side were creating the better chances and Jason John twice went clear but Goff blocked his first finish before seeing his second attempt fly wide.   However, after 39 minutes the home side took the lead when from a John corner Ollie Punt drove the ball through a packed defence to open the scoring.   Five minutes later with half time beckoning from a Zakir Bham cross, Paybe Chichosz tapped in at the far post to leave the visitors two goals adrift.

St Neots came out after the break determined to exploit the conditions to their advantage. After Dammy Nickels had sent their first effort just over the bar they clambered back into contention with two goals in as many minutes,  The revival was sparked as the lively Michael Amaeshike (above left) pounced on defensive hesitancy to put his side back in the game after 51 minutes and before the home side had regrouped it was Amaeshike again on target sixty seconds later. The home side tried to rally but with Williams still marauding forward St Neots had the initiative. After having an effort disallowed St Neots had an anxious moment when Goff raced from his area to clear but only succeeded in upending his opponent before escaping with a yellow card after 72 minutes. Two minutes later Amaeshike and Williams combined to set up Rhys Thorpe (right) for what was to prove the winning goal. With a home substitute sin-binned for dissent before he had touched the ball St Neots were able to introduce four late substitutes and see out the match but they had a full length save by Goff four minutes into added time to ensure that the points were secured to lift St Neots up to seventh in the table.

 

This Afternoon’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match, In Association with The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – Mike Amaeshike

 

 

 

 

 

St Neots Town:  Goff, Nickels, Culkin, Willis, Parker, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams

Subs:  Tavernier (for Furlong 89 mins), Francisco (for Williams 89 mins), Potts-Wallace (for Thorpe 90+3 mins), George (for Barnes 90+3 mins, and Joseph.

Cards:  Amaeshike (Y – 44 mins), Goff (Y – 72 mins),

 

 

 

Leicester Nirvava: Williams, Pettet, Sandhu, Punt, Armintunse, King, Bham (Z), Chichosz, Wildbo 24 mins).ne, Bham (M), John

Subs:  McIntosh (for Sandhu 77mins), Mangandoza (for Wildbone 77 mins) Polli,, Mbye, and Ingram-Wright

Cards:  Sandhu (Y – 24 mins), Pettet (Y – 54 mins), Mangandoza (S/B 79 mins)

 

Attendance: 60

Referee:  Bradley Taylor (Burton on Trent)

John Walker