Pitching In Northern Premier League Midland Division
ST NEOTS TOWN 2 RUGBY TOWN 2
In an entertaining bottom of the table clash both sides led, but on reflection they will feel that a draw is likely to be of little use to either, as they battle to avoid relegation back to Step Five. Both sides had penalty kicks – one converted and the other saved – but for all the effort shown a draw was probably a fair result. Three of the five sides above them in the league table won and now with just eight weeks of the season remaining relegation looms for both sides unless a dramatic improvement in form and results is forthcoming. Neither side have won since Christmas and results suggest that a losing battle is to be fought. Rugby only avoided relegation last season because they were reprieved when a club dropped out and St Neots look as though a one-season stay in the Northern Premier League is to be repeated. The one St Neots team change saw Kwadwo Bugyei-Kyei included in the starting line-up for his second appearance replacing the unavailable Marcus Gouldbourne.
The match got off to a lively start with Trey Charles playing against his former club cutting in to test James Goff, and the keeper also made a save on his line from a close-range effort by Rivel Mardenborough. St Neots hit back with a far post header from Rhys Thorpe stretching the keeper after 17 minutes. Five minutes later St Neots took the lead for only the second time since the first meeting of these two sides this season in mid-November. Sam Willis provided the cross from the right and Rhys Thorpe rose to head home at the far post. Visiting keeper Charlie Woods then saved well from Harvey Williams who was employed in an unfamiliar central striking role and then the lively Callum Woodward shot wide when well placed. After 29 minutes the scores were level when Goff saved at full stretch from Charles but could not hold the ball and another former Saint Jamal Adams netted from close range. Woodward again tested Goff who was the busier of the two goalkeepers, and a minute before break the visitors produced a blow for the Saints as they took the lead with a second goal, as Sam Tye was left unmarked in the penalty area to head home a corner.
St Neots adopted a more positive attacking formation shortly after the break sacrificing defender Harvey Henderson and introducing Andrian Ankrah in an attacking midfield role. A Williams cross found the head Thorpe but Woods saved comfortably but just past the hour the scores were levelled when Williams was sent tumbling in the penalty area and from the spot Robbie Parker sent the keeper the wrong way. It was no less than St Neots deserved and for a while they looked the more confident side. However, Rugby rallied and when Charlie Bowen sent an opponent tumbling in the area another penalty kick was awarded. Fortunately, Goff guessed correctly to push the ball away to be cleared by a defender. A free kick in a threatening position for the visitors was ballooned over the bar, and the points were shared which was a fair reflection on the contest.
Today’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match, in association with The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – RHYS THORPE
St Neots Town: Goff, Agemoh-Davies, Burgess, Parker, Henderson, Bowen, Bugyei-Kyie, Willis, Thorpe, Muyembe, Williams
Subs: Ankrah (for Henderson 52 mins), Stainsby (for Agemoh-Davies 71 mins), Barratt (for Bugyei-Kyie 86 mins), Okolie, and Richard-Noel.
Cards: Muyembe (Y – 46 mins), Parker (78 mins).
Goals: Thorpe (22 mins), Parker (62 mins pen)
Rugby Town: Woods, Nicholson, Kabeya, Woodward, Thomas, Elliott, Rowe, Adams, Mardenborough, Charles, Tye
Subs: Bivens (for Adams 67 mins), Concannon (for Charles 86 mins), Lundoloki, and Dulgheru.
Cards: Nicholson (Y – 59 mins), Charles (Y – 62 mins), Woodward (Y – 67 mins), Elliott (87 mins).
Goals: Adams (29 mins), Tye (44 mins)
Attendance: 317
Referee: Oliver Potter (Cambridge)
(John Walker)