UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH
COVENTRY UNITED 2 ST NEOTS TOWN 1
Despite a brave second half performance, after conceding two goals late in the first half, St Neots left Coventry with their fourteen matches undefeated run coming to a disappointing end. Their rally after the break brought a consolation goal but they slipped off the top of the table after just a short stay of seven days with Aylestone Park regaining top spot now with a three points lead. The home side decided to protect their first half lead by concentrating on defence after the break and despite having the greater share of second half play St Neots lacked the cutting edge to take advantage. The host side are on an excellent run of form and this result stretched their record to seven games undefeated whilst the visitors tasted defeat for the first time since 21st September. There was just one team change from the previous game with skipper Robbie Parker returning to the side in place of the unavailable Christian Tavernier.
Despite a brave second half performance, after conceding two goals late in the first half, St Neots left Coventry with their fourteen matches undefeated run coming to a disappointing end. Their rally after the break brought a consolation goal but they slipped off the top of the table after just a short stay of seven days with Aylestone Park regaining top spot now with a three points lead. The home side decided to protect their first half lead by concentrating on defence after the break and despite having the greater share of second half play St Neots lacked the cutting edge to take advantage. The host side are on an excellent run of form and this result stretched their record to seven games undefeated whilst the visitors tasted defeat for the first time since 21st September. There was just one team change from the previous game with skipper Robbie Parker returning to the side in place of the unavailable Christian Tavernier.After a cagey start as the two sides sized each other up a Kieran Barnes free kick was deflected over his own crossbar by a home defender but then Coventry settled and began to dictate the attacking play. A long-range effort by Conner Mort deceived the visiting keeper but rebounded from the crossbar and at the other end Kieran Barnes burst through the home defence to be upended but the Referee waved away St Neots penalty appeals. A close-range header by Robbie Parker was comfortably gathered by home keeper Jake Bull who then saved at full stretch a testing cross from Danny Baulk. However, the home side ended the first half in impressive style. After 40 minutes a through ball found Connor Mort looking yards offside but the flag stayed down, and he advanced to comfortably beat James Goff to open the scoring. Worse was to follow for the visitors because after Rhys Thorpe had shot wide from a Barnes free kick, in added time play moved to the other end where the usually reliable Goff left his line in an attempt to field a high cross but he misjudged the flight of the ball which fell to Dylan Parker who scored into the unguarded net to give the home side a two goals advantage.
St Neots came out looking purposeful after the break with Harvey Williams replacing Danny Baulk and the home side seemed happy to sit back and protect their lead affording the visitors possession and space. However, they looked confident and assured in defence and the best the visitors could offer were long range efforts by Barnes and Michael Amaeshike comfortably fielded by the keeper. At the other end on a break Chris Cox shot over the bar when well placed but after 69 minutes St Neots sensed a comeback when Murphy Culkin scored from distance after a spell of sustained St Neots pressure to make it 2-1. The home side sought to break up any pattern in play by the visitors by introducing several substitutes and they picked up a couple of cautions as St Neots pressed. However, the only serious effort mounted by St Neots was a lengthy effort by Connor Furlong comfortably saved by Bull.
St Neots came out looking purposeful after the break with Harvey Williams replacing Danny Baulk and the home side seemed happy to sit back and protect their lead affording the visitors possession and space. However, they looked confident and assured in defence and the best the visitors could offer were long range efforts by Barnes and Michael Amaeshike comfortably fielded by the keeper. At the other end on a break Chris Cox shot over the bar when well placed but after 69 minutes St Neots sensed a comeback when As the final whistle approached substitute Harvey Williams squandered St Neots best late opening for an equaliser as the proud winning run was extinguished.
Today’s Saints Supporters Man of the Match, In Association With The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – MURPHY CULKIN
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