GCE Hire Fleet United Counties League Premier Division South
EYNESBURY ROVERS 3 ST NEOTS TOWN 2
After a nervous two hours wait for the results of the 3pm start matches to be announced it was discovered that this significant victory had given Eynesbury Rovers the points they needed to claim a play-off place and a chance to join St Neots Town at Step Four next season. It proved to be only St Neots fifth league defeat of the season and gave Eynesbury bragging rights as the only side to inflict a league double on the newly crowned champions. It was also Rovers first league double over their neighbours since the 1995/96 season which had been St Neots first season back at Step Five. St Neots made just one team change with Charlie Bowen replacing Nathan George who returned to the bench.
In the first 35 minutes St Neots looked like a side who had partied too hard following their 7-1 home celebration victory on Saturday. Rovers dominated possession and play and tore through a flimsy looking visiting defence every time they attacked. As early as the third minute the home side set out their intention as the lively Reece King broke clear of a square looking St Neots defence and only a last-ditch deflection by Harvey Williams prevented a very early setback for the visitors. However, their let-off last just two minutes for in the next Eynesbury attack Reece King again broke away and after the exposed St Neots keeper had parried his first attempt, he followed up to joyfully open the scoring. 
Victor Osobu then had a shot deflected and after half an hour Eynesbury really turned the screw as visiting keeper James Goff parried a King shot, a second effort rebounded from the crossbar and Max Kimpton calmly shot though the disorganised defence to double the lead. Seven minutes later it seemed to be all over when Goff failed to clear, and Don Hammer followed up to claim the third Eynesbury goal. This third setback seemed to stun St Neots into action and two minutes before the break the hard-working Harvey Williams gave them a glimmer of hope when he pulled a goal back.
Victor Osobu then had a shot deflected and after half an hour Eynesbury really turned the screw as visiting keeper James Goff parried a King shot, a second effort rebounded from the crossbar and Max Kimpton calmly shot though the disorganised defence to double the lead. Seven minutes later it seemed to be all over when Goff failed to clear, and Don Hammer followed up to claim the third Eynesbury goal. This third setback seemed to stun St Neots into action and two minutes before the break the hard-working 
It took St Neots just five minutes after the break to restore their hops of a dramatic come-back when the speedy Connor Furlong cut in from the right to beat the home keeper with a low shot just inside the far post. That could have sparked a memorable come-back but it was no to be. Just past the hour home keeper James Hoskins pulled off the save of the match from Harvey Williams who had threaded his way past two defenders and that was to prove the significant moment of the contest. Sixty seconds later St Neots were reduced to ten men when striker Rhys Thorpe was sent off when he picked up a second yellow card and from that point on Rovers were able to control the match. Goff saved his side further embarrassment when he saved from Luke Young who had gone clear of the visiting defence and at the other end the lively Williams was upended earning Oliver Brookes a caution. With six minutes left Brookes picked up a second booking to level up the sides at ten apiece but the only notable late incident was when St Neots were reduced to nine men four minutes into added time with the dismissal of substitute Danny Baulk.
It took St Neots just five minutes after the break to restore their hops of a dramatic come-back when the speedy
Today’s Saints Supporters’ Man Of The Match – In Association with The GreyStones Public House – HARVEY WILLIAMS
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