Pitching In Northern Premier League Midland Division
ST NEOTS TOWN 2 COLESHILL TOWN 1
With a show of defiance St Neots defeated third-placed Colehill Town by the odd goal in three to complete an unlikely league double – their first of the season. Now with just four matches remaining they are looking to complete their own version of the ‘great escape’ to retain their place at Step Four of the National League system. This result was no fluke. St Neots had to overcome both the lively conditions and a side that had been unbeaten in their last nine league fixtures, and they did so in the most deserving style. They made two team changes and effected a reshuffle of their line-up with Lewis Burgess and Rhys Thorpe both returning to the side at the expense of James Stainsby and Trey Charles who were both on the substitutes bench.
Winning the toss St Neots elected to play with the strong wind at their backs and this dictated the pattern of first half play with the visiting side slowing play and playing ‘keep ball’ as often as they could. St Neots needed to take advantage when they did get possession, but their finishing was patchy and lacking in confidence. In the first quarter of an hour there was no clear shot on target at either end, and then St Neots carved out the first real opening, but Rhys Thorpe saw his effort deflected over the bar by a defender. In a Coleshill rare breakaway attack Benjamin Usher-Shipway burst through but his shot was blocked by the advancing James Goff. St Neots then added to their defensive problems when Eniola Agemoh-Davies gifted the ball to Theo Rowe and in arresting his charge towards goal, James Goff was injured and required lengthy treatment before continuing. The visitors continued utilising legitimate but frustrating time-wasting tactics to see out the first half and two minutes before the break a curling effort by Harvey Williams beat the keeper but sailed just wide. Then as the clock moved towards six added minutes St Neots won a throw. and Lewis Burgess’s long throw was turned into his own by Daniel Brookes to give St Neots the narrow half time advantage they deserved.
With the wind still having a major influence after the interval it was St Neots’ turn to be on the defensive but on the break,they could have doubled their advantage, however, the lively Williams saw his effort deflect from the body of the advancing visiting goalkeeper. An injury to Eniola Agemoh-Davies saw the introduction of substitute Neo Richard-Noeland the visiting side livened up their tactics with the introduction of three attaching substitutes. Now the St Neots defence came under some sustained attacking pressure, but Harvey Henderson and skipper Rob Parker were strong and organised. With sixty seconds of normal time remaining, Kwadwo Bugyei-Kyie sent Harvey Williams through the visiting defence, and he rounded the advancing goalkeeper to score a second St Neots goal from a narrow angle. Three minutes into added time substitute Gio Dainty broke through to score a late consolation goal for the visitors but after their late burst of form St Neots are now just two points from safely with four matches remaining.
Today’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match – in association with The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – LEWIS BURGESS
St Neots: Goff, Agemoh-Davies, Burgess, Ankrah, Henderson, Parker, Bugyei-Kyie, Willis, Thorpe, Muyembe, Williams
Subs: Richard-Noel (for Agemoh-Davies 65 mins). Stainsby (for Thorpe 90+1 min), Charles, Sears, and Mawer.
Cards: Mawer (Y – 79 mins), Nunn (Y – 79 mins)
Goals: OG (45+6 mins), Williams (89 mins)
Coleshill: Belford, Allison, Brookes, Mandey, Rowley, Carter-Byrne, Rowe, Fitzpatrick, Onabirekhanlen, Usher-Shipway, Rees
Subs: Booth (for Fitzpatrick 60 mins), Dainty (for Mandey75 mins), McSkeane (for Rowe 75 mins), Dunkley (for Onabirekhanlen 75 mins), and Burke.
Cards: Rowley (Y – 45+1 min), Mandey (Y – 68 mins), Brookes (Y – 77 mins)
Goals: Dainty (90+3 mins)
Attendance: 232
Referee: Jordan Gibson (Baldock, Herts)
(John Walker)