UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH

 

ON CHENECKS         2          ST NEOTS TOWN          2         

St Neots clambered out of their poor run of form as they rallied to deservedly rescue a point in their midweek visit to ON Chenecks. Twice their trailed in a see-saw match but each time they responded – the second equaliser coming four minutes into added time after a ten minutes’ delay when as Assistant Referee was taken ill.  Their overall performance was good, but their finishing was wayward, and they conceded a very sloppy second goal to the home side but showed good character to recover and produce their equalising goal to earn a share of the points. With skipper Rob Parker and Sam Willis injured on Saturday, Charlie Bowen unwell and Rhys Thorpe unavailable, Manager Cameron Mawer was forced into making major changes in his starting line up and he left Dan Walker on the bench bringing in Harvey Williams, Lil Francisco, Dammy Nickels, James Hatch and Christian Tavernier – the latter for his first start of the season.

In a rather low key first half there was little of significance to note although the home side had taken the lead after six minutes with their first attack when St Neots conceded a midfield free kick and Ryan Coxhill’s cross found the head of the unmarked Harry Chipchase who finished well. The visitors then enjoyed a lengthy spell of possession but created little other than several corners that were successfully defended. As half time approach the home side produced a couple of breakaway attacks but from close range as Coxhill dragged his finish wide and Lewis Irwin fired high over the St Neots crossbar. Just before the break a Dammy Nickels free kick brought a good save from home custodian Bradley Lashley.

There was an explosive stat to the second half when after just 23 seconds Christian Tavernier (right) marked his first start with a cracking drive from 30 yards that levelled the scores. Irwin had a shot deflected at the other end, but St Neots were now looking more determined in attack and with Dan Walker on for Harvey Williams they began to threaten the home goal. Then, after 77 minutes, a moment of defensive carelessness let in the home side for a second goal and Josh Kilsby took full advantage to reinstate the Chenecks lead.

A delay of some ten minutes saw a linesman replaced and St Neots then had to regroup to rescue some pride from their display. The deserved second equaliser came four minutes into the time added for the stoppage, when Connor Furlong was upended on the edge of the penalty area and Nickels’ free kick set up Michael Amaeshike (above left) for his fifth goal of the season. Both sides then had chances deep into that added time to claim a winning goal. With St Neots pushed forward Coxhill squandered the Chenecks chance miskicking in front of goal and with almost the last kick of the match Dan Walker volleyed wide after neat play by Amaeshike.

 

 

Tonight’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match – In Association with The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – JAMES HATCH

 

 

 

St Neots Town:  Goff, Francisco, Nickels, Tavernier, George, Culkin, Furlong, Amaeshike, Hatch, Barnes, Williams

Subs:  Walker (for Williams 62 mins), Baulk (for Barnes 89 mins), Wallace-Pitts, Joseph, and Bomalo.

Cards:  George (Y – 62 mins), Hatch (Y – 84 mins)

 

ON Chenecks: Lashley, Davis, Mobbs, Innes, Purse, Kilsby, Chipchase, Coxhill, Irwin, Poku, Bernard

Subs: Muddiman (for Purse 56 mins), Mabbutt (for Chipchase 72 mins), Cox (for Coxhill 72 mins), Primus (for Poku 90+6 mins), and Green.

Cards: Mabbutt (Y – 90+3 mins)

Attendance: Not Known

Referee:  Darren Lander (Huntingdon)

John Walker