Isuzu FA Trophy First Round Qualifying
SPORTING CLUB INKBERROW 0 ST NEOTS TOWN 0
(SC Inkberrow won 3-1 on penalties)
Home keeper Gabriel Bajrami was the matchwinner for the home side as he saved the first three penalty kicks taken by the visiting side in the deciding shoot-out after a goalless ninety minutes plus added time. Saints Manager Cameron Mawer was sent off six minutes from time in a controversial moment of mistaken identity that he will appeal against. It was a regrettable incident after a very disappointing Cup tie influenced to a large extent by the swirling wind which neither side were able to master. Inkberrow were making their first ever appearance in an FA Trophy tie following their elevation to Step Four of the National League system for the first time in their history. Neither side played well with respective goalkeepers never under any real pressure until the penalty shoot-out decider, although Saints custodian James Goff won the man of the match award for some important saves, and the home side will be happy to have announced their arrival in the competition with a first-time victory. St Neots lined up without their regular wide front men, Connor Furlong who was unavailable and Harvey Williams who was not fully fit and started on the bench. Back into the starting line-up came Kieran Barnes, with Jamal Obeng moving to a wide berth, and Brandon Jessop was given his first start on the opposite flank.
From the start it was obvious that the swirling wind was going to be a problem for the two sides, but St Neots made a bright start with Brandon Jessop breaking clear in the third minute but brought down by William Moore from behind to earn the home defender an early caution. However, as the match settled the home side were quickly in control with James Goff saving bravely at the feet of Jack Tolley and he then saved at full stretch from Noah Rubio. Jessop had a shot saved after neat play by Kieran Barnes but Tolley squandered Inkberrow’s best first half chance firing wide after a good team move.Just before half time Charlie Bowen joined the visiting attack but shot wide following a Barnes corner. The two sides then went to the break with Inkberr ow having enjoyed the greater share of attacking play.
The second half began in familiar fashion with Inkberrow in the ascendancy. Substitute Nigel Hinkulow broke clear but Jesse Obeng back in a defensive role did well to clear and then Jay Pugsley shot wide following a corner. In the 55th minute Goff had to leave his area to clear when his defence had been breached but St Neots hit back with Obeng heading over from a Murphy Culkin cross. St Neots sent on substitute Michael Amaeshike for the limping Bowen and replaced Jessop with Harvey Williams pepping up their attack. Rhys Thorpe fired wide after neat play by Christian Tavernier and then Harvey Henderson did well to deflect a fierce short wide for a corner. The sending off of the St Neots Manager followed just before the end of the 90 minutes and St Neots looked happy to have survived to earn that penalty decider.
However, the first three St Neots spot takers all saw their efforts well saved by the inspired home custodian and although Goff saved two efforts from home players Nathan Benson comfortably fired home the fifth Inkberrow spot kick to earn his side’s place in the next round.
Today’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match – In association with the Greystones Public House, Sawtry – JAMES GOFF
St Neots Town: Goff, Willis, Culkin, Tavernier, Henderson, Bowen, Jessop, Parker, Thorpe, Barnes, Obeng
Subs: Amaeshike (for Bowen 62 mins), Williams (for Jessop 66 mins), Ankrah (for Barnes 77 mins), Francis, and Mawer.
Cards: Mawer (RED – 84 mins), Barnes (Y – 27 mins)
Goals: none
Club Inkberrow: Bajrami, Bastable, Warren-Paul, Moore, Waterfield, Benson, Brown, Rubio. Tolley, Guy, Coughlin
Subs: Emblem (for Moore 90+3 mins)
Cards: Moore (Y – 3 mins), Guy (Y – 30 mins), Warren-Paul (Y – 44 mins), Emblem (Y – 90 mins)
Goals: none
Attendance: 146
Referee: Adam McAnoy (Cheltenham)
(John Walker)