GCE HIRE PLANT UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH
ST NEOTS TOWN 4 HINCKLEY AFC 2
Twice behind to their first time visitors Hinckley AFC, St Neots scored three times in a twelve minutes second half spell to stretch their unbeaten run to twelve matches and remain a point behind league leaders Aylestone Park – still with a match in hand. With many of the chasing pack involved in the FA Vase, the St Neots lead over the third placed club was extended to eight points as they prepare for an away trip to sixth placed Daventry Town. With four separate scorers in this match the goals are being shared around with Rhys Thorpe still leading the way with fifteen goals this season. There were two team changes from the previous match with Mike Amaeshike and Murphy Culkin returning to the side for Dammy Nickels and the injured Nathan George.
St Neots made all the early running after a speculative long shot by visiting striker Jared Bradshaw had been comfortably fielded by James Goff. Harvey Williams had a shot blocked by a defender and Connor Furlong cut in to bring a full length save from visiting keeper Keelan Fallows. Centre half Charlie Bowen then joined the attack to see his effort rebound from a post into the grateful arms of the visiting keeper but then after twenty minutes the visitors went ahead against the run of play when Jared Bradshaw netted from close range from a low Brad Middleton cross. 
It took St Neots just eight minutes to cancel out that early lead as Rhys Thorpe (above left) headed home a Williams cross to restore parity. From a Kieran Barnes free kick Mike Amaeshike saw a header deflected for a corner and just before half time Thorpe saw another effort rebound from a post with the keeper beaten.
It took St Neots just eight minutes to cancel out that early lead as The visitors began the second half strongly and after Goff had saved well from Adan Barber, Hinckley were ahead for a second time when slack defending allowed Brad Middleton to turn in a Leo Farruch cross from close range after 49 minutes. Again, St Neots responded quickly and six minutes later after Williams had tested Fallows, the scores were levelled for a second time when Thorpe chased a long ball down the left to cross for Connor Furlong (above right) to score past the diving goalkeeper. That second goal spurred the home side and after 63 minutes from a second successive Furlong cross, defender Charlie Bowen (above left) powered the ball home from close range to put St Neots in front for the first time. They then capitalised on their lead four minutes later from another Barnes corner when Sam Willis (right) netted at the far post to give the home side a two goals advantage. A series of substitutions broke up the pattern of the game, but St Neots had learned how to defend, and the visitors failed to test Goff after his side had established their two goals advantage.
The visitors began the second half strongly and after Goff had saved well from Adan Barber, Hinckley were ahead for a second time when slack defending allowed Brad Middleton to turn in a Leo Farruch cross from close range after 49 minutes. Again, St Neots responded quickly and six minutes later after Williams had tested Fallows, the scores were levelled for a second time when Thorpe chased a long ball down the left to cross for 
They then capitalised on their lead four minutes later from another Barnes corner when
Today’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match – In Association with The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – CONNOR FURLONG
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