Patience Is Key As Young Saints Eventually Overcome Stubborn Soham

ST NEOTS U18         2          SOHAM TOWN RANGERS U18        0

St Neots made hard work of defeating bottom of the table Soham, but two second half goals were sufficient to see them extend their lead at the top of the table. More than an hour of the match had elapsed before the visitors managed their first shot at the home goal but despite clear dominance and possession, St Neots were unable to push home their advantage in the shape of a goal.

The visiting defence was not breached in the first half thanks to a combination of indifferent finishing and good fortune. St Neots were off target far too often once they got in sight of goal with visiting keeper Jacob Wiseman saving well from Will Jolley whilst Frankie Webster and Will Jolley were off target, and two defensive deflections also protected the visiting goal. An Asher Banton free kick was too high and as the first half ended visiting defender Lewis George cleared off the goal line to ensure parity at the break.

Early in the second half Adam Baker headed wide from a corner and Finley Morris saw a net bound effort deflected for a corner. After 64 minutes home goalkeeper Alex Bent was called into serious action for the first time to gather a free kick from Charlie Sutcliffe but two minutes later the long- awaited breakthrough occurred when a header rebounded from the Soham crossbar and substitute Nigel Coleman followed in to open the scoring.   As Soham attempted to respond, James Leonard saw his shot deflected wide of the St Neots goal and after the visiting keeper had saved full length to deny Webster, the home side wrapped up the points with a 90th  minute goal from substitute Rocco Smith to leave the home side two points clear at the top of the league table.

St Neots Town U18:  Bent, Collins, Edwards, Morris, Jolly (J), Baker (A), Brewster, Webster, Jolly (W), Banton, Wright

Subs:  Smith, Camfield, Coleman, Baker (L), Olive.

Referee:  Peter Howard