Royals Win In Damp Squib At The Hollow

Pre-season friendly

POTTON UNITED    3             ST NEOTS TOWN    0         

The match kicked off in driving rain and the weather seemed to image the performance of the visiting side who looked second best to their hosts throughout the match. Manager Cameron Mawer seems to have a tough task on his hands as he seeks to blend his collection of new signings prior to the league kick-off in just over ten days’ time. With the spine of the team missing, Kyle Lincoln, Dean Dummett and James Hatch, there was little method in his side’s approach to the game and their attacking play was sporadic and lacked co-ordination.

In only the second minute the visiting defence was caught square and the lively Victor Osobu, a thorn in St Neots’ side throughout the match, broke clear and only the alert James Goff managed to divert his low effort for a corner.   Three minutes later the keeper was in action again saving well from the same Potton player.   With Lorrell Smith too often left up front on his own, the visitors offered little in attack but they varied their approach before half time with the introduction of substitutes.   Only wayward finishing by the home side kept the scoreline blank prior to the break.

However, Potton maintained their dominance upon the restart when Osobu set up a chance for a colleague whose shot rebounded from the woodwork.    Home fans did not have to wait long for something more significant.   From a 48^th minute corner kick, the home defence failed to clear, and James Smith took full advantage the open the scoring.   That brought only a limited response from the visitors although Sam Johnson did provide a cross which Lorrell Smith was only inches from converting and that proved the visitors; best chance of the match.   Osobu shot across the face of goal after another defensive lapse after 65 minutes, but his persistence was rewarded seven minutes later when he put his name on the scoresheet with a well taken finish for the home side’s second goal.   Five minutes from time home substitute Nathan Mullins rounded off a convincing victory for the home side with their third goal.

St Neots Town:   Goff, Reynolds, Barnett, Hook, Brown, George, Johnson, Muyembe, Costa, Lynn, Smith.

Subs: Smyth, Bombolo, Shortland, Rowley, Ajana