Pitching In Northern Premier League Midland Division
ST NEOTS TOWN 0 RUGBY BOROUGH 0
Promoted with St Neots from the UCL at the end of last season, Rugby Borough arrived at St Neots as early divisional leaders having played one more game than the leading bunch. St Neots were searching for their first points of the season after two league defeats and a third in the FA Cup competition but performed well against a side brimming with confidence. With regulars injured or unavailable Manager Cameron Mawer brought in three loan players to fill the gaps with striker Jamal Adams and full back Aaron Smith coming in from neighbours St Ives Town and defender Stacey Freeman on loan from Stamford. Borough had been well-beaten on their last visit in April but since then with strengthening in their side they looked a more positive and confident side.
The visitors began at pace winning three corners in the opening five minutes that were all successfully defended. St Neots hit back with the lively Harvey Williams seeing a low shot well saved by visiting keeper Carl O’Neil who was to go on the be the saviour of the visiting side. Connor Furlong broke through the visiting defence but shot wide but at the other end the lively visiting attack kept the St Neots defence at full stretch and home keeper James Goff did well to deny Jack Duffy. The keeper was also in action saving at full stretch to deny the impressive Will Grocott and then visiting striker Daniel Reka squandered the visitors’ best first half chance firing over the bar from close range. At the other end from a Kieran Barnes cross Jamal Adams placed a free header disappointingly over the bar and O’Neil then made an impressive save to turn away a Sam Willis header from a Williams cross. The half ended with defender Stacey Freeman joining the home attack to head over the bar.
The visitors opted to vary their approach at half time replacing their two attacking players with substitutes and it had an immediate attack with one of those added, Antonio Cristofaro, shooting over the bar after good work by Jake Duffy. St Neots thought they were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Adams tumbled in the visitors’ box under a strong challenge but the well-placed Referee waved play on. St Neots then created a gilt edged chanced when Ankrah and Furlong combined to leave defenders in their wake, but Barnes scuffed his effort wide of the far post. The lively Cristofaro then had a shot deflected over the crossbar by a defender and at that point St Neots opted for a change in attack with Rhys Thorpe replacing the limping Jamal Adams. Cristofaro then saw a shot blocked by St Neots skipper Robbie Partker and the lively Williams still tormenting the visiting defence, saw his low close-range shot deflected for a corner by O’Neal. Ellis Myles curled the visitors’ final chance wide, and the match ended with St Neots unable to break through the determined visiting defence. A point apiece was a fair outcome getting St Neots to their first league point and a boost in their confidence.
Tonight’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match – In Association with The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – KIERAN BARNES
St Neots Town: Goff, Willis, Smith, Tavernier, Parker, Freeman, Furlong, Ankrah, Adams, Barnes, Williams
Subs: Thorpe (for Adams 60 mins), Henderson, Obeng, Stirling, and Lincoln.
Cards: Furlong (Y)
Goals: none