EMIRATES FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
REAL BEDFORD 2 ST NEOTS TOWN 3
St Neots won this thrilling FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round tie at the expense of their higher graded hosts. Both sides led in a highly charged first half that finished all square at 2-2 and then despite missing a penalty kick, St Neots held their nerve to see out the final quarter of an hour after taking the lead again. About to start their life at Step Four following their promotion, Real Bedford tested the St Neots defence at times in the first half but always looked vulnerable in defence – a weakness exploited by the visitors who could have won by a more convincing margin. Manager Cameron Mawer had little hesitation in naming the side that had won in midweek as well as having an experienced substitutes bench that included Nathan George after suspension.
The first half was full of fast-moving end-to-end football almost from the first whistle and it was the visitors who struck the first blow after just three minutes when an early cross from Connor Furlong on the right saw Kieran Barnes (below right) drift in to net at the far post. Then after 16 minutes the scores were levelled when St Neots conceded a free kick thirty yards from goal and Ben Stevens sweetly struck effort crept in just beyond the reach of goalkeeper James Goff.
At the other end Jordan Brown left his marker behind only to see his effort blocked by a defender and then after 16 minutes in a counter-attack Stevens set up Jack Snelus to put the home side in front.
The first half was full of fast-moving end-to-end football almost from the first whistle and it was the visitors who struck the first blow after just three minutes when an early cross from Connor Furlong on the right saw 
At the other end Jordan Brown left his marker behind only to see his effort blocked by a defender and then after 16 minutes in a counter-attack Stevens set up Jack Snelus to put the home side in front.The match was very competitive with Referee issuing several yellow cards but ten minutes before the break the scores were levelled again when Murphy Culkin sent a pass through the defence for the lively Rhys Thorpe (below left) to take full advantage of square lying defence. Goff then had to produce an important save to deny the lively Stevens and just before half time Furlong appeared to be brought down as burst into the penalty area, but the Referee waved play on.
If the first half had been contested fairly evenly it was St Neots who looked the better side in the early stages after the break. Thorpe had a header deflected narrowly over the crossbar and Barnes only just failed to take advantage of some sloppy defending. In their first serious attack of the second half Bedford were denied when Bowen cleared off the goal line whilst the home side made several more substitutions in a bid to revive their efforts. Then on 58 minutes Jordan Brown streaked clear of the defence to be brought down from behind by Jack Morrell and a penalty was awarded. Barnes stepped up to see his spot kick pushed away at full length by the home keeper, but this setback failed to dampen St Neots’ efforts. They plugged away at the home defence with Thorpe and Barnes testing the home keeper, but the game became disjointed with a series of substitutions by both sides. The deciding goal came fifteen minutes from time when after a series of corners St Neots saw Culkin’s inswinging corner turned into his own net by Kpohomouh.
If the first half had been contested fairly evenly it was St Neots who looked the better side in the early stages after the break. Thorpe had a header deflected narrowly over the crossbar and Barnes only just failed to take advantage of some sloppy defending. In their first serious attack of the second half Bedford were denied when Bowen cleared off the goal line whilst the home side made several more substitutions in a bid to revive their efforts. Then on 58 minutes Jordan Brown streaked clear of the defence to be brought down from behind by Jack Morrell and a penalty was awarded. Barnes stepped up to see his spot kick pushed away at full length by the home keeper, but this setback failed to dampen St Neots’ efforts. They plugged away at the home defence with Thorpe and Barnes testing the home keeper, but the game became disjointed with a series of substitutions by both sides. The deciding goal came fifteen minutes from time when after a series of corners St Neots saw Culkin’s inswinging corner turned into his own net by Kpohomouh.It was no less than St Neots Town deserved and now they can plan for a home tie in the next round on 17th August against either Edgeware & Kingsbury or Crawley Green, who must replay on Wednesday after a 2-2 draw today.
Today’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match – In Association with The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – Sammy Willis
St Neots Town: Goff, Nickels, Culkin, Willis, Parker. Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Brown
Subs: Baulk (for Brown 67 mins), Williams (for Furlong 67 mins), Hatch (for Barnes 79 mins), Joseph (for Thorpe 88 mins), Francisco, and George.
Cards: Furlong (Y – 11 mins), Culkin (Y – 25 mins), Thorpe (Y – 31 mins)
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