Pitching In Northern Premier League Midland Division
ANSTEY NOMADS 2 ST NEOTS TOWN 1
(played at Quorn FC)
Another away defeat by just the odd goal – and that was St Neots’ fourteenth defeat this season by just a single goal! So near yet so far appears to be their fate in what is proving to be a testing but very frustrating season back at Step Four. The team was not at full strength with Charlie Bowen unavailable and Eniola Agemoh-Davies injured so into the side came Riley Barrett for his debut at full back and Andrian Ankrah, recalled in midfield. With the Anstey pitch still under water the match was played (at the third attempt) at Quorn FC. After leading early on thanks to a gift own goal expectations were that St Neots might register a shock result, but it was not to be…
St Neots recorded the first shot on goal when Magloire Muyembe broke clear on the right in the first attack of the game, but his effort did not test home keeper Anthony Nunez. As the contest settled St Neots were clearly happy to sit back and invite the home side to attack a packed defence and then after fourteen minutes, they received an unexpected present when a lengthy throw by Lewis Burgess eluded a packed penalty area only to be mishandled by the home keeper who saw the ball creep over the line for a gift own goal. The home side were finding it difficult converting possession into clear chances, but Oscar Tonge should had done better from a narrow angle when he shot into the side netting. A Sam Willis free kick then flew harmlessly over the bar after Andy Ankrah had been hauled down and as the home side pressure continued an equaliser came on the half hour as St Neots failed to defend a corner and home skipper Jordan Annable headed home.
A snap-shot in the first minute of the second half by Henry Bestwick rattled the St Neots crossbar but the visitors replied with a swift attack that saw Harvey Williams bring a useful saved from Nunez. Both sides decided to vary their approach by introducing substitutes with St Neots bringing on Marcus Goldbourne for the limping Kwadwo Bugyei-Kyei and this move proved key for the home side with substitute Tobias Liversidge involved in the move that saw Courey Grantham put the home side in front seventeen minutes before time. St Neots predictably varied their attack and Rhys Thorpe at the far post headed inches over the bar from a right-wing cross nine minutes ahead of the final whistle. However, Anstey are an experienced side, and they successfully shut up shop running down the final few minutes in the face of an attempted late St Neots surge.
Tonight’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match – In Association with The Greystones Public House Sawtry, – Kwadwo Bugyei-Kyei
St Neots Town: Goff, Barrett, Burgess. Parker, Henderson, Ankrah, Bugyei-Kyei, Willis, Thorpe, Muyembe, Williams
Subs: Gouldbourne (for Bugyei-Kyei 63 mins), Okolie (for Ankrah 84 mins), Stainsby (for Thorpe 84 mins), and Mawer.
Cards: Willis (Y – 18 mins)
Goals: OG (14 mins)