Pitching In Northern Premier League Midland Division
LOUGHBOROUGH STUDENTS 0 ST NEOTS TOWN 0
St Neots goalkeeper James Goff celebrated his 100th consecutive appearance for the side with a clean sheet in a hard fought away draw that Manager Cameron Mawer declared himself as “chuffed to bits for the lads”. He had to name his side with four players missing – two suspended, one injured and one unavailable at a venue where the host side had only been beaten once so far this season. It was a tightly fought contest with the respective defences largely in control and St Neots can be pleased that their depth of strength of squad proved capable of competing against well drilled opponents. The visitors could have snatched victory with a strong finish, but a draw was a fair result for both sides. Coming into the revamped visiting side Jessi Obeng worked hard before suffering an injury and Eniola Agemoh-Davies settled in quickly and was one of the visitors’ most penetrating attacking players. With Charlie Bowen and Harvey Henderson back from suspension and available for the next home match, the Manager will have to make an interesting choice of selection.
Both sides began cautiously with James Goff comfortable saving an early header from Ben Royall and skipper Robbie Parker replying for the visitors with a shot from a Kieran Barnes corner, saved a full length by home keeper Leo Webster. As the match settled St Neots created a couple of further chances with Barnes seeing a fierce shot from a Murphy Culkin corner deflected wide of target and Connor Furlong had a shot blocked by a defender. Then after 27 minutes a midfield error presented the ball to the home side and freed up Connor Keane who went clear to bring a fine full length save from Goff at the expense of a corner. Hussein Issa then shot over the bar after neat play by Royall and the first half ended with Culkin joining the visiting attack to beat the last defender but dragging his low effort just wide of the far post.
After the break Keane produced a fierce free kick from 25 yards that Goff was pleased to push away and then just before the hour St Neots best move of the match almost produced a goal. Jessi Obeng won the ball in midfield and freed Furlong wide on the right and his cross found the head of Rhys Thorpe who forced home keeper Webster to push the ball over the crossbar at full stretch. In a breakaway attack Marcus Gilpin tested Goff at his near post and then Obeng was injured and replaced by Pharrell Anderson. A Culkin lengthy throw evaded players in the packed penalty area and Jonty Bouch did well to clear off the goal line and then after 77 mins a Furlong effort was deflected for a corner by Harry Twite. In the final ten minutes St Neots increased the pressure on the home defence and Harvey Williams went past three defenders only to see Webster save with his feet. The home side made a late substitution to relieve the pressure on their defence and both sides had late breakaway attacks nullified as the points were shared.
Today’s Saints Supporters’ Man Of The Match – In Association With The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – ROBBIE PARKER
St Neots Town: Goff, Agemoh-Davies, Culkin, Ankrah, Willis, Parker, Furlong, Obeng, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams
Subs: Anderson (for Obeng 75 mins), Stirling, Stainsby, and Mawer.
Cards: Furlong (Y – 45+1 min)
Goals: none