HUNTINGDONSHIRE FA. SENIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL
ST NEOTS TOWN 6 EYNESBURY ROVERS 0
St Neots Town turned on the style in the second half of this Hunts Senior Cup semi-final to see off a rather pallid performance from neighbours Eynesbury Rovers. It was the fifth Senior Cup meeting of the two sides in the past fifteen seasons and St Neots’ fourth victory. They now go on to meet in ‘the battle of the Ouse’ with Eaton Socon who will appear in their first ever Senior Cup Final after seeing off St Ives Town in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw. Five goals in a devastating 18 minutes spell just after the break saw the visitors humbled after a first half where the hosts failed to turn their possessional superiority into goals. St Neots opted to rest a couple of defenders for the match bringing in Stacey Freeman and Magloire Muyembe but their third change – Jessi Obeng for James Stainsby – was significant as they saw him pick up the man of the match award and two goals in only his fifth start of the season.
St Neots made a sparkling start opening the scoring after just three minutes as a deep cross from Harvey Williams was headed back across goal for Jessi Obeng to net from close range. What followed was a solid defensive performance by the visitors as St Neots tried to make their superior possession count. The, after 25 minutes, Rhys Thorpe headed wide after Magloire Muyembe had won the ball in midfield and it was half an hour before the visitors threatened the home goal but a free kick in a threatening position was wasted. Just before the break a poor clearance set up Obeng, but he was unable to take advantage.
After that frustrating first half St Neots quickly set about making amends. Just three minutes after the restart a lengthy throw by Lewis Burgess was not cleared by the visiting defence and Rhys Thorpe was on hand to double the lead. Seven minutes later another attack following a Burgess throw surrendered a corner and from this visiting keeper Oliver Steinke reached for the ball but could only help it into the net to add to St Neots lead. A couple of bookings for defenders saw the visiting defence become ragged and more vulnerable and on the hour they conceded a penalty clinically tucked away by home skipper Rob Parker to increase the scoreline to 4-0. Within a minute things got even worse for the visitors as their defence was caught square allowing Jessi Obeng burst through to claim his second goal of the match and the rout continued after 66 minutes as the lively Harvey Williams claimed his tenth goal of the current campaign with a crisp finish. With the match clearly won St Neots then introduced substitutes to give them match time and the momentum dropped with the visitors regrouping in defence. Although home keeper James Goff had been largely a spectator, he did make one significant save late in the game at the expense of a corner, but the visitors ended well beaten as St Neots progressed to their second consecutive Senior Cup Final.
Tonight’s Saints Supporters Man of the Match in association with The Greystones Public House Sawtry – JESSI OBENG