Pitching In Northern Premier League Midland Division

BOURNE TOWN          1          ST NEOTS TOWN           0    

A goal conceded three minutes from the end of normal time saw St Neots plunge to defeat and tumble to eighteenth place in the league table.   They never really seemed to get going as an attacking threat after striker Neo Richard-Noel had limped off after 35 minutes with an injury recurrence.  His replacement Jessi Obeng tried hard to get the visiting attack going but despite his efforts St Neots never tested the home defence other than one effort just after the break.  Bourne who accompanied St Neots to promotion from Step Five at the end of last season have struggled to make their mark at the higher level, but this victory took them to within two points of the Saints and this performance and result will have boosted their confidence.  St Neots theoretically strengthened their line-up for this trip with return in defence of Charlie Bowen and Eniola Agemoh-Davies and Neo Richard-Noel was back to lead the attack after injury.  Making way were Jessi Obeng and Magloire Muyembe who were on then bench and Harvey Henderson.

There was an attacking start to the game by both sides with Aaron Eyett (Bourne) and Stacey Freeman for the visitors both testing the respective goalkeepers in the first four minutes. An early booking for the home side seemed to slow their approach and Rhys Thorpe fired over for the visitors after their next attack.  Then Tom Simmons looked like breaking clear on goal but a well-timed recovery tackle by Eniola Agemoh-Davies rescued the visitors. St Neots progress was halted after 35 minutes when Neo Richard-Noel limped off with a recurrence of his injury and that saw the introduction of Jesse Obeng, the two goals hero from the previous match. He tried hard to get the St Neots attack firing with little success although Harvey Williams did cut in to fire well wide. Right on half time, Robbie Ellis powered through the visiting defence but shot high over the bar.

St Neots created the first second half opening as the lively Obeng left his marker in his wake and crossed to find the head of Thorpe, but home keeper Will Lakin saved at full stretch, and then Obeng again created the opening, but Barnes shot wide of target. Agemoh-Davies then joined the St Neots attack but shot wide but after this opening second half salvo, the visitors were pushed back on the defensive. Bourne seemed to find an additional gear, and Agemoh-Davies repeated his first half heroics with a well times tackle as Simmons once again looked to go clear on goal. Cullum Milne had a shot deflected by a visiting defender and in the last quarter of an hour St Neots sought to boost their attacking efforts by introducing Magloire Muyembe for Kieran Barnes. However, it was the home side who finished the stronger and three minutes from time from a free kick Robbie Ellis claimed the winning goal and three valuable points for the home side.

 

 

Today’s Saints Supporters Man of the Match – In Association with The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – Lewis Burgess

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St Neots Town:  Goff, Agemoh-Davies, Burgess, Parker, Bowen, Freeman, Willis, Richard-Noel, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams

Subs:  Obeng (for Richard-Noel 35 mins), Muyembe (for Barnes 74 mins), Dias (for Bowen 88 minds), Ankrah, and Stainsby.

Cards:  Bowen (Y – 85 mins)

Goals:  none

 

Bourne Town:  Lakin, Lievens, Burrows, Ellis, Milne, Blythe, Fury, Bayly, Siddons, Eyett, Allen

Subs:  Bird (for Bayly 74 mins), Blankley, Flack

Cards:  Siddons (Y – 5 mins), Lievens (Y – 18 mins)

Goals: Ellis (87 mins)

Attendance: 376

Referee:  Christopher Walton (Kettering)

(John Walker)