Pitching In Northern Premier League Midland Division
ST NEOTS TOWN 1 BELPER TOWN 3
St Neots baptism back to Step Four finished in disappointment as the fancied Belper Town scored twice in the second half to claim full points. After a two years’ break from the higher-level St Neots gave a good account of themselves against a visiting side who only narrowly missed out on promotion to Step Three in last season’s play-offs. After an evenly balanced first 45 minutes, St Neots were undone after the break when the visitors displayed their experience with two further goals to return home to Derbyshire with the spoils. St Neots were able to kick off in their new surroundings by claiming an almost unique experience of naming the same side that had won the triple last season with all their new signings on the bench. It was a disappointing start to the new campaign but moving up to Step Four St Neots are going to encounter some experienced sides and will have to fight hard for points.
In front of an opening day crowd in excess of 300 both sides made an attacking start to proceedings with early chances at both ends. A fifth minute net-bound shot by Michael Amaeshike was blocked by a defender and ten minutes later the visitors capitalised on this good fortune when they went ahead as a long throw was headed on by Wafula for Kevin Bastos to net at the far post. St Neots hit back with Conner Furlong beating his man to cross through a ragged defence but there was no one to apply the finishing touch. Then after 26 minutes St Neots were back on terms when Charlie Bowen was hauled down in the area following a corner and a penalty awarded. Christian Tavernier sent the keeper the wrong way to level the scores, and the rest of the first half saw both sides create chances, but defences held firm. From a Sam Willis corner Amaeshike won the ball in the air but his effort was blocked on the line, Kieran Barnes also had an effort from a Murphy Culkin corner blocked by a well-placed defender and a neat turn past two defenders set up Amaeshike, but his fierce finish was the wrong side of a goalpost. So, the sides went to the break level with St Neots in the ascendancy.
St Neots had Bowen booked in the first minute after the break for an ill-timed challenge and on the hour St Neots thought they were denied a second penalty when Thorpe was brought down from behind in the penalty area, but the well-placed Referee waved play on. Jonathan Wafula had a shot blocked and at the other end and Tavernier pulled his shot wide following a corner. The visitors were beginning to get on top and after 65 minutes from a Louis Keenan corner, a late run into the area by Bejamin Rhodes saw him place a near post header in at the near post to restore the visitors’ lead. Minutes later Goff made a fine save to deny Wafula as the visiting side began to dominate. St Neots introduced a couple of substitutes, but they were unable to wrest back the initiative from the visiting side and when Wafula was brought down by James Goff as he tried to go around him, a penalty was awarded. With five minutes remaining man of the match Kevin Bastos a constant threat to the home defence netted from the spot and the visitors were home and dry.
Today’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match, in association with the Greystones Public House, Sawtry – Robbie Parker
St Neots Town: Goff, Willis, Culkin, Tavernier, Parker, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams
Subs: Obeng (for Furlong 78 mins), Stirling (for Amaeshike (78 mins), Henderson, Ankrah, and Sears.
Cards: Barnes (Y – 31 mins), Bowen (Y – 46 mins), Thorpe (Y – 85 mins), Culkin (Y – 90+3 mins).
Goals: Tavernier (26 mins – pen)
Belper Town: Preston, Rhodes, Keenan, Austin, Broadhead, Evans, Da Bastos, Jordan, Wafula, Burrows, Gyamfi
Subs: August (for Gyamfi 80 mins), Tague (for Austin 87 mins), Edwards (for Wafula 89 mins),Tsolak, and Zerboni.
Cards: Evans (Y – 26 mins), Jordan (Y – 66 mins)
Goals: Bastos (2) (15 & 85 mins – pen), Rhodes 65 mins)
Referee: Aimee Keir (Holbeach, Lincs)
Attendance: 309
(John Walker)