MARCH TOWN 2 ST NEOTS TOWN 2
(March won 5-4 on penalties)
For the second successive season St Neots bowed out of the Hinchingbrooke Cup at March, this time in dramatic fashion losing a penalty shoot-out after a hard-fought draw with the sides sharing four goals. Cameron Mawer’s side will think they should have progressed to their first Hinchingbrooke Cup Final since 2011 because they had led 2-0 after half an hour and looked well in control. However, March have built up the reputation of being something of a bogey side because in four meetings at the GER Sports Ground in the past two seasons the visiting side has been beaten three times.
Player eligibility rules meant that the St Neots’ squad was short in numbers with just two substitutes named but there was only one team change with Danny Baulk replacing the unavailable Harvey Williams. March will go on to defend the trophy they won last season in a final tie against the winners of the outstanding semi-final between Deeping Rangers and Eaton Socon.
For the second successive season St Neots bowed out of the Hinchingbrooke Cup at March, this time in dramatic fashion losing a penalty shoot-out after a hard-fought draw with the sides sharing four goals. Cameron Mawer’s side will think they should have progressed to their first Hinchingbrooke Cup Final since 2011 because they had led 2-0 after half an hour and looked well in control. However, March have built up the reputation of being something of a bogey side because in four meetings at the GER Sports Ground in the past two seasons the visiting side has been beaten three times. 
The match could hardly have started better for St Neots because in their first attack after just two minutes when Michael Amaeshike (left) converted a Sam Willis cross at the far post. Five minutes later Baulk beat his marker and cut in but this time his effort was blocked by a defender. The visitors continued to have the better of play and after 18 minutes a shot by Michael Amaeshike passed the wrong side of a post and Connor Furlong was also off target after more good work by Willis. Then after 28 minutes a corner from Murphy Culkin was turned in by Charlie Bowen (below right) to give St Neots that two goals advantage. The home side managed little to threaten the visiting goal although they did see a shot rebound from the crossbar following a corner.
The match could hardly have started better for St Neots because in their first attack after just two minutes when 
After the break the home side looked more positive although Furlong might have increased the lead, but he shot wide after neat play by Christian Tavernier. However, after making substitutions the home side began to get a foothold in the contest and Williams began to tease St Neots defence setting up a couple of chances that went begging. The turning point in the contest came after 70 minutes when Sam Willis conceded a penalty.
The first four kicks were successful despatched but then home keeper Jonah Gill saved Murphy Culkin’s penalty whist the home players produced five perfect spot kicks to claim their place in the Cup Final.
Tonight’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match, in association with The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – Sammy Willis
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