YAXLEY         2           ST NEOTS TOWN        4                     

St Neots moved up to fifth in the league table with matches in hand of all those above them with another convincing performance marred only by the late concession of two goals to their hosts in the final ten minutes. However, by then with four goals safely taken the visitors were effectively ‘out of sight’ although the margin of victory was not clearly reflected in the final scoreline. Yaxley had threatened little in the first hour during which time the visitors had established that commanding lead, but the home side took full advantage of some slipshod defending after the outcome of the game had effectively been decided. Manager Cameron Mawer will no doubt have had strong words with his defenders in the dressing room afterwards, but the side now head on to their important FA Cup date at home to Barking. The Manager had made two changes to the starting line-up resting Rob Parker and Dammy Nickels bringing in Nathan George and Lil Francisco – the latter against his former Club

The first half hour saw one-way traffic towards the home goal and during this spell St Neots would have established a much more convincing lead but for the heroics of home goalkeeper Max Rigby. Time and again he defied net bound efforts from the visitors with two notable efforts by Rhys Thorpe and Dan Walker heartbreaking for the visitors.  Kieran Barnes saw another net-bound effort blocked by a defender and Michael Amaeshike saw his effort pass the wrong side of a post. However, after 16 minutes the resistance was broken when Walker crossed to the far post for a simple finish by Rhys Thorpe (left). Connor Furlong again spearheaded St Neots best attacking moves but saw his defence piercing crosses go begging. Thorpe squandered another good opening and the only positive response from the home side came just before the break when Connor Pilbeam was played clear, but his narrow-angled effort only found the side netting.

As in recent matches St Neots made good their promise after the break. After the home keeper had saved bravely at the feet of Lil Francisco, St Neots extended their narrow lead when Thorpe freed Connor Furlong (right) and he cut in past two defenders to beat the keeper at his near post.  Within two minutes the lead was further extended when from a Walker corner Michael Amaeshike (left) powered in a header through a packed defence for 3-0 and substitute Harvey Williams (below Right) joined the fun twelve minutes later with his first goal of the season after another Furlong assist.

St Neots were cruising but then got careless as the home side went looking for some revenge, ten minutes from time Julinho Gomes cut through the St Neots defence to pull a goal back and a minute from time substitute Enoch Opayinca added a second Yaxley goal.   In time added Harvey Williams went past two defenders to bring yet another good save from home keeper Rigby.

 

 

Today’s Saints Supporters Man of the Match – In association with The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – Michael Amaeshike

 

 

 

 

 

St Neots Town:  Goff, Francisco, Culkin, Willis, George, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Walker

Subs:  Williams (for Walker 52 mins), Baulk (for Thorpe 69 mins), Joseph (for Furlong 82 mins), Parker, and Nickels.

Cards,:  none

 

Yaxley: Rigby, Bilicz, Muzychuk. Henderson, Chilvers, Buskin. Rahman, Stringer, Nicholson-Barfoot, Harris-Hercules, Pilbeam

Subs:  Totesaut (for Harris-Hercules 52 mins), Opavinca (for Nicholson-Barfoot 73 mins)

Cards:  Bilicz (Y – 73 mins)

Referee:  Casey Rook (Skegness)

John Walker