ST NEOTS TOWN 3 HISTON 1
Three convincing home victories in their last three outings have propelled St Neots up to fourth place in the league table but the challenge now is to reproduce that form on the road if they are to sustain their challenge to the league leaders. Histon were a side in good form with four wins and a draw in their previous five league and cup matches but a stunning first half performance by the hosts put them in a commanding position. After the break the visitors hit back strongly but the resolute St Neots defence held firm to take the points. St Neots opted for just one team change from the weekend with striker Rhys Thorpe preferred to James Hatch. Histon meantime included four previous St Neots players in their line up in a game played on a wet pitch after a pre-match downpour.
Three convincing home victories in their last three outings have propelled St Neots up to fourth place in the league table but the challenge now is to reproduce that form on the road if they are to sustain their challenge to the league leaders. Histon were a side in good form with four wins and a draw in their previous five league and cup matches but a stunning first half performance by the hosts put them in a commanding position. After the break the visitors hit back strongly but the resolute St Neots defence held firm to take the points. St Neots opted for just one team change from the weekend with striker Rhys Thorpe preferred to James Hatch. Histon meantime included four previous St Neots players in their line up in a game played on a wet pitch after a pre-match downpour.
St Neots got off to the perfect start when after just three minutes the speedy Harvey Williams rounded his marker to cross for Michael Amaeshike (left) to score from close range. However, the visitors were quick to respond because just two minutes later Connor Barnes was put clear on the right and his angled finish beat the advancing James Goff to level the scores. The match continued at a fast and furious pace and visiting striker Barnes could have doubled his personal tally eight minutes later when his pace engineered his opening, but he shot wide. St Neots responded with man of the match Connor Furlong leaving his marker in his wake to set up Rhys Thorpe. but his finish was too high. Then after 21 minutes St Neots regained the lead when a long clearance from Goff deceived the back peddling visiting defence and Kieran Barnes (right) scored his tenth goal of the season from a narrow angle. Former Saint Jake Kerins tested Goff with a long-range effort but seven minutes from the break St Neots stamped their authority on the half when the impressive Connor Furlong (below) ran at the visiting defence to score a third goal for the hosts.
St Neots got off to the perfect start when after just three minutes the speedy Harvey Williams rounded his marker to cross for 
Then after 21 minutes St Neots regained the lead when a long clearance from Goff deceived the back peddling visiting defence and After the break the match took a different pattern. The visiting side regrouped and adopted a more attacking approach and St Neots were forced to defend in numbers. The lively Connor Barnes was a constant threat to the home defence, and he should have put his side back in the game after 63 minutes when clear on goal, but he dragged his finish wide of target. Histon substitute Taylor Franklin also had a great chance to reduce the arrears after 70 minutes put clear by Luke Young, but he fired wildly over the bar. St Neots looked dangerous on the break and substitute Sam Willis was close to increasing the lead after more excellent work by Furlong but visiting keeper George Whitehall saved at full length. With nine minutes remaining St Neots could have put the result beyond doubt when the lively Barnes set up Furlong, but his net bound effort was deflected for a corner. From another corner Willis almost extended the St Neots lead but Whitehall produced the save of the match at full stretch to keep his sides’ fading hopes of some reward alive. Furlong had yet another effort blocked by the tiring visiting defence and the match ended in some disarray with visiting skipper Max York sent off in time added.
Histon substitute Taylor Franklin also had a great chance to reduce the arrears after 70 minutes put clear by Luke Young, but he fired wildly over the bar. St Neots looked dangerous on the break and substitute Sam Willis was close to increasing the lead after more excellent work by Furlong but visiting keeper George Whitehall saved at full length. With nine minutes remaining St Neots could have put the result beyond doubt when the lively Barnes set up Furlong, but his net bound effort was deflected for a corner. From another corner Willis almost extended the St Neots lead but Whitehall produced the save of the match at full stretch to keep his sides’ fading hopes of some reward alive. Furlong had yet another effort blocked by the tiring visiting defence and the match ended in some disarray with visiting skipper Max York sent off in time added.
Tonight’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match – Kindly Sponsored by The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – CONNOR FURLONG
St Neots Town: Goff, Parker, Culkin, Tavernier, George, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes (K), Williams
Subs: Willis (for Williams 71 mins), Baulk (for Barnes (K) 89 mins), Francisco, Joseph, and Nickels.
Cards: Culkin (Y – 54 mins), Barnes (K) (Y – 66 mins), Thorpe (Y – 85 mins)
Recent Comments