ST NEOTS TOWN 2 NEWPORT PAGNELL 1
St Neots began their new league campaign three days late but picked up all three points thanks to this odd goal victory over visiting Newport Pagnell. After dominating the first hour of the match St Neots had to repel a late Pagnell surge and defend in numbers towards the end of the match. Manager Cameron Mawer had to miss the match serving his one match ban carried over from last season and he will have been relieved to hear the result after the final whistle. In Kieran Barnes and Sam Willis St Neots had just two players making their league debut and they look certain to stay but with other squad members pushing for places competition will be guaranteed.
St Neots settled quickly and had the better of the early exchanges. However, it was 17 minutes before they took advantage of their better possession and then a Dammy Nickels free kick was headed home by Rhys Thorpe to give them a deserved lead. 
In the next five minutes the advantage could have been extended as the two debutants went close – Sam Willis trying his luck from outside the area but seeing his effort skim the wrong side of the crossbar, and Kieran Barnes also going close. Little was seen of the visiting attack with Robbie Parker and Charlie Bowen holding the home defence tight but after 41 minutes in their first threatening attack, Bruce Tsinonis hit a 25 yards effort just under the crossbar to level the scores for the visitors. The home side replied swiftly and positively as a minute before the break Rhys Thorpe went clear to confidently round the advancing goalkeeper to restore the lead.
St Neots settled quickly and had the better of the early exchanges. However, it was 17 minutes before they took advantage of their better possession and then a Dammy Nickels free kick was headed home by 
In the next five minutes the advantage could have been extended as the two debutants went close – Sam Willis trying his luck from outside the area but seeing his effort skim the wrong side of the crossbar, and Kieran Barnes also going close. Little was seen of the visiting attack with Robbie Parker and Charlie Bowen holding the home defence tight but after 41 minutes in their first threatening attack, Bruce Tsinonis hit a 25 yards effort just under the crossbar to level the scores for the visitors. The home side replied swiftly and positively as a minute before the break The second period started with St Neots still in a positive mood and Alvin Magadada earned an early caution for illegally ending a St Neots attack. After 55 minutes St Neots had the ball in the visitors net but the effort was chalked out for a foul in the build-up. After 57 minutes St Neots opted for a change with Danny Baulk replacing Jordan Brown in a straight swap. He set up Thorpe who shot across the face of goal and then Michael Amaeshike shot over the bar after clever play by Willis. Two more substitutions by the visitors served to alter the pattern of play as the visitors adopted a more positive approach. Substitutes Harrison Lynham and Koreda Akande combined for the latter to test James Goff and then the keeper saved again to deny Luke Abraham. As the final whistle approached Murphy Culkin picked up a yellow card for time wasting at a throw-in and then St Neots had to defend as the visiting side threw players forward in search of a late equaliser. It all finished with Magadada picking up second yellow card to be sent off as he tried to cut short St Neots time-wasting tactics in the closing minutes.
Tonights’ Sain Supporters’ Man Of The Match – In Association With The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – RHYS THORPE
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