Pitching In Northern Premier League Midland Division
BASFORD UNITED 4 ST NEOTS TOWN 0
After two successive league victories St Neots were handed areality check in their long midweek trek to Basford. They came up against a side brimming with confidence that looked able to score every time they went forward. As a result, St Neots suffered their biggest league defeat for more than two years and their biggest under Manager Cameron Mawer. A goal down after just three minutes in Basford’s first attack it had looked difficult for the visitors from the start, and it was only to get worse as the game progressed. St Neots battled well but were lacking in direction and confidence and just after the break each side had created four direct shots at goal,but the visitors had only seriously tested the home keeper once whilst Basford led 3-0! St Neots had named an unchanged side for the third successive match with club skipper Robbie Parker warming the bench for the second time since serving his one match ban but the lack of confidence and finishing doomed St Neots to a miserable evening.
It began badly when Basford scored in their first attack as Kieran Cummings scored with an angled shot and things did not improve when after ten minutes the home side extended their lead as the unmarked Jordan Holland had time and space to add the second goal. St Neots seemed unfazed by this early double setback and Connor Furlong had a shot blocked and from a corner defender Harvey Henderson forced home custodian Matthew Yates into a full length save. As St Neots continued to press Rhys Thorpe shot wide and Kieran Barnes saw a shot blocked after neat play by Andrian Ankrah. The home side seemed happy to keep possession and their only remaining significant first half chance came two minutes before the break when Jack Goodman placed his finish on the roof of the net after moving inside two defenders.
St Neots hopes of a second half recovery were quickly extinguished when four minutes after the restart Tyler Dacre added a third goal for the hosts. St Neots began to look ragged, and Michael Amaeshike picked up a caution for a late challenge. Then on the hour all hopes of a comeback for the visitors were extinguished when a long forward pass freed Jack Goodman to take on the final defender and beat James Goff with a crisp finish. Both sides then made substitutions and the match settled with a lot of play in midfield. The home side seemed happy to play keep ball and rest on their four goals advantage and St Neots became frustrated as they were unable to create any significant openings. They introduced substitutes Pharrell Anderson for his first appearance and Jessi Obeng who looked lively but the visitors were unable to make any significant progress. St Neots best effort came from a Sam Willis free kick that was scrambled clear by a home defender two minutes from time.
Tonight’s Saints Supporters Man of the Match, in association with The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – HARVEY HENDERSON
St Neots Town: Goff, Willis, Agemoh-Davies, Ankrah, Henderson, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams
Subs: Parker (for Amaeshike 70 mins), Obeng (for Barnes 72 mins), Anderson (for Williams 72 mins), and Francis.
Cards: Amaeshike (Y – 56 mins), Bowen (67 mins), Anderson (Y – 79 mins).
Goals: none
Basford United: Yates, Joyce, Chapman, Dimaio, Stewart, Wilder,Cummins, Cocks, Woodward, Hallam. Dacres
Subs: Woodward (for Dacres 70 mins), Maher (for Cocks 70 mins), Solomon (for Hallam 90 mins), Commons (for Goodman 90 mins), and Nicholson.
Cards: Cocks (Y – 67 mins), Dimaio (90+2 mins)
Goals: Hallam 2 (10 & 62 mins), Cummings (3 mins), Dacres (49 mins)
Attendance: 202
Referee: Gareth Davis (Market Harborough)
(John Walker)