Pitching In Northern Premier League Midland Division
SHEPSHED DYNAMO 3 ST NEOTS TOWN 1
St Neots skipper Robbie Parker was sent off deep into added time when he picked up second yellow card as his side were beaten at Shepshed. It was back down to earth for Cameron Mawer’s side as their mini three league match unbeaten run was ended. The final score was a mirror image of St Neots only other visit to Shepshed three years ago. Outplayed in the first half St Neots recovered well after the break but the home side always had the edge after an added time goal at the end of the first half set them up for this victory. Murphy Culkin was unavailable for this trip, but injured trio Connor Furlong, Harvey Williams and Michael Amaeshike returned to the side with Jesse Obeng and Brandon Jessop back on the substitutes bench. Versatile skipper Robbie Parker slotted in at full back for Culkin – his third starting position so far this season.
The opening twenty minutes was end-to-end with the home side enjoying the greater share of play although Connor Furlong did break clear once to test home keeper Dan Wallis. The home side saw penalty appeals waved away when Jack Rogers tumbled in the penalty area, and they were encouraged by an inspired performance by wide player Jude Collins whose trickery and pace gave Sam Willis a testing time. An opportunistic free kick by St Neots keeper James Goff who spotted the home custodian off his line gave Shepshed an anxious moment and then Charlie Bowen headed narrowly over the bar from a Parker throw. However, after 33 minutes St Neots went behind when a Collins free kick was headed back across goal where the poorly marked Dylan Reason netted from close range. The hammer blow for the visiting side came in first half added time when the impressive Jude Collins netted with a well-placed volley.
St Neots came out to make a positive start to the second half. Kieran Barnes saw a shot blocked after good play by Sam Willis and a Parker free kick was pushed onto the bar by home keeper Wallis. St Neots were rewarded for their bright start to the half when Furlong was upended by Ben Bayliss and Robbie Parker levelled the scores from the penalty spot after 58 minutes. However, this setback seemed to spur the home side and four minutes after the visitors’ goal Goff had to throw himself full length to deny Collins. After 66 minutes the home side reinstated their two goals’ advantage when from a Collins cross Jesse Friend netted from the edge of the penalty area. The visitors responded with Bowen seeing a header cleared off the line from a Willis corner and then St Neots attempted to vary their approach with Andi Ankrah replacing Amaeshike in midfield. From another Willis corner Harvey Henderson forced a good save from the home goalkeeper and then a series of substitutions by both sides saw the play become fragmented. Play did move from end to end without a positive finish and in injury time Parker was sent off when he collected a second yellow card. It was a disappointing end to a testing evening.
Tonight’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match – In Association With The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – Robbie Parker
St Neots Town: Goff, Willis, Parker, Tavernier, Henderson, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams
Subs: Ankrah (for Amaeshike 73 mins), Obeng (for Williams 82 mins), Sterling (for Thorpe 90+2 mins), Francis, and Jessop.
Cards: Parker (RED – 2Y – 70 & 90+5 mins)
Goals: Parker –pen– (58 mins)
Shepshed: Wallis, Timson, Bayliss, Partridge, Peart, Prendeville, Rogers, Dixon, Reason, Friend, Collins
Subs: Barber (for Collins 83 mins), Morgan (for Reason 90+4 mins)
Cards: Bayliss (Y – 60 mins)
Goals: Reason (33 mins), Collins (45+1 min), Friend (66 mins)
Attendance: 201
Referee: Scott Mason (Sleaford)
(John Walker)