Newport Pagnell Town 0 St Neots Town 1
A Harvey Williams goal after 65 minutes was enough to keep St Neots at the top of the United Counties League South division by just one goal difference from the chasing Aylestone Park who also won their match. The goal was set up by St Neots man-of-the-match Sam Willis. However, the contest will be best remembered for the home side finishing the match with just nine players after having two dismissed early in the second half. That meant that the final half hour was largely a one-way street with home keeper Marcus Bauld defying St Neots best efforts to boost their goal difference with notable saves from Williams, Rhys Thorpe, Kieran Barnes and Michael Amaeshike. Earlier St Neots had been awarded a fourteenth minute penalty kick when Thorpe was scythed down by the home keeper, but Marcus Bauld was spared a booking and then guessed right to save the penalty kick by Barnes who had formerly played for the home side. St Neots made just one team change with Connor Furlong withdrawing due to sickness just before the match, so Danny Baulk came into the side with Manager Cameron Mawer taking his place on the bench.
A Harvey Williams goal after 65 minutes was enough to keep St Neots at the top of the United Counties League South division by just one goal difference from the chasing Aylestone Park who also won their match. The goal was set up by St Neots man-of-the-match Sam Willis. However, the contest will be best remembered for the home side finishing the match with just nine players after having two dismissed early in the second half. That meant that the final half hour was largely a one-way street with home keeper Marcus Bauld defying St Neots best efforts to boost their goal difference with notable saves from Williams, Rhys Thorpe, Kieran Barnes and Michael Amaeshike. Earlier St Neots had been awarded a fourteenth minute penalty kick when Thorpe was scythed down by the home keeper, but Marcus Bauld was spared a booking and then guessed right to save the penalty kick by Barnes who had formerly played for the home side. St Neots made just one team change with Connor Furlong withdrawing due to sickness just before the match, so Danny Baulk came into the side with Manager Cameron Mawer taking his place on the bench.On an extremely boggy surface both sides looked unsure at the start, but the home side had the first notable effort when Christian Small fired over after the first real attacking move by either side after five minutes. Six minutes later the same home player found his way into the Referee’s notebook after a clumsy trip, and in the visitors first notable attack they were awarded that saved penalty. They set about making up for that miss as Harvey Williams tested the home keeper with a low shot, but at the other end a free kick by Adam Pryke sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. A shot by Danny Baulk forced a good save by Marcus Bauld and then Alfie Powell was booked for a clumsy challenge. Bauld was again equal to a Barnes free kick and the keeper then had to dive bravely at the feet of Rhys Thorpe after good play by Christian Tavernier. Eight minutes before the break the best chance of the first half fell to Pagnell’s Albie Hall but with only James Goff to beat, he directed a weak volley into the keepers’ grateful arms. As half time approached Murphy Culkin brought a good save from the home keeper and Barnes broke clear of the home defence, but his finish was wide of its target.
The second half began with the home side pressing the self-destruct button as they were reduced to nine men with two players sent off in a crazy seven minutes’ spell. First to go was Albie Hall who picked up a straight red card for a blatant and dangerous trip and he was followed by Alfie Powell in a separate incident that saw him pick up a second caution. That led to the home side regrouping with an emphasis on defence and St Neots tried hard to capitalise. Now, home keeper Bauld became the hero as he pushed a dipping Baulk shot over the bar but he was helpless when Sam Willis went past the final defender on the right flank to set up Harvey Williams for what was to prove to be the winning goal. Bauld then defied Barnes and Thorpe with two fine saves as well as parrying a close-range effort from Williams. Two further saves including a parry to a header from Michael Amaeshike kept his goal intact and at the end he was rightly congratulated by players from both sides.
The second half began with the home side pressing the self-destruct button as they were reduced to nine men with two players sent off in a crazy seven minutes’ spell. First to go was Albie Hall who picked up a straight red card for a blatant and dangerous trip and he was followed by Alfie Powell in a separate incident that saw him pick up a second caution. That led to the home side regrouping with an emphasis on defence and St Neots tried hard to capitalise. Now, home keeper Bauld became the hero as he pushed a dipping Baulk shot over the bar but he was helpless when Sam Willis went past the final defender on the right flank to set up
Today’s Saints Supporters’ Man of the Match, in association with The Greystones Public House, Sawtry – Sammy Willis
St Neots Town: Goff, Willis, Culkin, Tavernier, Sage, Bowen, Baulk, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams
Subs: Ajana (for Baulk 78 mins), Peters (for Barnes 85 mins), Parker, Nickels and Mawer.
Cards: Culkin (Y – 90+3 mins)
Newport Pagnell Town: Bauld, Pryke, Orphanides, Small, Powell, Shariff, Stewart, Nketta, Watkinson, Hall Kille
Subs: Sule (for Stewart 60 mins), Drew (for Shariff 60 mins), Lynham (for Watkinson 75 mins), Drewe, and Tsinonis.
Cards: Hall (RED – 47 mins), Powell (RED – 2Y – 54 mins), Small (Y – 11 mins)
Attendance: 220
Referee: Sam Anderson (Corby)
(John Walker)
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