Two braces from St Neots Town’s frontmen ensured they climbed out of the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands relegation zone for the first time since November.
It was a much-needed victory over bottom side Yaxley on January 7, where the hosts created chances almost at will against a poor visiting defence.
St Neots, who saw Brandon Njoku leave on loan to higher-league Cheshunt, were not disheartened as both them and Yaxley made it clear that attack would be their approach.
Pete Gill’s men nearly scored after their first attack on two minutes, when visiting goalkeeper Kacper Kurylowicz saved Trey Charles’ effort at his post, before Alfred Wren fired over for the Cuckoos.
The Yaxley ‘keeper was kept busy when he denied Charles and Dan Barton’s cross, but St Neots were not to be denied.
Charles made the breakthrough after 17 minutes when he scored from close range after good work from Manny Osei.
And after Charles, Liam Hook and Joe Rider went close, it was Rider who settled St Neots’ nerves eight minutes later as his side were later denied twice by the woodwork.
The onslaught of pressure continued after half-time, with two goals in the first eight minutes of the second half.
Rider notched his second of the game following neat link-up play with Charles.
And the latter would also earn his double, too, scoring from a direct free kick from the edge of the Yaxley penalty box that Kurylowicz failed to hold.
The home side were still dominating possession, despite Wren volleying wide from distance in an attempt to get Yaxley on the scoreboard.
Marcus Pancho had Yaxley’s clearest chance, but his tame shot was wide as St Neots seemed to think their job was done.
But they were undone in defence when goalkeeper Jamie Greygoose and his defence seemed to lose concentration, allowing Dimagio Robinson to tap in a consolation goal four minutes from time.
St Neots, who have won two of their last three league games, prepare for a crunch battle at Daventry Town, who sit one point below in 19th, on January 14, 2pm.
St Neots Town: Greygoose, Lewis, Smith, Hoddle, Boxer, Dickens, Barton (sub Barnett, 64’), Hook (sub Solomon, 63’), Charles (sub Mason, 63’), Rider, Osei.
Unused subs: Duncliffe, Goumou.
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