St Ives Town unlucky to lose against title-chasing Coalville

The hosts could have gone in front inside 40 seconds against the Southern League Premier Division Central title chasers at Quattro-Tech Westwood Road on April 1 when Greg Kaziboni went through on goal. 

But the Ives man was undone by a heavy touch that allowed goalkeeper Paul White to close him down, before his clipped effort bounced off the crossbar. 

Ricky Marheineke’s side remained level until four minutes before half-time when Tom McGlinchey’s cross found Luke Shaw, who unleased a shot that deflected past Ives ‘keeper James Dadge. 

McGlinchey doubled Coalville’s lead on 57 minutes when he found the bottom corner from just inside the Ives’ penalty box. 

St Ives Town in action at home to Coalville Town. (Image: Louise Thompson)

But falling two goals behind lifted the hosts as Jonny Edwards pulled a goal back when he slotted home on 65 minutes. 

Ives were unfortunate not to get either of two penalty shots inside 60 seconds. 

The first claim was when the raised arm of defender Chris Robertson knock Johnny Herd’s long throw off Charlie Johnson’s head, and the second when Enoch Andoh’s shot seemed to deflect wide off a defender’s arm. 

But their best chance of getting level fell to substitute Nabil Shariff six minutes from time when he was denied by White at his bottom corner. 

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Coalville added a third in second half stoppage time when McGlinchey set up substitute Max Brogan to beat Dadge low to his left. 

St Ives, who sit 17th and three points above Kings Langley who occupy the final relegation spot, head into the Easter weekend with a home fixture against promotion chasers Tamworth on April 8, 3pm. 

That comes before an Easter Monday clash at Royston Town, 3pm. 

St Ives Town: Dadge, Casey (sub Higgs, 90’), Herd (sub Shariff, 82’), Richens (C), J. Williams, Fox, Kaziboni (sub Andoh, 69’), Harris, Edwards, Johnson, Baker. Unused subs: Toseland, Hottor.