St Neots Town's unbeaten start to the league campaign continued on Saturday (August 19) after an early solitary Harvey Williams goal secured a 1-0 victory over March Town United FC.
In a hard-fought match between the two unbeaten teams at the top of the league table, St Neots put in a dogged resolute to restrict Marc after a tactical second-half battle.
Having led 1-0 at the break, manager Cameron Mawer manipulated his side in the second half to repel all the best efforts of a determined host side that only surrendered their 100 per cent league record reluctantly.
The manager made just one change from his winning midweek line-up, restoring the fit-again Williams to the side for Sam Johnson, and significantly it was the returning player that claimed the match-winning goal.
During the first notable action of the game, the speedy Williams received the ball around the halfway line and beat his marker around the outside before cutting in to fire a low shot just inside the neat post past former St Neots keeper Jonah Gill.
Other than the goal, the first 25 minutes were a tactical battle between two sides prepared to probe patiently in search of an opening.
READ MORE: Wonder strike from 17-year-old substitute keeps Saints top of the table
Eventually, Saints goalkeeper James Goff was sprung into action, producing two breathtaking saves as the home side piled on the pressure in the closing minutes of the second half.
Here’s what a delighted manager @cameron2mawer had to say after today’s dogged victory at @MarchTownFC #wearesaints💙 pic.twitter.com/Gb2X7vPwNN
— St Neots Town F.C. Official (@StNeotsTownFC) August 19, 2023
After a Burrows header had rebounded from the crossbar at the start of the second half, St Neots decided to alter their tactics towards a more defensive stance.
Goff had to be at his best on a couple more occasions, but a dogged Saints defence kept the ominous March Town at bay.
The win places St Neots first in United Counties League Premier Division South league table, the only side to have won their five opening games.
The last time a St Neots side when their first five league game was back in 2010/11, and the Saints will hope to carry that form into their next fixture on August 26 v Lutterworth Town.
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