Saints came good in the second half of the game against Sileby Rangers, writes John Walker.
This was St Neots first visit to Fernie Fields for 30 years having been beaten 4-1 in the League KO Cup on their last visit in October 1996, so this was appropriate revenge.
The result extended St Neots’ current winning run to four matches and cemented their position in the play-off places in the league table four points behind leaders Aylestone Park but with a match in hand.
Manager Cameron Mawer named an unchanged line-up for the first time since early August but made two second half substitutions. Sileby were a side in form having won three and drawn two of their last six league matches and St Neots had to be at their best after the break to return home with all three points.
They also had man-of-the-match goalkeeper James Goff to thank for some vital saves both before they had scored and whilst they boasted only a one goal advantage over their hosts.
The first half was a cagey affair with both sides able to produce some impressive possession football without serious testing the opposition goalkeeper.
In the first 23 minutes there were only two serious attempts on goal – Rob Parker releasing Rhys Thorpe on goal, but home keeper Dean Love saved well, and a long-range effort by Harvey Williams that flew wide.
Gradually the contest opened-up with home striker Kenzie Cross testing James Goff, and at the other end Love was again in action bravely saving at the feet of Williams.
A three-man St Neots move ended with Thorpe just off target, and Connor Furlong tested the home keeper after neat work by Mike Amaeshike. The tireless Thorpe shot across the face of goal after being played clear and the half ended with Sileby striker Nathan Burrows seeing his shot rebound from a post to be cleared,
The second half began with the home side on the offensive and St Neots had to funnel back and defend.
Goff saved bravely at the feet of Lamin Jammeh and a searching cross by Josh Drain was cleared off the St Neots goal line. Another important save by Goff heralded a change in the pattern of play as the visitors began once again to string together their passes.
On the hour an incisive break forward saw Kieran Barnes break down the left before pulling the ball back for Connor Furlong to thunder his shot past the home keeper to give St Neots the lead.
Sileby replied with Burrows testing Goff and then the keeper kept the visitors ahead with a full length save to deny Drain.
St Neots sent on Sam Willis for Williams and created several promising openings thwarted only by the offside flag. However, in the last ten minutes St Neots took full advantage as the host side appeared to flag.
Hard-working Rhys Thorpe eventually slipped the off-side trap collecting a lengthy clearance to add the second goal and the icing on the cake for the visitors came in the final minute when substitute Sam Willis was set up by Amaeshike for St Neots’ third goal.
St Neots: Goff, Parker, Culkin, Tavernier, George, Bowen, Furlong, Amaeshike, Thorpe, Barnes, Williams
Subs: Willis (for Williams 66 mins), Baulk (for Thorpe 86 mins), Bomolo, Joseph, and Nickels.
Cards: Bowen (Y – 36 mins)
Sileby: Love, Drain, Garlick, Daldy, Alexander, Stevens, Surage, Cross, Burrows, Fitzjohn, Jammeh
Subs: Kelly (for Cross 80 mins), Newell (for Garlick 80 mins), Nagy (for Drain 80 mins), Lewington, and Mortimer.
Cards: none
Referee: Daniel Haywood (Leicester)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here