JWMatchReport

A typically defiant response by St Neots Manager Pete Gill saw two attacking substitutions after the break with Robbie Mason and Dan Barton replacing Manny Osei and Charlie Lewis. However as if a to rub salt in the St Neots wounds it took Trea Bertie just two minutes after the restart to score again to extend the visitors’ lead. St Neots responded with Charles sending an acrobatic overhead kick just wide and with the exciting pace of Dan Barton added to their attack St Neots were beginning to dominate. Unfortunately for St Neots the clever dribbling skills of Barton were too often ended by desperate tackling and free kicks that brought little reward. Both Mason and Charles sent efforts over the bar after promising build ups and St Neots then sent on fit again Liam Smyth for his second substitute appearance. After 63 minutes from a Hook corner Charles netted from close range but that was as good as it got for St Neots. The visitors packed their defence and their keeper produced two good saves to deny Barton and Charles as they held out for all three points. However, St Neots overall performance bodes well for the future.

St Neots Town: Greygoose, Lewis, Smith, Anderson, Dickens, Johnson, Duncliffe, Hook, Charles, Rider, Osei

Subs: Mason (sub for Osei 46 mins), Barton (sub for Lewis 46 mins), Smyth (sub for Rider 61 Mins), Stallard, and Njoku.

Cards: Mason (RED – 90+2 mins), Lewis (Y – 22 mins), Hook (Y - 25 mins), Anderson (Y –90+2 mins)

Goal: Charles (90 mins)

Sutton Coldfield Town: Brown, Sawyer, Armitage, Mills, Beresford, Zito, Dampha, Clements, Bertie, Hilton. Edmunds

Subs: Todd (for Armitage 73 mins), Ellis (for Hilton 75 mins), Maphosa (for Mills 83 mins), Mansfield and Hendrie.

Cards: Dampha (Y – 45+1 min), Bertie (Y – 90+2 mins)

Goals: Bertie 2 (39 & 47 mins), Hilton (38 seconds)

Attendance: 211

Referee: Chris Darling (Newmarket)

John Walker

As these two sides scramble for survival at the wrong end of the league table this result was what neither wanted. St Neots maintained their one-point advantage over their hosts leaving them in the second automatic relegation spot above Yaxley, but it is a long way to go for both sides, if their places at step four next season is guaranteed. St Neots began the match well and scored first but conceded a goal in first half added time and a victory could gone to either side if a second goal could have been found. St Neots had to introduce a new goalkeeper with Jamie Greygoose having departed for his new life in Australia and they were pleased to secure the services of James Goff from neighbours St Ives. He had a very promising debut looking confident and assured under pressure and there were three other changes to the starting line-up. Dan Barton, Robbie Mason and Brandon Njoku came into the side for Charlie Johnson (unavailable) and Joe Rider and Manni Osei, both of who started on the substitutes bench.

St Neots began well and should have made their first half possession and chances count.That was despite suffering an early setback when after just five minutes influential midfielder Liam Hook was forced off with an injury earning the perpetrator a booking. He was replaced by Manny Osei. New goalkeeper James Goff was in early action saving at the feet of Kai O’Keefe and there was concern when Brandon Njoku was injured but was able to continue after lengthy on-field treatment. St Neots then settled and Robbie Mason saw an effort deflected for a corner and a couple of lengthy throws from Aaron Smith caused last ditch clearances from the home defence. Then on the half hour Trey Charles won his way to the bye line and set up Brandon Njoku to open the scoring for the visitors. Tom Lorraine could have levelled the scores soon after, but he shot wide after good work by Mungo Bridge. Goff saved well from an O’Keefe free kick and Njoku fired over the bar at the other end and the same player shot wide after good work by Callum Anderson. As the half time break approached both Dan Barton and Charles both had chances but shot wide and then deep into first half added time a lengthy throw by Lewis Burgess was not defended and Josh Endall levelled the scores.