JWMatchReport

It was the visitors who began the second half better. The lively O’Keefe shot wide after a swift build up from defence and then the home side opted for a change sending on George Herbert to replace Jack Bowen. He was quickly in action firing wide with his first touch before Manny Osei also shot wide after Charlie Lewis had set up a St Neots’ attack from the back. With the home side now enjoying the better possession St Neots were guilty of putting pressure on themselves by conceding too many free kicks and from one of these Goff saved well from Tom Lorraine. O’Keefe continued to torment the St Neots defence and from one of his corners Dan Barton cleared off the line and in a bid to freshen up the visiting attack St Neots sent on Joe Rider for the limping Njoku. With his first touch Rider saw an effort deflected over the crossbar and St Neots finished strongly with Barton seeing a shot deflected after good work by Anderson. In the end Neots were unable to avenge an earlier 1-2 home defeat by their Northamptonshire hosts.

St Neots Town: Goff, Duncliffe, Smith, Anderson, Dickens, Lewis, Barton, Hook, Mason, Njoku, Charles

Subs: Osei (for Hook 5 mins), Rider (for Njoku 78 mins), Smyth, and Sylvester

Cards: Smith (Y – 36 mins), Mason (Y - 42 mins)

Goal: Njoku (30 mins)

Daventry Town: Patching, Print, Burgess, Endall, Wilson, Nketia, Ball, Bridge, Bowen, Lorraine, O’Keefe

Subs: Herbert (for Bowen 52 mins), Masiri, Kille, and Magagada

Cards: Nketia (Y – 5 mins), Endall (Y – 71 mins)

Goal: Endall (45+3 mins)

Attendance: 115

Referee: Minesh Gupta (Leicester)

John Walker

A battling performance by St Neots saw them beaten by the only goal of the game scored by hosts Spalding United who are desperate to chase down the two sides ahead of them in the league table. The Lincolnshire hosts had won convincingly in the first meeting of the two sides at St Neots, but this was a much closer contest and had St Neots been able to find a goal against a stubborn well-drilled home defence they could have returned home with a valuable point. Home keeper Michael Duggan who was with St Neots when they set out on their Steps 4/3 adventure back in 2011 thwarted Liam Smyth and Trey Charles in the first half to keep a clean sheet on his 399th appearance for Spalding whilst St Neots had their own celebrant as Aaron Smith registered his 100th appearance – only the sixth player to reach this milestone since promotion to the Southern League in 2011. There were two enforced St Neots team changes with Liam Hook injured and Robbie Mason suspended so into the starting line-up came Panny Boxer and Liam Smyth – the latter for his first start.

The first half produced little significant action in the first half hour except for two shots in the first ten minutes by the host side. Kyle Barker set up by Stefan Broccoli produced an effort that flew well wide and then a searching cross from former Saint Lewis Hilliard found the head of Nathan Stainsfield but visiting keeper James Goff did well to claw the ball away under pressure. The half then settled into a contest that saw both defences well on top but as half time approached St Neots discovered a rhythm and should have made a spell of superior possession count. Dan Barton did well to get into a shooting position but his effort was wide and then debutant Liam Smyth saw a net bound effort blocked by a defender. Another effort from Smyth – this time with his head was well gathered by Michael Duggan who also had to dive bravely at the feet of Trey Charles to smother.