BLASTFROMTHEPAST SATURDAY31st JANUARY2015 SouthernLeaguePremierDivision

DrewRobertssavedhissidepotentialembarrassmentthreeminutesfromtime when he netted a typical opportunist goal to seal all three points against bottomofthetableBanburyUnited. Itwasthestriker’sfirstgoalinfivegames but it took his total to 24 for the season to equal the tally of last season’s top scorer Lewis Hilliard. Banbury were a poor side but they never gave up trying and their pace in attack always made them look potentially dangerous on the break. St Neots paraded their latest signing the experienced Mat Mitchel-King recently with Dartford in the Football Conference but who can number amongst his former clubs Crewe Alexandra and AFC Wimbledon in the Football League.HeslottedintomidfieldinplaceofthenowdepartedDavidHuttonwho hasgonetonearneighborsBiggleswadeTownandmadeasolidstartashisside threatened much but delivered little in terms of goal scoring chances. Also making his St Neots debut as a second half substitute was full back Sam Harty whobecamethefourthnewsigningforManagerDavidBatch.

There was a slow start to the game and St Neots got a shock in Banbury’s first attack after nine minutes when the visitors’ snatched a surprise lead. Adam Tann conceded a careless free kick that was crossed to the far post by Jordan GreenandwhenthehomedefencefailedtoclearLerouTahinpouncedtoscore from close range. Mitchel-King had an early impact heading on a long throw from Max York to bring a full length push clear from visiting keeper Leigh Bedwell and then he had a threatening shot blocked by a defender. Drew Roberts broke clear on the left to cross to the far post when Ben Mackey just failed to get a touch and then at the other end lone striker Tahin put a snap shotjustwide. StNeots’approachplaywasneatandconcisebuttheirfinalball lacked quality and accuracy but they drew level after 34 minutes when a long cross from the left by Josh Bickerstaff saw a rare glancing header by Lewis Hilliard elude the despairing dive of Bedwell to creep in at the near post. It was no less than St Neots possession deserved and three minutes later Ben Mackey netted again only to be ruled fractionally offside and just before the break he hadanothernetboundeffortdeflectedforacorner.