St Neots Town F.C.
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Two controversial refereeing decisions that both went against St Neots contributed in no small part to their first reversal of the new season. The first gave the home side a second goal that seemed to knock the wind out of the visitors and the second looked to be the refusal of a certain penalty that could have hauled St Neots back into the contest. However St Neots must reflect on an overall performance that hardly deserved a victory although a draw would have been a fairer result. They created too few openings for their front runners and looked vulnerable in defence in the face of the speedy Newport attack. Last season the home side only missed out on the league runners up medals because of a final day defeat and it looks as though they will be a force again this season.

The gauntlet was thrown down in the opening minute when in the first tackle of the game Liam Harrold was hacked down from behind by John Thorne earning the Newport defender a yellow card. St Neots had a promising start with a Michael Hyem free kick clawed for a corner by James Broadbent and Steve Dogbe misdirecting a header wide from a Parys Okai free kick. However when Newport settled they began to look the more confident side and Rob McDonald's speed took him through the St Neots defence only for his half hit shot to rebound from the foot of a post after 15 minutes. Three minutes later the home side went in front when another penetrating run at the defence by Jordan Spruce was not stopped and he set up Vinnie Shreeves for a tap in finish from close range. Spruce then sent a rising free kick just wide whilst St Neots were struggling to get into the game. After 27 minutes the St Neots defence was again breached when Darren Lynch forced the ball over the line when Nicky Hurst failed to clear but St Neots were relieved when a flagging Assistant Referee appeared to rule out the effort. The Referee awarded a free kick but then changed his mind after a lengthy discussion with his Assistant and the home side were two goals in front. A minute before the break St Neots should have scored when Lee Bassett shot tamely wide after good approach work by Andy Lodge and Like Knight had left the home defence exposed.

St Neots replaced Bassett with Josh Sozzo back from injury for his first league appearance since 11th April and he freshened up St Neots attack. They looked to be the better side and were denied a foothold back into the match after 52 minutes. Liam Harrold looked to be two yards inside the penalty area when brought down by two defenders but the Referee who was fairly close to the incident awarded a free kick outside the penalty area that failed to threaten the Newport goal with Sozzo's shot deflected for a corner. In a bid to improve their attacking options St Neots replaced Luigi Rocco with Ian Edge moving Like Knight wide on the right and he set up Andy Lodge for a shot that was only just wide. The St Neots pressure was increasing and Josh Sozzo had a narrow angled shot cleared off the line by Spruce with the keeper beaten. After 26 minutes Sozzo again showed close control tight to the bye line to cross for Liam Harrold to force the ball in for his third league goal of the season and that seemed to set up St Neots for their comeback. However Newport defended in numbers denying St Neots clear scoring opportunities and their best effort was a shot from Luke Knight that sailed over the bar. With seven minutes left St Neots went to all out attack replacing defender Nicky Hurst with an additional striker in Shane Fox and they swarmed around the Newport penalty area without really threatening an equaliser. The home side successfully employed time wasting tactics and ran out winners by their controversial first half goal.

• Team: McShane, Dogbe, Lodge, Hyem, Fuff, Hurst, Rocco, Knight, Harrold, Bassett, Okai.
• Subs: Sozzo (for Bassett 46 mins), Edge (for Rocco 69 mins), Fox (for Hurst 83 mins) – not used Kenneford & Gentle-King.
• Man of Match: Michael Hyem

Match date: Tue 18th August 2009