St Neots Town F.C.
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Built on a brilliant display by goalkeeper Luke McShane and a much improved performance, Saints came away from Boston with all three points from a very entertaining game as Liam Harrold scored twice late on to secure victory. Perhaps of even more significance for the long term future of the Club was the Premier Division debut by Jordan Gent who, after a nervous opening quarter of an hour, played with growing confidence in the heart of the defence alongside Captain Gen Fuff and Manager Steve Lomas. Saints were also able to welcome back Chris Johnson and Josh Sozzo from injury whist Robert Hughes also made his debut following his transfer from Grantham. On the form showed yesterday, he will be a more than useful acquisition to the Saints squad.

Saints had the first effort on goal when Matt Kenneford shot wide after being set up by Sozzo but is was the home side who generally dominated the first half but were denied a goal by the excellence of McShane. Paul Goodhand was just wide for Boston with a free kick after 8 minutes before McShane made two great saves in the 21^st and 23rd minutes to prevent a goal. Saints were playing with determination with Sozzo almost forcing an opening before Lomas shot over following good work from Tony Scully. Boston, however, were still pressing and McShane tipped a rasping shot from Matt Price round a post for a corner when he seemed certain to score. Sozzo and then Harrold had efforts comfortably saved by the Boston keeper at the end of the half where Saints were relieved to go in all square.

The visitors came out for the second half and Sozzo immediately set up Hughes for a shot which flew just past the post. Scully then had another effort before Luke Knight mis-kicked an excellent opportunity in the penalty area after Harrold had nodded down a Lomas cross. Ben Brown then had a header easily saved by McShane and Fuff had to make a brilliant tackle as Boston attacked. Kenneford was wide after a break down the right and then Harrold should have put the Saints ahead on 57 minutes when Sozzo nodded down leaving him with only the keeper to beat. McShane then continued his starring role with a magnificent double save. Beating out one effort, the ball fell to Gary Bull who seemed certain to score as he struck a sweet shot but McShane had got up quickly and was able to parry the ball away. From then on, Saints had the better of the game as home keeper Nick Conroy just managed to divert a Sozzo effort wide of goal. Hughes sent another great effort just over the bar on 70 minutes before Harrold could not quite direct a Lomas cross on target. This combination was not to be denied with 7 minutes to go when a free kick from the Manager saw Harrold react quickly and lob Conroy for the opening goal. A minute later, Harrold had doubled his tally as substitute Chris Johnson's cross was deflected and he bundled the ball in at the far post. Boston seemed certain to pull a goal back on 86 minutes when the referee harshly awarded a penalty to the home team. McShane saw that justice was done as he dived to his left and pushed away Goodhand's free kick with both hands. Johnson almost added a third in injury time but Conroy made the save.

• Team: McShane, Lomas, Okai, Hughes, Fuff, Gent, Knight, Scully, Harrold, Sozzo, Kenneford
• Subs: Rocco, Johnson (for Sozzo 82), Dwyer, Kuhne
• Man of Match: McShane

Match date: Sat 5th September 2009