St Neots Town F.C.
Supporting the saints online

This was a strange one-sided match with each side dominating the other for 45 minutes. From St Neots perspective it was unfortunate that when they dictated the game in the first half they managed only one goal whereas Newmarket scored twice when they were on top. If ever a substitution changed the pattern and result of the match this was it because Newmarket's half time introduction of striker Jonathan Olive was key to both his side's performance and fortunes. He scored both the Newmarket goals and could have had two or three more after his side had managed just one shot on goal in the first 45 minutes. St Neots were left wondering how they could have lost because their first half performance ranked alongside their most impressive of the season although they had failed to convert their possession into goals but their large contingent of travelling supporters could have been forgiven for thinking that their team had gone home at half time. It was a game in which both sides had solid central defensive players with teenager Jordan Gent belying his lack of experience with an impressive and confident performance alongside the impeccable Glen Fuff and the experienced home pairing of Colin Vowden and Andrew Eady always comfortably in control.

St Neots looked confident from the start with Liam Harrold heading over the bar and the lively Jon Mitchell having one shot deflected over the bar and a second blocked. Robert Hughes then freed debutant Paul Garrett on the left and his shot beat the keeper but passed agonisingly just wide of the far post. Each time Jon Mitchell got the ball he threatened the Newmarket defence but he also shot just wide after good work by Michael Hyem and Danny Marlow. The overdue first half goal eventually arrived after 23 minutes when Michael Hyem sent over a deep cross and ten yards from goal Liam Harrold out jumped home keeper Lee Hulyer to loop the ball into the unguarded net. With The St Neots midfield dominating the greater share of possession was continued with Mitchell again going close and even Glen Fuff joining the attack to bring a useful save from Hulyer.

Jonathan Olive replaced James Lane after the break and had an immediate impact for Newmarket. With his first touch he freed Richard Gammon whose narrow angled shot was tipped over the bar by Luke McShane. He then drifted past Andy Lodge but dragged his shot beyond the far post and after 57 minutes was pulled down from behind by Danny Marlow on the edge of the area and St Neots were relieved when David Grainger sent his free kick over the bar. St Neots had lost all their first half rhythm and found it difficult to get out of their own half and their only notable effort on goal was a snap volley by Robert Hughes spectacularly pushed away by Hulyer. Then after 69 minutes David Grainger chipped the ball over the defence to free Jonathan Olive and he netted from an acute angle to level the scores. St Neots sent on Chris Johnson for Liam Harrold but twelve minutes after hiss first goal Jonathan Olive repeated his feat scoring again after Luke McShane and Jordan Gent failed to clear. St Neots tried to respond and Danny Marlow had the ball in the Newmarket net but the whistle had gone for a foul on a defender. More St Neots substitutions followed and Jon Docker almost distinguished himself having one shot deflected over the bar and a second blocked as St Neots desperately searched for an equalising goal. It never looked like coming and only a great close range save by McShane prevented Olive marking his cameo second half performance by completing a hat trick. It will be remembered by St Neots as a trip into East Anglia well worth forgetting.

• Team: McShane, Hyem, Lodge, Marlow, Fuff, Gent, Scully, Hughes, Harrold, Mitchell, Garrett.
• Subs: Johnson (for Harrold 71 mins), Docker (for Garrett 82 mins), Knight (for Marlow 82 mins), Okai & Conroy-Owen.
• Man of Match: Jordan Gent

Match date: Sat 19th September 2009