St Neots Town F.C.
Supporting the saints online

With only one victory in their last twelve visits prior to this match Carters Park Holbeach has not been a happy hunting ground for St Neots but with a determined display of character they put that demon to bed with an important victory. Both sides had to overcome the worst playing conditions of the season so far with wind a rain driving down the pitch and to their credit both sides contrived to produce very watchable football in these adverse conditions. St Neots with Rob Hughes back in midfield looked compact and well organised and Manager Steve Lomas back on the bench himself as a substitute manipulated his side well utilising three replacement players in the second half. There was a third goal in as many games from Dan Jacobs who is still not fully fit as he nurses a foot injury and even a spirited fight back in the second half by the home side was repelled. With most of the top sides in the Premier Division involved in the FA Vase St Neots increased the gap between themselves and the chasing pack and with four of their next five league matches at Rowley Park St Neots must transfer their consistency away from home to build an impressive pre-Christmas record.

St Neots early threat came from set pieces with a series of corners presenting them with chances. A towering heading by Jordan Gent was toughed around the post, and both Dan Jacobs and Liam Harrold sent efforts wide of their target. Harrold then set up Jacobs whose shot was cleared off the line by Craig Parker and Josh Sozzo saw an effort blocked by a defender. In between these efforts Liam Nimmo did break clear of the St Neots defence but Luke McShane got an important touch to send the ball wide of goal but not much was seen of the home attack. The first goal had been threatening and it arrived after 31 minutes when from yet another Paul Garrett corner Nicky Hurst rose above the defence to head down and Dan Jacobs scored from close range. Michael Hyem then brought a good save from home keeper James Doughty but a second goal five minutes before the break gave St Neots further control. It was a delightfully created goal as Dan Jacobs moved infield to find Hyem and his forward pass spilt the defence for Josh Sozzo to advance to score with a low shot. Holbeach retaliated with a counter attacking move and Jason Sedlan was clear but shot over the bar and there was still time before the half time whistle for Sozzo to get the ball in the net again but his effort was ruled out because he had fouled his marker.

The second half began slowly and apart from one effort by Paul Garrett pushed for a corner there were no real attempts on goal at either end. St Neots began to reshape sending on Jon Mitchell for Harrold and Mark Kenneford for Jacobs and for while much of the play was in midfield. Then with their first effort of the second half Holbeach pulled a goal back as Cymon Lamb hit a low shot that Luke McShane did not have properly covered and the ball squirmed through his arms and into the net. That encouraged the home side and they rallied to put the St Neots defence under some pressure. Jonny Allen headed over the bar when scoring looked easier and Jason Sedlan beat McShane to a through ball to head towards goal but Glen Fuff got back to clear off the line. A third St Neots substitute followed as fit again Jon Docker replaced Paul Garrett and it was he who was to set up the all important third St Neots goal. He beat his marker on the right and crossed to find Jon Mitchell whose finish was clinical giving him his first goal since 26th September and his one match suspension. That effectively snuffed out the Holbeach resistance and Michael Hyem almost added a fourth goal for St Neots at the death.

• Team: McShane, Hurst, Lodge, Hyem (M), Fuff, Gent, Jacobs, Hughes, Harrold, Sozzo, Garrett
• Subs: Mitchell (for Harrold 56 mins), Kenneford (for Jacobs 58 mins), Docker (for Garrett 71 mins) & Lomas
• Man of Match: Josh Sozzo

Match date: Sat 14th November 2009