St Neots Town F.C.
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Following their home draw in the opening match of the season this was a much better performance and the final score line flattered the home side. St Neots dominated for much of the match thanks in the main to a solid defensive performance built around Adam Spoors and Luke Dawson and almost total domination in midfield where Aidan McLean and Jack Warwick were rewarded for their work rate. Had St Neots been able to put away their chances they could have been comfortably ahead at the break and in the second half home keeper Neil Kirkman made a string of important saves to keep his side in the match. Runners-up in the West Division last season Blackstones are going to be less of a force this season whilst the St Neots youngsters will be out to emulate the sides' fourth placing at the end of last season.

St Neots began confidently and both George Finney and Richard Willard sent shots across the face of goal in the opening ten minutes. What proved to be the winning goal arrived in the 18th minute when Aidan McLean ran at the home defence but Luke Smith broke up the attack but was then dispossessed by Rob Gooch who netted despite the home keeper getting his hand to the shot. Blackstones created a couple of half chances but William Nairn played clear blasted his shot over the bar and Adam Michelin saved well from Hamish Meichan. St Neots saw several attacks break down on the edge of the penalty area but their possession was good and both Willard and Finney (twice) should have added to their score.

In the first five minutes of the second half both goalkeepers made excellent saves. Kirkman denied Jack Warwick after the midfielder had drifted through the Blackstones defence and then Michelin dived bravely at the feet of Andrew Moss who had looked likely to score. Then it was all St Neots for a spell with Finney heading disappointingly wide after good work by McLean and a Willard shot was pushed for a corner following a cross from Ian Neves. St Neots sent on Josh Spavins for Willard but the pressure was maintained as Kirkman produced the save of the match going full length to push away a McLean shot and he then was again stretched to push Spavins' first effort onto a post. Understandably towards the end the tempo dropped but the St Neots goal was never really threatened and they were good value for the three points despite only scoring that single goal.

• Team: Michelin, Neves, Rafill, Warwick, Dawson, Spoors, Godfrey McLean, Willard. Finney, Gooch.
• Subs: Melanie (for Godfrey 56 mins), Spavins (for Willard 63 mins), Barron (for Gooch 75 mins) – not used – Kidman & Mitchell
• Man of Match: Adam Spoors

Match date: Wed 9th September 2009