St Neots Town F.C.
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Saints put the disappointment of two consecutive defeats behind them with a convincing 3 - 0 win over Daventry United. It could have been more with two goals being disallowed but the victory moved them to second place in the league and complete the double over their hard working opponents.

Manager Steve Lomas returned to the starting line-up, releasing Micky Hyem to return to his favoured midfield position. Jon Mitchell had an early effort saved by the visiting goalkeeper as both sides looked to make an early impression. Saints almost made the breakthrough on 15 minutes, when Tony Scully's fine cross field ball found Jon Docker but his shot from the left went past the far post. Docker then had another effort saved from a Lomas cross as he and Scully caused problems for Daventry down the right-hand side. Docker then released Lomas and his fiercely struck shot from 25 yards was palmed away by keeper Lee Farrow. The home side nearly broke the deadlock on 27 minutes when a fine through ball from Lomas saw Jon Mitchell cut in from the right of the penalty area but his shot rebounded from the underside of the bar and away to safety. Mitchell then was wide with another effort at the end of a flowing move. Daventry then saw a free kick bounce over the bar before they played a free kick straight to Liam Harrold. The League's leading scorer was not far wide of the goal with his instinctive 30 yard effort but the Saints were fortunate when Daventry pounced on an error, broke down the left and saw Bobby Lee blaze over the bar when he really should have scored. Docker then had two further efforts before the end of the half.

Saints started the second period well with Lomas almost releasing Harrold, Scully shooting over and Mitchell having a shot blocked. On 55 minutes, Mitchell had the ball in the net as Harrold nodded down a Lomas cross but the goal was disallowed for offside. Hyem then had an effort from outside the area before the Saints gained a deserved lead on 62 minutes. Lomas was freed down the right and his low, hard cross was diverted into his own net by Nicky Ling as Harrold waited to pounce. Daventry almost replied immediately but were thwarted by a superb tackle by Andy Lodge. Saints continued to press and were denied a second goal by a dubious offside flag when Robert Hughes pulled a cross back for Harrold to head home. Substitute Paul Garrett came on to cause problems down the left with his excellent crosses, one of which Mitchell could not quite direct on target. The second goal finally came with eight minutes left when Garrett created space for Lodge to run into and fire in a fierce shot which Farrow just managed to touch onto a post. The ball rebounded to Mitchell who finished clinically scoring his first home goal for his new club and giving him some reward for all the hard work he had put in during the game. Three minutes later, Saints were further ahead. Garrett's cross was handled in the penalty area and Josh Sozzo, who had earlier been denied another penalty appeal when pushed down from behind, sent Farrow the wrong way to score his first goal of an injury hit season. Mitchell then skimmed a shot wide before, with virtually the last kick of the game, he put his effort into the side netting after Sozzo had dummied a Lodge cross.

• Team: McShane, Lomas, Lodge, Hyem, Fuff, Gent, Scully, Hughes, Harrold, Mitchell, Docker
• Subs: Kenneford, Sozzo (for Harrold), Marlow, Knight (for Hyem), Garrett (for Docker)
• Man of Match: Jordan Gent

Match date: Sat 26th September 2009