St Neots Town F.C.
Supporting the saints online

Two unforgivable schoolboy-type defensive errors from two of St Neots most experienced players cost them this unexpected defeat at Northampton Spencer. They had twice come from behind to draw level with Liam Harrold netting his ninth and tenth goals in just twelve matches but it was in the third minute of time added that Glen Fuff inexplicably called for the ball and then dithered only to be robbed by Isaacs Addo who then calmly rounded Jon Chatfield to claim the late winning goal. Earlier on the hour Chatfield covering in goal for the suspended Luke McShane had totally misjudged another situation rushing from his line with no chance of winning the ball only to be lobbed by the same Spencer striker. Paradoxically the overall team performance had been much better than at Newmarket three days earlier but they always looked vulnerable in defence to the pace and direct approach of the Spencer attack. It was St Neots' first defeat at Kingsthorpe Mill in ten visits and the other results on the night saw St Neots drop from second to fifth in the league table.

There was a cautious start by both sides and few early scoring chances. Todd Sawko shot over for the home side and Liam Harrold lobbed wide for St Neots but neither keeper was in serious action until 24^th Minute when Pete Smith saved at the feet of Jon Mitchell before saving a Harrold header from a cross by Jon Docker making his full debut. However in the last quarter hour of the first half the action intensified after Spencer had claimed the lead. The goal came after a good refereeing decision to play the advantage rule when Phil Cassidy was fouled but the ball ran loose for Isaacs Addo to cross to the far post for Dan Surridge to head past the keeper despite him getting his hand to the ball. Sawko should have extended the lead but he put a free header from a Julian Anger cross well wide of the target. The lively Jon Mitchell had a fierce shot parried after outpacing his marker and two minute before the break Liam Harrold hauled St Neots back on terms with a header from a free kick by Glen Fuff and the half ended with Smith making a good low save from a shot by Docker.

St Neots made a bright start after the interval and a Rob Hughes volley was only a foot wide with the keeper beaten and then they should have had a penalty kick for a blatant handball missed by the Referee. It was against the run of play when Spencer regained the lead with their first second half attack after 61 minutes. A long ball from Jason Bradshaw sought out Isaacs Ado and although he was well held up by Jordan Gent he wriggled free and was easily able to lob Chatfield who was totally out of position. Although not at his best Liam Harrold was only a foot wide with a shot across the face of goal but after 69 minutes he levelled the scores for the second time after Jon Mitchell had won a cross by Michael Hyem and had his effort blocked. St Neots then introduced substitute Parys Okai and he linked with Hyem to set up Mitchell whose effort was pushed over the bar by Smith. Julian Anger brought a good save from Chatfield with a speculative lob and a draw looked to be certain as the match moved into added time principally due to time wasted retrieving match footballs! That extra time winning goal was a real blow for St Neots who had deserved a share of the points.

• Team: Chatfield, Hyem, Lodge, Marlow, Fuff, Gent, Docker, Hughes, Harrold, Mitchell, Garrett
• Subs: Okai (for Garrett 82 mins), Knight (for Hughes 82 mins), Kenneford, Scully & Conroy-Owen
• Man of Match: Danny Marlow

Match date: Tue 22nd September 2009