St Neots Town F.C.
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St Neots lost their grip on the top spot in the Ridgeons League West when they could only pick up a single point from their home match with Royston Town U18's. Although they retained their unbeaten tag this season it was St Neots third draw in six matches and their failure to score goals could become a problem. In fairness to their opponents they played well enough to deserve their share of the points whilst St Neots failed to find the rhythm they have shown in earlier matches. It was far from ideal preparation for their upcoming Ridgeons Cup match with the in-form Halstead Town.

St Neots created the first real chance when Josh Sadler tested visiting keeper Perry Thompson but early attempts on goal were few and far between. Royston were more direct in attack and they created a couple of opportunities midway through the first half with Daniel Papp dragging his shot across the face of goal and Brendan Lees sending a snap shot wide after a St Neots defensive error. After 26 minutes St Neots keeper Niall Conroy-Owen produced an important save from Papp after Aidan Mclean had been needlessly dispossessed and he also saved well from Harry Lee as the visitors finished the first half largely in control.

After the rather sterile and goalless first half the match came to lift with two goals in 45 seconds just after the break. Three minutes in Harry Lee was allowed to carry the ball unchallenged for around fifty yards before releasing Daniel Bank-Smith who netted with an angled shot under the diving goalkeeper. Before the celebrations had ceased St Neots were back on terms when Josh Sadler produced a perfectly placed shot from 30 yards to curl the ball over the keeper and under the bar. That burst of action failed to inspire either side for the match returned to a midfield battle although Thompson had to save bravely at the feet of James Godfrey when he broke clear of his marker. St Neots substitute Richard Willard headed over the bar from a Sadler corner whilst at the other end a rising shot by Lee was well covered by the goalkeeper. With eight minutes left St Neots introduced a third substitute and Josh Crofts almost made a name for himself when he got on the end of a Jack Warwick cross with his first touch but again Thompson saved well. Warwick was then on the wrong end of a stray elbow and was led off with a nasty facial injury reducing St Neots to ten men with all their allowed substitutes utilised. From then they had to settle for the draw but Papp should have won the game for Royston a minute into time added but he blasted his shot at an open goal from six yards high over the cross bar.

• Team: Conroy-Owen, Neves, Rafill, McLean, Dawson, Spavins, Sadler, Warwick, Finney, Godfrey, Gooch
• Subs: Willard (for Finney 57 mins), Barron (for Rafill 70 mins), Crofts (for Gooch 82 mins) – not used Tom Mitchell & Jack Mitchell
• Man of Match: Luke Dawson

Match date: Thu 8th October 2009