St Neots Town F.C.
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Raunds are bottom of the table having won just three matches this season in twenty two league and cup outings but a neutral spectator at this match would have had trouble in distinguishing the basement side in the first half. St Neots had only played twice since Christmas and can claim to be short of match practice but their performance in the first 45 minutes was unimpressive to say the least. They seemed to have trouble stringing two passes together and the visiting goalkeeper did not have a direct shot to save before the break. Raunds are a fairly new side with the club having suffered a major turnover of players recently but if they continue to show the determination and spirit on show in this match they might well avoid relegation.

The most notable event in the undistinguished first half was a fifteen minutes hold up in play due to a temporary floodlight failure quickly rectified. Ironically St Neots could have found themselves behind after just two minutes when their defence went missing leaving Paul Rice fifteen yards from goal with only Tim Trebes to beat but as the keeper cut down his angle he could only shoot wide. Dom Carminati then broke through to shoot into the side netting and the only reply from St Neots was two shots from Rob Duckett and Shane Fox both well wide of their target. The restart after the delay brought no improvement in the fortunes of either side and only a fierce volley over the bar by Luke Swain threatened to disturb the relative peace in the Raunds penalty area.

What Manager Paul Dodson said to his players at half time is not on the record but there was an immediate improvement after the break. St Neots scored twice in the first six minutes after the break and took control. The first goal after 48 minutes was a real gift as Lee Bassett broke down the left and sent in a fierce low shot that was allowed to slip through the hands of Adam Smith and in St Neots’ next significant attack Bassett turned provider with a clever through pass inside the full back for Shane Fox to run on to double the score. An injury to Fox then saw him substituted and St Neots lost some momentum but Raunds seldom bothered the home defence with Andy Wale sweeping up any real attacking move. Bassett was proving a thorn in the visitors’ side and he almost added to the score after 69 minutes when at full stretch he contrived to hit the crossbar from very close range. However nine minutes from time he was upended in the Raunds box and Andy Wale confidently despatched the penalty kick to complete the scoring.

• Team: Trebes, Mitchell, J.Duckett, Wale, Ashby, Woodend, R.Duckett, Knight, Bassett, Fox, Swain.
• Subs: Kenneford (for Mitchell 46 mins), Coles (for Fox 66 mins), Oakley (for Knight) 68 mins), Warwick & Taylor
• Man of Match: Andy Wale

Match date: Tue 2nd March 2010