A rejuvenated Saints team dominated in the local derby against Godmanchester Rovers, writes John Walker. 

On the heels of their disappointing weekend home league defeat by Rugby Borough, a rejuvenated St Neots handed out a comprehensive beating of neighbours Godmanchester Rovers just 72 hours after that embarrassing humbling.

It took them just 15 minutes to run up a 3-0 lead with some clinical finishing and from that point on the victory was assured.

The home side that had won at March a week earlier had little to offer as their visitors dominated, and the final score could (and perhaps should) have been even more convincing.

The two first starting changes in the St Neots starting line-up this season featured Nathan George in defence for the unavailable Charlie Bowen, and the debut of new signing Dan Walker who replaced Jordan Brown in attack.

Manager Cameron Mawer was delighted with the performance as perfect preparation for the two upcoming consecutive matches in national competition.

In their first significant attack after just five minutes St Neots were ahead as Connor Furlong burst through a square lying home defence to open the scoring.

Four minutes later, the home defence were in a tangle as Rhys Thorpe retrieved a cross on the left and returned it to the far post where Sam Willis claimed his first St Neots goal.

Then after a quarter of an hour it was 3-0 as Willis blocked an attempted clearance and Rhys Thorpe pounced to claim St Neots third goal in that stunning ten minutes’ spell.

However, any thoughts of a complete home massacre were squashed as Godmanchester got their defensive act together although Furlong shot into the side netting and the lively Willis saw another effort blocked by a defender.

As half-time approached, the home side seemed to rally and after 36 minutes the St Neots defence was breached and a Josh Hales chip left James Goff stranded but rebounded from the crossbar to scupper any Godmanchester hopes of a revival.

Play then moved back to the other end where the impressive Furlong set up Kieran Barnes for a simple finish and a 4-0 half time advantage.

The main feature of the second half was the steady introduction of all five permitted St Neots substitutes. The visiting side seemed to concentrate on possession rather than significant attack, although home keeper Ben Newton made one excellent save to deny Barnes a second goal.

Substitute James Hatch on to lead the attack was twice denied by the home keeper before twice finishing off target.

Substitute Danny Baulk should have done better than fire over the bar after good approach work by Murphy Culkin and an off-balance Hatch then fired over the bar after the home defence had been breached.

Overall, it was a good preparatory work out for the visitors who will now look to carry they renewed confidence into the upcoming home cup matches.

Final Score: Godmanchester Rovers 0 St Neots Town 4