Good second half performance brings win for St Neots at home

The win means they now move into the play-off zone in the league table for the first time this season.

Although they were a goal behind at the break, a seven-minute spell after half time saw the home side score three times to claw back the initiative from their visitors and from that point on there was only going to be one winner.

Assistant manager Steve Kuhne declared that it was one of his side's best performances this season against the visitors who are having their best-ever start at this level.

In the first half, giant visiting goalkeeper Warren Butlin broke the hearts of the home forwards as he dominated his penalty area denying them several gilt-edged openings and the transformation in the shape of the game came after home manager Cameron Mawer introduced substitute Rhys Thorpe.

He had been unavailable for the last two matches and was named on the bench but within five minutes of his introduction he kick-started St Neots’ recovery with a well taken goal, before adding a second seven minutes later.

The manager had named almost an unchanged line-up merely preferring Charlie Bowen in defence for Dammy Nickels with skipper Robbie Parker moving to full back.

In a frustrating first half St Neots better efforts were rebuffed after their visitors had started well.

In the opening seven minutes, they won three corners and from the third the home defence only survived thanks to a goal line clearance.

At the other end, Harvey Williams saw a net bound shot deflected and visiting keeper Warren Butler produced a full length save to deny Kieran Barnes.

Louis Samuels almost scored with a crisp effort that James Goff only saved at his second attempt and as St Neots responded Connor Furlong only found the side netting.

Then after 23 minutes the visitors went ahead as Louis Samuels wove his way through the home defence to net.

Robbie Parker tested the visiting keeper and late in the first half both Furlong and Williams had net bound efforts blocked by the determined visiting defence. In first half time added James Hatch saw a header well saved by Butler as the visitors clung on to their narrow advantage.

St Neots came out with all guns firing after the break and with Thorpe on for Hatch they took the game to their visitors.

After 52 minutes James Hatch was penalised and booked for bringing down Abdul Sunmonu and a penalty was awarded but the home keeper redeemed himself as he saved Samuels’ poorly struck spot kick. 

Two minutes later St Neots were back in the game as Rhys Thorpe netted a Charlie Bowen head back from a Barnes corner, and two minutes later from another corner Connor Furlong provided the finishing touch to put St Neots ahead. 

Connor Furlong put Saints on the scoreboard. (Image: SNTFC)

The icing on the cake came just five minutes later when Rhys Thorpe moved inside the visiting defence to pick up a Furlong through pass and beat the advancing keeper to give St Neots their comfortable two goals cushion.   

Both keepers then made significant saves as the two sides strove for dominance, but St Neots always looked likely winners stroking the ball about confidently with Bowen heading off the line for St Neots and Williams twice going close to extending the lead.

Several substitutions by both sides saw the match end tamely but the home side were worthy victors.

Final score: St Neots Town 3 Lutterworth Town 1.