Mens 2 Vs Leadenham Mens 1

Saints Team:   M2                   Opposition:     Leadenham 1s             Score (SNHC first): 3-3

Venue:            Longsands                                                       Date and PB time: 03/10/20 1pm

Weather:         wet

Spirit: tough

First half report plus score: After an onslaught from the visiting team for the first five minutes, the St Neots defence were preparing themselves for a long afternoon. However a fantastic first goal for the M2 from youngster Alex Bird, whose goal, attacking endeavour and defensive work rate earned him man of the match honours, put Saints 1-0 up against the run of play. A second goal soon followed with strike partner Danny Rowland taking his league tally to 3 in 2 games, to put Saints 2-0 up. An old first team regular, Jack Nethercott, was having a great game at right back, as it was his aerials which started both attacks for the two goals. Leadenham recovered from the shock of conceding twice to score from a well worked short corner, and with one minute to go until half time scored from another short corner, making the score 2-2 at the interval.       

Second half report plus final score: Leadenham again looked the stronger team in the early exchanges of the second half, despite dogged resistance from Saints, with Rowland and Bird leading admirably from the front, both tracking back well and fighting for every ball. In midfield Will Zvetsloot continued his fine start to the season, defending well and instigating a few rapid counter attacks down the left wing. Leadenham were the first to break the second half deadlock, with a contentious goal that may, or may not have, crossed the line under the body of goalkeeper Simon Gautrey, who had a great game in goal. Despite being behind with time running out, Saints grabbed an equaliser when a mishit strike from a short corner by captain Chris Butterworth was poked in through the keepers legs by Phil Gentles, who’d followed in nicely after injecting the short corner. A final minute short corner couldn’t be converted by Saints and both teams had to settle for a share of the points. 3-3

Best goal for Saints:   Alex Bird’s opener into the bottom right corner after a mazy run

Best save for Saints:  

Best defensive moment:

POM and why: Alex Bird, brilliant in every aspect of his game, made more impressive by the fact it was his first league game for the M2.