Mens 2 Vs Ely City 1

 Plucky Pybus positively performs at peak to begin goal scoring move!  

St Neots Men’s 2s made the long trek through the fens individually following not only the magnificent guiding beacon that is Ely Cathedral’s tower but also the strict Government guidelines!

Saints started brightly enough but were soon forced on the defensive by an experienced and accomplished Ely side who, attacking down their right, managed to force what resulted in a series of short corners. These were resolutely defended with Paul Ray’s lightning fast pace (recalling another perhaps speedier Bolt) successfully closing down the initial shot. However, the pressure told and despite Simon Gautrey’s best efforts Ely managed to regroup and put themselves ahead from the resultant open play.

Saints responded immediately with a right sided interplay that saw Eamonn Grantham battling to release a pass to Danny Rowland whose resultant shot was agonisingly just wide.

Ely pressed but despite winning several more short corners they could not breach the blue wall and it was eventually again from open play with the help of a couple of lucky ricochets that they were able to make it two and then three.

Saints continued to fight and ,not dismayed by losing veteran Nathan Read to a cruel recurrence of a hamstring injury , smartly moved the ball through to midfield dynamo Richard Wang and ,eventual man of the match, to Mike “Skipper” Hornby who released Will Zwetsloot on the left only for it to be put just wide.

So, half time and 3 goals on the wrong side of the ledger but Saints felt they were still in the game. However, Ely rattled by Saints display of resilience moved up a gear and rapidly scored two more with unstoppable reverse hits.

Saints were now playing for pride and it swelled the spectators hearts to see 2s debutant Harry Pybus battling to frustrate Ely forcing them to spill the ball , Alex Bird swooping on it and flinging it to find Danny Rowland who deflected it to Mike “Skipper” Hornby who smartly put it into the back of the net!

Saints continued pushing and it was only the Ely keeper’s reactions which prevented a second a couple of minutes later from a Mike” Skipper” Hornby strike.

Ely re-grouped, re-discovered their earlier ruthlessness and put Saints to the sword with sustained attacks that delivered 3 more goals, the improvement in their finishing a direct reaction to the perceived threat emanating from Saints.

And so, it finished 8-1 to Ely but Saints, proud of their debutant and youngsters, can only look forward to building on the patches of excellence and weaving them together to create a successful pattern of victory!