Saints Kickstart Season Into Gear With Emphatic Win

After two defeats in as many weeks, it was no surprise that there were a few nervous faces in the St. Neots team before the game. Coach Jamie Cluer said in the build up to this game to one of our sources "we have got to start putting in performances and winning games. If we're going to lose games with first teasers, then I might as well pick some youngsters in the twos [sic] and give them a go. Maybe try and develop them".

So it was clear to the Men's first team - perform well and get the three points, or risk the axe.

Neither side took control of the first ten minutes, but St. Neots were the first to draw blood after 12 minutes. An excellent move from the whole St. Neots team culminated in a penalty corner being awarded. Cluer took the ball at the top of the circle, drew two defenders in before slipping the ball left to Darren Coles. Two touches later and the ball and rocketed into the bottom corner like a tracer bullet and St. Neots took the lead for the first time in any game this season.

This goal started momentum for Saints and soon the men in blue were all over their opposition, creating chance after chance. When Bourne Deeping did get the ball, it was soon won back by St. Neots and turned into attack. David Humphrey (who ended up being man of the match) and Garth Mooney were particularly key in regaining the ball and distributing the ball around the back throughout the game.

It wasn't long before Saints doubled their lead. Another fantastic team built opportunity lead to Daniel Sutton with a one on one with Deeping's keeper. After going round him, Sutton managed to eventually fumble the ball in to the goal with about as much elegance as a swan flying. It must be noted that throughout the half, St. Neots were marshalled by the brilliance of Jamie Cluer - commanding his players like an Army General with tactical genius. Certainly, St. Neots were playing at their best when he was on the field, and weren't half as good when he subbed himself off.

Whilst the second half saw no more goals, there was still plenty of action. As St. Neots continued to pile on the pressure and soak up any attack Bourne managed to muster, one or two of the Deeping players began to lose their discipline. In total 2 green cards and 1 yellow were distributed to Bourne Deeping and some argued they were fortunate that was all. The second half also saw Bourne make keeper Rob Morris work for the first time - Morris pulled off two fantastic saves which would've brought Bourne back in the game had he not done so.

Time wound down and St. Neots saw the job home as worthy 2-0 victors. Anthony Holmes, a crucial member of the St. Neots side who was missing in last week's loss to Cambridge Vets said "it's great to be back involved in the team and helping to contribute to us getting our first win of the season. I thought Jamie [Cluer] and Dave [Humphrey] were influential in our win but the whole team did well, I'm proud of the boys!"

Next week sees St. Neots travel to the fens to face Wisbech. They will be hoping they can kick on from this weekend's result to bigger and better things next week.