League leaders St Neots Town are the visitors to Bridge Road on Saturday for what promises to be one of the highlights of the 2024/25 season.  When we last met in October, the Saints were 3-1 winners in a game that saw Connor Barnes score an early goal before sustaining an injury that would keep him out of action for several weeks.  Captain Max York was also red carded late on in what was a full-blooded local derby.  With both sides having plenty to play for over the coming months, another tense encounter may well be on the cards.

The Saints were comfortable 3-1 winners over Coventry United last weekend, but made hard work of beating their lower-graded neighbours Eaton Socon in the semi-final of the Hunts Challenge Cup in midweek.  The Saints won by the only goal of the game but had to thank their goalkeeper for his Man of the Match performance to get them through.  They face another cup semi-final next Tuesday night when they visit March Town United in the Hinchingbrooke Cup.

In contrast, the Stutes have had a two-week mini break since winning at Rugby Borough in what has been our only game since Boxing Day.  But despite the contrast in recent activity, both sides go into Saturday’s game having taken 12 points from their last six games.

The St Neots side is likely to include former Histon man Rhys Thorpe who has found the net on a regular basis since leaving us in the Autumn of 2022.  Rhys is on 20 goals for the season to date, closely followed by his striking partner Kieran Barnes on 17, so the Stutes defence can expect to be well tested.  One defender who will not be on show for us on Saturday is teenager Will Ronald.  You can read an account of the circumstances surrounding the termination of the young full-back’s loan arrangement with Northampton Town in Chris Nunn’s programme notes on Saturday.

There is no doubting which club has had the upper hand in fixtures between the two sides over the years.  In 17 competitive matches, the Stutes have won twice while St Neots Town have 11 wins over us.  Our last success in this fixture was a 2-1 win at Bridge Road in 1972.

Please remember that kick-off is at 2.00pm.  The club bar will be open at 12.30 and will be showing Premier League football on TV.  Admission is at the usual rates of £10 for adults, concessions £6 and Under 17s £2.  Accompanied Under 12s are admitted free.  Hot food and drinks will be available throughout the afternoon.

With St Neots Town being a well-supported club that is challenging for the league title, a larger than average crowd is expected to attend.  It may therefore be advisable to arrive a little earlier than usual to avoid any last-minute congestion at the turnstiles and to secure your usual spot in the ground.  But most importantly, make sure you get along to Bridge Road to help cheer the Stutes to our first win against St Neots for over 50 years!

Saturday’s game is sponsored by the Parker family, to whom the club would like to extend our sincere thanks.