U18’s Match Report: St Neots Town 3 HISTON 1

The game was set up to be a competitive affair, with both sides topping their respective leagues last season. It was a fast start to the game which saw The Stutes concede in the 5th minute, as St Neots’ number 9 capitalised on a pass back to the keeper and nudged the ball into the far corner of the net. Histon created their first early opportunity 10 minutes in as number 9 (trialist) broke down the right-hand side after pressing the St Neots’ backline. He then fed Dylan Ashman in the penalty area, but he was swiftly closed down before he could get his shot off. In the 24th minute, Finley Edwards made a mazy run that started on the halfway line, and found himself on the edge of the penalty area after knocking the ball around the defender; however his shot was fired wayward. Two minutes later, Histon came close again after a scramble in the box saw efforts from both Ashman and trialist charged down. St Neots’ then had a chance to double their lead down the other end but were first denied by a Bradley Monks save and then by the post. The lead was doubled in the 32nd minute as the ball was threaded through to St Neots’ number 7, who slotted the ball into the far corner. Six minutes into the second half St Neots’ were shown a red card, as their number 11 left the field. In the 65th minute, Jay Downham-Flood got his name on the scoresheet as he showed his pace and latched onto a through ball Jack Sherrington and drilled the ball into the far corner to make it 2-1. St Neots’ regained their two-goal advantage by notching their third goal of the game. The ball fell to number 18 just a metre from goal, who couldn’t miss from close range. One final effort from Histon saw Guy Motley’s header clip the top of the crossbar after the defender connected with a Harrison Brant corner three minutes from full time.