St Ives Town 1 v Coalville Town 2

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  04-03-2024

Nigel Howlett Reports

All of the goals and almost all of the action came in a pulsating first 45 minutes. But the endeavour put in by both sides in tough encounters on heavy pitches only two days earlier really showed in the second half as the pace of the game slowed and chances became much more limited. Ives second half cause not being helped by losing their two most creative players in Dan Barton who picked up an unlucky injury just before the break when getting a shot away and Theo Alexandrou who departed at the interval succumbing to a knock picked up in Saturday’s win at Royston.

Both sides made changes following their very recent previous fixtures. Ives bringing in Paddy Casey and Myles Cowling to replace the rested Luke Harris and Ed Hottor respectively. The Ravens similarly resting Wes York, Herve Pepe-Ngoma and Kieran Cook who all dropped to the bench with Roddy McGlinchey, Luke Shaw and the exciting Terell Pennant coming into the starting eleven.

Having started the game on Saturday in explosive style Ives did it again getting their noses in front in only the seventh minute when leading scorer Jonny Edwards clinically despatched a spot kick which had been awarded when he was upended inside the box by Ashley Carter. The hosts continued to press early on with Edwards going close with a thirty yarder that dipped just over the crossbar five minutes later. That opportunity being set up by Josh Tomlinson who had robbed Pennant on half way before rolling the ball into the feet of his centre forward.

It took the visitors a while to get going but once they did they quickly began to create opportunities of their own. A flowing move in 17^th minute ended with Pennant driving a low cross across the six yard line that Tim Berridge was only prevented from turning home by a timely interception from Casey.

Ex Raven Jake Hutchings almost presented his former colleagues with an equaliser five minutes later as Berridge read his intentions and cut out a back pass. Keeper Sam Bentley did well to close the striker and prevent him getting a shot away but he picked out Shaw with a ball inside and it took a brave block from Jordan Williams to keep out the midfielder’s shot. The loose ball ran to Tom McGlinchey and it took an equally excellent save from the recovering Bentley to prevent him turning the ball home. But having survived that scare Ives got caught out from the resulting well worked Shaw corner Berridge arrived at the near post and although his initial effort was blocked Scott McManus was on hand to force home the rebound.

The game was now very much on and it became an exciting end to end encounter as both sides traded blows looking for that all important second goal. Unfortunately for Ives they found their former keeper Paul White in excellent form and he did brilliantly leaping high to his left to tip away an Edwards screamer in 28^th minute. The ball had arrived at the striker’s feet on the edge of the box as the Ravens struggled to clear a Michael Richens corner from the right.

The visitors then managed to get in front from their next attack three minutes later. Roddy McGlinchey ran at the heart of the Ives defence and was adjudged to have been tripped by Williams just outside the box. Shaw then delivered the perfect free kick getting the ball up and down over the hosts five man wall and finding the top corner just out of the reach of the flying Bentley.

The end to end nature of the game did not change but the excellent White continued to thwart Ives. His hands were stung by a fierce drive from the edge of the box from Barton but it was in falling having got this shot away that the young winger picked up the injury that saw him depart the fray a few minutes later to be replaced by Ed Hottor.

It was Bentley’s turn to show his prowess in 38^th minute as he flung himself high to his right to tip away a deflected 25 yarder from Eliot Putman. The resulting corner again caused problems before Ives eventually managed to scramble it clear.

With half time approaching Ives upped their game and pushed hard for the equaliser and they did manage to beat the excellent White in the final minute of regulation time but Cowling’s close range effort came back off the crossbar. The chance came from an excellent move started by Hottor winning a tackle deep in his own half before feeding the ball on to Edwards who in turn put Alexandrou away down the left. His cross into the danger area was met by Cowling at the back post and Ives luck was certainly not in as the rebound off the goal frame just evaded Edwards arriving in the box.

There was still time for Ives to go close twice more in the five minutes added for Barton’s injury. Cowling had a goal bound shot blocked away bravely by McManus and White again brilliantly denied Williams after the centre back had got his head to the resulting corner.

So ended a pulsating first 45 minutes that but for some brave defending and excellent goal keeping would have ended with many more goals than it did. We were all hoping for more of the same second half but sadly it was not to come as both sides began to show their exertions of only 48 hours earlier and the pace of the game dropped.

Pennant was still looking lively for the visitors and in 50^th minute he cut in from the right at pace and unleashed a fierce rising drive from the edge of the box that beat Bentley and clipped the crossbar on its way over the top.

Clever play from Edwards almost carved out an opportunity for Cowling six minutes later. Receiving a ball in from the right by Casey Ives centre forward almost deceived the Ravens defence as he back heeled the ball into the run of his midfield teammate but McManus was alert to the danger and just cut it out.

Ives applied some pressure forcing a series of corners and long throw opportunities for Aaron Smith. But whist Smith’s throws caused the Ravens defence problems and at least three of them were allowed to bounce inside the box Ives did not have anyone in the right place attacking the back post. The corners were generally well dealt with by the admirable White who chose to punch on each occasion and was quite effective in doing so.

But for all of their pressure Ives did not really test White again and it was the visitors who looked more likely to increase their lead on the break. A 75^th minute move saw Shaw and Pennant link up on the right with the latter driving in a skimming low drive from 20 yards that Bentley did well to tip around diving to his right. The closest either side came to a goal in the second period was eight minutes from time when Berridge played in Pennant through the right channel but rather than a composed finish from the youngster he went for power and although his drive from just inside the box beat Bentley it thumped the keepers left hand post and rebounded to safety.

There was one final save for Bentley to make with three minutes to go and again it was Pennant that he denied after the young winger had been teed up by McGlinchey for another shot from the edge of the box.

The Ravens saw out the remaining time and the added five minutes fairly comfortably as a hard working but tired looking hosts struggled to create anything in those closing stages. Ives missed the chance to leapfrog their opponents in the table and remain in a mid table thirteenth with nine games to go. The Ravens rose two places to tenth and can look forward to their FA Trophy Quarter Final encounter with Northern Premier League Macclesfield on Saturday.

Final Score:  St Ives Town    1   Coalville Town   2

Goals:

ST IVES: Edwards 7 (pen)

COALVILLE: McManus 23, Shaw 31

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Bentley, Casey (Harris 88), Smith, Richens (capt), Williams, Hutchings, Barton (Hottor 43), Cowling, Edwards, Alexandrou (Kaunda 46), Tomlinson, Unused subs: Kaziboni

COALVILLE: White, Dean, Putman, R. McGlinchey, Carter, Shaw, Doyle-Charles (capt) (Pepe-Ngoma 49), Berridge, T. McGlinchey, Pennant (York 90+4), McManus, Unused subs: R. McGlinchey, Shaw, Pennant, Lita, Towers,

Cards:   Yellow:  ST IVES: Casey (52), Richens (57)      COALVILLE: Doyle-Charles (45), Dean (90+2)  

SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Jonny Edwards

Attendance: 166

Monday night football returns to the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road this evening as the Ives continue their PitchingIN Southern League Premier Division Central campaign with the visit of Coalville Town.

Ives Team News

The match comes just two days after the Ives recorded an impressive 4-2 victory at Royston Town. There was two goals each for Theo Alexandrou and Michael Richens as the Ives returned to winning ways following back-to-back defeats. The result on Saturday moved the Ives up to 13th in the table and victory tonight would see them move up to 10th. Given the quick turnaround in fixtures, Ives manager Ricky Marheineke maybe tempted to tweak the starting line-up so we could see a start for the likes of Paddy Casey or Myles Cowling who started on the bench at Royston on Saturday.

Introducing Coalville

Coalville arrive one place, and one point above the Ives in the table and on Saturday had to settle for a draw at home to strugglers Long Eaton United. The league form of the Ravens has been patchy of late with just one league win in their last six. That came against Hitchin Town. The other results in that sequence have seen two defeats at Leiston and Stamford and aside from the draw on Saturday points have also been shared at AFC Telford United and Berkhamsted. This form is in stark contrast to the form Coalville are displaying in the FA Trophy as they have made it all the way to the Quarter Finals and on Saturday will contest for a place in the last four when they host Macclesfield.

Admission Prices:

Adults: £11.00
Concessions (Over 65): £8.00
Military Discount (with ID card): £5.00
Students (with ID card): £5.00
12 – 16’s: £2.00
Under 12’s: FREE (if accompanied by an Adult)

Match Programme:

A reminder that all match programmes at St Ives Town are online, and the matchday magazine for the game this evening can be downloaded via the following link HERE

Kick-off at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is at 7:45pm.

In recent days, there have been some movements with the first team squad.

Moving out on dual registration to Cambridge City is left back Johnny Herd. Johnny has been missing for most of the season with a long-term injury, and we wish him well during his time at City as he returns to playing football once more.

Coming in is goalkeeper Sam Bentley. Sam, 19, is on a dual registration with St Albans City and has also played in the academy for Luton Town. Sam made his debut for the Ives yesterday in our 4-2 victory at Royston Town.

Royston Town 2 v St Ives Town  4

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  02-03-2024

Nigel Howlett reports from Garden Walk

The previously in form Crows were presented with something of a poison challis prior to the start of this game as they were awarded with the Southern League team of the month award for January, a prize that they just managed to pip the Ives to and perhaps it was that extra little incentive that the visitors needed to spur them on to completing their second double in two seasons over their local rivals.

Ives started the game down the slope and with the wind and sun behind them and tore into the heart of their opponents straight from the off seizing the lead in cracking style in only the fourth minute. Theo Alexandrou gained possession inside the centre circle and instantly set off directly through the centre of the Crows back line which seemed to just open up for him and the youngster took full advantage advancing to the edge of the box before unleashing a fierce drive that left Louis Chadwick in the hosts goal clawing at fresh air as the ball flew past him into the net.

The hosts picked themselves up from that early set back and started to try and work their way back into the game. The lively Andronicos Georgiou robbed Aaron Smith 25 yards from goal and it took an excellent block from the covering Jordan Williams to prevent the youngster getting his eighth minute strike on target. Georgiou caused more problems five minutes later when he was upended just outside the box by Ed Hottor but Ives five man wall did its job blocking out James Brighton’s curling free kick.

Ives should have doubled their advantage in 16^th minute when skipper Michael Richens picked out the left sided run of Alexandrou. The youngster did brilliantly to get to the bye line and pick out Jonny Edwards in a little bit of space by the penalty spot. But unusually the visitors leading scorer fluffed his lines directing his first time effort a couple of yards wide of Chadwick’s right hand upright.

The visitors very mobile front line continued to cause all sorts of problems for the Crows and Dan Barton had a good shout for a penalty turned down two minutes later as he galloped away onto a Richens through ball, just beat Chadwick to it and was then bundled over by the keeper in a wide right position, but crucially just inside the box.

Georgiou continued to look the main threat for the hosts and he twice set up shooting opportunities for Kian Harness in a six minute spell midway through the half. First time he cut in from the right before teeing up his strike partner for a shot from the edge of the box that he curled wide. Second time was an even better chance as the busy number ten burst through the middle before feeding Harness through inside the box but the striker again failed to hit the target from a good position.

The very open game continued to flow end to end and Ives spurned another golden opportunity to double their lead just after the half hour. A long punt from debutant keeper Sam Bentley fell to Alexandrou 25 yards out. He took the ball down well and threaded it through into the run of Luke Harris. The wing back was clear with only Chadwick to beat but the keeper spread himself well to make an excellent block.

But keeper Chadwick was caught out by Richens six minutes later as Ives finally did claim the second goal that their first half performance deserved. The Ives skipper picked up the ball on halfway and strode forward. Seeing the out of position Chadwick fast back peddling he tried his luck from 30 yards and caught the keeper flat footed with a rasping drive that beat his despairing dive and found the back of the net.

The hosts did manage to carve out a couple of half chances to find a route back into the game before the break. A quick 42^nd minute free kick saw Harness fed in through the left channel but Bentley was smartly off his line to close him down and make a good block. The keeper was a little more fortunate ninety seconds later when he came off his line to head away a lob over the top by ex Ives man Charlie Johnson. The ball dropped to Georgiou and his on target effort deflected off an Ives defender straight into the grateful hands of Bentley who had retreated into his box.

Having started the first half like a train Ives repeated the trick at the start of the second and it only took them 150 seconds to go three up. Harris fed in Barton down the right and his cross to the near post was met perfectly by Alexandrou who drifted his deft header over Chadwick and just inside the far post.

The hosts were unlucky not to pull a goal back only four minutes later as Harness got on the end of a cross from the right at the near post and looked like he had replicated Alexandrou’s effort but it was not to be as the ball struck the far post and rebounded straight into the hands of keeper Bentley who gratefully grasped it to his chest.

Harris came within millimetres of putting the game completely out of the Crows reach in 54^th minute. Fed in by a perfectly weighted pass from Alexandrou he carefully weighed up his options and deftly chipped it over the exposed Chadwick with Edwards fast arriving at the back post it looked certain to be four but both Harris and Edwards were denied by the upright as the ball struck it and rebounded back into play for it to be scrambled away by a Crows defender.

Alexandrou was continuing to cause the Crows defence all sorts of problems with his direct running style and ability to beat a man. Only sixty seconds after Harris hit the post he stung the hands of Chadwick with a crisp rising drive from just outside the box that the well positioned keeper held at the second attempt.

The Crows did however manage to grab a lifeline in 57^th minute. Centre back Adam Murray had by this point been thrown forward by manager Matt Waldron and he found himself in the right place to force the ball home after Harness’s lob over Bentley had rebounded off an upright.

It took another good save from Bentley to prevent the Crows making it a nail biting last 20 minutes as the keeper spread himself well to deny Harness after the striker had got on the end of Sam Mvemba’s cross from the left.

Four minutes later captain fantastic Richens killed off the game by grabbing his second and Ives fourth of the day. It came in very similar circumstances to his first as he won a tackle against Harness inside the centre circle and strode forward all the way to the edge of the box before unleashing a powerful low drive that struck the legs of the diving Chadwick and looped into the air. Everyone looked on in hope that the ball would come down in their favour and it was Ives fans celebrating when it did as the ball crept under the crossbar and into the net.

Richens almost completed his hat trick only seconds later as he robbed a shell shocked Ed Asafu-Adjaye just outside the box and tried to lob the out of position Chadwick but the ball floated just over the top much to the relief of Crows keeper.

The Crows did manage to grab a late consolation goal midway through an added five minutes. Johnson’s near post flick to a corner from the right was cleared off the line by a covering defender and it looked like the chance was gone but Ives were slow to react allowing substitute Damaray Anyadike to latch on to the loose ball and thrash it past Bentley to make the final score in this exciting encounter 4-2 in favour of the Ives.  

Final Score:  Royston Town   2   St Ives Town   4    

Goals:

ROYSTON: Murray 57, Anyadike 90+2

ST IVES:  Alexandrou 4, 48, Richens 37, 74

Team Line Ups:

ROYSTON: Chadwick, Dawodu, Johnson (capt), Coldicott-Stevens (Anyadike 75), Murray, Henry, A. Williams (Esan 46), Brighton (Asafu-Adjaye 75), Harness, Georgiou, Mvemba, Unused subs: Virciglio, Townsend-West

ST IVES: Bentley, Harris, Smith, Richens (capt), J. Williams, Hutchings, Barton (Kaunda 84), Hottor (Cowling 87), Edwards, Alexandrou (Casey 80), Tomlinson, Unused subs: Kaziboni

Cards:   Yellow:  ROYSTON:  none                ST IVES:  Alexandrou (79), Tomlinson (82)

SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH: Theo Alexandrou

Attendance:  423

St Ives Town 1 Stratford Town  3

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  24-02-2024

Nigel Howlett reports

Three calamitous errors at the back cost Ives this game, one in which they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and carved out more opportunities than their play-off chasing opponents. But as is always the case in football it is what happens inside both boxes that decides the result and gifting your opponents three goals whilst failing to hit the target, or even failing to get a shot away, on to many occasions at the other end is a recipe for disaster and that is exactly what came to pass.

The hosts started the game well and inside the first minute they carved out their first opportunity. Michael Richens free kick from the right was knocked back to him and he curled the ball back to the far post where Josh Tomlinson and Jordan Williams got in each other’s way. The latter did manage to direct his header on target but Bards keeper Callum Smith made a comfortable save.

Only sixty seconds later chance number two came along for Ives but again they failed to test keeper Smith. Myles Cowling did well to block an attempted clearance from Dann Vann, the rebound setting Theo Alexandrou clear down the left. He got to the bye line before picking out Cowling on the edge of the box with his pull back, but a poor first touch meant the all action midfielder failed to get a shot away.

Ives continued to dominate these early stages and a flowing ninth minute move ended with Richens feeding Jonny Edwards on the edge of the box. Ives leading scorer took a touch and let fly a powerful drive that deflected wide off a defender. Another good chance fell to Cowling three minutes later when a Richens corner from the right somehow found its way right across the visitor’s box to arrive at his feet 15 yards out. He struck his effort well and it was on target but the ball deflected off Tomlinson and went over the top.

Having survived all of that early pressure the Bards slowly began to work their way into the game and their first threatening sortie into Ives territory came in the 18^th minute when Lewis Ludford-Ison worked some space on the left before driving a shot across the face of Lewis Patching’s goal from the corner of the box.

The visitors got their noses in front in true route one style only sixty seconds later as a mix up between Williams and keeper Patching presented Callum Ebanks with probably the easiest goal that he will score this season. Keeper Smith delivered a long punt down the centre of the park. An initial nudge from Ebanks meant that Williams did not meet the ball cleanly but he was on hand to head the bouncing ball back to his keeper only for Patching to drop it at the feet of the Bards lurking centre forward who gleefully accepted the gift rolling the ball into the empty net.

Initially stunned to fall behind in such fashion it took Ives a few minutes to gather themselves but once they had they were soon threatening Smith’s goal again. In 25^th minute Dan Barton scampered away down the right before picking out Alexandrou on the edge of the box with his pull back. Unfortunately the Stevenage loanee sliced his effort across the face of goal presenting a chance for wing back Aaron Smith arriving at the back of the box but his first time effort flashed across the face of goal to safety.

Leading scorer Edwards is usually a certainty to get a shot away if the ball arrives at his feet inside the box but even he was having an off day and made a complete mess of Ives next chance on the half hour. Richens delivered a delightful chip over the top that fell at Edwards feet on the edge of the box but the big striker managed to get the ball stuck between his feet allowing Liam Daly to recover and rob him before he could propel an effort goalwards.

As the clock ticked down towards half time it was the visitors turn to create but fail to convert a couple of good opportunities. Ebanks put Alex Worley away down the left in 32^nd minute and the wing back’s driven cross arrived at the feet of Dan Lafferty arriving at the back post but the Bards number 20 failed to hit the target with his first time strike. Worley was also involved in the final effort of the half in the first of three added minutes when he flashed a low drive just wide from the left corner of the box.

Ives started the second half just as they had the first by taking the game to their opponents. The half was only 50 seconds old when Barton’s perfectly weighted cross field ball picked out Alexandrou cutting in from the left but the striker’s goal bound effort struck a defender and deflected wide.

Keeper Smith was really tested for the first time in 54^th minute as he leapt full length to his left to brilliantly tip Richens powerful 25 yard free kick around the post. Each side in turn went close inside sixty seconds on the hour. The visitors first as Ebanks held the ball up well to tee up Lafferty who unleashed a rising drive from 20 yards that beat Patching and flicked the top of the crossbar on its way over the top. Straight from the resulting goal kick a flowing Ives move down the right ended up with the ball being fed across to wing back Smith cutting in from the left. His first time effort again failed to hit the target the ball ending up in the side netting.

The hosts continued to push forward in search of an equaliser and they got a helping hand from Bards skipped Paul McCone in 67^th minute. An Aaron Smith long throw resulted in a scrambled inside the Stratford box and referee Harry Price was in the perfect position to spot McCone’s upraised arm block Tomlinson’s on target shot right by the penalty spot. Edwards proved as reliable as ever from the spot sending keeper Smith the wrong way to level things up.

Manager Ricky Marheineke went for the positive replacing wing back Paddy Casey with an extra midfielder in Luke Harris and within seconds of him joining the fray Barton just failed to find the top corner with a curling effort from the right that had keeper Smith hurriedly back peddling to cover the ball.

But only two minutes later disaster struck for Ives again as the Bards got back in front from another long Smith punt. The ball was flicked on and keeper Patching was slow to come for the flick allowing Lafferty to nip in and beat him to it. Once again a visitor’s striker was left with the simplest of tasks to roll the ball into the unguarded net.

Once more Ives rallied and Williams rose highest at the back post to direct a 78^th minute Richens corner on target but Smith was equal to the effort and held on well. That proved to be the final noteworthy effort for the hosts as another error from Patching effectively killed off the game four minutes from time. The lively Ebanks managed to get behind Ives back line but his shot from the right edge of the box lacked power however, diving low to his right, Patching could only push the ball back into play presenting Worley following up with another simple tap in to complete the scoring.

Whilst this was a disappointing result for Ives it was far from a disappointing performance and to put it into perspective it was their first home defeat of 2024 and only their second since October last year.

Final Score:  St Ives Town  1  Stratford Town  3

Goals:

ST IVES: Edwards 68 (pen)

STRATFORD: Ebanks 19, Lafferty 75, Worley 86

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Patching, Casey (Harris 73), A. Smith (Kaunda 82), Richens (capt), J. Williams, Hutchings, Barton, Cowling (Kaziboni 82), Edwards, Alexandrou, Tomlinson, Unused subs: Hottor

STRATFORD: C. Smith, Vann (Wilson 22), Worley, Daly, McCone (capt), Hussey, Coyle (Molyneux 75), Hawker (Hewlett 61), Ebanks, Ludford-Ison, Lafferty, Unused subs: Barkers, Lamb

Cards:   Yellow:  ST IVES: Richens (34), Alexandrou (84)       STRATFORD: Hawker (50), Lafferty (54), Worley (80)  

SPONSORS MAN OF THE MATCH: Jordan Williams

Attendance:  333

After a break of four weeks, home league action returns to the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road on Saturday as the Ives welcome play-off chasing Stratford Town.

The recent good run of form for the Ives which included victories against the current top three of Needham Market, Redditch and Mickleover came to an end last week with defeat at Bromsgrove Sporting. The Ives will be looking to bounce back tomorrow ahead of a trip to Royston next week who have improved of late.

IVES TEAM NEWS:

Ives boss Ricky Marheineke was missing influential skipper Michael Richens last week at Bromsgrove, and Myles Cowling started on the bench. Both may come into contention for a start on Saturday. Meanwhile, Lewis Patching looks set to continue in goal after he made his debut at Bromsgrove in place of James Dadge who has returned to his parent club, Northampton Town.

INTRODUCING STRATFORD

Stratford arrive looking to get back into the play-offs. They occupied fifth place up until last Saturday but a 3-0 defeat at home to AFC Telford United meant that they dropped out of the play-off zone. It has though been a good season in the league for the Bards who have recorded some impressive results and prior to the defeat against Telford, Stratford had been on a five match unbeaten run.

FORM GUIDE: LAST SIX

IVES: L W W W W L
STRATFORD: D W W W W L

REVERSE FIXTURE

The two teams met back on 21 October, and it was Stratford who recorded a narrow 1-0 victory with Callum Ebanks getting the goal seven minutes from time.

MATCHDAY MASCOTS

We welcome representatives from the St Ives Rangers Colts Under 9 Black Sox team (picture below) who will be our mascots. They are coached by Tom Cooksley and Derren Jones and the team play in the Hunts Youth League. A big welcome to the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road and we hope you enjoy your afternoon with us.

MATCH SPONSORS:

A big thank you to Quattro-Tech who are sponsoring the game tomorrow. The club would like to thank you for your ongoing support of St Ives Town and we hope you have an enjoyable afternoon with us.

MATCH PROGRAMME:

A reminder that all of our match programmes are available online only. The link to the programme for the Stratford match is HERE

Kick-off at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is at 3:00pm, but don’t forget you can join us in the Clubhouse from 1:30pm as we have a Happy Hour where the cost of all pints is just £3.00.

Bromsgrove Sporting 2 v St Ives Town 0 

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  17-02-2024

Nigel Howlett reports from the Victoria Ground

The form guide made Ives firm favourites for this game as they looked to extend their winning run to five league games on the bounce whilst their hosts were on a dismal run of six games without a win and only two goals scored during that run. But the visitors fell foul of the notorious new manager bounce with the experienced Tim Flowers taking the helm at the Victoria Ground and immediately bringing in new players to freshen the squad. Those new arrivals included Peter Abimbola who had enjoyed a successful spell at quattro-tech Westwood Road earlier in the season and a player that Ives had been looking to re-sign before an EFL rule preventing the same player signing on loan twice for the same club put a stop to the move and allowed him to join the Rouslers instead.

Right from the off it was clear that the hosts were keen to go the extra mile to impress their new gaffer as they were quick to close down Ives all over the park giving them very little time on the ball. But the confidence from their recent results was evident in the visitors during these early stages and had they got their noses in front at this stage it could have been a very different story.

The first effort on goal in the game was a fourth minute 35 yarder from Jonny Edwards as he tried to catch home keeper Ollie Taylor out of position. But the effort lacked power allowing Taylor to recover his position and make a comfortable save. Taylor was called into more meaningful action three minutes later when he had to move his feet swiftly to back peddle and tip over Luke Harris’s dangerous cross shot from the right.

Miro Pais was one man putting in a real shift for his new boss, but he went a little to far attempting to help out his defence in eleventh minute taking down Edwards in a wide right position. Luke Harris delivered the resulting free kick into the mix and Edwards got in front of his man to win the header ten yards out but the effort flew harmlessly over the crossbar.

Having survived the Ives early period of pressure the hosts began to emerge as an attacking force themselves, their first dangerous move in 17^th minute saw the all action Pais feed in Keanu Cooper down the left, the striker’s driven cross flashed across the six yard line without anyone friend, or foe, able to apply a decisive touch.

Aaron Smith’s long throws were as always proving a threat for the visitors and his 25^th minute one from the left evaded everyone at the near post and ricocheted around the six yard box before being claimed bravely by keeper Taylor before an Ives player could poke it home.

The opening goal arrived out of nothing in 28^th minute. Rouslers skipper Luke Rowe hurled in a long throw from the right that Ives failed to deal with, the ball eventually dropping perfectly for Pais on the edge of the box. The striker pivoted on it and struck a crisp right foot drive that flew past debutant keeper Lewis Patching and found the top corner of the net.

Getting their noses in front lifted the home crowd who spurred on their favourites to even greater efforts. But despite their endeavour apart from that one moment of inspiration from Pais the hosts were unable to create anything more. The only other noteworthy attempt on goal before the break was another half chance for Ives that materialised from a long throw in 38^th minute. Smith delivered this one from the left and the ball was knocked away out to the right where Dan Barton picked it up and got to the bye line before hanging up a cross to the back post which was headed away to Ed Hottor on the edge of the box. But the ball took a bobble on the uneven surface and the midfielder’s effort was sliced well wide of the post.

The early threat in the second half came from the hosts who cleverly used the strengthening breeze to their advantage. Ives were almost caught out by a long punt from Taylor in 51^st minute. The ball cleared the Ives back line for Nathan Blissett to run onto but the big striker could not finish like his famous uncle, ex England international Luther Blissett, firing his first time effort over the crossbar. Only seconds later a similar tactic saw Cooper clip a ball over the top that Tyler Bruck almost got onto only to be denied by a sharp save from keeper Patching racing from his line to slide in and claim the ball just ahead of the striker.

Ives were still offering threat mainly from the probing wide runs of Barton and his 54^th minute run and cross from the right brought a good chance for Ives as Smith arriving at the back post knocked it back into the feet of Theo Alexandrou only eight yards out but the young striker failed to make clean contact and the chance was gone.

The visitors were slowly looking to apply the pressure to find an equaliser and a moment of inspiration from Alexandrou got them another opportunity 15 minutes from time. The Stevenage loanee jinked his way past two men to get to the bye line on the left but he failed to pick out Edwards arriving in the centre with his pull back.

As Ives pushed more and more men forward in the search for the leveller they were leaving gaps at the back and substitute Billy Shaw managed to rob Myles Cowling on the half way line to get clear in 82^nd minute only to be denied by a brilliant flying save from Patching to keep out his fierce rising drive from 20 yards. The resulting corner was cleverly fed back to Pais on the edge of the box, but his powerful strike was bravely blocked away by an Ives defender.

Pais was again the Rouslers hero two minutes from time this time inside his own box as he flung himself across the line of Edwards strike from ten yards after the ball had fell to Ives leading scorer in a goalmouth scramble with the hosts hanging on.

The final act of the game deep in added time was an all, or nothing, throw of the dice from Ives manager Ricky Marheineke as he waved keeper Patching forward for a corner in the final minute. Occasionally such a move comes off, but unfortunately this time that was not the case as the ball was cleared giving the man with the biggest engine on the pitch Abimbola chance to plough a furrow straight through the centre to roll the ball home into the empty net and rub salt into Ives wounds with the last kick of the game.

Final Score:  Bromsgrove Sporting  2  St Ives Town  0

Goals:

BROMSGROVE: Pais 28, Abimbola 90+5

ST IVES:

Team Line Ups:

BROMSGROVE: Taylor, Derrison, Howell, Rowe (capt), Roberts, Soladerni, Bruck (Shaw 55), Abimbola, Blissett (Leachman-Whittingham 84), Cooper, Pais, Unused Subs: White, Lekuti, Newell

ST IVES: Patching, Casey (Cowling 66), Smith, Harris, Williams, Hutchings, Barton, Hottor (Kaziboni 78), Edwards (capt), Alexandrou, Tomlinson, Unused subs: Joyce,

Cards:   Yellow:  BROMSGROVE: Rowe (66)            ST IVES: Smith (8), Casey (57)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH: Luke Harris

Attendance: 612

The final of the Hunts Senior Cup will take place on Tuesday 23 April.

The Ives made it through to the final after they defeated Eynesbury Rovers. However, their opponents are yet to be decided as the Hunts FA have ordered the other semi-final between St Neots and Godmanchester to be replayed following a rule breach. Once the result of that replay is known the Ives will know their opponents and also the venue of the final will be announced.

Redditch United 0 v St Ives Town  2 

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  03-02-2024

Nigel Howlett reports from the Valley Stadium

Second half goals from Dan Barton and Jonny Edwards made it three wins out of three against the top sides for in-form Ives. Once again it was an excellent all round performance that gleaned a well deserved victory against the top of the table side roared on by a crowd of almost 750 in their own back yard. Ives fourth victory in a row takes them to the top of the current form table in the division and makes them a side to be feared by all. Just to make it all the more impressive this win was secured without the services of inspirational skipper Michael Richens who was serving a suspension for clocking up his tenth yellow card of the season against Needham Market.

Both sides started a little tentatively each testing out the others back line without finding a route through in the early stages. The first half chance fell to Ives in eleventh minute with Aaron Smith and Myles Cowling combining well on the left. The latter delivering a curling cross to the near post where Theo Alexandrou managed to get in front of his marker but directed his header inches wide of the near post.

Once that opening opportunity had come and gone both sides tried to use their obvious pace up front to try and work openings. Only seconds after Alexandrou’s effort, Smith again did well down the left feeding inside to Barton but rather than take on the shot the young winger tries to feed in Alexandrou only for the pass to be a little to heavy allowing home keeper Adam Harrison to tidy up.

At the other end of the park Jack Concannon and Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton were looking a handful and in 14^th minute the former danced through a couple of tackles on the left side of the box and it took an excellent interception from Paddy Casey to prevent his strike partner getting on the end of Concannon’s low cross. Only moments later the two combined well again with Skeen-Hamilton pivoting well on the edge of the box but firing high over the top after having been fed by his team mate.

The next shooting opportunity also fell to the hosts in 20^th minute when Jordan Cranston’s low cross from the right was blocked by Josh Tomlinson but the loose ball ricocheted to Reece Flanagan on the edge of the box. But like Skeen-Hamilton a little earlier he too failed to hit the target.

Back up the other end of the park Ives created another half chance this time the Reds struggled to deal with a Smith long throw which eventually ended up dropping to Tomlinson by the penalty spot but his powerful header cleared the crossbar.

The end to end action continued with Concannon and Skeen-Hamilton again combining on the half hour. Casey did well to block the latter’s shot at close range and James Dadge was alert to claim the loose ball. Despite a first half where both sides had created chances the first real save for either keeper did not arrive until two minutes before the break when Dadge did well to hang onto a fierce drive from the edge of the box by Flanagan. What was probably the best opportunity for either side in the first half then came deep in added time when Alex Cameron ghosted between Ives centre backs to get on the end of Cranston’s cross from the left but like so many before him the midfielder failed to test Dadge with his header.

Ives manager Ricky Marheineke made a tactical change at the break replacing midfielder Cowling with new signing Jake Hutchings who slotted into the centre of defence with Casey moving across to right back and Luke Harris moving into Cowling’s central role. The move seemed to spark the visitors who enjoyed a very good spell at the start of the second half. Edwards fired over after being set up by Alexandrou before Barton fired them in front in 56^th minute. Harris was involved in the move as he, Alexandrou and Barton harried Morgan Owen into an error to allow the young winger to set off at pace into the heart of the Reds back line. A step inside created the space for a perfect curler into the top corner from just outside the box.

Reds manager Matt Clarke realised that he needed to change things to try and find a route back into the game against a very solid looking Ives and he made a double change just after the hour replacing his captain Flanagan and Skeen-Hamilton with Johnny Johnston and Callum Rowe but still the league leaders struggled to find a way through. Dadge did well to get a firm punch onto a 73^rd minute corner but the ball dropped to Cranston 25 yards out. Instantly he was closed down and his shot rebounded off the body of an Ives defender.

Not content to just protect their slender lead the visitors continued to go in search of a second to effectively kill the game and they came within millimetres of that crucial goal in 78^th minute as Harris’s in-swinging free kick from wide left somehow evaded everyone as it flashed across the six yard box and past the far post.

Smith fired a 25 yard screamer into the side netting with ten minutes to go before Edwards got the better of his marker Musa Ceesay for the first time in the game to win a penalty that effectively killed off the hosts resistance. Edwards wriggled his way past Ceesay just inside the box on the right and managed to end up goal side of his man with the ball. The defender was forced to pull back the Ives striker before eventually tripping him to concede the spot kick which Edwards picked himself up to take. Keeper Harrison went the right way but was unable to keep out Edwards powerfully struck effort.

With the cock a hoop Ives now well on top Barton danced down the right to tee up Edwards for a fierce, rising, drive from the edge of the box that beat Harrison but rattled the crossbar and rebounded to safety.

The beaten hosts carved out one opportunity for a consolation goal deep in added time when Hutchings hauled down Aram Soleman just outside the box. Brad Burton fired a wickedly swerving free kick past the four man wall but Dadge was not about to give away his clean sheet and the young keeper did well to initially parry the effort and then claim the dropping ball ahead of any lurking striker.

Seconds later the final whistle sounded on a thoroughly professional performance that earned the result it deserved and meant that Ives now sit closer to the giddy heights of the play-off places than they do the dreaded drop zone for the first time this season. The small consolation for the Reds was that after the days results they still sit atop the table but their lead has now been reduced to just a single point.  

Final Score:  Redditch United  0  St Ives Town  2

Goals:

REDDITCH:

ST IVES: Barton 56, Edwards 82 (pen)

Team Line Ups:

REDDITCH: Harrison, Burton, Wollacott, R. Flanagan (capt) (Rowe 62), Skeen-Hamilton (Johnston 62), Concannon (George 79), Soleman, Cameron, Cranston, Ceesay, Owen, Unused Subs: Mussa, McNamara

ST IVES: Dadge, Harris, Smith, Cowling (Hutchings 46), Williams, Casey, Barton (Kaziboni 88), Hottor, Edwards, Alexandrou, Tomlinson, Unused subs: Joyce,

Cards:   Yellow:  REDDITCH:  none           ST IVES: Cowling (40), Hottor (45+2), Hutchings (90+4)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Jordan Williams

Attendance: 742

It wasn’t so long ago that St Ives Town fans were looking at the next set of fixtures and wondering where the points may be coming from. Scheduled matches against the top three of Mickleover, Needham Market and Redditch understandably gave supporters cause for concern.

However, the Ives make the trip to league leaders Redditch on Saturday with back-to-back victories against Mickleover and Needham Market with confidence sky high in the camp that they may take maximum points, and with it extend their winning run to four wins on the bounce.

IVES TEAM NEWS

Despite the excellent results against Needham Market and Mickleover, there’s no doubt the trip to Redditch will be a tough assignment, The hosts are currently four points clear at the top of the table and have played more games than any of the chasing pack. The Ives have new signing Jake Hutchings available who joined in the week after he was released by Coalville Town. The experienced centre back will boost the defensive options, especially after the Ives said goodbye to Benji Mensah who has joined a club at a higher level. Jonny Edwards and Theo Alexandrou will be spearheading the Ives attack, with the latter getting a man of the match performance following his two goals against Needham Market last weekend.

INTRODUCING REDDITCH

Redditch go into the game on the back of a 2-0 win against strugglers Long Eaton United last Saturday. That result extended their winning run to three with victories against Hitchin and Bromsgrove Sporting prior to that. The hosts have been in and around the top six all season and hit top spot two weeks ago. They have lost five times in the league so far this season against Stamford, Coalville (twice), Barwell and Leamington. Their FA Cup progress was thwarted at the 2nd Qualifying Round stage by Peterborough Sports and in the FA Trophy they were eliminated by Radcliffe in the 3rd round.

LAST SIX LEAGUE MATCHES

REDDITCH: W L D W W W
IVES: L W L W W W

GOING TO THE GAME:

Match prices are £11.00 for Adults and £8.00 for concessions with various other discounts for juniors. You can purchase tickets in advance, and the link to the Redditch ticketing site is HERE

Redditch United FC
Sallie Swan Street
REDDITCH
B97 4AU

Kick-off is at 3:00pm.

St Ives Town are delighted to announce the signing of Jake Hutchings.

The centre back arrives after leaving Coalville Town earlier this week. The 28 year old joined Coalville from Leiston. Whilst at Leiston, Hutchings went on to become their vice-captain. He has also had spells at clubs including Torquay, Braintree Town and Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.

Commenting on his arrival at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road Ives manager Ricky Marheineke said “To attract a player of Jake’s experience and quality is a huge coup for the club. Jake will add so much to our current group both on and off the pitch and I’m really excited to have him on board and can’t wait to have him involved”.

Leaving the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is Benji Mensah who has accepted an offer from a step two club. Everyone at St Ives Town would like to thank Benji for his efforts during his time with us and wish him all the very best in the next chapter of his footballing journey.

Skipper Michael Richens and midfielder Ed Hottor have recently chalked-up 100 appearances for St Ives Town Football Club.

Richens joined the club during the 2021/22 season from Kettering Town where he also made just over 100 appearances. The 28 year old has been an ever present in the Ives team and as club captain he continues to lead with example often scoring crucial goals, including some spectacular efforts such as his strike against Marine in the FA Trophy earlier this season.

Like Richens, Ed Hottor has been a regular in the Ives line-up since joining in the curtailed season of 2019-20. Originally from Ghana, Hottor started his career in the Italian second tier – Serie B – at Triestina, where he signed his first professional contract at 17. A year later, he was signed by AC Milan and spent six years on the books of the seven-time European champions without making a senior appearance. He arrived in England in 2018, playing for both Kettering Town and Banbury United before signing for the Ives.

Congratulations to both players on reaching the milestone of 100 appearances for the club and here’s to many more!

*With thanks to Jez Hall for the research to accompany this article