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

The highlights from the Ives superb home win against promotion chasing Needham Market are now available to watch. Don’t forget you can subscribe to the club YouTube Channel. More details HERE

Watch the post-match reaction from Ives manager, Ricky Marheineke following the Ives 3-2 victory at home to Needham Market on Saturday afternoon. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Ives YouTube channel. More details HERE

St Ives Town 3 v Needham Market 2

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  27-01-2024

Nigel Howlett reports

Ives finally broke their jinx against the Marketmen at the fourteenth attempt, a run that dates back to the FA Vase days when these two sides first met sixteen seasons ago. The game that finally ended the run provided five star entertainment all the way between two in-form sides.

Stevenage loanee Theo Alexandrou drew the plaudits for two very well taken goals to open his account for the club but his goals were backed up by another brilliant all round team performance that deservedly inflicted only the third defeat of the season on the second placed visitors. The Marketmen equally played their part in an entertaining game twice pegging back their hosts and only being denied a late point by an assistant’s upraised flag.

Manager Ricky Marheineke perhaps unsurprisingly named an unchanged starting eleven after his side’s demolition of league leaders Mickleover on their own patch last week. Needham Market made just two changes to their starting line up from their previous victory at Halesowen with new signing Adam Mills coming in for Nico Valentine and ex Ives man Dylan Williams returning in place of Luke Ingram.

There was an early opening for the visitors when the lively Jamie McGrath picked out Tevan Allen inside the box but Benji Mensah and Josh Tomlinson were quick to close him down and disposes the midfielder before he could get a shot away.

Ives first threat in 12^th minute came from a left wing cross delivered by Aaron Smith, Alexandrou won the header but visitors keeper Marcus Garnham was alert to prevent Mensah getting onto the knock down. Three minutes later and the hosts went in front with a goal of beauty. Skipper Michael Richens threaded the perfect ball through the heart of the visitor’s defence. Alexandrou timed his run through the right channel to perfection and unleashed a fierce first time effort from the edge of the box which gave Garnham no chance.

The host’s lead lasted just ten minutes before Kyle Hammond levelled things up with a clever finish from close range after he ghosted in to flick home Mills teasing cross from the left. Home keeper James Dadge had no chance of keeping that effort out but he showed his metal just after the half hour as he flung himself to his left to parry away a fierce drive from the edge of the box by Mills.

Ives carved out a couple of opportunities to get back in front before the half time interval. Alexandrou got in front of his man to get on the end of Richens 35^th minute free kick to the near post but he got a little bit to much on the ball and directed his header into the side netting. The all action Alexandrou was involved again right on half time when he put Mensah away on the right. Garnham did very well to move his feet and hurl himself across goal to just fingertip the wing back’s hanging cross off the head of Jonny Edwards.

Skipper Richens showed Ives intent straight from the off in the second half as directly from the kick off he surged through the centre of the park to win a corner. Garnham struggled to deal with the resulting flag kick only succeeding in palming the ball down into his own box but fortunately for him the ball was scrambled away before Ed Hottor could latch onto it.

Ives early pressure continued and Alexandrou had a well struck 25 yarder well held by the diving Garnham. Full back Jake Dye also did well to just prevent Dan Barton getting onto the end of Mensah’s hanging cross to the back post. Centre back Jordan Williams then restored the host’s lead in 64^th minute as the Marketmen again struggled to deal with an Ives corner. Garnham again pushed the initial flag kick away but it was lifted back into the box by Paddy Casey. Defenders seemed to leave the dropping ball to each other and it eventually dropped to Williams by the penalty spot who confidently swept the ball home past the exposed keeper.

Not unsurprisingly the visitors again lifted themselves looking to get back on terms. Casey was in the right spot to clear a 70^th minute effort from Hammond off the line but the second equaliser did arrive four minutes later. Substitute Seth Chambers and Allen combined well on the right with the former picking out Jamie McGrath on the edge of the box and his first time effort took a deflection on its way into the net giving Dadge no chance.

It was always going to take a special goal to separate the two sides on the day and that is exactly what we got in 79^th minute. Barton burst through the centre before feeding the ball out to Alexandrou on the right edge of the box. The youngster hit another first time effort, that may have been a shot, or may have been a cross, either way it arrowed into the top corner of the net past a startled Garnham.

Even then the high flying visitors were not going to lie down. Straight from the re-start Richens was forced to pull back McGrath to pick up the games only yellow card but preventing the striker breaking through Ives ranks. The four man wall did its job to keep out the resulting free kick. But there were still a couple more scares for Ives before they could claim their reward. McGrath got on the end of Allen’s 88^th minute corner but directed his header wide.

The final heart in mouth moment came deep in added time when Allen’s free kick to the back post was won in the air by Keiran Morphew and the loose ball was forced home from close range. But the striker had strayed fractionally offside and much to the relief of most in the ground the assistant’s flag went up to deny what would have been a cruel blow.

Now sitting in a mid table position with the six points lost from the sad demise of Nuneaton very swiftly restored and the hoodoo finally broken in form Ives can also claim to have beaten the top two in the division in their last two games and new leaders Redditch will not be looking forward to welcoming the boys from Cambridgeshire next Saturday.

Final Score:  St Ives Town   3  Needham Market  2

Goals:

ST IVES: Alexandrou 15, 79, Williams 64

NEEDHAM MARKET: Hammond 25, McGrath 74

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Dadge, Mensah, Smith, Richens (capt), J. Williams, Casey, Barton (Harris 85), Hottor (Cowling 80), Edwards, Alexandrou, Tomlinson, Unused subs: Joyce, Kaziboni

NEEDHAM MARKET: Garham, Dye, Smith, Hammond, K. Morphew (capt), D. Morphew, Williams (Chambers 69), Mills, Lay (Valentine 73), Allen, McGrath, Unused subs: Lawrence, Okunowo

Cards:   Yellow:  ST IVES: Richens (80)       NEEDHAM:  none

SPONSORS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Theo Alexandrou

Attendance:  352

The Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is the host of what is surely match of the day in the Southern League Premier Division Central this weekend as St Ives Town welcome second place Needham Market.

It’s the recent form of the Ives that makes this match so appealing. The hosts go into the game on the back of a 5-0 victory at previous leaders Mickleover last Saturday.  Previous to that, they recorded a 3-0 home win against the now defunct Nuneaton Borough and prior to that there was two thumping home victories.  A 6-0 drubbing of Kettering Town on Boxing Day followed by a 5-0 demolition of Leiston on 6 January.

INTRODUCING NEEDHAM MARKET

Needham arrive having lost only twice in the league all season.  An opening day 6-1 reverse at the hands of Stratford followed by a 1-0 defeat on Boxing Day at AFC Sudbury.  They have spent long periods in the top three, and claimed top spot in the last month, but lost that last weekend as they didn’t have a game which opened the door for Redditch to become leaders after the Ives stunned Mickleover.

IVES TEAM NEWS

Away from the league, the Ives continued their impressive form in midweek with a 3-0 win at Eynesbury Rovers in the Hunts Senior Cup.  Myles Cowling was on the scoresheet and he looks set to be included from the start after recovering fully from injury.  Jonny Edwards, who scored four goals at Mickleover last Saturday will continue up front and Ives boss Ricky Marheineke could be tempted to continue with Stevenage loanee Theo Alexandrou after impressing at Mickleover last week.

FORM GUIDE – LAST SIX (Not including any matches v Nuneaton)

IVES: L L W L W W

NEEDHAM MARKET: W D W L W W

LAST SEASON AT THE QUATTRO-TECH WESTWOOD ROAD

It was on 19 November 2022 when the two teams last met in a league fixture at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road.  The Ives looked set for maximum points after Nabil Sharriff had put them in front.  However, a last gasp strike from the visitors meant that the points were shared.

MATCH SPONSORS

A special thank you to Ives fans John Coulson and Jerry Wood for sponsoring the match tomorrow.  We hope you enjoy the afternoon.

HAPPY HOUR

A reminder that there will be a drinks promotion in the bar between 1:00pm and 2:30pm where all pints are priced at just £3.00.

Kick-off at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is at 3:00pm.

Eynesbury Rovers 0 v St Ives Town 3     

Huntingdonshire FA Senior Cup Semi-Final  23-01-2024

Nigel Howlett reports from Hall Road

Second half goals from Greg Kaziboni, Khris Oti and Myles Cowling saw holders St Ives comfortably through to yet another County Senior Cup Final. Equally important was the chance to give some valuable pitch time to a few of the fringe players and some new signings. Only four of the starting eleven from Saturdays very impressive win at Mickleover were also in the starting line up for this game with keeper James Dadge, centre backs Jordan Williams and Paddy Casey and wing back Aaron Smith retaining their places. In for debuts were recent signings defender Tyler Donaldson and ex Aston Villa midfielder Kai Fifield. 

With Storm Jocelyn howling a gale and driving rain straight down the pitch it was not going to be easy for either team. Ives started off with the elements in their faces. Despite that disadvantage it was the visitors who were enjoying the lion’s share of possession against their opponents almost fifty places below them in the football pyramid. Cowling had an early shot comfortably saved by home keeper Reece Lewis and Owen Dixon did well to recover and block Kaziboni’s 14^th minute effort after the winger had been put through by the lively Fifield.  

The early goal that would have set the Ives on their way should have arrived seconds later when Smith’s long throw was knocked down to Oti but the centre forward snatched at the chance and fired over from ten yards. As the half wore on the wind assisted hosts managed to create a few half chances without ever really testing Dadge. Just before the half hour Chris Khoo was brought down by Casey. Dixon fired the resulting free kick over the four man wall but straight into the midriff of Ives keeper. Five minutes later Cameron Saunders deep corner was diverted into the side netting by Dan Woolley who had ghosted in at the back post. Final half chance came seven minutes before the break when Dadge was quick off his line to hack away from Woolley after the winger had been put clear by Khoo. 

Now playing with a strengthening breeze at their backs it took Ives less than three minutes to get their noses in front after the re-start. Kaziboni galloped clear onto a long ball out of defence, outpaced his marker and cooly lobbed the exposed Lewis to open the scoring.  

Now it was all Ives piling forward. Ninety seconds later Fifield wriggled his way through the centre before unleashing a fierce shot from the edge of the box that Lewis tipped over at full stretch. It was Smith’s turn to go close on the hour as Oti held up the ball well before laying off to Kaziboni he in turn fed it on to Ives wing back who fired over from the left corner of the box. Oti again went close to scoring only seconds later fed in by Cowling he took the shot on early but fired wide of the post from just inside the box. The big centre forward kept plugging away and he went even closer in 64^th minute. Fed in by Joyce his bobbling effort beat Lewis but clipped the outside of the post. 

Ives kept pouring forward and a good move down the left involving Casey and a clever step over from Luke Harris set up a 67^th minute shooting opportunity for Fifield but his rising drive from the edge of the box was straight at Lewis who held on well. Rovers made a triple change minutes later which oddly included replacing their apparently uninjured keeper but the changes made no difference to the flow of the game. 

Ives were looking comfortable as time ticked down and their gallant opponents were beginning to run out of steam. The visitors twice went close to increasing their lead in 86^th minute. Initially Dixon’s hurried clearance rebounded off Kaziboni straight to the feet of Oti eight yards out. The centre forward spun on it quickly and got his shot away but substitute keeper Caleb Chandler reacted well and blocked the shot at point blank range. Seconds later the keeper made a much more spectacular flying save high to his right to keep out a fierce drive from Fifield after the debutant had broke away down the left and let fly from just outside the box. 

Additional Ives goals had looked inevitable throughout the second half and they finally arrived in the last few minutes. An 89^th minute Smith long throw was half cleared straight back to the wing back who curled his cross to perfection to the back post where Oti arrived unmarked to finally claim his well earnt goal for the night. Seconds later it should have been three as Oti put Kaziboni clear. He drew Chandler to him before unselfishly knocking the ball sideways Fifield who rolled it into the empty net. But the Ives number seven had got in front of Kaziboni and the ball had gone forward meaning the flag went up and the “goal” was chalked off. 

Not to be denied the visitors did grab a third deep in added time as a clever Harris flick put Oti clear through the right channel, his drilled cross picked out Cowling arriving at pace at the back post and the Ives midfielder did the rest to cement another cup final against historic local rivals St Neots Town. 

Final Score:  Eynesbury Rovers  0  St Ives Town  3 

Goals:  

EYNESBURY: 

ST IVES: Kaziboni 48, Oti 89, Cowling 90+2 

Team Line Ups: 

EYNESBURY: Lewis (Chandler 68), Hickling, Saunders, Jonny Hall (capt), Carter, Dixon, Worboys, O’Hara (Wood 68), James Hall, Khoo (Hilsdon-Peart 68), Olive, Unused subs: Silver, Sugden 

ST IVES: Dadge, Joyce, Smith, Harris, Williams (capt), Casey, Fifield, Cowling, Oti, Kaziboni, Donaldson (Richens 74), Unused subs: Mensah, Hottor, Edwards   

Cards:  Yellow:  EYNESBURY: Khoo (12), O’Hara (43)        ST IVES: none 

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Myles Cowling  

Attendance:  71 

On Saturday, Ives striker Jonny Edwards hit four goals in a stunning victory at Mickleover. Those goals took his tally to 17 in all competitions for the season.

Scoring four goals in one game is very rare at any level of football, and the Ives history books have been researched to see who was the last player to score four in one game for the club.

The answer is that has happened, but you have to go back to the 2011/12 season when it occurred not just once, but twice. Not surprisingly, it was Ives legend and fellow prolific scorer, Conor Washington who accomplished such a feat.

The first came on 17 March 2012 when the Ives hammered Irchester 7-1 at Westwood Road. Then, just a few weeks later, Washington was at it again as he bagged another four in a 6-1 win at Daventry. That was the final year that Washington was at the club before he made the move to Newport County,

So a gap of 12 years between the exploits of Washington and Edwards and with the Ives currently scoring goals for fun, it may well be that Ives fans may not need to wait that long for such a feat to be repeated again!

Since the victory on Saturday, Jonny Edwards has spoken to Andy Poole from the Southern League website. You can view the full interview HERE

*With thanks to Dave Hook, Jez Hall and Nigel Howlett for their research.

A reminder that the Ives are in Hunts Senior Cup action on Tuesday evening when they head to Eynesbury Rovers for a semi-final clash.

The Ives are currently holders of the trophy defeating Yaxley on penalties at the end of last season. The winners of the match tomorrow night will face either St Neots Town or Godmanchester who compete in the other semi-final.

The match kicks-off at Hall Road at 7:45pm.

Get ready for a fun packed evening as the St Ives Town FC Quiz Night returns to the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road.

The general knowledge quiz takes place on Friday 16 February 2024 in the clubhouse with a 7:30pm start. The cost is £20.00 per team with a maximum of 5 people on each team. There will be a cheeseboard available for each team and the evening also includes a raffle and an auction. More details of the items available in the auction will be announced nearer the time. The evening will be hosted by our very own Andrew Dunn.

You can book your team now via email: stivestownmedia@outlook.com. The deadline for bookings is noon on 16 February.

Mickleover 0 v St Ives Town  5

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  20-01-2024

Nigel Howlett reports from the Don Armott Arena

The perfect away performance saw free scoring Ives not just beat but completely demolish the previously table topping Sports. One in front from an excellent Michael Richens free kick at the break the second half became the Jonny Edwards show as the striker helped himself to four very well taken goals to knock the hosts off top spot and take sweet revenge for last seasons unbelievable defeat again nine men at the Don Amott Arena.

Ives manager Ricky Marheineke made two changes to the starting eleven from the side which had comfortably defeated the now defunct Nuneaton Borough with James Dadge returning from his short spell back with parent club Northampton Town between the sticks in place of Arber Grosha and Stevenage loanee Theo Alexandrou making his first start up front in place of Greg Kaziboni who dropped to the bench.

The game started slowly with neither goalkeeper called upon to make a save until 38^th minute. But that could have been different had Ed Hottor’s eighth minute pile driver from 20 yards not struck Alexandrou on its way towards Lewis Ridd’s goal.

The other noteworthy efforts in the early stages were a fourth minute shot from the corner of the box for the hosts by Marcus Barnes which deflected wide off the covering Paddy Casey. Dan Barton also went very close to opening the scoring in 19^th minute when he cleverly took down a ball from Casey that had looped over a defender in the gusty conditions. The young winger then stepped inside before curling an effort from the edge of the box that beat Ridd but clipped the crossbar on its way over.

Excellent build up play down the right saw Barton, Richens and Benji Mensah interchange passes before the latter put Edwards clear in a wide position. His teasing cross picked out Alexandrou in space at the back post but the youngster was stretching and could only steer his header inches wide of the post as Ridd scrambled across to try and cover the effort.

The Ives defence were looking very solid and Jordan Williams showed a glimpse of that resilience in 36^th minute as he threw himself in to block a close range effort from Stuart Beavon at the near post after the striker had got on the end of a low driven cross from the right by overlapping full back Jake Bennett. The first save of the game from either keeper was made by Dadge two minutes later as he did well to cling onto a 25 yard screamer from Ollie Greaves.

The opening goal arrived in 44^th minute when Hottor again got onto a ball that was half cleared to him on the edge of the box. As he tried to take it down he was clumsily up ended by Blaine Rowe. Richens carefully lined up the resulting free kick and curled it perfectly over the five man wall and into the top corner giving Ridd no chance.

Throughout the game the hosts had always tried to make best use of their excellent 3G surface by playing out from the back but this was inviting Ives to press them high and they had almost been caught out a few times in the first half. The second goal three minutes after the re-start came in just that fashion. Hottor won the ball high up the park and fed it into the feet of Barton on the edge of the box. He chose not to shoot but instead slid the ball sideways into the run of Edwards who emphatically beat Ridd from just inside the box.

A reaction was perhaps expected from the hosts but it did not come. Manager John McGrath made a couple of changes to try and alter the flow of the game with Dan Bradley and Will Trueman replacing Matt Bowman and Barnes respectively but Ives continued to be first to every ball preventing Sports from building any real threat on the visitors goal.

Ives third which effectively killed the game arrived in simple fashion with twenty minutes to go. Aaron Smith’s long throw evaded everyone at the near post and bounced across the six yard box straight to Richens lurking at the back post. His powerful header was brilliantly saved one handed low to his left by Ridd. But the ball rebounded onto the shins of Edwards and bounced into the net. But give the striker his due as he was doing what all good strikers do getting in the right spot at the right time.

Three minutes later Edwards cooly completed his hat trick sending Ridd the wrong way from the penalty spot. The spot kick had come about in bizarre fashion as Sports hit the self destruct button. A long punt down the park by Dadge skidded off the head of Ethan Mann and was going out for a corner when Ridd flung himself full length at the ball to try and keep it in play. He succeeded but let the ball slip from his grasp and Alexandrou was on it in a flash to nick the ball off him. The struggling keeper then stuck out an arm to take down the striker. This all happened right in front of the assistant referee who instantly flagged for the foul. A quick consultation between the officials meant a yellow card for keeper Ridd and a hat trick for Edwards.

The game was now in the bag but Edwards was not finished yet. His fourth arrived with nine minutes left on the watch as Ives once more tore a gaping hole through Sports back line. Two substitutes combined to set up this goal with Luke Harris feeding in the perfectly timed run of Myles Cowling through the right channel. Cowling picked out Alexandrou with his pull back but the striker got the ball stuck between his legs and failed to get his shot away as defenders closed him down. However he had the peace of mind to roll the ball sideways to the unmarked Edwards who calmly side footed the ball into the bottom corner of the net from 15 yards.

There was still time for Alexandrou to come very close to opening his Ives account with what would have been a deserved goal in added time. He robbed a dallying Mann and strode forward before unleashing a powerful drive from 20 yards that beat the diving Ridd but thudded the upright and rebounded clear.

Overall a fantastic performance from Ives who got their deserved reward and will happily see this as three points back into the kitty, half way to replacing the six that will be lost following the sad demise of Nuneaton. Next week they welcome another title contender to quattro-tech Westwood Road in Needham Market for a game that promises to be a cracker.  

Final Score:  Mickleover   0  St Ives Town  5

Goals:

MICKLEOVER:

ST IVES: Richens 44, Edwards 48, 70, 73 (pen), 81

Team Line Ups:

MICKLEOVER: Ridd, Bennett, Bowman (Bradley 57), Atkinson, Rowe, Mann (capt), Dales (Ryder 78), Sault, Beavon, Barnes (Trueman 57), Greaves, Unused Subs: Clarke, Ferron

ST IVES: Dadge, Mensah (Harris 79), Smith, Richens (capt) (Joyce 83), Williams, Casey, Barton (Cowling 54) Hottor, Edwards, Alexandrou, Tomlinson, Unused subs: Kaziboni, Oti

Cards:   Yellow:  MICKLEOVER:  Atkinson (29), Beavon (35), Ridd (73), Sault (73) 

ST IVES: Tomlinson (45+3), Hottor (61)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH: Jonny Edwards

Attendance: 351

It’s the reverse of the opening day fixture on Saturday as St Ives make the trip to Mickleover.

On the opening day it was Mickleover who secured a comfortable 2-0 victory, and started a run of results that would see them become earlier season league leaders. That hasn’t changed much and the hosts tomorrow are still top but only by scoring more goals than their nearest challengers, Needham Market who are second on the same amount of 50 points.

IVES TEAM NEWS

The Ives make the trip to Derbyshire looking to replicate their performances in the last two weeks that has seen them secure back-to-back victories against Leiston and Nuneaton. Sadly, Nuneaton have since resigned from the league and it looks likely that the points gained against Borough this season will be lost. But the Ives will be looking to put in the same level of performance at Mickleover tomorrow that has seen them score 14 goals in the last three home league games. Manager Ricky Marheineke will be hoping that James Dadge will return from his parent club, Northampton. If not, then young goalkeeper Arber Grosha will be on standby for his second game for the club following his debut against Nuneaton last weekend. Elsewhere, Myles Cowling looks set to still miss out with injury so Ed Hottor will continue whilst Ives fans will be hoping that fellow midfielder, Dan Barton is fit after being substituted with injury last week.

INTRODUCING MICKLEOVER

As mentioned above, Mickleover have had an outstanding season so far, and go into the game as current league leaders. They have returned to winning ways since Christmas and have won 3 out of their last 4 with the only defeat in that sequence coming against AFC Telford United who inflicted a 1-0 defeat on 6 January. In the run-up to Christmas, Mickleover were struggling for form and suffered defeats at Halesowen and Stamford. But they appear to be back on track and the Ives will face a tough test if they are to continue with their recent run of good form.

LAST SEASON:

27/08/22: Mickleover 3 Ives 2
07/01/23: Ives 0 Mickleover 2

GOING TO THE GAME:

Mickleover FC
Don Amott Arena
Station Road
Mickleover
DERBY
DE3 9FB

Ben Mensah was nominated as player of the match in the game against Nuneaton on Saturday.

Mensah scored the opening goal and was instrumental throughout the game and was awarded with his Player of the Match accolade by sponsors, VM Associates after the game.

Mensah is currently on loan from Peterborough United and has been among the goals of late scoring twice against Stamford on New Years Day which added to his strike in the 6-0 victory over Kettering on Boxing Day.

St Ives Town 3 v Nuneaton Borough  0

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  13-01-2024

Nigel Howlett Reports

In the end this turned out to be a routine home victory as Ives continued their excellent run since Christmas at quattro-tech Westwood Road. But the Boro looked far from the club in turmoil that they are for the first thirty minutes of the game. The visitors well documented woes over the recent past have seen them ousted from their ground over unpaid rent, losing their owner and manager and in the past few days three of their start players have departed the fold to pastures new. However they can still field an experienced starting eleven and that showed in the early stages of this game as they took the game to their hosts and created a couple of opportunities.

In only the second minute Callum Chettle seized a chance to unleash of powerful shot from the edge of the box that was only gathered at the second opportunity by 18 year old debutant keeper Arber Grosha. Ten minutes later Jaden Charles got away down the left and delivered a dangerous cross to the near post where Kane Richards threw himself at it but just failed to make contact.

Ives first chance of the afternoon arrived at exactly the mid-point in the first half when a mistake by Boro skipper Isaiah Osbourne allowed Dan Barton to scamper away through the centre. But the young winger delayed his shot a split second to long allowing Victor Nirennold to slide in and block. Jonny Edwards pounced on the loose ball but failed to hit his effort cleanly allowing keeper Dan Jezeph to make a comfortable save.

A number of visiting sides have been caught out by the pace of Ives front line in recent games and that is exactly what happened to Boro ten minutes before the break. Greg Kaziboni tricked his way past Charles down the right then showed the full back a clean pair of heels to get to the bye line. Barton and Edwards both attacked the teasing cross delivered to the back post and almost seemed to get in each other’s way. The ball rebounded off the shins of Edwards straight to the feet of Benji Mensah ten yards out and the young wing back kept his composure to casually side foot the ball home for his fourth goal in as many games.

The visitor’s heads did not go down and they continued to battle. Ed Hottor picked up a 37^th minute yellow card for clumsily scything down Prince Mancinelli 30 yards from goal. An unorthodox free kick saw Kyle Storer try to change the angle for the shot by playing the ball the ball sideways to Chettle. His driven shot took a deflection off an Ives defender but Grosha held on well.

A poor clearance from Jezeph set up Ives next opportunity in 40^th minute. The ball went straight to Michael Richens 35 yards from goal, the scrambling keeper did well to get back and just touch the Ives skipper’s ball into the box away from Edwards but it fell to the feet of Barton who failed to hit the target from ten yards. Even then the chance was not gone as Mensah arriving at pace managed to keep it in, but his first-time effort from a narrow angle slammed into the outside of the post.

There was a brief heart in mouth moment at the other end just before the break. Luke Curtlin played in Richards through the right channel and the Boro centre forward went down under the combined challenge of Jordan Williams and Grosha. Fortunately referee Daniel England was well positioned and immediately waved away claims for a spot kick.

Boro’s lack of depth of their squad following the departures was exposed as their bench was exclusively formed of inexperienced youngsters. They had been forced to make an early change when ex Ives man Camron McWilliams limped off and he was replaced by 17 year old Curtlin. They also lost skipper Osbourne at the break, his replacement also being youth team player Beau Friel. Ives looked to exploit the frailties that started to appear in the oppositions back line and went close only 50 seconds after the re-start when Aaron Smith did brilliantly to not only keep in a ball down the left but to deliver it as an inviting cross to the near post. Edwards attacked it six yards out but the ball came off his shoulder and looped over the bar.

The hosts doubled their lead ten minutes later this time ruthlessly exposing Boro’s inexperienced back line. A Smith long throw from the right was initially headed clear by Nirennold but the ball dropped to Richens 25 yards from goal. He hopefully lifted it back into the box where it dropped to Williams who had been a little slow to get out. Fortunately for Ives centre back Curtlin had been even slower and played him onside. Williams had time to take the ball down, pivot on it and get his shot away. Jezeph reacted well and got a hand to it but failed to keep the ball out of the net.

Now two in front and well in control the hosts introduced their second debutant of the day in Stevenage loanee Theo Alexandrou. The youngster’s first involvement within a couple of minutes of coming on to replace Barton was to burst down the right and deliver an inviting cross that Edwards again failed to make clean contact on.

Boro player manager Storer could blame no one but himself for Ives third in 68^th minute as he dallied on the ball inside his own box only to be robbed by his opposite number Richens who then gleefully slammed home past the exposed Jezeph.

Edwards had been desperately searching for a goal all game and he had the opportunities to get a hat trick in the closing stages. In 73^rd minute he was presented with a clear shooting opportunity by Alexandrou who had hounded and robbed a Nuneaton defender as the visitors again tried unsuccessfully to play out from the back. The centre forward’s well struck shot from the edge of the box beat Jezeph but rattled his right hand upright and bounced away. Patient Ives build up in 84^th minute saw the move finished with a fantastic teasing ball into the danger zone off the outside of his boot by Mensah. Edwards beat Jezeph to the ball but the keeper reacted brilliant to parry over the effort from point blank range.

The all action Alexandrou and Mensah were both involved in setting up the final chance for Edwards in last minute. Alexandrou initially showing his pace to keep the ball in and feed it inside to Mensah who in turn teed up Richens for a shot from just outside the box. Edwards was in the line of the shot, but rather than deflect it he took it in and spun on it getting away a fierce shot from ten yards that Jezeph did well to deflect around the post.

Ives first double of the season at the expense of the struggling Boro who look like they have a very bumpy road ahead. The hosts next three league games see them coming up against three of the top four but all of those games will be on 3G surfaces so it will be interesting to see them putting their new found belief to the test against the best on their preferred surface.

Final Score:  St Ives Town   3  Nuneaton Borough  0

Goals:

ST IVES: Mensah 34, Williams 56, Richens 68

NUNEATON:

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Grosha, Mensah, Smith, Richens (capt), Williams, Casey, Barton (Alexandrou 57), Hottor (Joyce 85), Edwards, Kaziboni (Harris 77), Tomlinson, Unused subs: Oti

NUNEATON: Jezeph, Nirennold , Charles, Storer (Edmonds 84), Chettle, Richards, Mancinelli, McWilliams (Curtlin 26), Butterfield, Rowe-Turner, Osbourne (capt) (Friel 46), Unused subs: Wallis, Whitehouse

Cards:   Yellow:  ST IVES:  Hottor (37)      NUNEATON:  Charles (66)

SPONSORS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Benji Mensah

Attendance:  331

Ives boss Ricky Marheineke has added to his first team squad by signing Theo Alexandrou who arrives on a 28 day loan from Stevenage.

Theo is a centre forward, and is a first year pro at Stevenage and made his maiden first team start in a Carabao Cup Second Round fixture at Exeter City earlier this season.

All the paperwork has been approved in time meaning that Theo will be available for selection for the first team fixture at home to Nuneaton this afternoon.

Our online matchday programme for the home game with Nuneaton is now available to read. Inside this week:

• We review the 5-0 victory against Leiston last weekend
• There’s a review of all the latest news from around the league
• We welcome to new coach, Ben Watts
• And we look back at when the Ives visited Liberty Way on the last day of last season

PLUS much more in our 46 page edition which is available to download HERE