St Ives Town manager Ricky Marheineke has added two players to his squad ahead of the league match at Nuneaton Borough this afternoon.

Joining are Kellan Hickinson and Carlos Flood. Kellan is no stranger to the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road as he spent most of last season on loan from Peterborough United. Having spent his development years working his way up through the Posh academy and eventually representing the club at Under 23 level he was released at the end of last season and has returned to St Ives to increase the midfield options.

Carlos is a former Hashtag United, Brightlingsea Regent and Welwyn Garden City attacking midfielder and joins to further bolster the attacking options. London based Carlos is a product of the Barnet academy, and has also had trials with Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town before entering into non-league football.

Both players will be available for selection this afternoon.

St Ives Town are on the road for the first time this season on Saturday when they make the trip to Nuneaton.  It wasn’t so long ago that the Ives were at Liberty Way as they finished the 2022/23 league season back in April with a 3-0 defeat.

Ives manager Ricky Marheineke hopes to have more personnel to select tomorrow after a number of players were missing last Saturday.  Charlie Johnson, Dan Barton and Aaron Smith all look like being available for selection whilst Jonny Edwards continues to make his way back from injury and could be in line for a start after coming through the last half hour of the game last week.

INTRODUCING NUNEATON:

Whilst the Ives lost their opening game 2-0 at home to Mickleover, Nuneaton were tasting defeat themselves with a somewhat surprising 2-1 reverse at league new boys Berkhamsted.  The only goal of the game from Borough coming from Matty Stenson.  Borough are looked at by many to challenge for promotion this year after missing out so narrowly on promotion last time out after they lost in the play-off final to Rushall Olympic.

LAST WIN AT LIBERTY WAY:

If Ives fans are looking for inspiration for the trip to Liberty Way, then they only need to go back to January 2022, when the Ives recorded an excellent 2-1 victory.  Ben Toseland and Nabil Shariff got the goals for the Ives on that occasion as they headed back home with maximum points.

GOING TO THE GAME:

The First Class Safety Stadium, Liberty Way

Nuneaton

Warwickshire

CV11 6RR

ADMISSION PRICES:

You can save money by purchasing admission in advance.  Simply go to the following link:  Vs St Ives Town FC – Nuneaton Borough FC – Tickets (borofc.co.uk)

If you don’t take up the admission in advance option, then it is £14, £10, & £7 on the door for Adults, concessions, and Under-17’s.

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  05-08-2023

A goal in each half from Marcus Barnes ensured that the impressive looking visitors inflicted Ives first opening day defeat since their United Counties League days over ten years ago.

Sports ended last season by missing out on the play-off places by a single point and judging by this performance they look determined to make amends for that this time out. They were the side doing the early pressing and Ives Oxford United loanee keeper Eddie Brearey was called into smart action as early as seventh minute when Dan Bradley was fed clean through by Andy Dales. Brearey showed his prowess by swiftly closing down the silky midfielder and blocking his shot at point blank range. The visitors went even closer only ninety seconds later when Dales turned inside from the right and unleashed a skimming drive from just outside the box that Brearey did well to block low to his right. Centre back Jordan Williams had to be alert to hack the loose ball away before Andre Wright could force it home.

Ives first half chance came in 16^th minute when Michael Richens hanging free kick into the box was half cleared to Murphy Culkin on the edge of the box. But the big centre half snatched at his chance and lifted his effort well over the top of Oliver Bosworth’s goal.

Bosworth was called upon to make his first real save of the game six minutes later. This time an in-swinging Johnny Herd free kick from the right ricocheted around the Sports box before eventually falling to Richens inside the D. He hit a crisp low drive that looked like it was going to find the bottom corner of the net only to be palmed away low to his right by the diving Bosworth.

Cambridge United loanee striker Brandon Njoku was working hard up front but was struggling to get any joy out of Sports very mobile and powerful centre back pairing. The closest that he came to getting away was in 27^th minute as he looked like breaking clear onto a Richens through ball. But Sports skipper Ethan Mann managed to catch him and harry him sufficiently to prevent him getting a shot away.

The two teams continued to cancel each other out and the game looked to be heading towards the break with parity in the scoreline only for the visitors to grab the lead with a goal out of nothing seven minutes before the interval. Barnes gained possession deep in Ives territory on the left. He switched back inside and delivered a low cross shot into the centre that took a deflection off Culkin, at the near post, which was just enough to deceive Brearey and despite the keeper’s despairing dive the ball crept in at the far post. With Sports now on top Brearey was called upon to make another save three minutes later as he did well to hold onto Bradley’s deflected 25 yard effort low to his right.

Ives started the second half well and went in search of an equaliser. The closest that they came was ten minutes after the re-start when Enoch Andoh managed to skip past a couple of defenders before teeing up Tyrone Baker who struck his 20 yard effort well but once more Bosworth was equal to it plunging low to his right to push the effort away.

As is so often the way in football, play swung straight to the other end where Sports pace found out the Ives back line. Oli Greaves sprinting away down the left before finding the unmarked Barnes with his low cross. The Sports number eleven gladly doubled his tally for the day, simply side footing home from close range.

Once again scoring the goal lifted the visitors to another level and Brearey again came to Ives rescue as he got down smartly to his left to keep out a rasping drive from Wright only moments later.

The hosts continued to search for a way back into the game with the tricky Greg Kaziboni replacing Luke Harris just after the hour. But try as they might Ives struggled to get any change out of the resolute Sports back line. Midway through the half Baker picked up a Richens cross on the left and seized the opportunity to drive into the box before going down dramatically as a defender came to meet him. Although Ives supporters by the clubhouse may not agree from my vantage point excellent referee Alistair Wilson got it spot on by raising the yellow card to the Ives winger for simulation.

Ives made two more changes in a desperate attempt to find a route back into the game with Tiago Nassunculo and a 70% fit Jonny Edwards joining the fray in place of Baker and Njoku respectively with twelve minutes to go. But the changes had little impact and Sports back line continued to look solid.

It took another excellent stop from Brearey to deny Barnes his hat trick eight minutes from time. The Sports winger took in a pass from Bradley before cutting inside from the right and trying to curl his effort around the Ives stopper who flung himself to his right to push the ball away.

There were six added minutes, but sadly no grandstand finish from Ives. Richens and Williams both directed late headers off target from two Herd deliveries into the box but nothing troubled Bosworth as he and his team mates comfortably held on to take the three points back to Derbyshire.

Manager Ricky Marheineke has a clear week to get his charges firing again and hopefully get Edwards and Dan Barton, who looked so sharp in pre-season before picking up an injury, fit again ahead of two games in 48 hours. Saturday’s trip to Nuneaton will be followed by a Monday evening visit to quattro tech Westwood Road for Southern League Premier Division Central newcomers AFC Sudbury.  

Final Score:  St Ives Town   0    Mickleover  2

Goals:

ST IVES:

MICKLEOVER: Barnes 38 & 56

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Brearey, Casey, Herd, Richens (capt), Williams, Culkin, Baker (Nassunculo 78), Harris (Kaziboni 63), Njoku (Edwards 78), Hottor, Andoh, Unused subs: Kurylowicz, Bell-Toxtle

MICKLEOVER: Bosworth, Sault, Bennett, Atkinson, Delap, Mann (capt), Dales, Bradley, Wright (Beavon 77), Greaves, Barnes (Nunn 87), Unused subs: Pollard, Atwal, Ferron

Cards: Yellow:  ST IVES: Hottor (35), Baker (68)             MICKLEOVER: Bradley (21), Sault (45+1), Dales (72)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Michael Richens

Attendance:  219

Next up for the Ives: Saturday 12 August. The Ives are on the road for the first time this season when they make the trip to Nuneaton who were defeated 2-1 at Berkhamsted today.

Match Highlights: https://youtu.be/WaZPn8eUaOY

Post match interview: https://youtu.be/Dd3TbPeCd7M

The Ives finished off their pre-season programme with a 2-2 draw at Hendon on Saturday afternoon. Greg Kaziboni got both goals for the Ives, who looked on course to secure the win. However, they were undone in the final moments when the home side got an equaliser.

Attention now turns to the start of the league campaign when the curtain goes up on the 2023/24 Southern League Premier Division Central season next Saturday when the Ives host Mickleover at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road. Kick-off 3:00pm.

St Ives Town manager Ricky Marheineke continues to add to his squad as preparations for the new season gather pace.  The latest two additions are Dan Barton and Brandon Njoku who join on loan from Cambridge United.

Dan is a first-year pro who plays as a wide midfielder and can operate on either side of the pitch. Dan spent much of last season on work experience at St Neots Town, but also played a major part in the U’s history making FA Youth Cup run that ended at the Quarter Final stage. 

Brandon Njoku is a powerful striker and earned his pro contract with some impressive performances and important goals for the U’s during his two-year scholarship at the Abbey Stadium. He joined Cambridge after a spell at West Ham United and was also another of the integral parts of United’s FA Youth Cup run last season.  Like Dan, Brandon had a spell at St Neots last season as well as Cheshunt.

The duo have already impressed in the pre-season games that they have played for the Ives and the club would like to thank Cambridge United for their co-operation in enabling the loan of both players to the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road.

Into the final furlong of the season, and the last month of the campaign starts on Saturday when Coalville Town visit the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road.

On paper, it points to a comfortable victory for the visitors against a St Ives side who haven’t won in the league since early February.  As a result of the bad run of form, the Ives have nose dive down the table, and are anxiously looking over their shoulders.  Next week won’t be easy with the visit of current leaders Tamworth.  Then the last three games see the visit of Bedford, a trip to Royston and a visit to Nuneaton to round the season off.  Ahead of tomorrow Ives boss Ricky Marheineke has injury concerns over midfielder Myles Cowling whilst the goalkeeping selection could be an interesting one.  Loan signing Eddie Brearey had to be replaced at half time last Saturday in the defeat at Rushall Olympic by outfield player, Ben Toseland.  Brearey replaced James Goff after he was recalled from dual registration at St Neots after losing his place to James Dadge who was also out with injury.  Elsewhere, striker Jonny Edwards is a concern after he missed out last week with a back injury.

INTRODUCING COALVILLE

Coalville are currently breathing down the necks of leaders Tamworth as they currently sit second, level on points and with a game in hand.  Despite that, Coalville haven’t had an easy week.  They were held to a 0-0 draw at Needham Market on Tuesday night and last Saturday looked on course to drop points at strugglers Kings Langley only for them to score an injury time winner as they returned with a 2-1 victory.  But the visitors have had an outstanding campaign, having lost only five times in the league so far and also knocked Notts County out of the FA Cup before losing 4-1 at League One Charlton Athletic in the first round.

THE REVERSE FIXTURE

It wasn’t so long ago that the Ives made the trip to Coalville.  It was a midweek road trip in February.  Coalville recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory.  In mitigation, the Ives will point to the virus that was running through the club at the time coupled with suspensions to several key players.

ADMISSION PRICES

One thing is for the sure, and that is that Coalville will be bringing large numbers of travelling fans with them tomorrow, so the Ives will be relying on the home fans more than ever to give them that extra boost to get them over the line.  A reminder of the admission prices:

Adults – £11

Concessions (Over 65) £8

Military Discount (with ID Card) – £5

Students (With ID Card) – £5

U16’s to 12 – £2

U12’s – Free (Accompanied with an adult)

SPECIAL OFFER ON PRE-MATCH DRINKS.

If you fancy a pre-match drink on Saturday, then look no further than the clubhouse at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road and take advantage of a special offer.  All pints and beers will be priced at £2.50 between 1:00pm and 2.15pm.  The club hopes home and away fans will take advantage of this in the build-up to the game.

Kick-off at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is at 3:00pm.  Anyone not going to the game can keep up to date throughout the afternoon on social media with a report, highlights, and post match reaction available on the club website and YouTube channel over the weekend.

With six games of the campaign left, we are at the business end of the season and St Ives Town are desperately looking to return to winning ways to give them breathing space from the relegation trap door.

That task will not be easy as tomorrow they begin three successive games against teams in the top four as they make the trip to fourth place Rushall Olympic.  What’s to come is two games at home starting next Saturday with the visit of second place Coalville who have two games in hand over current leaders Tamworth who arrive at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road a week later.

St Ives make the trip on the back of a run that has seen them record one win in the last nine games.  That was back on 4 February when they beat Hitchin Town 3-2 at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road.  Their previous outing was instantly forgettable as they crashed to a 5-1 home defeat to Stourbridge last Saturday.  Since that defeat, Ives boss Ricky Marheineke has increased his goalkeeping options by signing Eddie Brearey who has arrived on loan from Oxford United for the remainder of the season.  The young keeper will be available for selection tomorrow.  Still out is influential midfielder Myles Cowling who is missing through injury.  On the plus side Enoch Andoh should be back after not being available last weekend.

INTRODUCING RUSHALL OLYMPIC

Rushall appear to be on course for a play-off berth.  They currently sit in fourth place on 66 points and unlike the Ives go into the game in fine form.  Their last defeat was back in early February when they lost at Royston.  Since then, they recorded an excellent 3-0 win at fellow play-off hopefuls Nuneaton and last Saturday won 2-0 at strugglers Bedford Town.  The reverse fixture back in October ended in a 2-0 win for Rushall.

OTHER KEY GAMES TOMORROW

The other matches to follow in the relegation battle tomorrow are:

Needham Market, a place above the Ives host Nuneaton Borough

Stratford, one place below the Ives travel to Hitchin Town

Kings Langley, who are two places below the Ives and in the relegation zone travel to Coalville

Bedford, who are three places below the Ives and in deep relegation trouble head to Alvechurch

GOING TO THE GAME:

Rushall Olympic FC
Dales Lane
Rushall
WALSALL
West Midlands
WS4 1LJ

If you are not heading to Rushall tomorrow, then a reminder that there will be updates across social media throughout the afternoon with a full report and highlights available on the website and the club YouTube channel over the weekend.  Kick-off at Dales Lane is at 3:00pm.

St Ives Town have boosted their goalkeeping options by signing Eddie Brearey on loan from Oxford United.

Eddie is no stranger to the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road as he was with the Ives during the second half of last season.  During the current campaign he has been with North Leigh and Evesham United.  Whilst he was at Evesham he teamed up again with Mike Ford who was assistant manager during his first spell at Westwood Road.

Ives Manager Ricky Marheineke said “I am delighted to have Eddie back with us.  He impressed during his first spell last season and I am pleased to have him as part of the squad once more for the important run-in”.

Seven days after their 2-2 draw St Ives and Stourbridge meet once again with this time the Ives playing host at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road.

In the reverse fixture last Saturday, the Ives looked like they had done enough to secure the points after racing into a 2-0 lead.  However, Stourbridge got back into the game and then got a last gasp equaliser to grab a point.  The result left the Ives still looking over their shoulders.  They may well be six points clear of the drop zone, but the teams below them have games in hand so a win on Saturday will provide welcome breathing space.

St Ives will go into the game with both Ashton Fox and Luke Harris set to be included after impressing on their debuts last week.  The pair played their first matches after joining on loan for the remainder of the season from Peterborough United.  Harris was the Ives supporters man of the match last weekend.  Elsewhere, James Goff continues to impress in goal after returning to the side following an injury to James Dadge.

INTRODUCING STOURBRIDGE

The point that Stourbridge gained last weekend keeps them in ninth place in the table.  Mathematically, the Glassboys still could creep into the play-offs but there is a big gap now developing between Rushall Olympic who are fifth and the chasing pack.  That said, Stourbridge still could have a big say in the relegation and promotion battle as they have got to play the likes of Coalville (twice), Rushall Olympic and Kings Langley – all teams who need points for different reasons.

2021/22: IVES v STOURBRIDGE

When Stourbridge visited the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road last season, they came away with a 4-1 victory.  It was in April, and the Ives were still looking over their shoulders trying not to get sucked into the relegation battle.  The visitors were 2-0 up after 35 minutes.  Two became three shortly after half-time.  The Ives got one back courtesy of Ethan Johnston but the Glassboys wrapped up the victory with nine minutes left on the clock.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults – £11Concessions (Over 65) – £8Military Discount (with ID Card) – £5Students (With ID Card) – £5U16’s to 12 – £2U12’s – Free (Accompanied with an adult)

Kick-off at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is at 3:00pm.  Anyone not going to the game can keep up to date throughout the afternoon on social media with a report and post match reaction available on the club website over the weekend.