St Ives Town begin their defence of the Hunts Senior Cup tonight when they visit Eaton Socon for a quarter final tie.

It was back at the end of April that the Ives were crowned winners of the competition when they beat Yaxley on penalties.

The match tonight will feature some of the Ives players who haven’t seen game time recently so the likes of Tiago Nassunculo, Luke Harris, and Charlie Johnson could feature in the starting line-up.

Eaton Socon go into the game on the back of two home defeats against Moulton and Winslow United, The hosts eliminated St Neots at this stage last year before losing to Yaxley in the semi-final.

Kick-off this evening at the Eaton Socon Sports Club is at 7:30pm.

Due to the progress of the Ives in the FA Trophy, the league match at Alvechurch has now been rearranged to Saturday 9 March 2024 with a 3:00pm kick-off.

St Ives Town have been drawn away to Aveley in the second round of the Isuzu FA Trophy.

Aveley are currently second in the National League South, currently six points behind leaders Yeovil and have lost four of their opening 14 league games this season.

The tie will be played at the Parkside Stadium on Saturday 18 November 2023.

St Ives Town 3 v Marine 1

Isuzu FA Trophy 1^st Round  28-10-2023

Nigel Howlett Reports

A powerful first half performance, well backed up by an excellent second half defensive display saw back in form Ives despatch the renowned cup fighting Mariners. The side from Liverpool who only four seasons ago hosted Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup are up to their exploits again this season and host League Two Harrogate Town in that hallowed competition next Saturday. But make no mistake they made their visit to Cambridgeshire equally determined to progress in the FA Trophy.

But Ives had other ideas and took the lead after only 85 seconds. Michael Richens curled in an early free kick from the left and Jordan Williams ghosted in unmarked to nod past a static Felix Goddard in the visitor’s goal.

That early goal rocked the Mariners and Ives continued to harry them high up the pitch at every opportunity but it wasn’t until 17^th minute that they carved out another opportunity for a shot on goal. A powerful run down the left by Aaron Smith allowed him to feed the ball on to Dan Barton his pull back to the edge of the box picked out Peter Abimbola but the youngster snatched at the chance and fired well over.

It was exactly half way through the first period before the Mariners really put any threat onto Ives goal. The speedy Sol Solomon robbed Myles Cowling inside Ives half and drove in on goal, but Paddy Casey was alert to the danger and came across to cover and block the shot. Another half chance followed for the visitors three minutes later when skipper Josh Wardle rose highest at the back post to get on the end of Will Tomlinson’s free kick but he could only direct his header wide under heavy pressure from Ives defenders.

Play quickly swung back to the other end where keeper Goddard was saved from embarrassment by his defenders. Another clever Richens free kick into the box was won at the near post by Jonny Edwards who directed his toe poke on target but Goddard made a comfortable save. Although inexplicably the keeper then dropped the ball leading to a bout of pinball inside the Mariners box. Both Williams and Richens following up had shots blocked before the ball ricocheted to Brandon Njoku by the penalty spot. He hit the ball perfectly on the volley and it was arrowing for the back of the net before covering defender Chris Doyle flung himself along the goal line to head the ball away.

It took more excellent Ives defending to block out another swift Mariners break just before the half hour. The dangerous Finlay Sinclair-Smith got away down the right and delivered a ball to the near post where Louis White was lurking but Josh Tomlinson slid in with a well timed challenge to knock the ball away from goal. That effort was quickly followed by fierce 25 yarder from Will Tomlinson that keeper Eddie Brearey blocked but could not hold fortunately his defenders were alert to the danger and scrambled the ball clear.

But that was the visitor’s final attempt before the break as Ives took control for the remaining fifteen minutes. The pace and direct running style of Ives front men continued to cause the visitors problems and a 33^rd minute run from Njoku saw him get into the heart of the Mariners back line. He fed the ball on to Barton who in turn laid it on the Richens cutting in from the right. His powerful first time effort flashed across the face of goal but the wrong side of the far post.

The host’s doubled their advantage from their very next attack two minutes later. A poor defensive header from Doyle fell to Barton 25 yards out but rather than go for goal he ran at the Mariners back line, pulling in defenders before cleverly sliding the ball to the unmarked Edwards who made no mistake from just inside the box.

There was still time for Edwards to get the ball in the net again two minutes before the break again it was a free kick into their box which almost proved the Mariners undoing. A struggling defender only succeeded in half clearing the ball to Cowling just outside the left edge of the box. A clever side step allowed him to drill a ball across the six yard line that Edwards bundled in at the far post only to be denied by an assistants upraised flag.

The visitors were bound to offer more in the second half. Although it was Ives who created the first half chance and what proved to be their last one until the closing stages. Abimbola delivered a dangerous ball in from the right that a stretching Njoku just failed to turn home at the far post.

Then started the Mariners bombardment. A free kick from wide on the right by White was punched away by an under pressure Brearey, the ball fell to Tomlinson 25 yards out but the skipper got it all wrong and sliced his effort well wide. Only seconds later the Mariner’s danger men combined as Sinclair-Smith fed a ball into the well timed run of Solomon but Brearey was smartly off his line to block at point blank range.

Cowling took down White to concede a free kick just inches outside Ives box on the hour. Tomlinson took on the responsibility and did well to get his shot up and down over Ives five man wall but Brearey made good ground across his goal line to claim the ball well. Sinclair-Smith came within inches of pulling a goal back in 68^th minute as full back Michael Carberry got forward down the left and picked him out with an inside pass. The Mariners number seven calmly curled his effort over Brearey but it rebounded back into play off the angle of post and crossbar.

The pressure did finally tell fifteen minutes from time and again Sinclair-Smith was involved getting to the bye line on the left before picking out his skipper on the edge of the box with his pull back Tomlinson made no mistake thumping home a low drive through the crowded goalmouth.

With the wind very much in their sails the visitors went in search of an equaliser but unlike in the not to distant past Ives back line admirably lead by Williams stood firm and defended their box well limiting the Mariners to half chances only. Sinclair-Smith, substitute Jordan Lussey and Carberry combined well down the left in 83^rd minute but the latter’s driven cross flashed harmlessly across the face of goal. Two minutes later Sinclair-Smith and Solomon combined to set up a shooting opportunity for Manasse Mampala but the visitor’s substitute fired his effort wide from the edge of the box.

The clock ticked into an added five minutes and two minutes into that added time the Mariners final half chance came and went as Carberry and Mampala combined on the left with the formers cross to the edge of the box being met on the volley by White but the effort flew well over the top.

After that Ives looked to be playing out the final few minutes very well, so well in fact that referee Colman O’Meara found another couple of minutes to add and it was in the final one of those when the excellent high pressing of Njoku paid off as he and substitute Tiago Nassunculo harried keeper Goddard into a hurried clearance that went straight to Richens 40 yards from goal. He may have thought about delivering the ball back to the corner flag but the site of a vacant net was just to inviting and he found the back of it with what proved to be the last kick of the game to put the icing on the top of an excellent home win and ensure that Ives are in the hat for Monday lunch times second round draw. The result matches the Club’s best run in the competition which came in the same season when Marine hosted Tottenham in the FA Cup in 2020/21 when both sides had to play their big games behind closed doors courtesy of the Covid pandemic. This time we can hope for a home draw and a big crowd.

Final Score:  St Ives Town    3   Marine  1

Goals:

ST IVES: Williams 2, Edwards 35, Richens 90+7

MARINE: W. Tomlinson 76

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Brearey, Abimbola, Smith, Richens (capt), Williams, Casey, Barton (Hottor 71), Cowling (Harris 90), Edwards (Nassunculo 90), Njoku, J. Tomlinson, Unused subs: Bell-Toxtle, Johnson

MARINE: Goddard, Ferguson, Carberry, W. Tomlinson, Doyle, Wardle (capt), Sinclair-Smith, White, Osei (Mampala 71), Solomon, Nolan (Lussey 46), Unused subs: Hayde, Cowderoy,

Cards:  Yellow:  ST IVES: Smith (52)     MARINE: Solomon (81)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Jordan Williams

Attendance: 279

The online official matchday magazine is now available to download for the Isuzu FA Trophy first round clash with Marine. Inside our bumper 45 page edition this week:

• We review the Ives’ last-gasp victory over Royston on Monday night
• Ives supporter Dave Hook looks back on some FA Trophy clashes of recent years
• We look back at the two occasions when Marine reached the semi-finals of the competition
• And our popular matchday quiz ‘Ten to Tackle’ returns for another week

There’s much more too, and it is FREE to download. Simply click HERE to get your copy.

It’s the Isuzu FA Trophy this weekend as St Ives Town welcome Marine to the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road for a first-round proper tie.

The match comes three weeks after the Ives progressed to this stage of the competition courtesy of a 3-2 victory over Kettering Town.  Since then, the Ives have lost against Bromsgrove and Stratford in the league but come into the game on the back of a morale boosting 3-2 victory over Royston Town on Monday night.  The game was won courtesy of a last-gasp strike from Brandon Njoku.

IVES TEAM NEWS

It is Njoku who is an injury concern after he hurt his shoulder in the latter stages of the match on Monday.  Elsewhere, Johnny Herd remains sidelined but both Paddy Casey and Myles Cowling came through the match on Monday with no recurrence of injuries that kept them out of the Bromsgrove game the previous Saturday.

INTRODUCING MARINE

Marine will arrive after making the long three-and-a-half-hour journey from their Merseyside base.  The Mariners are enjoying an excellent season which currently sees them fifth in the Northern Premier League, Premier Division.  They come into the game on the back of a 4-2 defeat at Guiseley in midweek and have lost four out of their 12 league matches they have played this season.  They are enjoying an excellent run in the FA Cup and in the fourth qualifying round defeated FC Halifax Town which has set-up a home match in the first-round proper with Harrogate Town from league two next Saturday.  The Mariners hit worldwide attention three years ago, when they hosted Tottenham Hotspur in a televised FA Cup 3^rd round tie.

ONE TO WATCH

Finlay Sinclair-Smith.  The former Blackpool striker has scored 11 goals so far this season after signing for Marine during the summer.  He has also played for Bamber Bridge and FC United of Manchester.  He was leading scorer for Bamber Bridge last season, an achievement that won him the Players Player and Supporters Player of the Year award.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Happy Hour………. A reminder that before every home game this season, there is a special drinks promotion in the bar where all pints are priced at £3.00 between 1:00pm and 2:30pm.  Hot food is also available, and we look forward to seeing everyone.

Admission Prices…. Please note that the match is all pay on the gate as season tickets do not apply for this fixture.  Entry prices are below:

Adults: £11.00

Concessions (Over 65’s): £8.00

Military Discount/Students with ID: £6.00

12 -16’s: £2.00

Under 12’s (Accompanied by an Adult): £2.00

Bucket collection…. St Ives Town Football Club tomorrow welcomes representatives from the local Rotary Club who will be doing a bucket collection as they fundraise for the ‘Coats 4 Kids’ project.  More details about this can be found in the online match programme which can be downloaded from the official website from 12noon on Friday.

No Replay…. Should the tie end in a draw after 90 minutes, then there will be no extra-time or replay and the match will go straight to a penalty shoot-out.

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

St Ives Town 3 v Royston Town 2    

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  23-10-2023

Nigel Howlett Reports

Ten out of ten for entertainment Ives first home league win of the season had everything one could wish for in a football match. Starting with an early penalty, followed by a bizarre own goal from the penalty scorer, a foul on the keeper that everyone in the ground saw except the match officials, four cards to technical area staff, a goal of the season contender to level things up and finally a 99^th minute winner. Anyone who chose to stay at home and watch Tottenham on television rather than get their live football entertainment on a Monday night will regret missing this one for a long time.

Technology even ensured that the drama even started before the first whistle as issues with card readers and an excellent Monday evening turn out for this local derby meant large queues built up outside the ground ahead of kick off. Most were however in the ground by the time that things got underway.

The game started at a frantic pace with a couple of early chances falling to the hosts. A third minute Aaron Smith long throw was only half cleared to Myles Cowling on the edge of the box and he cracked a skimming drive just wide. Dan Barton and Brandon Njoku showed their threat four minutes later when Barton slid in a perfectly weighted pass to pick out Njoku’s run from the left and the young striker got his shot away forcing Crow’s keeper Noah Phillips into a save low to his left.

Crows first effort on goal came in tenth minute as Alfie Williams picked out Joe Boachie in a little space on the left corner of the box. The busy striker went for precision and tried to float his effort over keeper Eddie Brearey but it floated just over the angle of post and crossbar.

A couple of corners came for the visitors in 19^th minute and the second of these lead to the opening goal as Ives broke at pace with Njoku being put through into the box but he was going wide and a heavy touch meant the ball was out of play when he was needlessly taken down late by a sliding challenge from covering defender Ange Djadja. Referee Mario Stetakovic was in the right place to award the spot kick and Jonny Edwards was coolness personified to send Phillips the wrong way with the resulting penalty.

Edwards went close to increasing the lead three minutes later as Cowling made a probing run down the left before cutting inside and picking out his centre forward on the edge of the box. A toe poke would have found the bottom corner but Phillips kept it out diving to his right to claim the ball.

Edwards got the ball in the net again only ninety seconds later, but this is one goal that he will want to forget, as the Crows forced a corner on the right. He rose highest to meet Williams in-swinging kick but got his radar completely wrong as his powerful attempted clearance flew into the top corner of his own net giving a bemused Brearey no chance.

After getting level the visitors enjoyed their best spell of the game. A 36^th minute cross from the left by Mackye Townsend-West picked out Boachie just outside the box. He struck his first time effort well but the goal bound shot struck his own colleague Matt Bateman and ricocheted wide. The same two players were involved when the visitors took the lead four minutes before the break in bizarre fashion. Aaron Smith was harshly adjudged to have fouled Florian Tsagium on halfway. Josh Coldicott-Stevens launched the free kick high into Ives box. Keeper Brearey called for the ball and confidently came to claim it only to be completely taken out by Bateman as he rose to take it. Everyone in the ground saw the foul on the keeper except the match officials. The ball dropped to Boachie who cracked it into the empty net fully expecting the effort to be disallowed and could not believe his luck when the decision was that the goal stood. Perhaps not surprisingly both Ricky Marheineke and Adam Fisher both picked up yellow cards for their protestations.

Ives had to use their aggrieved feelings to spur them on in the second period and sure enough they started the second half well and got themselves level only seven minutes after the re-start. Once again, a Crows corner proved their own downfall. This corner had been won by a quick throw which had given Cain Keller chance to drive at Ives back line before delivering a low cross to the back post where Paddy Casey did well to turn it away from Boachie. The resulting flag kick was cleared to Barton on half way and he set off at pace down the right leaving Royston defenders trailing in his wake before cutting in and delivering the perfect low cross into the run of Njoku who slammed home from by the penalty spot to level things up.

The goal sparked another bout of cards to the dug out as Crows management crew felt that there had been a handball inside Ives box as the corner was cleared. Stand in manager Chris Watters took his protests so far that the card he received from referee Stetakovic was a red whilst his assist Lewis Endacott picked up a yellow.

Game on!. The equaliser spurred Ives on to greater efforts and Njoku went close to putting them in front ten minutes later as he spanked a 25 yarder into the boards inches wide of Phillips right hand upright. The young striker was on fire now and he was only denied by an assist’s flag in 67^th minute after he had again been fed through by the excellent Barton.

A clever corner routine worked another opportunity for Ives in 75^th minute. Cowling and Barton combining well to set the former up with a clear run along the bye line. His driven cross struck Jordan Williams on the six yard line and rebounded goalwards but was scrambled clear.

But there was still threat at the other end and three minutes later Keller came within millimetres of winning it for the visitors. Picking up a loose ball fully 30 yards out he strode forward before unleashing a fierce swerving drive that flew past the despairing dive of Brearey and thumped the crossbar. The ball rebounded so far that it set Ives away on another break which ended with Barton again running at the defence before feeding in Njoku cutting in from the left. His right footed effort from the edge of the box just went the wrong side of the post with everybody looking on.

As the clock ticked down it was Ives who looked like they wanted it most and Njoku was still full of running as he chased down and kept in a long punt from Brearey in 87^th minute. His ball inside allowed Cowling to tee up Michael Richens for one of his trademark long range efforts but this one flew just over the top.

A few lengthy injury stops in the second half lead to a not unexpected added ten minutes but despite their efforts it looked like Ives were going to be denied a maximum return until Njoku became the hero in the ninth of those extra minutes. This goal came courtesy of an excellent decision by referee Stetakovic, Barton burst at pace from his own half and was crudely taken out in the centre circle by Townsend-West but he had managed to play the ball on to Njoku a split second before the contact. The referee waved for advantage leaving Njoku a lot to do but he put his head down and cut inside unleashing a screamer that flew past keeper Phillips and billowed the net to send the home crowd into raptures.

That proved to be the last kick of the game, drama indeed, and the feeling of relief inside quattro-tech Westwood Road was palpable with supporters still leaping around in celebration well after the final whistle. The evidence of the effort put in by the players was clear as it was Ives players falling to the turf at the end in both relief and exhaustion after two tough games in 48 hours for most. This performance and result was enough to lift Ives out of the relegation zone and must now be the catalyst to propel Ives up the table to get them clear of the bottom four. Renown cup side Marine visit St Ives on Saturday in the Isuzu FA Trophy and if that game can provide entertainment like this one then you would be wise not to miss it.  

Final Score:  St Ives Town   3    Royston Town  2

Goals:

ST IVES: Edwards 21 (pen), Njoku 52 & 90+9

ROYSTON: Edwards (own goal) 25, Boachie 41

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Brearey, Abimbola, Smith, Hottor (Richens 53), Williams, Casey, Barton, Cowling, Edwards (Nassunculo (90+4), Njoku, Johnson, Unused subs: Bell-Toxtle, Kaziboni, Tomlinson

ROYSTON: Phillips, Sandiford (Newman 71), Townsend-West, Coldicott-Stevens, Murray (capt), Tsaguim (De Lacy-Turner 61), Williams, Bateman, Boachie, Keller (Virciglio 83), Djadja, Unused Subs: Brighton

Cards:   Yellow:  ST IVES:  Hottor (27), Barton (37)        ROYSTON: Djadja (19), Boachie (33), Murray (79), Townsend-West (90+9)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH: Brandon Njoku

Attendance: 275

It’s Monday night football at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road tomorrow as St Ives welcome Royston Town for more PitchingIn Southern League Premier Division Central action.

The Ives go into the game fresh from a 1-0 defeat at Stratford on Saturday.  The loss means that the Ives have only one once in the league all season, and that was at Nuneaton back in August meaning that they are still looking for their first home victory of the campaign.  A win against the Crows would be massive as it would lift them out of the bottom four and would provide a welcome confidence boost.

IVES TEAM NEWS

On Saturday, Ives boss Ricky Marheineke welcomed back Myles Cowling and Paddy Casey to the starting line-up after the pair missed the defeat at home to Bromsgrove last weekend.  Striker Brandon Njoku started the game at Stratford on the bench but came on in the last ten minutes and may get a start with fellow striker Jonny Edwards partnering him up front.  Johnny Herd remains sidelined with injury, so Aaron Smith looks set to deputise in his absence.

INTRODUCING ROYSTON TOWN

Royston arrive having not played on Saturday as their scheduled game against Halesowen was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Garden Walk.  Prior to that, the Crows lost 2-0 at league leaders, Mickleover and suffered a 3-1 reverse at Coalville.  Those results aside, Royston have had a decent first couple of months to the season and arrive in ninth position have won 5, drawn 3 and lost 4 of their opening twelve league matches this season.  They currently have 18 points and have won twice on the road to date.

LAST SEASON

26/12/22: St Ives Town 0 Royston Town 2

10/04/23: Royston Town 1 St Ives Town 3

ADMISSION PRICES

• Adults: £11.00
• Concessions (Over 65’s): £8.00
• Military Discount/Students with ID: £6.00
• 12 -16’s: £2.00
• Under 12’s (Accompanied by an Adult): £2.00

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

Stratford Town 1 v St Ives Town 0

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  21-10-2023

Nigel Howlett reports from the Arden Garages Stadium

Ives run of bad form, and it must be said bad luck, continues as the Bards scrambled goal from a corner seven minutes from time ensured that the hosts moved up to a comfortable mid table position whilst their visitors from Cambridgeshire stay firmly rooted in the relegation zone.

The initial praise though must go to the ground staff at the Arden Garages Stadium who provided an immaculate looking pitch for this fixture despite over two inches of rain falling onto the surface only 24 hours earlier. That deluge had put paid to a number of fixtures in the Midlands but this game never looked in doubt.

The game started in an open fashion with both sides creating good early opportunities. It looked like Riley O’Sullivan’s sixth minute pass through Ives back line was perfectly weighted to put Callum Ebanks away but a heavy touch from the young striker allowed Eddie Brearey to come smartly off his line to claim the ball.

Ives went even closer to going in front in 12^th minute. Myles Cowling was clattered by a late tackle from Lewis Ludford-Ison in the centre of the park but referee Dale Wooton played an excellent advantage as Tiago Nassunculo surged forward onto the loose ball his low shot from the edge of the box looked like it was going to find the bottom corner until keeper Liam O’Brien plunging to his right just got enough of a touch to divert it onto the post from where it rebounded to safety.

The end to end game continued with the next chance falling to the Bards in 16^th minute as a good move down the left involving Alex Worley and Charlie Williams ended with the former delivering a low cross along the 18 yard line that was knocked on to the back of the box by Ebanks. O’Sullivan arriving at pace fired a fierce low drive from the corner of the box that a well positioned Brearey did well to hang on to.

Four minutes later, back up the other end, we got a flash of what we know a fully fit Jonny Edwards can provide as picked up the ball 25 yards out on the left, cut inside a couple of defenders and unleashed a powerful low drive that skipped off the wet turf, beat the diving O’Brien but flashed just the wrong side of the post.

The left hand side of their attack was proving a fruitful area for the visitors with wing back Aaron Smith enjoying a lot of space and seeing a fair bit of the ball. An excellent through ball from Paddy Casey set Smith away again in 22^nd minute and it took an excellent defensive block at the near post by Paul McCone to prevent Edwards turning home his dangerous low cross.

Airial balls to the back post were proving something of a problem for Ives and the Bards went close twice in three minutes just after the half hour. O’Sullivan should really have scored from the first of them as Williams cross from the left arced over the stretching Brearey who was on the deck by his back post. O’Sullivan out jumped Casey to win the ball but only succeeded in directing his header straight into the grateful hands of the prone keeper. The game’s first corner provided the second opportunity as Chris Hussey delivered the ball with pinpoint accuracy to the back post where Ebanks rose highest but directed his close range header wide of the post.

The last five minutes of the first period saw the game swing more back into the Ives favour and it was their turn to create a couple more chances. Peter Abimbola got forward down the right and delivered a powerful low cross that took a deflection off a defender and fell to Nassunculo on the edge of the box. His well struck drive looked like it was heading for the corner of the net until it struck the backside of Cowling and was scrambled away. Dan Barton was also looking his usual busy self in the centre of the park and he carved out and missed the final chance of the first half three minutes before the break. Picking up the ball 25 yards out on the right jinking inside and running across the edge of the box before trying to find the bottom corner with a left footed effort that left everyone rooted as it thudded the boards inches wide of keeper O’Brien’s right hand upright.

After the long, overcast and very wet spell of weather it was lovely to see the early period of the second half played out in bright autumn sunshine. The first fifteen minutes after the re-start were played out in the centre of the park with neither side able to create a noteworthy opportunity. But as the clock ticked past the hour mark Ives seemed to begin to struggle to keep up their early pace with those that have missed large parts of the season with injury beginning to suffer. This allowed the Bards to start to get on top and from this point they always looked the most likely ones to find an elusive goal.

Defending Hussey’s well delivered corners was still proving to be a problem for Ives with Brearey being effectively boxed in in the crowded six yard box by friend and foe alike he had to rely on his defenders to help him out. They lost Ebanks in 60^th minute and the Bards centre forward should have scored as he rose unchallenged eight yards out but directed his header wide of the post.

Ebanks did finally get the ball in the net in 63^rd minute as he picked up a shot from Ludford-Ison that deflected into his path inside the box but he had strayed forward a little to early and the effort was ruled out by an assistant’s upraised flag.

Not helping themselves Ives began to concede a series of free kicks inside their own half. When Jordan Williams fouled Ebanks 25 yards out it gave Hussey chance to go for goal and the skilful dead ball man got his effort up and down over the visitor’s four man wall but it flashed just wide of Brearey’s left hand post as the scrambling keeper hurled himself across to cover it.

The goal which had been threatening for most of the second half did finally arrive seven minutes from time courtesy of another of Hussey’s pinpoint corners. With Brearey completely crowded out the ball delivered to the back post was again won by Ebanks. His goal bound effort seemed to be blocked on the line by an Ives defender and an almighty scrambled followed leaving much debate of how the ball ended up in the net. The official verdict appeared to be that the attempted clearance had hit Ebanks and rebounded into the net to give the striker what may well be his most fortunate goal of the season. Just the sort of luck that Ives are having this season.

To give them their due the visitors did push forward in what turned out to be a vain search for an equaliser. Williams was thrown up front as an extra attacker for the closing stages. A move which unfortunately gave him an opportunity to pick up his fifth yellow card of the season as the referee adjudged that he had dived to try and win a spot kick as he went down under pressure trying to get on the end of a Michael Richens ball into the box in the last minute of the ninety.

Barton was still going well right into the closing stages and keeper O’Brien needed all of his agility to cling onto the young winger’s dangerous low cross from the left in the second added minute. But that proved to be Ives last effort at the end of another frustrating day. The small Ives travelling contingent applauded their heroes off at the end but they and everyone involved in the club will be looking for a stroke of good fortune to go their way in the near future to get things back on track as a run of results is needed sooner rather than later to move them out of the bottom four.  

Final Score:  Stratford Town  1  St Ives Town  0

Goals:

STRATFORD: Ebanks 83,

Team Line Ups:

STRATFORD: O’Brien, Vann, Worley, Hussey, McCone (capt), Solanke, C.Williams, Ludford-Ison, Ebanks, Lafferty (Barkers 71), R. O’Sullivan (Wildbore 90+3), Unused subs: Beresford, D. O’Sullivan, Harvey

ST IVES: Brearey, Abimbola, Smith, Richens (capt), J.Williams, Casey (Johnson 82), Barton, Cowling (Bell-Toxtle 79), Edwards, Nassunculo (Njoku 79), Tomlinson, Unused subs: Hottor, Kaziboni,

Cards:   Yellow:  STRATFORD: Ludford-Ison (12)      ST IVES: Cowling (52), Casey (62), Williams (90)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH: Aaron Smith

Attendance: 317

St Ives Town head to Stratford on Saturday as they look for only their second league win of the season.

You have to go back to the Nuneaton game in August for when the Ives last won in the league. Since then, there has been more than one occasion where they could have collected maximum points together with a number of frustrations where they have been in a decent position, but unable to see the game out. One such occasion was last Saturday when they failed to see off a 10 man Bromsgrove team only to be stung by an injury time winner for the opposition.

IVES TEAM NEWS

So it’s points the Ives need and how they would love to collect a maximum return from the visit to Stratford and home game against Royston on Monday night. The good news in terms of playing personnel is that both Myles Cowling and Paddy Casey look set to return to the squad after missing last week with injury. Johnny Herd remains sidelined for several more weeks including the Isuzu FA Trophy tie at home to Marine next Saturday.

INTRODUCING STRATFORD

The Ives take on a Stratford side who haven’t won in the league since 12 September when they recorded a 4-2 win over Stamford. Since then, they have experienced league defeats against Halesowen, Nuneaton and AFC Telford United. In between all of that, they recorded a 1-0 victory against Basford in the Isuzu FA Trophy. Nicknamed the Bards, they currently sit 15th in the table with 13 points.

LAST SEASON

13/08/22: St Ives Town 5 Stratford Town 0

14/02/23: Stratford Town 3 St Ives Town 3

GOING TO THE GAME

Stratford Town Football Club
The Arden Garages Stadium
Knights Lane, Tiddington
Stratford upon Avon
Warwickshire CV37 7BZ

ADMISSION PRICES:

• Adults: £12.00
• Concessions (Over 65’s / Full Time Students / NHS workers) –  £8.00
• Youth Ticket: £5.00 (12-17 years old)
• Under 12’s: Free (must be accompanied by a paying adult) 

Kick-off is at 3:00pm.

St Ives Town 0 Bromsgrove Sporting 1

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  14-10-2023 

Nigel Howlett Reports

Struggling Ives looked like things were going their way when visiting player manager Michael McGrath recklessly slid in on Brandon Njoku to earn himself a straight red card with half an hour to go. But not only did the hosts not win the game against their resilient, but uninspiring, opponents they somehow managed to concede a late goal to ensure that they got no return at all which sees them remain one from bottom with only one win to their name at the end of the first quarter of the season. 

After last weeks confidence boosting performance and result in the FA Trophy things were looking on the up for the hosts. But that confidence took a bit of a knock with the pre-game news that both Paddy Casey and the inspirational Myles Cowling had picked up knocks in training and both were going to miss out. Aaron Smith and Luke Harris came in to replace the missing pair in an otherwise unchanged line up. 

That fragile confidence could so easily have been handed a massive boost only three minutes in when one of Smith’s trademark long throws sailed over all of the big men at the near post and seemed to hit Njoku six yards out. He reacted quickly enough to direct his effort on target but it was straight at keeper Ollie Taylor who got the ball jammed between his legs right on the goal line but most importantly he kept it out. 

The Rouslers number ten Conor Tee was quickly showing as their danger man and his sixth minute run down the left which started inside his own half was finished with a fierce shot from just outside the box that stung the hands of Ives keeper Eddie Brearey as he palmed it away. 

It was skipper Michael Richens turn to go on a powerful run six minutes later as he drove into the right side of the box to get to the bye line before picking out Dan Barton in space by the edge of the area with his pull back. But the young winger snatched at the chance firing his first time effort well over the top. 

Another Smith long throw caused more chaos in the visitor’s box on the half hour. This time Charlie Johnson rose highest to win the flick at the near post and somehow both Njoku and Jonny Edwards had been left in the centre of goal unmarked. Surely one of them must finish it, but no they seemed to get in each other’s way with the final effort being a tame header from Njoku straight at keeper Taylor who made a comfortable save. 

There was one more scare for Ives before the break with Tee again involved as he combined well down the left with Keanu Cooper before delivering a dangerous cross shot to the near post. Tristan Dunkley lost his marker to get across in front of Brearey and the keeper did well to keep his eye on the ball and knock it away. 

What proved to be an eventful second half started with the visitors enjoying their best period of the game and it took an excellent reaction save from Brearey ten minutes after the restart to keep the scores level. The move came down the right with Dunkley and Callum King-Harmes exchanging passes before the latter delivered a ball to the near post where Cooper met it first time forcing the save from Ives stopper. 

Full back Ayomide Lekuti then got in on the act two minutes later ranging forward down the left before cutting inside past a couple of Ives defenders and teeing up Tee who fired well over from 25 yards. Lekuti himself did no better with a long range effort that flew well wide just before the hour. 

Then came the moment that changed the game as McGrath lunged in with his boot dangerously high on Njoku giving referee Thomas Harvey the simple task of raising the straight red card to the Rouslers centre back. As well as injuring Njoku, McGrath also inflicted some injury on himself in making the challenge so it was a few minutes before he left the field of play. On his way to the dressing room he risked more injury to himself by taking a few kicks to the fencing by the tunnel. Referee Harvey added those misdemeanours to his discipline report. But was it all a cunning ploy to use up some time to allow the visitors to reorganise before the resumption as it gave them chance to sacrifice Dunkley to bring on a replacement centre back in David Solademi. 

Solademi came very close to giving Ives the lead in 73^rd minute as another Smith long throw flicked off his head at the near post and was going in the bottom corner of the net until keeper Taylor got down to make the save. Ives remained patient but at times their slow build up play was giving the ten men chance to shape up their two banks of four that were proving so difficult to penetrate. Edwards had an 80^th minute shot from just outside the box that hit a defender to take all of the sting out of it before it arrived in the hands of Taylor. 

Greg Kaziboni was introduced to replace hard working wing back Peter Abimbola ten minutes from time and he delivered a teasing 82^nd minute corner that Jordan Williams rose to win in the centre of goal, but he could not get over the ball and his close range header powered over the top. 

There was a scare for Ives four minutes later as keeper Brearey came racing from his goal to just beat the speedy Rouslers substitute Gustavo Macedo-Sanches to a through ball. The keeper won the ball cleanly but a shower of rain had slicked up the surface and he went sliding out of his box with ball still in hands to pick up a yellow card. Tee swung the resulting free kick into the mix but Johnson rose highest to power the ball clear. 

Back up the other end Kaziboni did brilliantly to get past two defenders to get to the bye line and deliver a ball to the near post where Njoku was arriving at pace. Taylor went for the unorthodox in kicking the ball away just ahead of the Ives striker.  

The board went up for an added twelve minutes, mostly gleaned from the injuries to Njoku and McGrath plus a comical interlude where the assistant’s flag was broken by a flying football and he had to return to his car to get a replacement. Surely a dozen minutes was enough time for Ives to find a way through. Two substitutions were made by manager Ricky Marheineke to try and freshen up the attack for those remaining minutes but almost immediately after the introduction of Ed Hottor and Tiago Nassunculo disaster struck for the hosts. Macedo-Sanches outpaced Josh Tomlinson and cut inside past a static Johnson before delivering a low cross to the centre that Tee gleefully side footed home. 

There was still plenty of time for Ives to get something from the game. In the 99^th minute Richens got on the end of a deep cross from the left by the tireless Njoku, but rather than direct his header down into the crowded six yard box he went for goal from a narrow angle and was unlucky to see the ball strike the back of the covering Luke Rowe on the goal line and be scrambled clear.  

Thanks to the delays from the goal celebration and a bit of time wasting there was a further three minutes added to the twelve and Ives again went close in the final of those minutes. Nassunculo managed to get to the bye line on the right and his pull back was knocked goalwards by Barton but again it was Rowe that got his body in the way to block the effort and protect his side’s very hard fought three points.   

Final Score:  St Ives Town   0  Bromsgrove Sporting  1 

Goals:  

ST IVES:  

BROMSGROVE: Tee 90+3 

Team Line Ups: 

ST IVES: Brearey, Abimbola (Kaziboni 81), Smith, Richens (capt), Williams, Johnson, Barton, Harris (Hottor 90+2), Edwards (Nassunculo 90+2), Njoku, Tomlinson, Unused subs: Bell-Toxtle, Baker 

BROMSGROVE: Taylor, White (Auld 24), Lekuti, Newell, Roberts, McGrath, King-Harmes (Macedo-Sanches 83), Cooper, Dunkley (Solademi 61), Tee, Rowe (capt), Unused subs: Eke,  

Cards: Red: BROMSGROVE: McGrath (61) 

            Yellow:  ST IVES: Harris (68), Brearey (85), Richens (90+1)     BROMSGROVE:  King-Harmes (48) 

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH: Peter Abimbola 

Attendance:  266 

The match programme for the home clash with Bromsgrove Sporting is now available to download. Inside the 48 page publication this week:

• A look back at the Ives victory against Kettering last week
• Community news
• A look at the latest from the Southern League Premier Division Central
• We focus on our visitors Bromsgrove Sporting
• And Ives supporter Dave Hook goes groundhopping to Harleston Town

Plus much more. It’s free to download, and the link is HERE

St Ives Town return to league action tomorrow as they welcome Bromsgrove Sporting to the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road

Ives Team News

Ives manager Ricky Marheineke has the relative luxury of key players returning to full fitness with Brandon Njoku, Johnny Edwards and Myles Cowling all coming through the Kettering game unscathed and look set to feature once again. Two players who are currently on loan from Northampton Town namely Josh Tomlison and Peter Ambimbola also look set to be included after impressing on their debuts last weekend. A win for the Ives would be a massive three points, but they face a tough test against a Bromsgrove side who have only lost once on the road in the league this season.

Ives v Bromsgrove:  Head-to-Head

10 December 2022: Ives 1 Bromsgrove 2

06 August 2022: Bromsgrove 1 Ives 2

11 December 2021: Bromsgrove 1 Ives 0

23 November 2021: Ives 2 Bromsgrove 2:

23 November 2019: Bromsgrove 3 Ives 2

Here’s the highlights from the last time the two teams met at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road:

Our Opponents

Bromsgrove sit 13^th in the table on thirteen points. The last two matches have seen them lose in the FA Cup and FA Trophy in successive weeks with defeats against Chelmsford and Halesowen Town. The match against the Yeltz was revenge for Halesowen as Bromsgrove defeated them in their last league outing on 26 September when they recorded a 3-1 victory at the Victoria Ground. That match was also their first home league win and Bromsgrove have only lost once on the road so far and that was at Leamington when they fell to a 2-0 reverse on 23 September.

In the Dugout….

In charge of the Rouslers is Michael McGrath who acts as Player Manager. He can play at centre back or midfield and was appointed as manager in October 2022 following the departure of Thomas Baillie. He has also played for Kettering Town, Hereford and Evesham United.

Ones to Watch….

Striker Gustavo Macedo-Sanchez signed in the summer after impressing in pre-season and has been an ever present so far in the current campaign scoring two goals. Scoring the same number of goals is midfielder Miro Pais. A product of the Bromsgrove youth set-up, the 21-year-old had an excellent game when the Rouslers last visited the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road last December.

Match Officials

The referee will be Thomas Harvey and will be Cameron Saunders and James Sneddon

Happy hour in the clubhouse!

As usual before home games there will be a drinks promotion in the clubhouse where all pints will be priced at £3.00 between 1:00pm and 2:30pm.

Admission Prices

• Adults: £11.00
• Concessions (Over 65’s): £8.00
• Military Discount/Students with ID: £6.00
• 12 -16’s: £2.00
• Under 12’s (Accompanied by an Adult): £2.00

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

Due to the continuing involvement of St Ives in the Isuzu FA Trophy, the home league fixture against Barwell has been rearranged for Monday 27 November with a 7:45pm kick-off.

St Ives Town have been drawn at home to Marine in the First Round proper of the FA Trophy. Marine are currently fifth in the Northern Premier League, Premier Division and have won six of their nine league games. On Saturday they defeated Marske United 4-2 in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the Trophy, and this weekend go to FC Halifax in the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

The tie will take place on Saturday 28 October with a 3:00pm kick-off.

St Ives Town 3 v Kettering Town 2  

Isuzu FA Trophy 3^rd Qualifying Round  07-10-2023

Nigel Howlett Reports

Three goals up and cruising it looked like Ives were going to comfortably claim their place in Mondays draw for the first round proper of the Isuzu FA Trophy. But with four players in their side returning from long term injury it was always likely that they would struggle to sustain their early pace and sure enough they allowed the Poppies to find a route back into the game and gave themselves a very nervy last twenty minutes but unlike the previous meeting between these two sides on August Bank Holiday Monday they did manage to get themselves over the line.

Ives were happy that the fixtures had worked out well for them giving them a ten day break since their mauling at Needham Market. This period had given those recovering from extended injury breaks time to get themselves a little fitter and the introduction of two new loanees from Northampton Town in Peter Abimbola and Josh Tomlinson certainly freshened things up.

The hosts started like men inspired taring into their opponents right from the off with a high pressing style that rattled their visitors. Their first real chance came after eight minutes when Dan Barton robbed Ben Toseland just outside his own box forcing the ex Ives full back to pull him back. Michael Richens curled the resulting free kick into the danger zone where Luca Purse just beat Jonny Edwards to it to knock the ball out for a corner. That flag kick was immediately followed by a second which was knocked back to Myles Cowling by the corner of the box and he curled a first time effort just wide.

It took a good save from Poppies keeper Billy Johnson to prevent Ives getting in front five minutes later. Cowling burst forward from half way and laid the ball into the feet of Brandon Njoku who in turn fed the ball through defenders into Cowling who had continued his run into the box. But Johnson was alert to the danger and quickly off his line to spread himself and block the midfielder’s effort at point blank range.

Ives pressure continued and they went close twice more in the next ninety seconds. Edwards fed in Njoku who got to the bye line before picking out Cowling with his pull back. His effort from the edge of the box was blocked but the ball rebounded to Richens who fired a first time volley just wide. Seconds later Barton fed in Njoku who ruffled the side netting with a fierce drive from a narrow angle.

Johnson was called into action again in 20^th minute when Richens won one of his trademark crunching tackles in the middle of the park before striding forward and trying his luck from fully thirty yards forcing keeper Johnson into a scrambling save low to his right.

Having struggled to get any quality possession in the first period it began to look like the Poppies were going to manage to hold off the rampant Ives until the break. But then the opening goal arrived out of nothing in 38^th minute. The hosts were breaking at pace, but Edwards was forced out to the right touchline by a slightly heavy pass and initially did well to keep the ball in. What happened next will probably be the first event of the afternoon to give keeper Johnson nightmares as Edwards swung his boot through the ball tyring to deliver a cross into the centre. But the ball arrowed in on goal and with Johnson a little slow to react the cross shot sailed over his head and went in off the upright.

Maybe he was rattled from getting beaten in such fashion, or maybe this was just a stand-alone error but just as the clock ticked into added time at the end of the first half Johnson and his skipper Gary Stohrer combined to gift Ives a second. The keeper played the ball out short to Toseland who fed it inside to Stohrer about 25 yards from goal. As Cowling closed him down the skipper rolled the ball back towards his keeper who was caught on his heels and could only watch as the ball rolled past him into the net. There was still time for Njoku to have appeals for a penalty waved away as Toseland lent into him as he tried to get past the full back inside the box.

Poppies manager Andy Leese sacrificed Toseland to replace him with an extra attacker in Sam Bennett five minutes after the restart. But before the new man could have any impact the visitors found themselves three down as Njoku and Barton combined brilliantly down the left to set up the goal of the game for Richens. The Ives skipper arriving at pace by the penalty spot to slam home Barton’s pull back.

Now three goals to the good and seemingly in complete control surely Ives could not let this game slip out of their grasp. But they allowed the Poppies a lifeline four minutes later when Stohrer redeemed himself a little in the eyes of the Kettering fans with a ball that picked out Tyrone Lewthwaite loitering on the left. The big number nine skilfully brought the ball under control before cutting inside leaving Tomlinson and Charlie Johnson in his wake before firing past Eddie Brearey from the edge of the box.

The goal gave the visitors something of a lift and it was also from this point that the lack of match fitness began to show in Ives long term absentees. Suddenly the tide in the game had turned. Rhys Sharpe was now delivering a series of dangerous long throws into the host’s box. It took a sharp save from Brearey to prevent the Poppies adding a second in 63^rd minute. The long throw was cleared to Dan Jarvis just outside the box and Ives keeper did well to spot his fierce low drive through the crowd and even better to get down smartly and smother it.

The visitor’s second seven minutes later did owe a little to fortune as Stohrer’s shot from 25 yards deflected off a defender and fell to the feet of Bennett who looked to be standing in an offside position but the flag stayed down allowing the substitute to calmly slot the ball past the exposed Brearey.

The hard working Ives continued to deal well with the Poppies pressure as the clock ticked down. But they looked like they might be undone in 89^th minute as a long range effort from Owen Cochrane was deflected off a defender and fell to the feet of Leon Clarke deep inside the box. This time the flag did go up much to the relief of the home crowd.

The pressure cooker was definitely boiling and it boiled over for Ives manager Ricky Marheineke as he disagreed vehemently with the decision when referee Martyn Mitchell awarded a free kick against Richens for a foul on Lewthwaite right in front of the dug outs in the first of five added minutes. The referee instantly lifted the red card sending Marheineke to the stands for the remainder of the game.

Only sixty seconds after that event referee Mitchell’s red card got another airing as Purse, who had earlier picked up a yellow card for a foul on Barton earned himself a second one for pulling back Njoku as the striker looked like breaking clear. The resulting free kick gave Ives chance to eat up some time and the Poppies were limited to one final opportunity as a last minute Sharpe missile into the box saw every player inside the penalty area but Edwards rose highest to head the ball away and see Ives to their first home win of the season.

A fantastic performance for the first hour that saw Ives deservedly progress. It just shows what is possible when the whole squad is fully fit and this must be seen as a catalyst for the next run of games where results must be gleaned to pick up the necessary points to pull Ives away from the bottom four. A run in the FA Trophy would also offer a nice diversion at the same time.

Final Score:  St Ives Town   3   Kettering Town  2

Goals:

ST IVES: Edwards 38, Stohrer (own goal) 45+1, Richens 52

KETTERING: Lewthwaite 56, Bennett 70

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Brearey, Abimbola, Casey, Richens (capt), Williams, Johnson, Barton (Bell-Toxtle 81), Cowling (Harris 81), Edwards, Njoku (Nassunculo 90+4), Tomlinson, Unused subs: Smith, Baker

KETTERING: Johnson, Cochrane, Toseland (Bennett 50), Langmead, Clarke, Stohrer (capt), Lewthwaite, Sharpe, Jarvis (Scott 67), Dawson (Reilly 67), Purse, Unused subs: Okita, Bridgeman, Stewart, Mellors-Blair

Cards: Red: KETTERING: Purse – 2 x yellows (40) & (90+2)

            Yellow:  ST IVES: Richens (76)        KETTERING: Toseland (8),

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH: Dan Barton  

Attendance:  351

The official online matchday magazine for the Isuzu FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round tie against Kettering Town is now available to download. There’s plenty of features inside the 47 page publication including:

• An update of all the latest news from the Southern League Premier Division Central
• A look back at when Kettering won the FA Trophy
• Ives supporter Dave Hook goes Groundhopping to FC United of Manchester
• And our popular ten to tackle matchday quiz is back.
• Plus much more

A reminder that there are no printed copies of the programme available so free to download only and the link is HERE

It’s the FA Trophy this weekend as St Ives Town host Kettering Town at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road for a third qualifying round tie.

The match will be a welcome distraction for both teams who have struggled in the first couple of months of the season. Going into the game, the Ives are just one place off the bottom of the league table whilst Kettering are just one place and a point above them.

Both teams have played each other already and the Ives will point to the league match at the end of August when they should have wrapped up victory, only to be denied by a last gasp equaliser. Sadly, that pattern has continued throughout the campaign with the Ives struggling to see out the game when in a strong position.

The good news for the Ives is that key players are now returning to fitness. Johnny Edwards, Myles Cowling, and Brandon Njoku are all set to be in the squad whilst numbers have been boosted by the signings of two players on loan from Northampton Town. Josh Tomlinson and Peter Abimbola arrive from the Cobblers to boost defensive and midfield options.

The Poppies arrive having secured a place in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup last weekend. Their 1-0 win has set-up an away trip to National League leaders Chesterfield next weekend. But it is their league form where it has been a struggle and like the Ives they have won just once this season and that was against Bromsgrove Sporting in early September. The match will see the return to the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road of Ben Toseland. The defender has had a couple of spells with the Ives, most recently last season.

A reminder that season tickets are not valid for this fixture so it’s all pay on the gate. Admission prices are:

• Adults: £11.00
• Concessions (Over 65’s): £8.00
• Military Discount/Students with ID: £6.00
• 12 -16’s: £2.00
• Under 12’s (Accompanied by an Adult): £2.00

Please note that if the match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, then there will be a penalty shoot-out. Before kick-off, there will be a 1 minute silence in memory of Ives supporter Adrian Layton who passed away recently.

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

St Ives Town will now visit Coalville on Tuesday 7 November with a 7:45pm kick-off. The original fixture was recently postponed due to Coalville being involved in the FA Cup.

St Ives Town manager Ricky Marheineke has today added two new players to his squad.

Joining from Northampton Town on a 28 day loan are Josh Tomlinson and Peter Abimbola. Tomlinson is a 18 year old defender who at the age of 15 became the youngest appearance maker for the Cobblers when in 2021 he came on as a substitute in a Football League Trophy tie against Brighton & Hove Albion under 23’s.

Abimbola is a 19 year old midfielder and like Tomlinson, made his first team debut against Brighton in the same game in 2021. He has had previous loan spells at AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Aldershot Town.

Both players will be available for selection for the FA Trophy tie at home to Kettering Town this Saturday.