St Ives Town continue their league action on Monday night as they make the short trip to Hitchin Town.
The Ives will be keen to return to winning ways after two straight league defeats. The latest coming courtesy of a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Redditch United on Saturday.
Whilst St Ives were losing at home to Redditch, Hitchin lost 3-0 at Stourbridge, a result that saw the Canaries drop to 14th in the table. Their season to date has seen them win three, drawn two, and lose three of their opening eight games. The Stourbridge game was their third successivve 3-0 defeat coming on the back of a loss to Bedford and a reverse at Heybridge Swifts in the FA Cup.
The Ives make the trip with both Greg Kaziboni and Michael Richens returning from injury, and could be given more game time after both coming off the bench against Redditch on Saturday. Tyrone Baker will miss out as he serves his second match of suspension following his sending off against Leiston almost a fortnight ago.
There is a full midweek programme in the Southern League Premier Division Central this week, and victory for the Ives would see them possibly climb to fourth for at least one day – depending on results elsewhere.
Going to the game
Hitchin Town FC
Top Field
Fishponds Road
Hitchin
Herts SG5 1NU
Kick-off at Top Field is 7:45pm. Please note that admission is via online ticket only, which can be purchased via the following link. Hitchin Town v St.Ives Town | Southern League | Hitchin Town Web (ktckts.com)
Last Season:
19/10/21: St Ives 1 Hitchin 0
15/01/22: Hitchin 4 St Ives 0
Keep up to date with all the latest on the game via twitter @stivestownfc
St Ives Town return to league action tomorrow as they welcome Redditch United to the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road.
It’s been 10 days since the Ives were last in league action. That was a Tuesday night defeat against Leiston, the first home league reverse of the season. Since then, the Ives have recorded an excellent 3-0 win at Canvey Island last Saturday to progress to the Third Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup and a home game against Chasetown.
But the focus is very much on the match against Redditch who currently sit seventh in the table having won three, drawn two, and lost two of their opening seven league matches. Their last league outing was a 1-0 win at Bromsgrove Sporting and that was part of a three-match winning sequence which included a 3-0 win at Stourbridge and a 4-1 victory at Rushall Olympic in the FA Cup. On Tuesday night, Redditch were eliminated from the FA Cup as Peterborough Sports beat them 1-0 in a Second Qualifying Round replay.
Last season, Redditch hovered around the top ten in the league to start off with before their form took a tumble and finished in 15th position, one place below the Ives.
The hosts go into the game with Tyrone Baker likely to start his suspension following his sending off against Leiston. Elsewhere, Nabil Shariff and Jonny Edwards will lead the line as the home side bid to remain in the top four.
Last season, the Ives won 2-1 at Westwood Road whilst the away fixture ended in a 1-0 defeat when Redditch grabbed a last-minute winner.
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)
Kick-off at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is at 3pm.
Our programme is online only. (Click here to view / download it).
St Ives Town Reserves have made a steady start to the season as they begin life in the Senior B Division of the Cambs County League.
Five games into the campaign, and the Ives sit eighth in the table with a record of won two, lost three. Victories have been against March Town United A and a comprehensive 6-1 home win against Linton Granta Reserves. Defeats have been an opening day 5-2 reverse against Histon Reserves, a 4-2 loss at home to Burwell and a 3-2 defeat last weekend as March Town United A gained revenge at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road.
One player who has lit up the campaign is Casey Stonnell-Fitzgerald who has found the net on five occasions so far including a hat-trick in the match against Linton Granta at the beginning of this month.
The fixtures for the reserves over the next few weeks are as follows:
24 September A Hardwick
08 October H Sawston Rovers
15 October H Great Shelford Reserves
22 October A Burwell
29 October H Hardwick
Please note fixtures are subject to change. Feel free to come down and watch a game at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road as the Reserve Team really appreciate your support.
Ives striker Johnny Edwards talks to Andrew Dunn about his excellent early season form and how he used to train with Harry Maguire.
“I’m really enjoying it”. They were the first words from St Ives striker Johnny Edwards when asked to describe how his time at the club was going. His early season form of topping the leading scorers in the division with seven goals has been a big factor in the Ives sitting in third place in the table. But the good news for Ives fans is that you get the impression there is more to come “My initial aim was to get to double figures so hopefully when I get there I can then push on and get a few more”, said Edwards.
The 25 year old signed from FC Romania in the summer where he scored 12 goals in 26 appearances for the Southern League Division One Central outfit. However, it was connections at St Ives that attracted him to the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road. “Ricky Marheineke has tried to sign me before, but I am also good mates with club physio, Jardaine Patel-Joseph and I also know Michael Richens from our time together at Peterborough,” he said.
Prior to moving to Posh he was also a youngster at Stevenage. “I was offered a Scholarship by Stevenage, but I refused it. I then went for a trial match at Peterborough and ended up signing for them,” he added. Arguably, his links with St Ives started during his time at Posh as ex-Ives striker Conor Washington was playing for Peterborough at the same time, and it was Washington that Edwards replaced as substitute to make his first football league appearance in April 2015.
A number of loan spells followed during his time at Peterborough before signing for Hull City in 2016 following some successful games in their under-21 squad. Edwards looks back at his time at the MKM Stadium with fond memories. “I can remember going to training sessions and the first team would be in attendance, so you would get to train with the likes of Harry Maguire, and it was a fantastic experience as little did I know that he would go on be the player he is today”, said Edwards.
It was at Hull that he was loaned out to Accrington Stanley. The time at Stanley was one of the highlights for Edwards. “I scored my first football league goal at Accrington” Edwards said. “It was against Doncaster and to get on the scoresheet was great”. Research points to the goal being a header in the 81st minute which secured Accrington a point against the then league two leaders. Another highlight was an FA Cup fourth round appearance for Stanley as they were drawn away to Middlesbrough. The hosts won the tie 1-0, but it was still a great experience for Edwards. “I was on the bench, and unfortunately didn’t get on, but to experience the Riverside Stadium and a crowd of over 20,000 was brilliant”, he added.
After being released by Accrington, Edwards has played for a number of non-league teams including FC Halifax, Maidstone, Biggleswade and Royston. So, at 25, does Edwards have any aspirations to return to the league game? “I’ve got a good job away from football right now, and you never say never, but it’s all about enjoying it, and that’s exactly what I am doing at the moment so long may it continue”.
St Ives Town return to league action on Tuesday night when they host Leiston at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road.
It will be the first league action for the Ives since August Bank Holiday Monday when they beat AFC Rushden & Diamonds to go third in the table. The scheduled league action at Ilkeston was postponed on Saturday due to the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
The break in matches will hopefully see some of the players who were injured and missed the FA Cup victory against Barking. So, it’s hoped that Kane Lewis and Johnny Herd will come back into contention whilst Michael Richens will also be available for selection again.
Leiston arrive currently 12th in the table having won two, drawn two and lost two of their opening six matches. Their last league game was against Kings Langley on Bank Holiday Monday which ended in a 2-1 defeat. They exited the FA Cup 10 days ago with defeat at the hands of Needham Market in the First Qualifying Round.
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)
Kick-off at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is at 7:45pm
Our programme is online only. (Click here to view / download it).
As a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, all games due to be played this weekend have been postponed.
Our scheduled trip to Ilkeston Town tomorrow will therefore be rearranged. We will confirm the new date as soon as we have it.
Andrew Dunn speaks with Ives boss, Ricky Marheineke as he gives his thoughts on the FA Cup draw and the win over Barking on Saturday.
“I was delighted with the result on Saturday, but an away match at Canvey Island in the next round will be tough. They got promoted last year, so are at the same level as us and have made a decent start to the season. We will do our homework on them, and no doubt they will do homework on us and I expect a close and competitive game. Ideally, I would have preferred it at home, but we have played them before so we know what to expect, but equally we will be looking to get a positive result.
Looking back on Saturday, there was added pressure with the game as there was high expectations that we would win. So, with that in mind, it was important that we started well, which we did and it was equally important that we got the first goal which we did. Then to get the second and go on and win the game comfortably was great because the match was a definite banana skin for us as they had 2 good results in previous rounds. I thought first half we were fantastic but throughout the game we did a professional job.
Nabil Shariff was outstanding for us. They were 3 well taken goals, and he could have got a fourth too. Nabil brings a lot to the team. He knows where the back of the net is and he and Johnny Edwards have started the season magnificently for us. Nabil was subject to an approach from another club recently, but he has decided to stay with St Ives which is fantastic for the club.
We were forced to make a few changes, specifically with the defence as Kane Lewis and Johnny Herd were injured. So, Owen Sheriff made his debut, and I thought he did really well for us. Julien Saka played but he is not fully fit yet, and I would put him at about 60% but he once again proved what an excellent player he is.
It was good to see Ethan Johnston on the scoresheet. Ethan is an excellent player, but he has just been unlucky in that his game time has been very limited simply due to the fact that Shariff and Johnny Edwards have been on fire and have formed an excellent partnership.
Looking ahead to Saturday, and the Ilkeston game will be tough. They got an excellent result against Matlock in the FA Cup at the weekend. They have made an indifferent start to the season and have had some changes in squad personnel recently so we will need to be on our guard. The line-up will not feature Michael Richens as he is away so that’s why he missed Saturday but I’ve said before that the squad is in a good place right now and we will make the trip with high hopes of bringing back the points”.
St Ives Town take a break from their league programme on Saturday as they host Barking in the Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round.
The visitors are currently 14th in the Essex Senior League and have progressed to this stage of the competition having beaten higher grade opposition in the shape of Coggeshall Town in the Extra Preliminary Round. Then in the Preliminary Round, they dispatched Leighton Town from the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division. Both of their cup ties so far have gone to replays.
The Ives go into the game fresh from the Bank Holiday victory over AFC Rushden & Diamonds. Goals from Tyrone Baker, Ed Hottor and Johnny Edwards ensured 3 points for the hosts that moved them to third place in the Southern League Premier Division Central.
Ives boss Ricky Marheineke will assess the fitness of striker Nabil Shariff who was forced to miss the clash with Rushden due to injury. Meanwhile, right back Julien Saka could be back in contention for a starting place after he also missed the game on Monday with injury.
Last season, the Ives were eliminated by Needham Market at this stage of the competition and the year before lost at Brantham also at the first qualifying round stage. So tomorrow, there will be fresh hopes that they can make some progress in the competition.
Please note that season tickets are not valid for this game as gate receipts have to be shared as per FA requirements.
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)
Kick-off at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is at 3:00pm.
Our programme is online only. (Click here to view / download it).
It’s August Bank Holiday weekend and there is a double header of football for St Ives Town.
The action starts on Saturday as the Ives make the trip to league newcomers Mickleover. Nicknamed Sports, they are based in a suburb of Derby and move across from the Northern Premier League for the current season.
Mickleover are still looking for their first victory of the season having drawn two and lost two of their opening four matches. Their latest match was last Saturday against Leiston which ended in a 3-1 defeat. Sports are currently two off the bottom of the table with just Stourbridge and AFC Rushden & Diamonds below them.
As much as Mickleover have struggled at the start of the season, St Ives have been in excellent form from their opening four games of the campaign. Just one defeat so far, and last Saturday the Ives record a fine 2-0 win over previously unbeaten Kings Langley.
The only fitness concern that boss Ricky Marheineke has is over midfielder Dylan Williams but he looks set to recover from an impact injury that saw him leave the field early last Saturday.
After Saturday, the focus will switch to the home game against AFC Rushden & Diamonds on Monday afternoon.
GOING TO THE GAME:
Mickleover FC
The Don Amott Arena
Station Road
Mickleover
DE3 9FB
Keep up to date with all the latest on the game via twitter @stivestownfc
St Ives Town FC are very proud and delighted to confirm an enhanced renewal of their great partnership deal with Cambridge Sensotec Ltd and their Dynascan division as First Team Home kit sponsor. For the 2022/23 season the fantastic news is that both companies will become sponsors for all First Team players on a block basis.
SITFC Commercial Director Mark Taylor commented ‘We have had Cambridge Sensotec as a great partner/supporter for many years now and with all the current very challenging economic and financial issues/worries that everyone is having to face, it is brilliant news that they are able to both carry on providing the critical foundations for the club to continue to operate in its current structure but also to expand their invaluable support.’
Mark Swetnam Cambridge Sensotec’s Manging Director added “Once again we are pleased to renew our sponsorship with St Ives Town at an enhanced level. It is important that we grow the relationship as Sensotec grows as a business. As we enter our fifth consecutive year as First Team shirt sponsors, we look forward to another great season after finishing the last one on the front foot and climbing into the mid-table. The players have now settled into playing at the new ground on the 3G pitch and the team has responded well during the recent pre-season friendlies. The standard of the football played now is way better than when I first started following the club and it is a joy to see how both the club and the players have transformed themselves over recent seasons. Once again I want to thank Chairman Gary Clarke and his board of Directors for overseeing this amazing progress in the club and look forward to another uninterrupted season this year. We are lucky to have retained many quality players and I know the Gaffer, Ricky, and his new support team have already been busy in the transfer market and the new signings certainly made their mark at our first away game of the season beating Bromsgrove 2-1 after going behind in the first half. Let’s hope that we get more great results like this again & again. As always, we would like to wish Ricky Marheineke and his squad all the very best for the 22/23 season and look forward to seeing everyone old and new at the ground soon. Up the Ives!”
Ives club captain Michael Richens with Cambridge Sensotec’s managing director Mark Swetnam
The Reserves are back in action at the Quattro-Tech Westwood this coming Wednesday 7:45pm k.o. when we welcome Burwell in a Cambs Senior B fixture and will be looking to build on our victory against March Town United A last Saturday.
Admission Prices
£3 Adults
£2 Concessions
U16 Free
Andrew Dunn speaks with Ricky Marheineke following the Ives 2-0 victory over Kings Langley on Saturday.
“I was delighted with the win, as it was the perfect response from the defeat at Needham Market on Tuesday night. I felt with that game, we fell below the required standard and when you do that at this level, there is always going to be one outcome.
I felt we took the game to them, and created the best chances throughout the match, and thoroughly deserved the victory. We watched Kings Langley in their match on Monday and we knew what their strengths were and we decided what formation to play. With that in mind, I have to give credit to the players who executed our game plan really well.
In terms of team selection, it was really difficult to leave out Nabil Sharriff as obviously he has made an excellent start to the season. In all honesty, it could have been any of the forwards who was left out, but when Nabil came on, I thought his contribution was excellent, and had a hand in one of the goals.
It was good to have Dylan Williams back as he was unavailable on Tuesday night and I thought Myles Cowling was great for us too, and fully deserved the sponsors man of the match award.
There were impressive performances across the park and Greg Kaziboni is getting plenty of plaudits and rightly so as on his day, he is one of the best players in the league, and he is already proving what an outstanding signing he is for us. It’s also good to see Johnny Edwards in the goals again and I feel that the squad is in a very good place right now.
We have two matches next weekend which we are looking forward to. Dylan Williams left the field with an injury yesterday, but that is just an impact injury and he will be OK for selection ahead of Mickleover on Saturday. We have some footage on Mickleover and we will prepare for that one in training this week. As for the Rushden & Diamonds game on Monday, I don’t pay attention to the fact that they are currently bottom of the league. It’s still very early season, and they will be difficult opponents but we will be looking forward to what will no doubt be a keenly contested local derby”.
If you pay attention to early season league tables, then it’s fifth v second at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road on Saturday as St Ives host Kings Langley.
It’s the visitors who are currently second after securing two wins and a draw from their opening three games. Their latest encounter came with a victory over Bedford on Monday night. Prior to that, a win against Redditch and an opening day point against Mickleover ensure that the Hertfordshire outfit arrive currently unbeaten in the league.
The Ives have made an encouraging start to their league campaign. Two wins over Bromsgrove and Stratford and a defeat at Needham Market currently see the hosts on six points. Nabil Shariff has been in the goals already this season having found the net on four occasions already, with three of those against Stratford last weekend. Shariff looks set to be in the squad on Saturday as the Ives bid to inflict the first defeat on Kings Langley this season.
Last season was a difficult one for Kings Langley as they escaped relegation on the final day of the season after they won 2-0 at Salisbury. That match was in the Premier Division South and during the summer they were moved laterally to the Premier Division Central. Last time the two teams met was in the aborted season of 2020/21 and they had to settle for a point a piece following a 2-2 draw.
Kick-off at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is at 3:00pm.
Our programme is online only. (Click here to view / download it).
Match Sponsor
After two wins to open the season, St Ives travel to Needham Market on Tuesday night for their first midweek action of the 2022/23 campaign.
The Ives make the trip on the back of a thumping 5-0 win over Stratford at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road on Saturday. Nabil Shariff was the hero with a second half hat-trick to ensure that the hosts got their second win of the season.
Dylan Williams will be missing from the Ives squad for the trip to Suffolk due to holiday commitments, but otherwise Ricky Marheineke has a full squad to select from.
Whilst St Ives were winning on Saturday, Needham Market lost 1-0 at home to Bromsgrove Sporting. On the opening day of the season, the Marketmen secured a point courtesy of a 0-0 draw at AFC Rushden & Diamonds.
Last season, both Needham Market and St Ives met each other on four occasions – twice in the league and also in the FA Cup and FA Trophy. In the league, the away match finished 1-1 with the same result at Westwood Road for the return match in February. In the FA Cup, the Ives lost 1-0 and, in the Trophy, it was the Marketmen who got the better of the Ives courtesy of a 2-0 victory. That win was part of a run for Needham Market that saw them progress all the way to the quarter finals before they were eliminated 3-0 by Stockport County.
Kick-off on Tuesday evening is at 7:45pm.
GOING TO GAME
Needham Market FC
Bloomfields
Quinton Road
Needham Market
Suffolk
IP6 8DA
St Ives Town begin their home campaign in the PitchingIn Southern League Premier Division Central tomorrow when they host Stratford Town at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road.
The Ives go into the game on the back of an opening day win at Bromsgrove Sporting. A goal down at half-time, the Ives stunned the hosts with two second half goals from Johnny Edwards as they returned home with maximum points.
Whilst the Ives collected an opening day win, Stratford were deprived of maximum points as Bedford struck two minutes from time to ensure it was a point a piece. For Stratford, last season will be remembered for getting to the first-round proper of the FA Cup and a televised home tie against Shrewsbury Town. That match ended in a 5-1 defeat for the Bards, and they finished their league games in 13th position, one place above the Ives.
The fixture tomorrow is an early opportunity for Jordan Williams and Enoch Andoh to feature against their former club. Both have signed for the Ives during the summer and will be in a squad that has no major injury concerns following the win at Bromsgrove Sporting.
The match is likely to be played in warm conditions, with the allowance of a drinks break. Supporters attending the game are reminded to take the necessary precautions inclusive of staying hydrated throughout the afternoon.
Kick-off at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is at 3:00pm.
Last season:
28/08/21: St Ives Town 0 Stratford Town 4
16/04/22: Stratford Town 0 St Ives Town 3
Our programme is online only. (Click here to view / download it).
Just prior to the kick off there will be a minutes silence in memory of Ives supporter Richard Tutt who sadly passed away at the end of last month.
Match Sponsor
St Ives Town FC is supporting an all football approach to ensure that every football fan feels safe attending matches. As we commence the new season, we’re backing the introduction of strong measures across football to tackle antisocial and criminal behaviours within football grounds. This includes entering the pitch without permission, carrying or using smoke bombs or pyros and throwing objects onto the pitch, as well as discriminatory behaviour and taking drugs. All of these actions are illegal, dangerous and have no place in our game.
For everyone’s safety, all clubs will report anyone carrying out these offences to the police. Prosecution by the police can result in a permanent criminal record, which could affect your employment and education, and in some cases, result in a prison sentence.
Anyone who enters the pitch without permission or uses smoke bombs orpyros will now receive an automatic club ban. This could also now apply to theparents or guardians of children involved in these activities.
These measures reflect the seriousness of the risks to fans, volunteers and staff – pyros can burn at 2000 degrees Celsius and can cause life-changing injuries, burns and potentially fatal asthma attacks. Entering the pitch endangers everyone because it’s impossible to tell the difference between a celebrating fan and a violent attacker. That is why the pitch must remain a safe space for players, and the stands for supporters.
This season, St Ives Town FC is supporting the FA, National League System Clubs and Leagues and the Football Supporters Association to make football a safer and more welcoming environment, by cracking down on dangerous behaviour that can put fans, players, staff and match officials at risk.
We ask our supporters to come together to show that those who commit these illegal acts do not represent the majority of supporters.