St Ives Town v Royston Town

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  26-12-2022

There was little festive cheer for Ives as their near neighbours Royston came and did a very effective job on them courtesy of what a number of their travelling faithful were eager to tell us was the Crows best second half performance of the season. 

The opening 45 minutes of this game was one where it looked like both sides were simply working off any Christmas excess they may have partaken of the day before. Neither side registered a legitimate shot on target in a half that I would challenge anyone but the most ardent statistician to remember at all. I will list my notes on the action below, but most of these are pushing the point a little to really be called highlights.

First chance of the game in seventh minute fell to the visitors but the way that it was spurned gave us a good insight of what was to follow. Cole Dasilva delivered a long ball into the box from the right that evaded everyone in the centre and arrived at the feet of Connor Furlong at the back post. But he was perhaps as surprised as everyone else that the ball had got through to him and rather than shoot allowed it to bounce of his shins and straight into the hands of a grateful James Goff in the Ives goal. Goff had to be much more alert to deny the same player in 16^th minute racing off his line at full speed to just pip Furlong to a long ball out of defence after Ives skipper Michael Richens had fired a 30 yard free kick straight into the Crows three man wall.

The third chance of the game arrived exactly midway through that first period and it to fell to the visitors. Richens was adjudged to have brought down Nathan Tshikuna 25 yards from goal in a central position. The tricky midfielder picked himself up and went for goal with the free kick, although he beat the Ives wall with his effort it did not trouble Goff as it sailed well over the crossbar. Another opportunity from a free kick came along on the half hour after Dylan Williams was robbed inside his own half by Tshikuna who was again upended by the covering Richens. This time Alfie Williams was given the responsibility from the resulting free kick. He got a little closer than his team mate but still failed to hit the target.

The hosts carved out their first chance two minutes later after Callum Milne galloped down the left past Dasilva before delivering a teasing cross to the back post where a stretching Enoch Andoh was unable to keep his effort down. Ives thought that they had got their noses in front five minutes before the break only to be denied by an assistant’s upraised flag. Kieran Higgs was brought down just outside the box in a wide left position. Richens delivered a perfectly weighted clip to the back post where an unmarked Milne was lurking. His powerful header from close range gave Crows keeper Louis Chadwick no chance but the host’s celebration was cut short as Milne had gained the space by starting from an offside position.

Ives were almost caught out on the counter attack as many of their players were still out of position when the resulting free kick was delivered down the park giving Matt Bateman chance to run at the defence and he was only stopped by a desperate challenge from Richens that earned the Ives skipper the game’s first yellow card. Taking one for the team to prevent Bateman getting clear proved worthwhile though as Tshikuna overhit the resulting free kick and the ball sailed out for a goal kick.

The Crows had been forced into an early substitution in 25^th minute with centre back Will Hall limping out of the game to be replaced by Adam Murray. They made a second, perhaps more tactical change at the break with Shaun Keane joining the action to replace Joel Nakatani-Brown.

A spark of Ives usual style saw them put together a flowing move five minutes after the re-start that saw the ball passed through the Crows from one end of the pitch to the other, unfortunately the move ended with Richens pulling his effort from 25 yards well wide of keeper Chadwick’s right hand post. Ives supporters in the large Boxing Day crowd were hopeful that was to be a sign of things to come. But those hopes were very soon dashed as only five minutes later the visitors went ahead in the simplest fashion with a goal that Ives will be very disappointed to concede. Tshikuna delivered his in-swinging corner from the left to the back post where Murray had somehow ghosted in completely unmarked to power home a header from close range.

The Crows could not believe their luck and almost managed to double their lead only seconds later as the Ives defence which still seemed to be more focused on arguing with the match officials than stopping a Royston attack allowed a long ball down the centre to bounce letting Bateman run through. Goff came to meet him but the centre forward beat the keeper to the ball and took it down before attempting to shoot. Centre back Jordan Williams saved Ives blushes by getting around behind his keeper and clearing the shot off the line.

The visitors now had the wind in their sails and were well on top and were winning all the important tackles and looking at least half a yard faster than their out of sorts hosts. With Tshikuna and Furlong pulling the strings more chances to add to the lead started to arrive. In 61^st minute the former threaded a pass through Ives back line to put Bateman clear again but this time an assistant’s upraised flag prevented him putting the ball in the net. Keeper Goff was Ives saviour two minutes later as he leapt high to his right to keep out a Bateman header after Furlong had got down the right before picking out his centre forward with a delicate clip to the back post.

The keeper produced an even better double save with 20 minutes to go as another Tshikuna corner was only half cleared to Furlong who struck a sweet low drive from just inside the box that Goff did brilliantly to keep out diving full length to his left to block with a firm hand. Instantly up he was also in perfect position to block the follow up effort from Shomari Barnwell at point blank range.

A sporadic Ives raid only 90 seconds later saw Jonny Edwards force Chadwick into his only meaningful save of the afternoon as the Crows keeper leapt high to tip over the centre forward’s powerful effort from 25 yards.

The game was effectively killed off by the visitors two minutes later as Furlong again jinked his way down the right before cutting inside and whipping in the perfect inviting cross to the edge of the six yard box where Barnwell met it perfectly to power his header past Goff.

Jonny Edwards was one man who was certainly not about to concede defeat and he went close to setting up an exciting last 13 minutes when he received a ball inside from Kieran Higgs before powering his way into the heart of the Crows defence and unleashing a curling effort that Chadwick could only admire as it flashed past him, thudded into his left hand post and rebounded to safety.

Had that gone in a barn storming finish may have been on the cards from the hosts but it did not and the visitors were soon back in control and it was they who went closest to increasing their advantage in the closing stages. Three minutes from time Alfie Williams was fed in by Barnwell only for his control to let him down inside the box. The final chance of the game in added time was perhaps fittingly set up by Furlong who went past substitute Johnny Herd with ease before looking for a colleague with his pull back. Myles Cowling did well to cut out the intended pass but his block sent the ball towards goal where fortunately for the young midfielder Jordan Williams was again on hand to complete his second goal line clearance of the game.

The Crows first win in five moves them up to join Ives on 27 points in thirteenth and fourteenth positions respectively, both five points clear of the relegation zone in a very tight division at almost the half way point of the season. Getting a result at rock bottom Diamonds on 2^nd January now looks an essential for Ives but that will not be an easy game as their hosts will no doubt be boosted by the arrival of new manager Chris Nunn.

Final Score:  St Ives Town  0  Royston Town  2

Goals: 

ST IVES: 

ROYSTON: Murray 55, Barnwell 74

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Goff, Milne, Casey, Richards (capt) (Herd 86), J. Williams, Johnson, Higgs, Shariff, Edwards, D. Williams (Baker 74), Andoh (Cowling 63), Unused subs: Lewis, Hottor 

ROYSTON: Chadwick, Dasilva, Nakatani-Brown (Keane 46), Bell-Toxtle, Henry (capt), Hall (Murray 25), Furlong, Tshikuna, Bateman (Harness 74), A. Williams, Barnwell, Unused subs: Mentis 

Cards: Yellow:  ST IVES: Richens (42), J. Williams (68), Cowling (79), Shariff (84)                    ROYSTON: Murray (55) 

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH:  James Goff

Attendance:  317

Report by Nigel Howlett. Video by Ollie Jones. Photos by Louise Thompson.

 

St Ives Town v Hednesford Town

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  26-11-2022

Ives returned to winning ways at quattro tech Westwood Road, but the rock bottom Pitmen proved themselves no push overs and might well consider themselves unfortunate to leave Cambridgeshire with nothing. The visitors looked like a side low on confidence throughout a first half where the hosts ruled the roost going in front thanks a very cleverly taken goal from Kieran Higgs in 27^th minute. But a change of personnel and tactics at the break saw the pendulum swing the other way with the visitors now swarming forward and it was only thanks to a very well organised defence and some commanding goalkeeping from James Goff that Ives stayed in front until Nabil Shariff’s goal fifteen minutes from time finally removed the wind from the visitors sails.

There was excellent news for the Ives in midweek ahead of this game as Myles Cowling was announced as returning to the club on loan from Cambridge United after his brief spell at National League South Braintree Town. Another new face to the club was full back Patrick Casey who had joined from Harborough Town 48 hours earlier. Both these new arrivals came straight into the starting eleven.

It was perhaps not surprising that the hosts started the game on the front foot with their visitors, with only one win under their belts in the league all season, looking much more cautious. Keiran Higgs was an early thorn in the Pitmen’s side as he probed down the left causing visitors full back Lewis Ludford-Ison a few problems. Higgs had already got past the visitors skipper twice without end product before he repeated the trick in tenth minute and teed up Jonny Edwards for a shot from the edge of the box that flew over the top.

First shot on target of the game also came from Edwards in 18^th minute. Ives skipper Michael Richens, who looked back to his best on his return from suspension, robbed Luke Rowe and fed the ball into the run of Edwards but his shot took a deflection off a defender that took all of the sting out of it and made it a comfortable save for keeper Tiernan Brooks.

Rowe was the first player of the afternoon to pick up a yellow card two minutes later as he took one for the team by taking down Higgs as the speedy winger burst forward leading a fast paced four man Ives break through the centre of the park. Richens tried his luck from fully 35 yards with the resulting free kick but fired well wide.

With no Johnny Herd in the team long throw duties fell to Callum Milne and it was his arcing throw from the right that led to the opening goal. The ball was flicked on at the near post and was only half cleared to the edge of the box where Higgs picked it up. Thanks to some amazing footwork he jinked past two defenders into the box and deftly picked his spot rolling the ball right footed just inside Brooks right hand post with the unsighted keeper rooted to the spot.

Ives leading scorer Edwards almost capitalised on a slip by Pitmen’s experienced centre back Keith Lowe three minutes later. Running clear through the left channel he delayed his shot just a little to long allowing keeper Brooks and the recovering Lowe to close him down and block the eventual effort between them.

The visitors first real foray into Ives box came six minutes before the break when ex Reading and Bristol City striker Leroy Lita managed to get on the end of Ludford-Ison’s deep cross from the right and knocked the ball down to Obinna Anaebonam. But the Pitmen’s number seven snatched at the chance and screwed the ball well wide from ten yards. Anaebonam went a lot closer two minutes later when he picked up the ball 35 yards out and cut in from the left before unleashing a shot from just outside the box that deflected just over the top.

The last action of the half saw Ives come within inches of doubling their advantage in the simplest fashion as Milne met Higgs out-swinging corner from the right at the near post and powered his header at goal only to be denied by Rowe’s header off the line.

Having basked in a very positive first forty five minutes Ives supporters enjoyed their half time cuppa in confident mood expecting a similar second half and a comfortable win. But the Pitmen’s experienced manager Steve Burr had other ideas and showed that there are no easy games in this division. He took off Burton Albion loanee Thomas Hewlett and replaced him with the busy Kyle Bennett and changed his formation to give him more presence in the centre of the park.

Suddenly the momentum had swung in favour of the visitors. The second half was only three minutes old when Adam Livingstone got past Tyrone Baker down the left and drilled in a low cross to the near post where Charlie Johnson did brilliantly to stop Lita turning it home.

Bennett was involved on the hour when Anaebonam came within millimetres of levelling thigs up. The substitute threaded a ball through Ives back line to pick out the run of Anaebonam into the box. Keeper Goff was off his line in a flash to close down the Pitmen’s striker but he deftly chipped it over the Ives custodian but also much to the relief of the Ives faithful just over the crossbar. Goff had to be alert to come to Ives rescue again only moments later. This time he had to sprint off his line to hack the ball away from Anaebonam as the striker looked like getting clear onto a clip over the top by Rowe.

The visitors pressure continued and a 68^th minute run from Rowe saw him create another shooting opportunity for Bennett but the substitute fired well wide of Goff’s left hand post from 25 yards.

Just when it began to look like the pressure on Ives defence may tell the hosts found a way to kill the game with fifteen minutes left. As so often happens with one side pushing men forward to try and find an equaliser gaps will appear in their defence and that is exactly what happened as Higgs burst out of his own half with the ball he had support to both left and right, he chose right and fed the ball right into the run of Dylan Williams, he in turn fed the ball on into the feet of substitute Nabil Shariff who did what he has always done keeping his cool to calmly clip the ball over the advancing keeper to double Ives advantage from ten yards.

The visitor’s fragile confidence was not entirely shattered but it had certainly taken a heavy blow. They did try a few more ventures into Ives territory and it took an excellent Milne block on the line to deny Lita a consolation goal six minutes from time. But once that chance had gone the Pitman seemed to accept their fate and Ives had two good chances to put icing on their cake in the closing moments. Debutant Casey fed the ball down the right to Enoch Andoh and the substitute got past James McQuilkin before cutting inside and firing straight at keeper Brooks from a narrow angle with better placed colleagues screaming for him to lay the ball across the six yard line.

Shariff came even closer to making it three deep in added time when another Andoh run into the box saw him set up Cowling who unselfishly fed it on to Shariff, his shot from 15 yards beat Brooks but Todd Parker was covering behind his keeper to hack the ball off the line.

The win takes Ives up one place to twelfth whist their thirteenth defeat of the season leaves the Pitmen firmly rooted to the bottom of the table now eleven points from safety.

Final Score:  St Ives Town  2  Hednesford Town  0

Goals: 

ST IVES: Higgs 27, Shariff 76

HEDNESFORD: 

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Goff, Milne, Casey, Richens (capt), J. Williams, Johnson, Higgs, Cowling, Edwards (Andoh 79), D. Williams, Baker (Shariff 62), Unused subs: Lembikisa, Kaziboni, 

HEDNESFORD: Brooks, Ludford-Ison (capt), McQuilkin, Rowe, Lowe, Redfern, Anaebonam, Parker, Lita, Hewlett (Bennett 46) Livingstone, Unused subs: Portman, Akinwe, Hartley, Clayton

Cards: Yellow:  ST IVES:    none     HEDNESFORD:   Rowe (20), Bennett (76), Ludford-Ison (90+2)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Jordan Williams

Attendance:  190

Report by Nigel Howlett. Interview by Andrew Dunn. Match highlights by Ollie Jones. Photos by Louise Thompson.

St Ives Town v Needham Market

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  19-11-2022

An excellently taken first half Nabil Shariff goal and a solid second half rear guard action took Ives to within seconds of breaking the fifteen-year hoodoo that the Marketmen have held over them. Unfortunately, it was all undone in a momentary lapse of concentration in the final minute of the ninety when substitute Kaan Bennett was allowed to get through the centre of Ives back line to grab an equaliser and stretch that record into another season.

The game could have started so well for the hosts and they should have gone in front inside the first minute as a flowing move down the left was finished with Jonny Edwards putting through a slide rule pass into the perfectly timed run of Tyrone Baker. The Ives winger was completely clear with only visiting keeper Marcus Garnham to beat. Baker took the shot on early from just inside the box but he hit the ball at a nice saving height allowing the big keeper to go down to his right to make the save.

Ives kept up that early pressure and Edwards managed to get an eighth minute free kick through the visitors four-man wall, but the deflection on its way through took most of the sting out of it allowed a defender to hack it clear. The first fifteen minutes were quite open, and the visitors also carved out a couple of half chances. In 14^th minute Ross Crane got past Baker down the left and delivered a low cross to the near post where Luke Ingram made a hash of a decent chance completely missing his kick. Home keeper James Goff was called into his first meaningful action of the afternoon two minutes later as he got down smartly to his left to keep out a near post effort from Taylor Clark. The chance had been created by a low cross from the right by Jacob Lay.

Johnny Herd’s long throw has proved a potent weapon for Ives this season and it delivered again to put Ives in front in 18^th minute. The arcing missile was flicked on at the near post by Charlie Johnson and the ball dropped at the feet of Shariff eight yards out in the centre of goal. An instant spin and shot found the bottom corner beyond the despairing dive of Garnham.

Ives tried for a repeat performance three minutes later. This Herd projectile arrived at the penalty spot where Jordan Williams got a flick. Callum Milne knocked it back across goal where Johnson rose highest but failed to keep his header down under pressure from a group of Marketmen defenders and keeper Garnham.

Both sides were moving the ball around well on the excellent surface and the next chance fell to the visitors in 25^th minute as Clark again got on the end of a flowing move but this time, he failed to hit the target with a crisp drive from just outside the box. Ives put together a flowing move of their own three minutes later as skipper Dylan Williams brilliantly picked out the run of Baker who got away down the right and delivered a driven cross that forced Garnham into a flying save spectacularly palming the ball away from Edwards ghosting in at the back post.

As the first half wore on the fast early pace began to drop off a little and the chances dried up at both ends in the closing fifteen minutes with both defences on top and neither keeper called into meaningful action Ives were happy to take their slender lead into the break.

The Marketmen had been forced into an early change in 31^st minute when Clark limped out of the action to be replaced by Kaan Bennett and it was the substitute who came within millimetres of levelling things up only 45 seconds after the re-start. Played through by Crane, Bennett just beat Goff to the ball flicking it past the exposed keeper but fortunately for Ives he could not catch the rolling ball which clipped the outside of the post and went wide.

Having already used one of his replacements in the first period the visitor’s manager, ex Manchester City star, Kevin Horlock went for broke making his final two changes as early as 63^rd minute. Jamie McGrath replacing Lay and Tom Fitzgerald coming on for Christian Frimpong. The changes almost instantly brought reward as Goff spilled a Kyle Hammond cross from the right under heavy pressure, fortunately his defenders came to his aid and scrambled the ball clear. The visitors continued to press and two minutes later Ingram curled a 25 yarder just wide of Goff’s right-hand post.  

Ives manager Ricky Marheineke made his first change in 66^th minute with Enoch Andoh replacing the tiring Baker. Andoh had an almost instant impact weaving into the box on the right before setting up Kieran Higgs who played in Edwards whose fierce shot from a narrow angle deflected wide off a defender.

After that brief sortie Ives were soon forced back onto the back foot again as the visitor’s pressure built. A 72^nd minute glancing header from McGrath flashed wide after the substitute had got on the end of a cross from the right by fellow replacement Fitzgerald. Five minutes later it was the turn of Bennett to fail to hit the target from a good position after Harry Knights had picked out his run from the left brilliantly with a cross field ball from inside his own half. An even better opportunity for the visitors to test Goff came only seconds later as Dylan Williams upended Bennett just outside the box. Crane’s free kick beat Ives five-man wall but curled just wide with a relieved keeper looking on.

The pressure on Ives back line was mounting and even Edwards was back helping out his defence as he picked up a yellow card for pulling back Hammond as the overlapping full back tried to break away down the left in 82^nd minute. Knights had appeals for a penalty waved away as he went down under challenged at the back post as he tried to get on the end of Crane’s free kick.

Just as it was beginning to look like Ives hard work was going to pay off with maximum reward they switched off for just a few seconds allowing Bennett and Ingram to exchange passes through the centre of their defence. The former running clear onto the latter’s through ball and clipping the ball past the exposed Goff from just inside the box to level things up.

There was still time for both sides to go close to finding a winner in the added five minutes. For Ives Herd delivered a free kick from the left that Jordan Williams won in the air on the edge of the box. His header down found Shariff but he was crowded out and the ball fell to Andoh on the edge of the box. His shot took a deflection which took all of the sting out of it making an easy save for Garnham. The stoppers big boot up the pitch then carved out a half chance at the other end as Ives substitute Lewis Lembikisa allowed it to bounce and Ingram nipped past him. The visitor’s number nine went down under challenge from the recovering defender, much to the relief of Ives supporters referee Lee Hartley waved away the striker’s pleas for a penalty and ended up booking keeper Garnham who ran half the length of the pitch to join in the protests.

A point that Ives would have probably taken pre-game felt like a defeat after such a late equaliser and it was a demoralised group of players that trudged off at the end but they must take the positives from this performance and use them as motivation to find a return to winning ways in their next game at quattro tech Westwood Road next Saturday when they face lowly Hednesford Town. 

Final Score:  St Ives Town  1  Needham Market  1

Goals: 

ST IVES: Shariff 18,

NEEDHAM: Bennett 90,

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Goff, Milne, Herd, Higgs (Lembikisa 89), J. Williams, Johnson, Baker (Andoh 66), Hottor, Edwards (Kaziboni 84), D. Williams (capt), Shariff, Unused subs: none

NEEDHAM: Garnham, Hammond, Dye, Frimpong (Fitzgerald 63), K. Morphew (capt), D. Morphew, Lay (McGrath 63), Knights, Ingram, Clark (Bennett 31), Crane, Unused subs: none

Cards: Yellow:  ST IVES:  Hottor (43), D. Williams (78), Edwards (82)      NEEDHAM: Crane (50), K. Morphew (90+3), Garnham (90+5)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Kieran Higgs

Attendance:  176

Report by Nigel Howlett. Match highlights by Ollie Jones. Interview by Andrew Dunn. Photos by Louise Thompson.

St Ives Town v Nuneaton Borough

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  05-11-2022

Ives poor run of home form in the league continued as they made it just one point collected from five home games since they defeated AFC Rushden & Diamonds at quattro tech Westwood Road on August Bank Holiday Monday. They had no one but themselves to blame for this latest defeat gifting their second placed visitors a two goal lead inside the first seventeen minutes. The Boro had already gone close twice through Matt Stenson and Charlie Dowd before Ryan Beswick put them in front with a perfectly flighted chip from 35 yards in thirteenth minute. The midfielder took the chance to beat out of position keeper James Goff but the opportunity was gifted to him by a poor pass out of defence by Charlie Johnson.

The second goal four minutes later was equally poor from an Ives point of view as Kane Lewis allowed Dowd to get past him into the left hand side of the box before taking down the Boro number eight from behind for a cast iron penalty. Veteran striker Luke Benbow made no mistake from the spot beating Goff low to his left as the keeper went the other way.

But as the half wore on the hosts slowly began to get themselves into the game. Michael Richens had their first shot at goal midway through the 45 minutes. His powerful free kick from 25 yards was on target but it hit Benbow in the wall and ricocheted away.

Jonny Edwards should probably have done better with his header having got on the end of Enoch Andoh’s teasing 27^th minute cross after the tricky winger had cleverly got past Chris Cox to set up the opportunity to deliver the ball to the back post. Six minutes later Ravi Shamsi provided the hosts first shot on target as his free kick from 30 yards out beat the wall but a well positioned Tony Breeden in the visitor’s goal made a comfortable save.

Ives continued to go in search of a route back into the game before the break and another half chance went begging in 40^th minute as Jordan Williams won a Johnny Herd long throw at the near post and his flick bounced through the six yard box without anyone able to get a touch. Andoh was also brilliantly denied by keeper Breeden only seconds later as he timed his run to perfection to get on the end of Shamsi’s threaded through ball. He made excellent contact just inside the box but Breeden was equal to the effort plunging to his right to push the goal bound shot around the post.

A substitution at half time by manager Ricky Marheineke saw the debut of winger Kieran Higgs signed on loan from Lowestoft on the morning of the game, he replaced skipper Michael Richens who had presumably picked up a knock. Higgs almost made an instant impact as within ninety seconds of coming on he almost got on the end of another Andoh cross from the left with only a very timely intervention from Isaiah Osbourne preventing him poking the ball home at the back post. The resulting corner fell to Edwards on the edge of the box and his first time effort struck a defender and deflected just wide with everyone looking on. 

Higgs introduction down the right side gave more freedom to Shamsi and he was the architect of a lot of the hosts early second half pressure. In 51^st minute his excellent through ball put Andoh away down the left. The speedy winger’s rising drive from the edge of the box was palmed over the bar by Breeden. The Boro again struggled to deal with the resulting corner with the ball falling to Dylan Williams on the edge of the box but his effort was always going over the top.

There was controversy only moments later as Stenson thought he had increased Boro’s lead. Johnson misjudged a long ball which bounced off him to Stenson who was away. The assist’s flag on the far side instantly went up and everyone except Stenson stopped but referee Jack Bloxham’s whistle did not sound. Stenson put the ball in the net prompting Ives players to surrounded the referee pleading their case. After a long conversation between Mr Bloxham and his assistant the verdict was that Stenson was offside when the initial ball was played and the “goal” was disallowed much to Ives relief.

After that let off Ives resumed their siege on the Boro goal. A 56^th minute Shamsi free kick beat the visitor’s four man wall and the diving Breeden but cannoned to safety off the outside of the post. Ten minutes later another of Herd’s long throws caused further danger for Breeden and his team mates. This one landed on the six yard line where initially Williams and then Johnson tried to force it home, both efforts being blocked by the bodies of defenders throwing themselves across the line of the shots.

Johnson was delivering a few telling balls out of defence and one such ping in 71^st minute put Andoh away down the left. His tempting cross into the middle was just inches to high for Edwards arriving at pace ahead of his marker. With time ticking down the Boro defence continued to look stretched but it did not break. Another Herd long throw set up a chance for Dylan Williams in 80^th minute. As the attempted clearance fell to him on the edge of the box he went for the spectacular but he could not keep his powerful volley down.

The goal that had been threatening to arrive since the start of the second half finally arrived with five minutes of the ninety left. Shamsi delivered a dangerous corner from the left. Johnson got above his marker at the back post to head the ball down and Edwards fired home through the crowd from eight yards.

Now with their tails up Ives really upped the momentum in search of what would be a dramatic equaliser. Shamsi would be disappointed not to do better with an 88^th minute free kick which he fired well over the top from 20 yards. The board went up indicating an added seven minutes to lift Ives hopes and they did manage to carve out two further opportunities during that time. Two minutes in Shamsi set off on one of his trademark runs into the heart of the Boro back line. Cutting in from the right he got past two men and burst into the box but his powerful shot from a narrow angle was straight at Breeden who battered the ball away. The final chance and it was no more than half a chance came in the final added minute when Higgs came oh so close to getting on the end of Herd’s deep cross from the left.

When the final whistle eventually came the relief on the faces of Boro players and supporters alike was plain to see as the Ives players slumped to the ground from both exhaustion from their effort and disbelief that they had got nothing from the game. However they must look back to their start to see why they got no reward for their efforts. They must learn from this reverse and quickly. If they are to arrest their slide down the table a full ninety minute performance is required from everyone in the side.

Final Score: St Ives Town  1  Nuneaton Borough  2

Goals: 

ST IVES: Edwards 85

NUNEATON: Beswick 13, Benbow 17 (pen)

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Goff, Lewis, Herd, Richens (capt) (Higgs 46), J. Williams, Johnson, Andoh, Hottor (Shariff 83), Edwards, D. Williams, Shamsi, Unused subs: Milne, Lembikisa

NUNEATON: Breeden, Cox (Forde 77), Richards (Brogan 86), Beswick, Magunda, Osbourne (capt), Benbow (James 67), Dowd, Stenson, Rowe-Turner, Mancinelli, Unused subs: Noble, Mcmanus

Cards: Yellow: ST IVES:  J. Williams (24), Hottor (73)    NUNEATON: Stenson (89)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Ravi Shamsi

Attendance:  233

Report by Nigel Howlett. Interview by Andrew Dunn. Photos by Louise Thompson.

St Ives Town v Rushall Olympic

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  29-10-2022

Having gone most of the season to date with barely an injury to disrupt their small squad Ives may consider themselves unlucky to have picked up three injuries in the week preceding this game. As if that was not bad enough ever reliable centre back Jordan Williams tweaked his groin in the warm-up. This meant midweek signings Charlie Johnson and Ravi Shamsi both started and the hosts were left with only two fit players on the bench.

Taking into account all of the above it was Ives who started on the front foot and but for a poor touch Shamsi could have opened his Ives account within 25 seconds of the kick off. The opportunity was created by a speedy break down the left from Tyrone Baker who sprinted past Kristian Green before finding the Ives debutant arriving at the near post sadly his effort went well wide of the target.

The game then settled down into a tight affair with both defences generally on top. The next attempt on goal did not arrive until 20^th minute when Callum Coyle teed up Sam Mantom for a shot from just outside the box that home keeper James Goff saved well low to his right. This effort from the visitors seemed spark Ives into life and Michael Richens almost caught out keeper Jake Weaver with a speculative effort from 30 yards two minutes later. The athletic Pics stopper did very well to leap spectacularly high to his left to tip the effort over.

The hosts then continued to look the more likely side to break the deadlock in the remainder of the first period. Callum Milne got on the end of a deep Richens free kick in 25^th minute but the flag was up to prevent him nodding home. Ives best chance of the day came in 32^nd minute when Julien Saka won a crunching tackle in the centre of the park and fed in Shamsi cutting in from the right. His fierce low drive from just inside the box was parried by keeper Weaver who quickly recovered to claim the follow up chip from the Ives man underneath his crossbar.

Weaver was again in action five minutes before the break when he acrobatically tipped over a fierce rising drive from a narrow angle by Baker who had been fed through down the right by an excellent ball inside the full back from Kane Lewis. The final action of the half saw Milne lose his man beyond the far post to get on the end of a deep Shamsi cross but he could not pick out a team mate in the centre with his header which bounced through the six yard box before being cleared.

The visitors almost got their noses in front in 56^th minute as Callum Coyle sprung Ives offside trap and got clear inside the box. As Goff came to meet him he tried to set up Will Shorrock for a tap in at the back post but the winger miscued his effort allowing Goff to recover and save. That was a real let off for the hosts but they failed to take advantage of it as they fell behind in the very next Pics attack only seconds later. Andre Landell got through the middle and Goff did very well to sprint off his line and spread himself to block the strikers shot at point blank range but the ball fell to Mantom. His low drive appeared to be blocked on the line by the hand of defender Julien Saka. Callum Coyle rammed home the loose ball but the assistant’s flag was up giving Ives momentary hope of redemption but the raised flag was merely to confirm that Mantom’s effort had already crossed the line before Saka’s intervention thus saving the defender from a potential red card.

Ives huffed and puffed but with the excellent Jordaan Brown snuffing out their main goal threat by keeping Jonny Edwards quiet their opportunities were very few and far between. Keeper Weaver did make an excellent reaction save to keep out Richens header from Shamsi’s free kick in 69^th minute but that was his only noteworthy stop of the second half.

The goal that effectively killed the game and ensured that the points went back to the West Midlands came fifteen minutes from time. With everyone lining up for a long throw from Alex Fletcher he cleverly took it short and then picked out Green in space beyond the far post with his cross. The full back took down the ball well and drilled it in the bottom corner from just inside the box.

The late introduction of Enoch Andoh lifted the home supporters but although his trickery and pace carved out a couple of chances neither came to anything. His 78^th minute cross picked out Edwards but the centre forward’s header from by the penalty spot was straight at Weaver. Seconds later the winger created then wasted an excellent chance for himself as he weaved his way past three players to break into the box but as things opened up for him he fluffed his shot giving Weaver a simple save to make. 

Things could have got worse for the tiring hosts as six minutes from time the silky Fletcher found time and space 25 yards out to pick his spot with a curler that was destined for the top corner until Goff showed his prowess leaping high to his left to tip the effort over the top. Mantom also skimmed a low drive inches wide from just outside the box ninety seconds later.

The final effort of the game came from the hosts as Richens 30 yard free kick was deflected wide but, even with seven added minutes courtesy of a head injury to the battling Johnson that left him patched up and looking like Terry Butcher of old, there was no way back for the Ives. 

This defeat sees them slide down to mid table while the Pics move up to sixth just one place outside the play-off places. Now four league games without a win at home Ives must look back to August Bank Holiday Monday for their last maximum return at quattro-tech Westwood Road. A run of form that must be quickly arrested if they are to continued to nurture play-off aspirations of their own. 

Final Score: St Ives Town  0  Rushall Olympic  2

Goals: 

ST IVES: 

RUSHALL: Mantom 56, Green 75

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Goff, Lewis, Saka, Richens (capt), Johnson, Milne, Baker, Hottor (Shariff 80), Edwards, D. Williams, Shamsi (Andoh 72), Unused subs: J. Williams

RUSHALL: Weaver, Green, Mitchell, Fletcher, Brown, Masidi, Shorrock (Thorley 72), Mantom, Landell (Cameron 80), Coyle (Campbell 60), Batchelor (capt) Unused subs: Daly, Riley

Cards: Yellow: ST IVES:  Saka (52)    RUSHALL: Mantom (37), Mitchell (67)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Charlie Johnson

Attendance:  172

Report by Nigel Howlett. Video by Ollie Jones. Photos by Louise Thompson.

St Ives Town v Basford United

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  22-10-2022

The Lions came with a game plan that Ives supporters of old would have recognised very well. A goalkeeper with a massive boot on him and a large and powerful centre forward. It looked like this route one tactic with others picking up the pieces from knock downs by the powerful target man Gregg Smith was going to get them maximum reward until two minutes from time when right back Owen Betts inexplicably grabbed a loose ball deep inside his own box. The defender was probably hoping to be awarded a free kick as he felt that he had been nudged in the air by Jonny Edwards but referee Gary Connell was in the perfect position to see and his verdict was that the unfortunate Betts had not only conceded a penalty but also earned himself a red card for denying the striker a shot on goal. He was looking on from the tunnel as Edwards kept his composure to beat keeper Kieran Preston from the spot to earn Ives a deserved point.

With Myles Cowling recalled from his loan spell by Cambridge United after his sterling performances in the last few games Ives manager Ricky Marheineke recalled the ever reliable Ed Hottor back into the centre of the park alongside skipper Michael Richens. The only other change from last weeks unfortunate FA Cup defeat at the hands of Halifax was a return for Nabil Shariff joining Edwards in a front two at the expense of Greg Kaziboni who dropped to the bench.

The game started with both sides looking like they wanted to get the ball down and play on the excellent surface. Anthony Dwyer could easily have put the visitors in front in fourth minute as he ghosted between Ives centre backs to get on the end of Courey Grantham’s delightful clip in from the right. Fortunately for the hosts he failed to hit the target. Enoch Andoh spurned an equally good opportunity to grab the opening goal at the other end as he got on the end of a clip over the top by Michael Richens and got past Betts. The little winger drew keeper Preston to him but his shot when it came was at an ideal saving height and the Lions stopper stuck out a paw to block it low to his left.

The opening exchanges continued to swing end to end and Johnny Herd made an excellent recovery to block a fierce shot from Grantham at point blank range in twelfth minute. The rebound dropped to Betts who blazed over from 15 yards. Five minutes later at the other end Preston was again called into action getting down well to his right to hang onto a 25 yarder from Richens.

But from the midpoint in the first half Ives began to get on top as they continued to deal effectively with the visitor’s long ball tactic whilst starting to carve out some chances of their own. Edwards went close to catching out keeper Preston in 21^st minute as he outmuscled Dom Roma to get on the end of a ball over the top. His attempt to chip Preston from 35 yards was only inches over the top. Andoh continued to cause problems down the left and he almost got away again in 25^th minute. He got past Betts but was taken down by the covering Grantham. Dylan Williams free kick forced its way through the Lions wall but was well held by Preston. Richens also fired in a 30 yard screamer that was only a couple of feet wide.

The visitors only opportunity in this long spell of pressure from Ives came in 33^rd minute when Dwyer was taken down on the left by Kane Lewis. Adam Chapman’s well struck free kick deflected off the wall and home keeper James Goff reacted well to turn it over the bar.

With time running out in the first half Edwards again showed his goal scoring prowess as his sheer persistence put Ives ahead. Involved in the initial move he fed the ball out to Andoh on the left. The winger’s cross found its way to the centre forward just inside the box. His initial shot was blocked but he swung a left boot at the rebound catching out keeper Preston as the ball bobbled into the corner of the net with the keeper rooted.

Having got their noses in front we expected Ives to pile on the pressure in search of a second in the early stages of the second period. But that was not to be as it was the visitors who lifted themselves to enjoy a good spell. In 51^st minute the dangerous Dwyer got on the end of a ball in from the left by Ben Starkie and found space to turn and shoot from the edge of the box but fortunately the effort went straight into Goff’s midriff. Chapman went even closer to an equaliser four minutes later. Josh Barnes corner from the right fell to him inside the box and his goal bound effort was blocked inside the six yard box by Callum Milne with the ball then scrambled to safety.

Andoh was continuing to probe down the left and looked Ives most likely option for a second goal on the break. He combined well with Williams on the hour. Picking up a return ball inside the box he could only toe poke his effort wide. Worse was to follow for the tricky winger in 71^st minute as he cut in from the left weaving his way past Betts and Roma before losing his footing as he went to shoot. Keeper Preston picked up the loose ball and delivered a towering punt down the park. For once Ives combined forces were not in place to pick up the rebound off Smith. The ball fell to Grantham who fed in his skipper Matt Thornhill his first touch was a good one and second saw him clip the ball past the advancing Goff to level things up.

Things then went from bad to worse for the hosts as Preston’s very next punt down the park came off Smith and fell to substitute Tyreace Palmer who beat Goff emphatically with a powerful first time strike from just outside the box.

To their credit Ives reacted well to going behind and spent the next ten minutes camped around the Lions box as long throws and corners reined in from both sides of the pitch. Jordan Williams twice went close. Firing over from just inside the box as Milne’s shot rebounded off a defender to him in 80^th minute and three minutes later steering his diving header just wide as he got on the end of Richens clip into the box from the left.

But with all of the pressure on the visitor’s goal Ives did have one let off with five minutes to go. Herd misjudged a clearance and Starkie looked like he was going to race clear only for the full back to scythe him down. Thanks to Lewis’s attempts to get around and cover the card for the Ives full back was only yellow. 

Then came the dramatic close to the game courtesy of Betts momentary aberration and Edwards cool head. The initial cross into the box from the right by substitute Greg Kaziboni was aimed at Edwards and he climbed for it at the back post with Betts. The defender falling on the loose ball as he came down and almost instinctively making a grab for it as Edwards who had stayed on his feet went to prod it towards goal. 

This result leaves both sides sitting just outside the play off places in a very tight division with Ives in eighth and their opponents one place and one point above them. Next Saturday Ives entertain sixth place Rushall Olympic as they look to get back to winning ways at the quattro-tech Westwood Road 

Final Score: St Ives Town  2   Basford United  2

Goals: 

ST IVES: Edwards 43 & 89 (pen)

BASFORD: Thornhill 71, Palmer 73

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Goff, Lewis, Herd, Richens (capt), J. Williams, Milne, Shariff (Johnston 86), Hottor, Edwards, D. Williams (Baker 66), Andoh (Kaziboni 82), Unused subs: Saka

BASFORD: Preston, Betts, Barnes, Thornhill (capt), Roma, Irvine, Grantham (Munakandafa 71, McGowan 90), Chapman, Smith, Dwyer (Palmer 66), Starkie, Unused subs: Musson, Bertram

Cards: Yellow: ST IVES: Richens (68), Herd (85)    BASFORD: Grantham (25), Barnes (36), Thornhill (48)

             Red: BASFORD: Betts (89)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Ed Hottor

Attendance:  185

Match Report by Nigel Howlett. Interview by Andrew Dunn. Video by Ollie Jones. Photos by Louise Thompson.

St Ives Town v Redditch United

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  24-09-2022

Ives fell to their second successive home defeat as the Reds maintained their excellent away form and showed why they are looking like a threat to some of the big boys this season. The silky skills of Max Sheaf shone through right from the early stages and it was the excellent midfielder that opened the scoring for the visitors finding the top corner with a peach of a free kick in 15^th minute. 

Following last week’s FA Cup success Ives named an unchanged starting eleven but they were slow to get into their stride and were very fortunate not to fall behind as early as the third minute when they were caught completely cold by a quick free kick by Sheaf who set Robbie Bunn in through the right channel and his low cross was turned home by Olalekan Osideko fortunately Ives were saved by the assistant’s upraised flag as the debutant striker had strayed offside.

Myles Cowling tried to get the ball rolling for the hosts two minutes later as he ran at the defence exchanged passes with Jonny Edwards and almost got clear but an excellent recovery by Ryan Wollacott blocked the all action midfielders strike from just inside the box.

The brilliantly taken opening goal in 15^th minute was really down to a series of errors from Ives, Lewis Hudson was initially allowed time and space to deliver a cross from the left. Johnny Herd got to it, but his defensive header was a poor one the ball dropping to Bunn 25 yards from goal in a central position. He side stepped to try and get a strike away from just outside the box where he was taken down by a clumsy tackle from Enoch Andoh. Keeper James Goff carefully lined up a five man defensive wall, but it was not enough as Sheaf curled his free kick over the end of it and into the top corner giving the man in lime green no chance.

To their credit Ives tried to lift themselves to get back level but they seemed to be lacking their usual level of threat going forward and their best chances were coming from dead ball situations. In 18^th minute skipper Dylan Williams curled in a deep in-swinging free kick that was only inches away from the stretching Jordan Williams at the back post. Four minutes later a Herd long throw created a scramble in the Reds box in which both Nabil Shariff and Callum Milne had shots blocked before the ball was cleared. 

Jonny Edwards was also looking to add to his eight goals for the season so far and he forced a diving save out of Reds keeper Kieran Boucher with a powerful drive from fully 30 yards in 25^th minute and also went agonisingly close to beating the keeper from a little closer four minutes later as received a ball inside from Kane Lewis 25 yards from goal and stepped around a defender before curling a left footed effort inches wide with Boucher struggling to get across.

The closing moments of the first half saw both sides go close. In the first added minute Shariff timed his run to perfection to get on the end of Herd’s through ball. He rounded Boucher but the keeper forced him wide and his shot from a narrow angle only found the side netting. Only seconds later Bernard Mensah spurned a golden opportunity to put his side two in front. Bunn and Sheaf combined well to put the striker clear and as Goff came to meet him the number eleven fired high and wide from just outside the box.

An excellent advantage by referee Graham Swanton created another opportunity for the visitors in the first minute of the second half. Lewis Hudson was taken down by a poorly timed tackle from Lewis on half way but the advantage saw Bunn get almost to Ives box before he was fouled by Cowling. Lewis picked up a yellow card for the initial challenge and Sheaf was presented with another opportunity to test out Goff and his wall. This time the wall won as the Reds midfielder’s goal bound effort deflected off it inches over the top.

Lewis had a much greater impact at the other end of the park as he got into the Reds box for the first time in 50^th minute. An exchange of passes with Shariff gave him the opportunity to deliver a teasing ball into the box where Andoh forced his way in front of Kieran Donnelly to prod home from six yards.

Having now got back on terms most in crowd expected Ives to go on and take control of the game but that was not to be as it was the visitors who raised their game and began to take control. Goff had already produced an excellent diving save to his left to keep out a powerful strike from the overlapping Hudson and Sheaf had failed to hit the target with a close range header before the winner arrived in 65^th minute. Hudson got down the left and fed the ball inside to debutant Reds striker Olalekan Osideko who amazingly found time and space to turn inside Ives box and pick his spot in the bottom corner of the net past the outstretched hand of the diving Goff.

Even now back in front the Reds did not sit on their lead but continued to go in search of a third to kill the game. It took a brilliant defensive header at the back post by Lewis to prevent Cain Smith turning in Donnelly’s teasing cross in 70^th minute. A deflected effort from Reece Flanagan a couple of minutes later crept just over the crossbar.

With fifteen minutes left Ives manager Ricky Marheineke made the bold move of going three at the back, taking off both full backs and replacing them with Michael Richens, who went into the centre of that back three and Greg Kaziboni who went into his familiar right wing position. But the game could easily have been over a few minutes later as Wollacott cleanly met a Reece Flanagan corner from the right eight yards out and turned away to celebrate thinking that his powerful header was destined for the net only for Goff to come up with a top draw save to not only keep it out but somehow hold onto the ball.

That save and the new formation lifted Ives and they could easily have found an equaliser in the closing stages. Ethan Johnston was brought into the fray as the hosts final change replacing Cowling with ten minutes to go and he came oh so close with his first touch of the ball. A Dylan Williams free kick was knocked back into the box by Milne and the ball fell to Johnston just outside the six yard box. He hit his effort cleanly but instead of billowing the net it hit Hudson on the line and bounced away with the full back knowing very little about it. 

Milne now playing as a right sided wing back was heavily involved in setting up the hosts final opportunity to get something out of the game in the first added minute as he got to the bye line and delivered a cross into the box that was deflected into the path of Andoh his attempted scissor kick was charged down and the ball ricocheted around the Reds box like pinball with both Jordan Williams and Johnston having shots blocked before it was finally cleared.

Even though they threw virtually everyone forward for the final few minutes Ives were unable to create another shooting chance and the final opportunity of the game fell to the visitors on the break as Yan Osadchyl got completely clear with only Goff to beat but once again the keeper did well forcing the Reds substitute to take his shot on early and like Mensah at the end of the first half he too failed to hit the target.

But it was the visitors that were celebrating seconds later as referee Swanton blew the final whistle to seal the Reds fourth win out of five games on the road this season and take them up to third place in the early season table. Ives drop to seventh and have a very quick chance to get things back on track as they visit Top Field to face Hitchin Town on Monday evening ahead of next Saturday’s historic FA Cup 3^rd Qualifying Round tie against Chasetown at the quattro-tech Westwood Road. 

Final Score: St Ives Town  1  Redditch United  2

Goals: 

ST IVES: Andoh 50,

REDDITCH: Sheaf 15, Osideko 65

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Goff, Lewis (Kaziboni 74), Herd (Richens 74), Cowling (Johnston 79), J. Williams, Milne, Andoh, Hottor, Edwards, D. Williams (capt), Shariff, Unused subs: Saka, Sandiford

REDDITCH: Boucher, Donnelly, C. Flanagan, Wollacott, Hudson, Byrne (capt) (C. Smith 60), Bunn, R. Flanagan, Sheaf (Osadchyi 90+3), Mensah (Boothe 70), Osideko, Unused subs: H. Smith, Rowbottom

Cards: Yellow: ST IVES:  Lewis (46), Ritchens (90+6)     REDDITCH: C. Flanagan (45+3), Bunn (88)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Enoch Andoh

Attendance: 217

Match Report by Nigel Howlett. Photos by Louise Thompson. Video by Ollie Jones & Dave Hook.

St Ives Town v Leiston  

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  13-09-2022

This was a match which hinged on a single controversial incident in 70^th minute, With the game delicately poised at 1-1 Tyrone Baker weaved his way into the Blues penalty area where he was clipped by Jake Hutchings. Ives speedy winger went down and referee Ivaylo Kyosev blew his whistle, but it was not to award the anticipated spot kick, instead the inconsistent official deemed that there had been no contact and issued the bemused striker his second yellow card of the game for “simulation” to take the hosts down to ten men.

There was a slight feel of autumn in the evening air as the two sides entered the arena on the return to action following football showing its respect for the sad death of her majesty Queen Elizabeth II. A further emotional moment of reflection for the life of that remarkable lady took place before kick-off as a perfectly observed one minute silence was held.

When the action did commence it was the visitors who were first to threaten in only the second minute as Finlay Barnes found space in the centre of the park before picking out Seb Dunbar in acres of space cutting in from the left. Keeper James Goff came to Ives rescue as he spread himself well to block the Blues skipper’s crisp low drive from just inside the box with his body. 

Missing inspirational skipper Michael Richens and the experienced Greg Kaziboni Ives were struggling to get into their stride and it took an excellent defensive header from Jordan Williams to prevent Dunbar getting on the end of a teasing cross from the right delivered by overlapping full back Joe Marsden five minutes later.  

Referee Kyosev got into the action for the first time in 13^th minute as he deemed a heavy challenge by Ed Hottor on George Quantrell worthy of issuing his first of nine yellow cards on an evening where there was barely a bad foul in the game. 

The visitors continued to enjoy the best of the early exchanges although they were very fortunate to get their noses in front in 20^th minute. Nabil Shariff unusually for him was robbed in the centre circle by Adam Bailey-Dennis who fed the ball out to Adam Mills on the left his rising drive from 20 yards took a wicked deflection off covering defender Julien Saka and looped over the head of the unfortunate Goff into the net.

Going behind seemed to spark Ives into life and they thought that they had equalised four minutes later. Myles Cowling clipped a ball through trying to pick out the run of Jonny Edwards but the outstretched leg of Quantrell just prevented it getting through. The loose ball fell to Shariff who was onto it in a flash and lashed it into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. But the celebrations were cut short as Edwards had gone just to soon and the flag was up.

Although the game started to even up the visitors were still presenting plenty of threat with Barnes getting involved in the centre at every opportunity and Mills aided by Dunbar constantly causing Saka real problems on the right side of Ives defence. That route down the Blues left was used again to carve out another opportunity for the visitors in 39^th minute as Will Davies fed in Dunbar and his first time cross was met at the near post by Quantrell who directed his header inches wide of the mark.

Ives will perhaps consider themselves a little fortunate to go in at the break on level terms but they are always capable of finding themselves a goal and the new threat this season is Johnny Herd’s long throws. His one from the left in 41^st minute arced into the box and was initially half cleared by the visitors but Callum Milne kept the ball alive and cleverly pulled it back to the edge of the box where Shariff repeated his effort of early again finding the bottom corner with a crisp drive through the crowd. This time the goal stood.

The late first half equaliser meant that the momentum of the game had swung in favour of the hosts who enjoyed a very good fifteen minute spell at the start of the second half but they only managed to test visiting keeper Sam Donkin once during that period and on that occasion in 52^nd minute he did brilliantly to deny Baker and keep the scorers level. The Ives winger had cut inside from the left and gone past a couple of players before unleashing a peach of a shot from the edge of the box that was heading for the top corner until the fingers of the full stretch Donkin diverted it wide in spectacular fashion.

Having survived that spell of pressure the Blues began to get back into the game and another of referee Kyosev’s apparent inconsistencies appeared in 68^th minute and it could have cost Ives dear, but they got away with it. Almost everyone in the ground saw Quantrell clearly handle the ball as he burst through Ives back line on the left. His driven cross then hit the outstretched arm of Cowling as he tried to block it. Fortunately the match official seemed to decide on this occasion two wrongs did make a right. However that decision may have had influence on his next major call at the other end of the park two minutes later. 

Baker’s unfortunate demise came in the hosts next attack to take Ives down to ten men with twenty minutes to go. It took a fantastic save from Goff low to his right to prevent Barnes restoring the visitors lead in 78^th minute after the striker had capitalised on a slip from Jordan Williams to burst through the right channel. The keeper was however left completely exposed from the resulting corner which was initially half cleared then lobbed back into the box where the biggest player on the park Bailey-Dennis could not believe his luck as he found himself eight yards out and completely unmarked. He prodded the ball past the exposed Goff but the final decision on who will claim it will go down to the players themselves as Ollie Saunders arrived at pace to ram home the slowly rolling ball on the goal line.

To their great credit the ten men did not lie down and take it and Edwards twice went close to grabbing an equaliser in the remaining time. In 84^th minute he timed his run to perfection to get completely clear down the right. He was able to cut inside and tried to beat keeper Donkin from a narrow angle when the better option may have been feeding the unmarked substitute Andrew Osei-Bonsu in the centre. The final opportunity came deep in added time when he got on the end of a clever Dylan William free kick but his driven shot from just inside the box was deflected wide by a lunging defender. There followed two Ives corners in quick succession with keeper Goff a constant presence in the visitor’s box but sadly it came to nothing and the Blues can happily head off back to deepest Suffolk with the three points in the bag. 

Ives must learn from this defeat where they were outsmarted by a very streetwise opposition who had an advantage in that they knew how Mr Kyosev was going to react in various situations and were clever enough to use that to their advantage. Ives must now pick themselves up, dust themselves down and get back on track in the FA Cup at Canvey Island this coming Saturday. 

Final Score: St Ives Town  1  Leiston  2  

Goals: 

ST IVES: Shariff 41,

LEISTON: Mills 20, Saunders 79

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Goff, Saka (Lewis 50), Herd (Andoh 87), Cowling, J. Williams, Milne, Baker, Hottor, Edwards, D. Williams (capt), Shariff (Osei-Bonsu 80), Unused subs: Sheriff, Johnston

LEISTON: Donkin, Marsden (Hill 72), Dunbar (capt), Bailey-Dennis, Hutchings, Rossi Jarvis, Saunders, Quantrell, Mills (Fernandes 82), Barnes, Davies Unused subs: Spooner, Ryan Jarvis, Wright

Cards: Yellow: ST IVES: Hottor (13), Shariff (50), Milne (67), Edwards (86), Jordan Williams (88)         LEISTON: Saunders (52), Dunbar (89)

             Red: ST IVES: Baker 2 x yellow (29 & 70)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Ed Hottor

Attendance: 128

Match Report by Nigel Howlett.

St Ives Town v AFC Rushden & Diamonds

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  29-08-2022

Well taken second half goals from Tyrone Baker, Ed Hottor and Jonny Edwards ensured that third placed Ives maintained their one hundred percent home record as they recorded a comprehensive victory over the struggling Diamonds in front of a bumper Bank Holiday crowd at the quattro-tech Westwood Road.

With only 48 hours between fixtures on this busy weekend Ives manager Ricky Marheineke decided to freshen things up following the 3-2 reverse at Mickleover. Out went the injured Julien Sake replaced at right back by debutant Kane Lewis. Greg Kaziboni, Myles Cowling and Nabil Shariff were all rested with Enoch Andoh and Ed Hottor returning to the side and Tyrone Baker making his first start of the season. 

Marheineke’s opposite number Andy Burgess only made a single enforced change from his sides starting line up. With loanee Jack Connor recalled by his parent club Northampton Town Jenson Cooper had to come in up front for the Diamonds.

It took a brilliant save from visiting keeper Dean Snedker to prevent Ives going in front after only 53 seconds. They won a throw in high up the pitch straight from the kick off. Johnny Herd’s arcing delivery arrived at the near post where Jordan Williams diverted in goal wards. The ball was heading just inside the post until the outstretched fingers of the diving keeper turned it around the post.

The early pressure continued to come from the hosts. Baker fired over from a promising position in third minute as he cut inside Patrick Casey before letting fly from just outside the box. Six minutes later Dylan Williams got onto a lob through the right channel, but Ryan Hughes exerted just enough pressure to ensure the shot when it came went well over the top.

Diamonds first real threat came in twelfth minute as Ives struggled to deal with a high ball delivered to the edge of their box. It fell to Connor Furlong who hit a snap shot from 25 yards that home keeper James Goff could only parry. Jordan Williams clearing up the loose ball. The same player went close again three minutes later as the busy Jesse Akubuine robbed Michael Richens in midfield and fed the ball to Furlong who this time failed to hit the target from 20 yards.

As play swung to the other end the usually deadly Edwards missed a golden opportunity to put Ives in front. Lewis delivered a teasing cross from the right that somehow evaded everyone in the centre of goal and dropped to Edwards on the six yard line. Unfortunately he was as surprised as everyone else that it had got that far and before he could react the ball bounced off his shins. Even then it still took a diving save from Snedker to prevent the ball bouncing into the net.

Andoh was causing a lot of problems down the right and he came within millimetres of opening the scoring in 23^rd minute as he danced past two defenders before cutting in on goal. Snedker spread himself well and just did enough as the ball deflected off his outstretched boot and went inches wide of the post.

Having had most of the early chances Ives were perhaps a little fortunate not to fall behind in 27^th minute. A Herd long throw was cleared down the centre where Cooper found himself one on one with the covering Lewis. The two initially clashed inside the centre circle with Lewis left on the deck as Cooper strode on and forced the ball past the exposed Goff at the second attempt. The assistant on the near side initially raised his flag as the two clashed on half way but then took it down again. A long conversation followed between the two officials before referee Jack Bloxham eventually ruled out the “goal” awarding the hosts a free kick for the initial foul.

Most of the rest of the first period was fought out in the centre of the park where Richens and Hottor were generally winning the battle against Akubuine and ex Ives man, now skipper of Diamonds, Nathan Hicks.

The visitors carved out their best chance to date three minutes after the re-start as Akubuine was allowed to scamper through the heart of Ives defence. Fortunately the shot, when it came, did not match the run as he screwed the ball wide from just inside the box.

It was the battling Hottor who lifted the Ives going close twice inside a minute around the 50 minute mark. Initially he robbed a dallying Morgan Worsford-Gregg before driving forward and firing inches wide from 20 yards. His next effort only moments later, again created from a mistake in Diamonds defence caused by Ives high pressing, was from a little further out but it forced Snedker into a save, albeit a fairly comfortable one.

Ives pressure finally told in 56^th minute as they broke at pace with Edwards feeding the ball across to Baker in a bit of space on the left. The very direct wide man again took on the defence at pace beating two men on the edge of the box before firing a low right foot effort past the outstretched hand of the diving Snedker and in the bottom corner.

As has happened a few times recent having fought so hard to get in front Ives do not consolidate their lead, but instead concede relatively quickly afterwards. On this occasion ten more minutes had passed before A swift interchange of passes between Furlong and Hicks on the right ended with the latter feeding in the run of Agemoh-Davies who unceremoniously slammed the ball home giving Goff no chance from just inside the box.

Instant reaction from the hosts saw them push forward again and win a corner within 40 seconds. Baker’s in-swinger caused problems in Diamonds defence, the ball dropped to Andoh but he was quickly crowded out with the ball cleared for a throw. Cue Herd and his long throw again caused panic in the box and it fell to Richens on the edge, his clip back into the centre found Edwards unmarked eight yards out. But the big centre forward miss timed his header the ball coming off his shoulder into the grateful hands of Snedker. 

Ives got their noses back in front fifteen minutes from time as a smart move down the left saw Williams feed the ball on to overlapping full back Herd. The left back had time to pick his man and pulled the ball back to Hottor lurking just inside the box. A clever side step to lose a defender and a left footed pile driver that flew past Snedker to billow the net raised the roof on the quattro-tech Westwood Road.

Now well on top the hosts went in search of a third goal to kill the wounded Diamonds off. Jordan Williams almost found it in 83^rd minute as he rose above the crowd to get on the end of substitute Kaziboni’s corner from the right. His powerful header beat the desperate dive of Snedker but thudded into the crossbar with such force that the ball rebounded to well outside the eighteen yard box.

Ives did not have to wait much longer to apply the killing blow as only moments later they scored a goal that the teams of old playing on the Westwood Road mud would have been proud of. Diamonds centre back Evan Empochontsif made a complete hash of a long punt down the centre from keeper Goff. Edwards pounced on the loose ball and slammed home his seventh goal of the season somehow beating Snedker low at his near post.

Once again an excellent all round performance on home turf (3G) that sees Ives remain third in the table just three points behind early pace setters Nuneaton Borough. Diamonds on the other hand sit rock bottom without a win in six games.

Next week we can look forward to the excitement of the FA Cup as Essex Senior League Barking make a trip to the quattro tech Westwood Road for a 1^st Qualifying Round fixture.

Final Score: St Ives Town  3  AFC Rushden & Diamonds  1   

Goals: 

ST IVES: Baker 56, Hottor 76, Edwards 84

DIAMONDS: Agemoh-Davies 66

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Goff, Lewis, Herd, Richens (capt), J. Williams, Milne, Baker (Cowling 74), Hottor, Edwards, D. Williams (Johnston 87), Andoh (Kaziboni 82), Unused subs: Sheriff, Shariff

DIAMONDS: Snedker, Casey, Hughes (Lashley 39), Furlong, Akubuine, Cooper (Sutherland 74), Hicks, Agemoh-Davies, Tee, Empochontsif, Worsford-Gregg (Corden 82), Unused subs: Pinto-Leite, Going

Cards: Yellow: ST IVES:  Hottor (41), Richens (80)    DIAMONDS: Agemoh-Davies (14), Empochontsif (53)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH:  Enoch Andoh

Attendance: 423

__________________________________________________________________________________

St Ives Town manager Ricky Marheineke was a happy man after his team recorded a 3-1 win over AFC Rushden & Diamonds.  After the game he spoke with Andrew Dunn to give his thoughts on the match.

“I’m delighted as it was important to get back to winning ways after the disappointment on Saturday.  I thought we controlled the game and at times I thought we could win the game by a more comfortable margin than we did.

Clearly the big talking point of the first half was the disallowed goal for Rushden.  It was clearly a foul, and the situation could have been made better if the assistant referee had kept his flag up.  But thankfully the referee got it right.

We had to make a change at right back as Julien Saka got injured on Saturday, so Kane Lewis stepped in for us.  Kane has been fantastic for us since signing and he played well for us today.  Nabil Shariff has a slight ankle injury, so we didn’t want to risk him for a full game today.  We rested Greg Kaziboni as we don’t want to over play him.  It was a good all-round team performance, but I thought one of the standout players for us was Enoch Andoh who had a good game.

I was delighted for Tyrone Baker who opened the scoring for us.  On his day, he is one of the best wide players in the league, and not only did he take his goal well, but he caused their defence problems all afternoon.

The squad is in a good place right now.  Every player knows that they are not always going to feature, and I know that I can make several changes to any starting line-up, and they will all know what is expected of them.

We have started the season well, and despite us not being the finished article, it’s great to be third in the early season league table.  We do need to improve our away form though.  Clearly, we are unbeaten at home, which is good, but it would be good to be a bit more consistent on the road.

As for Saturday, well it was obviously disappointing to lose in the manner that we did.  But you must give Mickleover credit as I thought they were outstanding.  They defended for their lives with nine men, gave us limited space and played on the counterattack.  We let ourselves down a bit in terms of game management, but we’ve moved on from it and will learn from it too.

This Saturday is the FA Cup.  We watched Barking in their replay against Leighton in the last round.  Everyone knows that the FA Cup produces a few surprise results so we will need to play at the right performance levels to progress.  Julien Saka will be back in training on Thursday and Nabil Shariff will be in contention too as it gives his injury a few more days to heal.  But aside from that, we are in good shape.

Finally, I was delighted with the attendance today.  The team certainly appreciate it and it’s good to see.  Hopefully we will have more of the same on Saturday and in future weeks too”.

Report by Nigel Howlett. Interview by Andrew Dunn. Video by Dave Hook. Photos by Louise Thompson.

St Ives Town v Kings Langley

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  20-08-2022

Ives bounced back from their midweek defeat at Needham Market to take the three points from the previously unbeaten Kings in even more impressive style than the score line would suggest. 

Manager Ricky Marheineke made three changes from the Tuesday evening defeat with left sided pairing Dylan Williams and Enoch Andoh returning to the side at the expense of Andrew Osei-Bonsu and Nabil Shariff respectively. Cambridge United loanee Myles Cowling also came in for his first start in Ives colours taking the central midfield role from Ed Hottor.

The visitors suffered a blow to their hopes even before a ball had been kicked in anger as centre forward Kennedy Feyi limped out of the pre-match warm up. Edu Toiny-Pendred stepped into the starting eleven from the bench to take his place.

Ives kicked off into the sun at the car park end and it became evident from very early on that this was going to be a very different game from Tuesday evening with both sides eager to play out from the back whenever possible and the ball being played through the midfield into the front men rather than the more direct style of the previous game.

It took until the eleventh minute before the first real effort on goal from either side and it came in familiar fashion from Ives with Greg Kaziboni taking on and beating his man on the right hand side, getting to the bye line before hanging up an inviting cross to the near post where Jonny Edwards met it at pace but he caught the ball a bit to cleanly and powered his header wide of the near post.

Ives continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession but were struggling to find a route through the Kings back line of five. One successful route for them was around the outside and another chance arrived in 25^th minute with Edwards and Kaziboni again combining. This time the latter fed in the former down the right and the wide man picked out Dylan Williams on the edge of the box with his pull back. The Ives number ten’s powerful strike took two deflections on the way through and it took an acrobatic reaction save from keeper Alfie Marriott to keep it out.

There were hopeful claims for a penalty from Ives next attack five minutes later as Edwards just beat keeper Marriott to a curling cross in from the left by Johnny Herd. The big centre forward’s header flew well wide as he was clattered into by the Kings keeper and referee Thomas Harvey deemed that he had missed his opportunity.

As the half wore on half chances continued to come and go for Ives. Centre back Jordan Williams got on the end of a Herd long throw in 34^th minute but he failed to hit the target with his header under pressure from Kings defenders.

James Goff’s first real save of the afternoon came five minutes before the break as Cain Keller got fed in by Alex Lafleur at the end of a quick Kings break from an Ives free kick. The Kings midfielder hit his effort well from just outside the box but Goff was down smartly to his left to keep the ball out.

With Richens and Cowling ruling the centre of the park throughout the first period Kings manager Harry Crawford decided to try and change things around at the break replacing centre back Jaden Ogwuazor with Alie Bangura and going with a flat back four to give his side an extra body in midfield.

The tactical ploy did not really work for the visitors as Ives continued to run the show with Richens and Cowling becoming, if anything, even more dominant. Edwards came within millimetres of putting Ives in front just three minutes after the restart. A slip by Jamie Jellis let Richens get a clean run into the box. His attempted shot was deflected along the six yard line and Edwards sliding in at the back post only made minimal contact with the ball which rolled past the post.

Ives continued to press and only moments later the all action Andoh robbed James Kaloczi inside the centre circle. The ball was fed on to Richens who in turn fed it on to Kaziboni but the winger’s teasing cross was a little to close to keeper Marriott who claimed it well.

Left back Lafleur was still getting forward at every opportunity and he was at the heart of a sporadic raid from Kings in 58^th minute. Kaloczi picked him out as he sprinted away down the left and his early cross almost caught out the Ives back line but fortunately Toiny-Pendred directed his header from ten yards wide of the post.

After that escape the host began to build up a real head of steam. Kaziboni almost found a way through on the hour but his effort from just outside the box was blocked by the combined efforts of Jorell Johnson and Lafleur. Two corners followed in quick succession. Edwards should really have put Ives in front from the second of these. Kaziboni delivered it deep beyond the far post, Callum Milne headed it back into the box where Williams flicked it on to find Edwards unmarked by the back post but the ball came a little to quickly and he failed to direct his header on target from close range.

Edwards only had to wait about 90 seconds before he had chance to make amends. Herd delivered another towering long throw from the right. A whole group of players went up for the ball by the penalty spot and it dropped to the floor. Edwards was first to react slamming home a low drive past the unsighted Marriott to give Ives a deserved lead.

Putting the ball in the back of the net was Edwards last action of the day as he was replaced by Shariff before the restart. Getting their noses in front only lifted Ives to greater endeavour and they continued to rule the show. The impressive Cowling set up the next opportunity in 78^th minute as he burst through the centre before feeding in substitute Shariff through the left channel. His rising drive from the edge of the box was palmed away spectacularly by the diving Marriott.

Patient build up from the hosts allowed Kaziboni to sew up the game four minutes from time. The move involving at least a dozen passes ended with Richens feeding in substitute Tyrone Baker down the right. He got outside Lafleur before pulling the ball back. It looked like it had evaded everyone in the centre but Kaziboni was arriving at pace at the back post where he gleefully side footed the ball home.

There was just time for Kings to go close to halving the arrears deep in added time when a ball from the left was met at the near post by Keller who knocked it into the side netting.

Overall an impressive victory achieved in style against a quality side. The sponsors picked Myles Cowling on his first start as their man of the match and with performances like that the Steve Spriggs like midfielder can look forward to picking up many more of those accolades in the future. Ives can also look forward to their Bank Holiday weekend fixtures with anticipation as a trip to Derbyshire to face new boys to the Southern League Mickleover will be quickly followed by a mouth watering Bank Holiday Monday afternoon visit to quattro tech Westwood Road from old rivals the Diamonds.  

Final Score: St Ives Town  2  Kings Langley  0     

Goals: 

ST IVES: Edwards 63, Kaziboni 86

KINGS LANGLEY:

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Goff, Saka, Herd, Richens (capt), J. Williams, Milne, Kaziboni, Cowling, Edwards (Shariff 64), D. Williams (Hottor 84), Andoh (Baker 77), Unused subs: Sheriff, Osei-Bonsu

KINGS LANGLEY: Marriott, Okaye-Ahaneiku, Lafleur, Kaloczi, Johnson (capt), Ogwuazor (Bangura 46), Case, A. Tajbaksh (Boorn 69), Toiny-Pendred (N. Tajbaksh 62), Keller, Jellis Unused subs: Hoskins, Deal

Cards: Yellow: ST IVES: J. Williams (53),  KINGS LANGLEY: A. Tajbaksh (37), Keller (67)

SPONSORS MAN OF THE MATCH: Myles Cowling

Attendance: 201

Report by Nigel Howlett. Video by Dave Hook. Photos by Louise Thompson.

 

St Ives Town v Stratford Town

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central  13-08-2022

The extreme heat kept a few spectators away and they will regret missing this red hot show from Ives who kept their excellent start to the season going and moved up to joint top of the embryonic Southern League Premier Central table with a five goal thrashing of the ten man Bards.

With manager Ricky Marheineke on his way back from his summer holiday it was careful planning from joint assistant managers Jim Freeman and Adam Fisher that plotted the downfall of the visitors. Targeting an area of the Bards defence which seriously lacked pace paid early dividends with two penalties picked up and despatched in the first twenty minutes as Julien Saka and Greg Kaziboni both targeted the struggling Josh Endall. 

Jack Storer did not help the Bards cause as he committed the cardinal sin on such a hot day of getting himself needlessly dismissed after only eleven minutes as he smashed an elbow into the face of Dylan Williams right in front of referee Alistair Wilson who had got his red card out of his back pocket almost before the two players had landed.

Two up at the break the second half became the Nabil Shariff show as the prolific hit man showed that he is back to his best with a perfect hat trick of a header, right foot and left foot finishes. All trade mark Shariff from inside the six yard box.

The Ives targeted approach brought them very early reward in only fourth minute as Saka cut out a poor ball out of defence and tore at the exposed Endall who made a desperate lunge to get back at the speedy wing back but only succeeded in taking him down just inside the box to give referee Wilson the opportunity to award the first of four spot kicks on the day. Williams emphatically beat Liam O’Brien from the spot.

The Bards went close to a leveller with their first venture into Ives territory four minutes later as Josh Hawker found a little space on the right before skimming in a low cross shot from just outside the box that forced home keeper James Goff into a save plunging low to his right to push the ball away.

Then came the moment of madness from Storer which took his side down to ten men with 80 minutes still on the clock on the hottest footballing day of the year. Don’t think his colleagues will thank him for that one!

Ives continued to get at the struggling Endall on the Bards left side, Kaziboni getting past him again in 14^th minute before delivering a cross to the back post that Jack Turner made a hash of clearing. Much to Turner’s relief Williams did no better failing to get a shot away from close range.

The tricky Dexter Walters was next to try his luck for the Bards in 19^th minute but his curling effort was comfortably saved by Goff and quick distribution by the keeper saw the ball fed out to Kaziboni on the right once more the winger outpaced the struggling Endall who, as he had done with Saka in the opening minutes, scythed down the Ives man deep inside the box. This time Jonny Edwards took on duties from the spot and coolly sent O’Brien the wrong way. 

Bards assistant manager Gavin Hurren who was in charge for the day had seen enough of Endall by this point hauling him off to go three at the back replacing him with giant centre forward Curvin Ellis. 

Now comfortably in front and with their opponents down to ten men Ives took their foot off the gas and allowed the Bards a little more time on the ball. Walters curled an effort inches wide from the left corner of the box in 26^th minute and the last chance of the first period fell to Jamie Molyneux who robbed Johnny Herd just outside the box before getting equally close to the opposite post two minutes before the break.

In between those two efforts from the visitors Shariff missed a golden opportunity to open his account for the season in 40^th minute. Edwards stole the ball off James O’Neill deep in Bards territory before leaving the struggling number six in his wake as he cut in from the right. His pull back picked out the unmarked Shariff by the penalty spot but the usually deadly striker blazed his effort well over the top. 

It was a completely different story for Shariff in the second half as he helped himself to the perfect hat trick. His first three minutes after the re-start came courtesy of the pacy Kaziboni who got away from O’Neill again down the right before delivering an inviting clip to the near post where Shariff accepted the invitation and powered his header into the top corner.

Shariff’s second and Ives fourth in the 57^th minute came down the same route as the previous three goals. This time it was Saka who was put away down the right by a perfectly weighted ball from Kaziboni. His clip into the centre was met perfectly by Edwards eight yards out and it took a brilliant diving stop low to his right by O’Brien to deny him a second of the day. But the keeper was not helped out by his defenders who reacted much more slowly to the loose ball than Shariff. His right foot toe poke made it 4-0.

The game’s third penalty arrived in 68^th minute and again it came from the right channel for the Ives. Saka jinked past two defenders into the box before being taken out by O’Neill. Williams was back on spot kick duty but keeper O’Brien out thought the Ives midfielder and leapt high to his right to tip the ball over the top.

To give them their due the visitors kept on battling and Ellis should have claimed a consolation for them twenty minutes from time. The hard working Bards skipper Will Grocott got to the bye line before teeing up a clean header for the substitute on the six yard line. He got plenty of power in the effort but somehow failed to hit the target.

But there was little respite for the struggling right hand side of the Bards defence as Kaziboni was replaced by the enigmatic Andrew Osei-Bonsu a few moments later. On his day Osei-Bonsu can be almost impossible to stop and he quickly made an impact as only three minutes after coming on he almost added a fifth. A thrilling interchange of passes in combination with Shariff saw the move end with the latter teeing up the substitute with an excellent reverse pass. But Osei-Bonsu got the ball stuck in his feet and was robbed by the covering Paul McCone before he could get his shot away.

That was only a very brief let off for the visitors as Shariff completed his hat trick in 78^th minute. Osei-Bonsu was the provider galloping away down the right before picking out Shariff on the edge of the box with his pull back. The striker’s initial shot was blocked by the legs of keeper O’Brien but again Shariff was quickest to react to the loose ball forcing it home with his left foot despite a desperate attempt by Turner to get the ball off the line.

There was still time in the remaining twelve minutes for referee Wilson to award his fourth spot kick off the afternoon. This time the first to the visitors. Goff was a little late off his line to claim a through ball allowing Ellis to just beat him to it then clattering into the Bards substitute for another nailed on penalty. Grocott’s spot kick was a poor one allowing Goff to redeem himself with a save low to his left.

Goff had one more save to make in the closing moments, low to his right to keep out a curled effort from 20 yards by Hawker. Shortly after the referee’s whilst blew to conclude a more than satisfactory day at the office for Ives. As they say in Yorkshire “that will do”.

Final Score: St Ives Town  5  Stratford Town  0     

Goals: 

ST IVES: Williams 5 (pen), Edwards 20 (pen), Shariff 48, 57 & 78

STRATFORD

Team Line Ups:

ST IVES: Goff, Saka, Herd, Richens (capt) (Cowling 65), J. Williams, Milne, Kaziboni (Osei-Bonsu 72), Hottor, Edwards (Johnston 62), D. Williams, Shariff, Unused subs: Andoh, Lewis

STRATFORD: O’Brien, Turner, Endall (Ellis 24), Sammons (Miles 63), McCone, O’Neill, Walters, Hawker, Storer, Grocott (capt), Molyneux (Dawes 56), Unused subs: Beresford, Fisher

Cards: Yellow: ST IVES: Edwards (45),  STRATFORD: Endall (19), O’Neill (30)

            Red: STRATFORD: Storer (11)

IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH: Nabil Shariff

Attendance: 154

Report by Nigel Howlett. Video by Dave Hook. Interview by Andrew Dunn. Photos by Louise Thompson.