ONCE again Conor Washington was on the scoresheet for St Ives as they beat Spading 5-1 at home in the Premier Division of the United Counties League to remain in fifth.

But it wasn’t the much talked-about teenager who did most of the damage; it was Stuart Cobb, his striker partner, who scored a hat trick to secure St Ives another three points as they continue their push for promotion.

And after the game there was some surprise news: Premier Division leaders Peterborough Northern Star had lost 3-1 at home to Cogenhoe United.

Bouncing back from their defeat at King’s Lynn Town the weekend before, St Ives beat Newport Pagnell Town 4-3 at home on Tuesday evening. Washington scored twice that day to help the Saints come from behind as the scouts gathered at Westwood Road to watch the 19-year-old.

After that game manager Jez Hall was full of praise for the youngster, saying: “The first goal was a 30-yard lob – it was incredible. And then he scored one of the best goals I have ever seen at Westwood Road, rolling a Newport player before sprinting in between two defenders and poking it home.”

Washington’s goal was the fourth on Saturday after Lee Ellison had scored Saints first in the 15th minute. Cobb got his first on the stroke of half time and three goals in eight second half minutes put the game out of Spalding’s reach. Cobb got his second in the 60th minute, Washington made it 4-0 minutes later, and Cobb completed his hat trick with a fine shot from a low cross.

Saints are now away at Long Eaton United in the second round proper of the FA Vase on Saturday.

EYNESBURY Rovers made it eight wins out of eight when they beat Wellingborough Whitworth 2-1 at Hall Road on Saturday.

Now, Rovers might still be in fifth place in Division One of the United Counties League, but they are only three points behind leaders Bugbrooke St Michaels – and one behind third-placed neighbours Huntingdon Town as well. This division is really hotting up.

It was Wellingborough who took the lead though, scoring against the run of play just before half time, to give manager Paul Dodson something to talk to his players about during the break.

Gavin Batt, Lee Bassett, Ross West and Neil Morris had all gone close early on but it was still 0-0 in the 28th minute when visiting goalkeeper Sam Foulser made the first of a hat trick of fine saves from another Bassett chance. David Fisk was denied next before Foulser tipped a brilliant Bassett shot over the bar.

There was only time enough after that for Jamie Black to tap home a Jason Crawley ball to make it 1-0. Eynesbury finally found the net themselves seven minutes into the second half. Ryan Inskip picked out Bassett with a wonderful ball and the in-form striker fired it low and past Foulser. Two minutes later Eynesbury were almost in front when the goalkeeper fumbled a Shane Fox shot.

Batt made a great tackle to deny the visitors the chance of a second before Fox finally made it 2-0 when he hit home a Jeremy McMurrough cross-cum-shot which hit the crossbar and fell at his feet six yards from goal.

FOLLOWING their 2-0 win away at Raunds Town on Saturday, Huntingdon are third in the Division One table – not that Ricky Marheineke cares!

“I won’t be looking at the table again until the end of the season,” said the Huntingdon manager who admitted his team had to work hard to beat Raunds. “This is a tough league and there are no easy matches so I know the teams that are going to be difficult to beat – I don’t need to look at the table for that information. People tell me where our opponents are in the table but it doesn’t really matter – anyone can beat anyone on their day.”

Declan Rogers scored both of the goals in the 2-0 win with his first coming in the 20th minute following some good work from Ben Colmer and Joe Jordan; his second in the 80th minute from a Jordan cross.

“They are a good side, since we beat them at home three weeks ago they have won both of the games they have played.

“And the conditions weren’t the best either.It’s great that we are digging in and winning these games, not just the games that we score five, six or seven goals in.”