There was little for local clubs to celebrate yesterday on ‘Non League Day’.
FA Cup stars St Neots Town were brushed aside by table-toppers Kettering Town in a Southern League Premier Division Central clash.
All of the leaders’ goals arrived in the second half of a match played in front of a crowd of almost 700 at the Premier Plus Stadium.
Their breakthrough arrived courtesy of a controversial penalty just before the hour with Saints goalkeeper Harry Reynolds adjuged to have brought down visiting striker Rhys Hoeness by an assistant referee.
Another spot-kick, this time a stonewall decision after a foul by Matt Miles, doubled Kettering’s advantage with nine minutes to go and they added a clincher soon afterwards.
A stoppage-time consolation from Mark Coulson was not enough to prevent St Ives Town being beaten at the same level.
Ricky Marheineke’s side went down 2-1 at Alvechurch after conceding midway through the first half and just after the hour.
Eynesbury Rovers were stung by a late equaliser in a disappointing United Counties League Premier Division deadlock.
Mark Ducket’s high-flyers were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Boston Town at Hall Road after hitting the front through Danny Draper. Rovers won the reverse fixture 5-0 earlier in the season.
Struggling Huntingdon Town were far happier with their 1-1 draw at Bourne Town in Division One of the United Counties League as boss Jimmy Brattan collected a first point since his recent return to the club.
Ben Keating’s first-half free-kick gave Town an advantage that was cancelled out early on the second period, but they were twice denied a winner late on after hosts Bourne were reduced to 10 men.
Glenn Spearink struck a post before debutant substitute Lee Defraine’s goalbound header was kept out by a last-ditch defensive block.
Godmanchester Rovers are in action today as they go to West Essex in the first round of the FA Vase.
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