Tuesday 9 September UCL Premier Division Raunds Town 3 St Neots Town 2 A POWERFUL second half display from the Shopmates sent St Neots tumbling to a fourth defeat in five league games. Saints made a great start as Raunds goalkeeper Phil Turner

Tuesday 9 September

UCL Premier Division

Raunds Town 3 St Neots Town 2

A POWERFUL second half display from the Shopmates sent St Neots tumbling to a fourth defeat in five league games.

Saints made a great start as Raunds goalkeeper Phil Turner spilled a left wing centre from James Hall and was punished as Matt Bannister slid the ball into the net from a tight angle.

Glenn Turner's long range effort struck the post as the Shopmates replied but the Saints doubled their lead after 22 minutes when Pete Okechukwu threaded a pass inside the full back and James Hall raced clear to slot home.

Raunds pulled a goal back after 54 minutes when Adam Taylor punished an error by visiting goalkeeper Ben Webster and 20 minutes from time the Shopmates were on terms as Cavell Jarvis converted an in-swinging Jamie Russell corner at the far post.

Raunds won it with a minute remaining when Russell's cross was met by a bullet header from Taylor, which went in off the underside of the crossbar.

*St Neots welcome Cogenhoe on Saturday.

Saturday 6 September

UCL Premier Division

St Neots Town 0 Boston 1

THE early sending-off of St Neots goalkeeper Jon Chatfield for a handball outside the area set the tone for a disappointing afternoon at Rowley Park.

Saints boss Marvin Johnson said he felt his goalkeeper was unfortunate to go and the incident had a profound effect on the match.

Johnson said: "I thought the referee could have shown some discretion but the lads played alright and we are just lacking a bit of luck."

Midfielder Matt Bannister was immediately sacrificed by Johnson for substitute goalkeeper Ben Webster and at that point the home crowd must have thought the worst as Boston had arrived unbeaten and would overrun their opponents over the course of the next 85 minutes.

But such was the commitment of St Neots, they gave no ground and, although the visitors created chances, Johnson's men had their moments and deserved at least a point from the game.

The sending off was the first moment of real action and Saints made sure that it didn't affect their game as they took the attack to the opposition.

Declan Rogers cut through on the quarter hour mark and saw his effort blocked on the line following a good team move.

Saints then conceded the only goal of the match some ten minutes later when mid-fielder Paul Goodhand was given too much time to line up his shot and beat Webster from the edge of the area.

Luigi Rocco replied for the host's and was chopped down outside the area and James Hall was unlucky to see his free kick rebound from the crossbar.

Jon Hoggett reacted quickly and his brave header looked to be heading towards the back of the net before a defender blocked the ball on the line.

On the half hour James Hall was denied a second time by the woodwork when he weaved past two defenders only to see his shot clip the cross bar.

Boston had their moments as well and Ben Webster made a great full length save to deny Miles Mason.

A fierce drive by Matt Kennedy was then push away by the St Neots keeper but right on half time St Neots were denied what looked a certain penalty when Pete Okechukwu was pushed to the ground from behind by Shaun Baker.

Okechukwu had a shot cleared off the line late on but it was not to be for St Neots.