A FINE penalty save from goalkeeper Rob Mackney helped St Ives get their season off to a winning start at Hall Road. However, Saints joint manager Jez Hall insists his side can play better and said an unsavoury incident at the end of the game had left him

A FINE penalty save from goalkeeper Rob Mackney helped St Ives get their season off to a winning start at Hall Road.

However, Saints joint manager Jez Hall insists his side can play better and said an unsavoury incident at the end of the game had left him cold.

With St Ives 3-1 up, Raunds man Ashley Bradshaw lashed in a goal from 30 yards from a drop-ball after a visiting player had gone down for treatment.

Hall said: "I was feeling numb at the end of the game to be honest. The drop ball should have been played back to us but I couldn't believe it when they scored from it."

Defender Will Fordham continued last season's goal-scoring form to put the home side ahead on 19 minutes.

And St Ives looked to be heading towards a comfortable victory when new signing Scott Fielding produced a good finish to double their lead on 34 minutes.

Matt Curtis scrambled a goal back for Raunds seven minutes after the break but Saints continued to dominate, twice hitting the woodwork and also having a goal disallowed.

But they finally forced home their advantage on 71 minutes when Jamie Blackwell got onto the end of Fielding's excellent cross to make it 3-1.

Hall said: "The most important thing is that we got the three points and made a good start to the season.

"I was pleased with how we played but I didn't think we bossed the midfield enough, so we lost control in the middle of the park.

"But it was great to see our strikers scoring goals. Scott Fielding was excellent and showed what a good signing he has been."

Fellow forward Brian Liston-Clark also made his debut when he came on in the second half.

Hall is likely to stick with a similar side when St Ives entertain Cornard United in the FA Cup extra preliminary round on Saturday (3pm).

Chairman Neville Nania is urging fans to turn out in force and support the club, who had a very successful cup season last year.

* St Ives Town is looking for players and a manager for its A side, which plays in the Cambs League. Contact Neville Nania on 07850709837.

* The club is also looking for players for its U18 side. Contact Gary Stephens on 07921995268.

* A paid, part-time groundsman vacancy at the club has arisen. Contact Neville Nania for more information.