Neots march on with FA Cup win over Dereham

EVEN thunder and lightning could not throw St Neots Town off their stride as Dereham Town became the latest side to succumb to the Saints at the Hunts Post Community Stadium.

EVEN second-half thunder and lightning could not throw St Neots Town off their stride as Dereham Town became the latest side to succumb to the Saints at the Hunts Post Community Stadium.

And the margin could have been greater without the efforts of Dereham stopper Shaun Marshall and wayward Neots finishing.

The opener from Dan Jacob on the half hour put Neots in the driving seat, before Lewis Hilliard netted his third goal in eight days to make the game safe on 55 minutes.

Jacob was a constant thorn in Dereham’s side, winning a corner seconds into the game, and following up with an opportunity from Hilliard’s cross minutes later.

Dan Chillingworth, still regaining full fitness, and Junior Kanuda also had chances in the first half. Rob Hughes had to make a late block to thwart a rare Dereham attack.

The deserved opener came on 30 minutes, when Jacob prodded home after a free-kick came off the frame of the Dereham goal. He could have added another shortly after, before Neots goalkeeper Luke McShane was forced into a save.

The Neots midfield continued to control proceedings, and Webb miskicked from a Jacob cross before Hilliard headed wide. A Dereham header in fist-half injury time reminded Saints they needed another goal.

Webb, scorer of two goals in midweek, was key to the second Neots goal, as it was from his parried shot that Hilliard fired home.

Thereafter the Saints were in cruise control, and they set about adding further goals. Jacob and Hughes passed up chances, Hilliard saw efforts saved and cleared off the line, and substitute Lee Bassett headed straight at Marshall with minutes remaining.

• Against Irchester United the previous Tuesday, a Rob Hughes opener and a pair from Lewis Webb earned Neots a 3-0 home win.