Saints extend winning streak to maintain pressure on league leaders

DAN Jacob scored both goals as second-placed St Neots Town kept up their pressure on the Southern League Division One Central leaders Slough Town when they beat Uxbridge 2-1 on Tuesday night.

It was the Saints sixth win on the trot and followed on from the their classy 3-0 demolition of Woodford United on Saturday.

But it was the north west London home side who took an early lead - in the fifth minute - when David Lawrence sent over an opportunistic cross from the right which caught the St Neots defence out of position. At the far post Stuart Farrell controlled the ball to beat Michael Duggan with a fierce shot from a narrow angle.

There was a shout for a penalty after that when an Uxbridge player handled the ball in the box and then Junior Konadu had a shot saved by goalkeeper Liam Stone. The Saints were denied another penalty when Adrian Sear was brought down.

Duggan was forced to make a couple of saves before Jacob struck his first a minute before the break. Stefan Moore, unselfishly, and with great precision, headed a Hilliard cross into the path of Jacob and his finish was lethal.

St Neots had the better of the early exchanges after the break with Hilliard, Jacob and Ben Mackey all having efforts saved - and with much of the play in midfield, the visitors looked comfortably in control.

On 71 minutes Sear won the ball and advanced - but a Howard Hall attempt to retrieve their position with a back pass was pounced upon by Jacob who scored his second past the out-of-position goalkeeper.

Jacob almost ended the game with a hat-trick but his late angled drive beat the Uxbridge goalkeeper - and narrowly went wide.

The Saints have another big away game this Saturday; they are at fourth-placed Beaconsfield SYCOB, who are also in with a shout of promotion this season.