NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: Double blow for St Neots Town as attacking ace Dylan Williams injured in opening day defeat
James Peters hit the bar as St Neots Town were beaten at Stratford Town. Picture: CLAIRE HOWES - Credit: Archant
A losing start to the Southern League Premier Division Central season for St Neots Town was further soured by a possible serious injury.
Taylor Parr in the thick of the action during St Neots Town's defeat at Stratford Town. Picture: CLAIRE HOWES - Credit: Archant
Matt Clements’ men were beaten 1-0 at Stratford in their curtain-raiser yesterday. The only goal arrived early in the second half and moments after Saints had seen their top-scorer of last season, Dylan Williams, hurt.
Williams suffered potential ankle and shin damage in a challenge which remarkably went unpunished by the referee, and their misery was compounded when Stratford man Will Grocott made the only breakthrough by tucking away a 50th minute cross from one-time Saints player Lewis Wilson.
“It was a real shame to lose Dylan in our first game of the season,” said Clements. “It was an awful tackle, but the referee didn’t even call it a foul.
“Hopefully Dylan is not too bad, but we’ll know more over the next day or two. He’s heavily strapped and it’s a case of waiting for the swelling to go down to assess him further.”
Dylan Williams went off injured as St Neots Town lost at Stratford. Picture: CLAIRE HOWES - Credit: Archant
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Saints had been the better team in the first half when unable to turn their dominance into goals.
Debutant James Peters came closest when hitting the bar on the half-hour before firing the rebound over.
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But their performance dipped in the second period and only a stunning save from loan goalkeeper Finlay Iron denied Stratford scorer Grocott a second goal late on.
“We were great in the first half when we looked in control of the game,” added Clements. “We were dangerous from open play and set pieces, and the only disappointment is we didn’t score.
Defender Daniel Olaniran was one of three debutants in the St Neots Town starting line-up for their defeat at Stratford Town. Picture: CLAIRE HOWES - Credit: Archant
“Unfortunately it was a different story in the second half when only an unbelievable save from Fin stopped it being 2-0.
“We did still get into the final third plenty of times, but we didn’t have the desire or intent to make anything of it.”
Saints return to action on Tuesday when entertaining Bedworth in their first home fixture of the new campaign, 7.45pm.
