GETTING up into the top eight is St Ives Town’s target now after more than holding their own against title contenders King’s Lynn at Westwood Road on Saturday.

UCL Premier Division

St Ives Town 2-2 King’s Lynn Town

GETTING up into the top eight is St Ives Town’s target now after more than holding their own against title contenders King’s Lynn at Westwood Road on Saturday.

Rushden & Diamonds loan man Liam Read stole the show, netting either side of a Lynn equaliser. His first arrived on the stroke of the interval when he lobbed the keeper and his second came midway through the second period, when he got on the end of a Ricky Dear free-kick.

The visitors levelled again to secure a share of the spoils, but joint Ives manager Jez Hall – happy with the result – now wants his side to kick on.

He said: “A draw was a fair result from what was a cracking game of football.

“We should be a top six side but our poor run at the start of the season means that hasn’t happened as yet.

“But we’re improving each week, King’s Lynn are one of the big boys in this league and are a very good side and we’ve shown we can compete with the best. We should be in the top eight and our aim now is to get up there and challenge the top eight.”

Ives are now unbeaten in four league games – a run which includes two wins – the latest of which was a 2-0 home success against Rothwell Corinthians last Tuesday which was secured thanks to goals from Scott Fielding and Lee Ellison.

Ives were due to play their Hinchingbrooke Cup first round tie at Irchester United last night (Tuesday), and welcome Boston Town to Westwood Road in the league on Saturday.

n CENTRE-HALF Dan Newman made his 400th appearance in a St Ives Town shirt in Saturday’s game. Newman, 25, broke into the first team as a 16-year-old in September 2002 and has been the mainstay of the Ives backline ever since.

He has helped the team to promotion from UCL Division One, and won the UCL League KO Cup, the Hinchingbrooke Cup, two Senior Cups and two Premier Cups.

He has also been voted as manager’s player of the year, supporters’ player of the year and players’ player of the year on several occasions.

Ives co-manager Jez Hall said: “Dan Newman is a tremendous player and person.

“He came in at 16 and, within no time, was a regular. His loyalty to the club is superb and everyone here would like to thank him for the last eight years he has given us.”