Ely II 4-3 St Neots II AFTER a five-week lay-off Saints came into the match a shade ring-rusty, but needing a win to pull them away from the relegation zone. Their task against Ely wasn t made any easier when they had to take the field with just 10 player

Ely II 4-3 St Neots II

AFTER a five-week lay-off Saints came into the match a shade ring-rusty, but needing a win to pull them away from the relegation zone.

Their task against Ely wasn't made any easier when they had to take the field with just 10 players.

Ely started briskly and soon exposed Saints' defensive shortcomings. A run down the right resulted in a simple tap-in for the home side, and they repeated the exercise to establish a 2-0 lead inside 10 minutes.

Saints recovered and Mike Hornby hit a well-struck shot to make it 2-1, only for Ely to restore their two-goal advantage to lead 3-1 at half-time.

Mel Emery teed up Elan Anish soon after the break to give Saints renewed hope, but Ely were allowed to score again, despite goalkeeper James Brooks' best efforts.

Saints continued to press and Emery netted to close the gap to 4-3, but time ran out on Neots, leaving them pointless and still in trouble at the foot of the table.

St Ives III 9-1 Cambridge Nomads

ST IVES III got 2010 off to a superb start with a 9-1 thrashing, kick-started by midfielder Andy Moore's two strikes in the first five minutes.

Nomads pulled a goal back to halve the deficit, but Richard Corbett bagged a pair himself to increase Ives' lead to 4-1.

The second half saw the home side totally dominant, with Moore completing his hat-trick and Howard Weir, Alan Campbell, Rob Brand and James Cahill each adding a goal to the impressive tally.

St Ives IV 1-1 Cambridge South III

ST IVES IV earned a hard-won point against Cambridge South III, though both teams had chances to seal victory.

Mick Forsdick and Trefor Jones worked tirelessly in midfield breaking down many of South's attacks.

Goalkeeper Andy Rhodes, and defenders Andrew Bunting and Aaron Singh frustrated the Cambridge forwards, denying them many scoring opportunities. A fine goal by Brad Forsdick clinched a point.

St Ives Ladies 1-1 Bury

HONOURS were even in the only match to beat the weather in the North First Division.

St Ives managed to win several short corners in the first half but seemed unable to convert.

Saints' pressure was finally rewarded when Vicky Warner crossed the ball from the wing to Lou Smith who neatly put the ball in the net.

Saints held their lead into the half-time break, but on the resumption Bury came out hard and netted a goal after 15 minutes.

Saints upped a gear and had several shots on goal, but could not beat the Bury keeper who made fine saves to secure his team a point.