St Neots

[cliveh]

Let's forget about the first half. Both teams were poor.
Second half very much better, and blood and thunder effort from both teams. Amazing that it ended scoreless.
The Histon boys have really adjusted to the physical demands of this league.
I have to say that this lad Peter Clarke is someone to watch. Evan Key is turning into a decent centre back. Both can progress in the game. Others in the side are a credit.
So refreshing to see youngsters with talent and total effort competing well with more experienced, overpaid opponents throughout this League, which is a pale shadow, I have to say, of its former strength.
And where were you Sooty? We were sorry you didn't make it.

[ewstute]

A scrappy point. We rode our luck at times, probably more than St Neots, but who cares because we got a needed point.
Agree Clive, Peter Clarke is an excellent player. He has been everytime I've seen him. One who's come through the youth setup here, like quite a few others. Fortunately he's not a foot taller, if he was then most teams in the league would want him as they all seem to favour larger players. Agree about Evan Key too.
I thought the new lad from Norwich did well. Enol too, who I've often criticized on here. Being dropped for Denzel may have hopefully calmed him down.
Brilliant to see those young lads matching more experienced and much better paid players. Just goes to show that splashing the cash won't guarantee wins.

The pitch looked in a right state by the end.

Must say that I wasn't overly impressed by St Neots. All the publicity for their new manager and spending all the money they have, they just seemed bog standard for this league. Long throws, corners into the 6 yard box, free kicks played long, all into big players. Not impressive at all. I know the pitch wasn't great, but they just seemed to want to play like most teams in this league. Just getting the ball forward and then look for a cross. Not saying we play great football (definitely didn't last season), but when they do pass the ball around it is very good and we do create chances, did today at times.

[cliveh]

Agree totally ewc. The Saints were a typical SLP side. Which they will accept, I'm sure. But not very impressed, I have to say. Though they have come a long way in a short time, so well done to them.
This result should give the Stutes boys the confidence to go on and ensure their place in this league. To be honest, anything less would be a grave failure. I reckon Brian has now succeeded in keeping the club in this Division. And on his budget, that is a fantastic achievement considering the local comparisons. I still consider this league to be dreadfully poor,but with promotion easier than ever before. More than half of the clubs will be, or certainly should be, very disappointed come the end of the season if they're not in the mix.
The sad thing is, that Histon are unlikely to ever mount a sustained promotion challenge as their best payers will always be enticed away.
But maybe things will change.

[ewstute]

www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/news/clean-sheet-for-saints-as-forwards-fail-to-take-chances-at-histon.html

The most pathetic, bitter and one sided match report I have ever read. No respect for whoever wrote that match report. "opponents Histon, whom St Neots beat 4-0 at the Cozy Stadium in September, are a poor and very young side and never looked like scoring in this match", well that doesn't say much for St Neots highly paid players then does it, if they can't can't score past a poor side. Pathetic! They suddenly start throwing money around and arrogance comes flying out.

[histonne]

Must admit we would all have taken a point before the game.

The effort and commitment from a bunch of lads, throwing themselves in front of everything, and getting paid next to nothing really is something to be admired, even at this level where prima donnas thrive!

St Neots haven't done themselves any favours being seen as the 'Man Utd' of the league given the money they seem to have. With our spirit they may do a bit better!!

Budget must be reduced though as it is probably the worst Saints team over the past two seasons.

As this weekends results have shown passion, commitment, desire and team ethic can conquer MONEY!!!!

Have to agree with the comments about Peter Clark, a proper footballer. Always looking to do the right thing and doesn't panic, (I'm sure he would take issue with the size comment though if you cite Messi, Iniesta, Zvai, Modric, Neymar to name but a few.)

That's the problem with this league, people think they can bully their way to success without playing football.

You can see that he has played with Nick Freeman in the youth set up as they link up well. If we can get Eugene on their wavelength,instead of punting the ball forward without even looking, we could have a midfield to be reckoned with!

Enol, for all his critics, I thought had a good game. We need to back him, and the fact that he seems like a good lad. A keeper with confidence is worth his weight in gold!

The new full back also impressed, don't know where he came from, hope he stays if he plays like that!!

We got a point and we deserved it!

COYS!!!

[histonne]

Jan 25, 2015 0:12:57 GMT ewstute said:

www.stneotstownfc.co.uk/news/clean-sheet-for-saints-as-forwards-fail-to-take-chances-at-histon.html

The most pathetic, bitter and one sided match report I have ever read. No respect for whoever wrote that match report. "opponents Histon, whom St Neots beat 4-0 at the Cozy Stadium in September, are a poor and very young side and never looked like scoring in this match", well that doesn't say much for St Neots highly paid players then does it, if they can't can't score past a poor side. Pathetic! They suddenly start throwing money around and arrogance comes flying out.

I wouldn't worry about this report. The guy who writes them has blue blood in his veins and wouldn't give you the credit if you had a fart that poisoned the press room!

 

[ewstute]

Jan 25, 2015 0:18:37 GMT histonne said:

Have to agree with the comments about Peter Clark, a proper footballer. Always looking to do the right thing and doesn't panic, (I'm sure he would take issue with the size comment though if you cite Messi, Iniesta, Zvai, Modric, Neymar to name but a few.)

I wasn't knocking Peter for his size at all. I just meant that other teams in the league seem to favour larger players for whatever reason, even the Conference North teams seemed to as well. I'm not sure why though, as there haven't been many with Peter's ability on the ball. It's good for us because if teams didn't favour the larger players then they'd surely come sniffing around for him and we may lose him.

[cliveh]

I'll stick my neck out and say that Peter Clarke will be with a League club next season. Fergie at Posh will snap him up. Only seen him once but his talent is obvious.
And for his sake, I hope I'm right. I daren't think what the opposition will do in this SLP to deal with the lad.

[berbatov]

Histon get all the credit from this battle on a very heavy pitch. They showed great courage to stay in the physical side of the game and probably had more skill than St Neots. Although young they are not a good side at this level with no real threat up front. Nick Freeman is talented but needs to get his head up and release the ball earlier and his influence yesterday should have more threatening. As for St Neots , if they are throwing money , they were poor yesterday but should have won the game with lots of near misses. Second half made up for a poor first half and it was a good gate of over 400. Well done to the youngsters of Histon who gave Brian terrific commitment in this match.

[marke]

A good battling performance by the lads, it must be exhausting playing on that pitch. And so much better than the capitulation at their place earlier in the season.
We defended well and kept our shape without the ball. Enol had a good game, although I still get nervous when he comes for crosses. And we did have a threat going forward, with Nick and Peter looking creative. But we also gave the ball away too much in good positions.