Saints deny Stratford Town

STRATFORD Town maintained their record of having never lost to St Neots and only a late equaliser denied them all three points in a 2-2 draw at the Premier Plus Stadium, writes Bryan Hale.

Town made a bright start and went ahead in the 15th minute when Will Grocott’s nimble footwork in the left of the penalty area took him to the byline and his low cross was turned in at the far post by Edwin Ahenkorah, who had come into the starting line-up for the suspended Mike Taylor.

The Saints hit back to equalise on 26 minutes after a slick passing move on the left set up an opening for their leading scorer Dylan Williams, who lashed it past Stratford keeper Louis Connor into the far corner.

But Stratford regained the lead seven minutes later when Saints right-back Tom Wood and keeper Mike Emery dithered over who should deal with a through ball and Ben Stephens nipped in to steer it over the line in spite of Liam McDevitt’s desperate efforts to keep it out.

The Saints upped their tempo after the break and Stratford were forced to defend in depth and in numbers.

Loyiso Recci and Liam Francis both made crucial tackles as Williams and Nabil Shariff threatened to break through, while Connor made smart saves from a couple of fierce Williams efforts and substitute Scott Sinclair headed wide from inside the six-yard box.

Justin Marsden had a goal controversially ruled out for offside on 79 minutes, and with four minutes to go the Saints’ pressure eventually told as Shariff slid in to make it all square from close range.

Source The Herald