Tuesday 20th April 2010

UCL League KO Cup Final

Newport Pagnell Town 1 St Ives Town 2 (aet)

Att 252

MoM : Jamie Blackwell (St Ives)

The Saints of St Ives recorded their own bit of history this evening by lifting the UCL League Cup for the first time in the clubs history. League rivals Newport Pagnell put up some solid resistance with a late equaliser to take it into extra time but it was young starlet; Conor Washington who scored the all important winner to make it 2-1. 

With the two sides lining up, level pegging in the Premier Division, both sets of supporters were expecting this to to be a tight encounter and the opening minutes proved this as both Pagnell and the Saints tried to gain control of this cup final. After only 8 minutes The Swans had a goal disallowed for offside, much to the disappointed of their management team on the sideline. Moments later Newport's Darren Lynch saw his volley well gathered by Rob MacKney in the Saints goal. Dan Newman, who is still ever present this season, and skipper Will Fordham marshalled the lively Pagnell forward line into the half time break with the scores still at 0-0.

Previous matches involving these sides have always been close and normally with only one goal being the difference. After 62 minutes a deep corner from Dan Moyes bounced awkwardly in the Pagnell penalty area but as it fell to Jamie Blackwell he made no mistake in putting his chance away to make it 1-0 to the Saints.

The next 5 minutes proved crucial for the Swans and their management team also seemed angered by two decisions in which a penalty claim was turned down and yet another goal disallowed, this time for an alledged foul of keeper; MacKney.

Darren Lynch tried to equalise on 80 minutes as he saw his lobbed effort well saved by MacKney, who was determined to keep another clean sheet. Both Blackwell and Moyes went close for the Saints as they looked to put the game to bed. With only 4 minutes of normal time remaining Newport Pagnell got the all important equaliser and substitute Michael Lyons toe poked the ball home from close range to make it 1-1 with only minutes remaining. The introduction of young Saints forward; Conor Washington proved pivotal as he bombarded the Swans defence and certainly kept them alert.

Into Extra Time the game went and within 3 minutes of the restart a long ball from Dan Newman found Washington, over the top and clear of the defence, with the hesitant goalkeeper advancing he composed himself to smash the ball low and through the keeper to make it 2-1 and send the travelling 150 Saints supporters wild as the elusive League Cup was possibly coming home to St Ives.

After 100 minutes, MacKney's long kick found Blackwell on hand to score but he saw his long range effort go wide of James Howarth's post. With only moments to go a resilient Saints defence thwarted every opportunity but MacKney was left only to admire as Darren Lynch's right footed strike struck the outside of MacKney's left hand post to go wide for a goal kick. In the dying seconds an attempted over head kick from Lynch troubled only the supporters standing on the sideline.

As the final whistle blew the Saints had recorded a bit of history by completing a clean sweep of Cup wins in the past few seasons after previous successes in the Hunts Premier, Senior and Hinchingbrooke Cups.

The loyal travelling supporters watched Will Fordham lift the cup for the first time and as the players celebrated it was smiles all round for everyone associated with St Ives Town Football Club.

Further reactions to follow

Tuesday 20th April 2010 - UCL League KO Cup Final

Kick Off is 7.45pm at Cogenhoe United FC

Newport Pagnell Town vs St Ives Town

Tonight is the night and for the Saints a footballing season would not be the same without a cup final. This time history has been made by making it through to the Final of this competition for the first time in the club's history but winning it would be even better. The Saints go into tonight match on form with three wins from three this week at Westwood Road. Both sides sit on 57 points in the Premier Division but with St Ives having two games in hand. Newport Pagnell come into the game after smashing four past Raunds last Saturday.

Are you travelling over tonight to the game ? If so by clicking here you can see a map and directions to the Cogenhoe United ground.

Saints Co Manager; Jez Hall, spoke to the website this morning to give us an insight into tonight's Cup Final "'We've had a really good week, the lads have 3 home wins under their belts and are now ready for tomorrows massive final. The club has never reached this final before, and it would be great for the club to win it. We are playing Newport Pagnell who I rate as one the best sides in the league. They are a big strong side, with two big powerful lads up top. The spine of the team is their key, and we must win those big battles. We have played twice in the league this season, both games ending in draws. Our games have a habit of being close affairs, so we expect this again tomorrow night. Pagnell are in good form, having won their senior cup 6-2 last week, and winning 4-0 at Raunds on Saturday, but we too are now playing well, so the lads will go into the game with confidence. Lets hope we can give the travelling support something to cheer about'

The Reserves are also in action this evening away to Buckingham Town.

Monday 19th April 2010 - Rifgeons Youth League (West Division)

Blackstones U18 4 St Ives Town U18 1

Blackstones moved to just one point behind the Saints in the West Division after last night's 4-1 win for the 'Stones. With the Saints having two games in hand they will be looking to get themselves up to a more respectable position. Leon Schwier was the Saints goalscorer. To see the current league table click here

Assistant Manager; Steve Small's brief report to follow.

With only a few weeks to go until the end of the season the website looks into where we are right now with the First Team and where are we likely to finish. Click on the link below to see the current league table.

FIRST TEAM click here With the League KO Cup Final acting as a slight distraction to league duties the Saints are on a run of the last three games unbeaten to move them up to 57 points. With 5 league games left we are sure to believe that the management will be looking to achieve at least 12 out of the 15 points available to get back into the top five of the Premier Division.