Eaton Socon v St Ives Town
Huntingdonshire FA Senior Cup Semi-Final 20-01-2026
Written by Nigel Howlett
Ives ended up on the wrong end of a cup upset as they tamely went out of the Hunts FA Senior Cup to gallant lower level Eaton. The game was never going to be a classic on a bumpy pitch with a strong cross wind. Ives also had the excuse of not playing for over two weeks having had their last two league games both called off for the weather. With the need to get a game into the legs of the players manager Ricky Marheineke named a strong side for the tie.
It quickly became apparent that despite the gulf in levels between the two sides the conditions were going to make it a much more even game than might have been anticipated. Neither side got a shot on target in the first fifteen minutes and when that first effort between the posts did finally arrive in 18th minute home keeper Reece Lewis made a very comfortable save to keep out Michael Richens’s tame 30 yarder.
This effort did spark a brief period of Ives pressure. Three minutes later Kellan Hickinson did well to beat keeper Lewis to an Ethan Creary through ball but he was forced wide and failed to hit the target with his shot from a narrow angle. Liam Cross was next to fail to find the target as Ives broke at pace from an Eaton free kick. Hickinson put Cross through the left channel but a bobble ensured that his effort went way over the top.
The first real save of the game came from Ollie Taylor in Ives goal as good work down the Eaton right between Alfie Turner and Chris Koo ended with the latter testing Taylor with a crisp drive from 15 yards that the keeper parried away at his near post.
Ives best chance of the first half came four minutes before the break when Duncan Idehen rose above the crowd at the back post to get on the end of Cross’s corner from the left but the powerful centre back could only direct his downward header straight at Lewis who held on well.
Manager Marheineke made three changes at the break with Matty Miles and Aaron Smith replacing Jordan Williams and Jiah Medrano respectively and Nathan Tormey making his debut replacing Liam Cross up front.
Ives enjoyed a positive start to the second period and Tyrone Baker went close six minutes after the restart as he ran clear onto Hickinson’s through ball but Lewis was smartly off his line to spread himself and make a brave save.
The opening goal for the hosts on the hour owed a lot to the vision and forethought of Nathan George. Picking up the ball on halfway he was given space to stride forward and spotted Taylor well off his line anticipating a through ball. But the Eaton’s number 18 decided instead to try his luck. He struck it perfectly and the ball sailed over the stranded keeper bouncing on the goal line before finding the back of the net.
That would have been a goal worthy of winning any game but it was not to be as Ives levelled things up six minutes later with a completely opposite type of goal, but they all look the same on the score sheet. Hickinson delivered an in-swinging corner from the left into a crowded six yard box where it dropped to the floor at the near post. Smith was first to react prodding the ball over the line from close range.
The small contingent of Ives faithful hoped that this would spark their side into life but the game continued in similar fashion to before as a mainly midfield contest. Baker had Ives only other real effort of note in 71st minute when he fired a 25 yard effort wide after patient build up. But as time ticked down the confidence in the hosts seemed to grow and they came close to winning it four minutes from time as substitute Jake Williams glanced a header inches wide after a Jaiden Fitzpatrick free kick had been headed back into the mix by James Ducket.
With the final whistle going a few minutes later it was straight to penalties. Ives won the toss and went first but Theo Alexandrou and Richens were both denied by keeper Lewis to put them on the back foot as Williams and Fitzpatrick both confidently netted for the hosts. Baker and Creary both netted for Ives but Dom Mason grabbed the occasion with a Paneka giving Turner chance to find the top corner and send the gallant hosts into a final against local rivals St Neots Town.
Regardless of the result hopefully the run out will have got the team back firing after their two week layoff. But to counter that there were some worrying signs from the game with a few players appearing to pick up knocks from some of the robust challenges from their hosts. The most concerning seeing, arguably Ives best player on the night, Gibou Njie being helped to the changing room by the medical team whilst the Eaton team were still enjoying their celebrations.
Final Score: Eaton Socon 1 St Ives Town 1 Half Time 0 – 0
Eaton Socon won 4-2 on penalties
Goals:
EATON SOCON: George 60
ST IVES: Smith 66
Team Line Ups:
EATON SOCON: Lewis, Dawkes, Fitzpatrick, George, Ducket (capt), Roberts, Armiger, Khoo, Burnside (Williams 77), Fox (Mason 65), Turner, Unused subs: Noonan, Dixon, Farrow
ST IVES: Taylor, Creary, Medrano (Smith 46), Richens (capt), Williams (Miles 46), Idehen, Baker, Cross (Tormey 46, Shepherd 67), Hickinson, Njie (Riordan 75), Alexandrou, Unused subs: none
Referee: Oliver Potter
Cards: Yellow: EATON SOCON: Roberts (75)
ST IVES: Marheineke (43), Richens (86), Hickinson (90)
IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH: Gibou Njie
Attendance: approx. 65
