St Ives Town V Huntingdon Town-Match Report
Huntingdonshire Senior Cup Quarter Final-20-10-25
Ives first home Hunts Senior Cup tie in just under three years ended with the hosts claiming an emphatic win over Huntingdon Town as Ricky Marheineke’s men put in a professional performance to seal their place in the semi-finals. In a fairly one-sided affair, Ives came away with an 8-0 victory on the night, with the home fans treated to some superb strikes.
Unsurprisingly, Maheineke rung the changes for this midweek cup clash, with the Ives boss making seven changes from his side’s 2-0 win over Alvechurch. U18s goalkeeper Daniel Johnson got the call-up and replaced Ollie Taylor between the sticks. There were also starts for Kellan Hickinson and Tom Unwin who recently joined the club, as well as some much needed game time for Jiah Medrano who has been making his way back from an injury.
The Hunters made two changes from their 5-0 defeat to Everett Rovers on the weekend, with Amir Aleksandovich and Ben Burton coming into the side for Emmanuel Antwi and Tejas Desai.
Despite Ives having much of the early possession, the opening 16 minutes was full of frustration for the home side, with a number of good openings not being converted by Marheineke’s men. Alfie Shepherd had a couple of chances from close-range to open the scoring, one of which was well-saved by Stanley Roberts in the Hunters’ goal five minutes in. Seven minutes later, Shepherd found himself on the end of a fantastic ball across the box from Ethan Creary, but the 18 year-old couldn’t direct his effort on target.
Jamal Adams had a couple of headers saved by Roberts as it became a question of if not when the home side would break the deadlock. In the end it took a moment of real quality from Liam Cross to open the scoring as Ives’ number 10 came onto a bouncing clearance and unleashed a pile driver into the top right corner 18 minutes into the contest.
Hickinson got in on the act in the 22nd minute as he somehow managed to produce an effort to rival Cross’ rocket four minutes before. Ives’ number 11 on the night found himself on the edge of the area and rifled a shot that was past Roberts before he had even seen it, with the ball kissing the underside of the crossbar and nestling into the back of the net.
Despite going two behind in quick succession, the visitors were able to carve some chances of their own. Defender Aaron Biggs had the best of their opportunities, with the Hunters’ number three heading over from close range in the 27th.
Ives, who were playing in their new purple third kit, continued to have chances of their own but they were unable to add to their advantage as they headed into the break. Adams shot rattling the crossbar in the 35th minute summed up his first half as Ives’ number nine did everything but open his account.
Marheineke made two half-time changes, with Theo Alexandrou and Matty Miles replacing Liam Cross and Ethan Creary.
It took Ives eight 2nd half minutes before they added a third goal to their tally as Jordan Williams rose highest to nod past Roberts, who couldn’t get across to keep the ball out.
Despite facing the prospect of a long last 35 minutes, the visitors didn’t let their heads drop as they continued to battle hard on a cold October evening. Some of the challenges flying in were not of a side that had lost the passion for the contest.
Ives made another change in the 62nd minute as Unwin was replaced by Gibou Njie, with the home side having to endure another quiet spell in front of goal. Four minutes later however, Adams finally had his goal, with the centre forward hitting a sweet shot on the turn that was out of the reaches of Roberts.
By this stage there will have been some heavy legs out there on the visiting side and it may have come at no surprise that Adams’ 66th minute effort became a catalyst for the floodgates to open. Before that though, Ives made a further change, with the impressive Hickinson replaced by Amir Hadi.
Alexandrou got Ives’ fifth on the night with a tidy finish past Roberts in the 75th before the tricky forward turned provider four minutes later as he found Adams in the penalty area for an easy tap in, with the striker claiming his 2nd of the evening.
It was Adams’ turn in the 83rd minute as he rounded the keeper before squaring the ball across to Hadi, who stretched out a leg and poked home from six yards to make it seven.
Despite the result being assured, the Ives players continued to play with a hunger and desire that will have been pleasing for the coaching staff, who will be hoping that their side can replicate the levels of quality shown in front of goal in the 2nd half against higher level opposition.
Before referee Anthony Leadbitter brought an end to proceedings there was just enough time for Alexandrou to bag his 2nd of the night with a cool finish into the bottom corner, as the number 17 capped off a professional performance from his side, who progress safely through to the semi-finals.
Attention will now turn to the FA Trophy as Ives make the trip to Derbyshire to take on Ilkeston Town in the First Round Proper.
