ST NEOTS WARD OFF CIRENCESTER CHALLENGE

ST NEOTS TOWN 4 V CIRENCESTER TOWN 0
EVOSTIK SOUTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE @ THE COZY STADIUM 7 MARCH 2015 3PM

THE MAIN STAND AT THE COZY STADIUM

[A larger selection of pictures from today feature are on the 'we all stand together' Facebook page]
Two goals in each half from St Neots clinical finishing allowed the Cambridgeshire side to secure all three points in their onward push for a play off spot against a disappointing Cirencester side who so often lacked with the quality of the final ball letting them down.
For the second week running the blog was not heading to Wales and this time it headed south for only the second time this season, having taken a look at Rugby earlier this season St Neots had been on the 'to do list' for a while and today was the day.
With rail works at Grantham it was a round about journey with a change at Nottingham and then an unusual non stopping train to Peterborough via Melton Mowbray, mmm pies, and Stamford before changing for our final train to St Neots.
Last weeks Cleethorpes trip featured some of the most uninspiring views from the train this week was so different with small towns, churches and interesting scenery all the way.  Non more so than one farmer who had a whole field full of solar panels!
On arrival at the station a quick dash was made to visit the town for the first time and it can be added to Widnes and Rugby in the club of stations miles away from their town centres.  In fairness its about 1.5 miles away but it was a swift walk and it turned out to be a little bit of a let down, it not being the quaint town I had envisaged.

THE MODERN APPROACH

So after a quick circular tour of the town the blog made its way back past the station entrance road and under the east coast rail line and then left onto the new housing development that is Loves Farm.  Following a small walk along the part building site a small shopping arcade, with a little 'T's', at the far end was the curvaceous entrance to St Neots Town FC which runs parallel to the rail line.
There are some impressive modern style houses around the ground along side the ground are their 3G pitches and upon arrival we took a few pictures of the main entrance it was then that we were met by what proved to be a warm greeting of an afternoon. 

A FURTHER WARM WELCOME AT ST NEOTS

The club official on the door came out to welcome us and enquire where we were visiting from he informed us about the club and the ground, as ever it has to be said clubs you need people like this to make visitors feel welcome and following our entrance to the ground this welcome continued.  Programmes and 50/50 tickets purchased we got into a small conversation with the three sellers who also offered a warm welcome.
With a delayed start set for 3.15pm due to Cirencester being stuck on the A1 there was time for a circuit of the ground before popping along to 'Dianes Snack Court'.  As a northerner I must find the correct definition for a chip 'cob' the latter always being the problem anyway chips and cob [bap, roll, balm] was secured and it has to be said again via a very pleasant and well run snack bar.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE COZY STADIUM

So to the ground upon entry via the only turnstiles open today you are greeted with a superb glass sided sloping cover which I guess is for disabled supporters.  The ground has a narrow walkway all around with a smart perimeter green meshed fencing behind both goals are small covered terraced areas.

SNTV GANTRY

The far side is uncovered and houses a TV boxed gantry enclosure which his positioned high on the banking and is used by the excellent SNTV check out the clubs website for quality highlights, the dug outs are also housed on this side of the ground.  In the far corner there is also an impressive electronic scoreboard.  The opposite side and the side we entered on features the changing room, modern stand with PA box and at the top end two bar/function rooms the larger of which has a very large TV screen today showing the FA Cup game at Bradford City.
The only downside appeared to be a lack of a merchandise stall especially today with a fairly large crowd it does amaze me how clubs don't have items on display for sale most hoppers are souvenir purchasers too.

1,006 GAMES FOR PAUL BASTOCK TODAY

Before the game we managed to get a quick picture of ST Neots well known, ex Boston Utd, keeper Paul Bastock who is still going strong at 44 years young.  A few weeks ago Paul secured 1,000 games and today he made it 1,006 beating Peter Shiltons 1,005 appearances.  He may be a bit more bruised the next morning but his enthusiasm, pre match warm up and match performance belied any age  doubts.
The first half saw St Neots take a two nil half time lead Lee Clarke squeezed a cross goal shot in and then on the stroke of half time Tom Ward fired home his first goal for the club from 12 yards out into the bottom left hand corner.
The half featured an interesting participation exercise from the home supporters who flirted a chip onto the edge of the six yard box for the local seagull population to come down and claim their prize this happened on a few occasions and it created a bit of fun as sail seagull swooped to claim the food item. 

Ward added his second with a downward header on 87 minutes before a poor back pass let in substitute Nathan Frater who calmly rounded the Cirencester keeper Glyn Garner before slotting into the empty net.

It had appeared St Neots were happy to drift away to a 2-0 victory before the late goals but Cirencester had plenty of possession but their final ball this afternoon was really poor and let them down when with a better supply they would probably have pushed St Neots further.

CAREFUL

Following the delayed start the game finally came to a conclusion at just after 5.10pm and on referee Smiths final whistle St Neots were now only out of the play off zone on goal difference and they appear to be on the march with an excellent crowd of 428 at todays game.

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR..
REF.JOSH [SMITH]SAYS

Handily upon exit the station is accessible from of Loves Farm and within 5 minutes you can get to your required platform from the railway station bridge.
While waiting for the slightly delayed train two East Coast non stopping services, one south and one north, flew through the station and I mean flew!  The station itself does not have many attributes and looks very much like a commuter build with little in the way of facilities accept for its close proximity to the football ground.
Arrival back to base was delayed due to all three trains boarded being late the last one nearly half an hour.
As a day though it was an enjoyable one with a new ground you often don't get character but this

EVERYONE WANTS A FERRARI, HERES LORENZO FERRARI

I don't think applies to St Neots.  The ground is developing character, the supporters and officials were welcoming and the club seem to have so many things right from good pa system to good food bar, from a well proportioned ground to off the field media sites. 
With that said its a must for a visit if you have not been along check out the fixture list for a visit.
As ever its a difficult challenge to select from a selection of picture to feature in the blog so a larger variety are featured on the 'we all stand together' Facebook page

FUNCTIONALITY AT ST NEOTS STATION