St Neot AFC 0-1 Polzeath

Last time these sides met in phase 1 of the flexi league, Polzeath ran out 8-2 winners, with the ‘Monday Night Waves’ eventually going on to be phase 1 champions. This was always billed as a ‘nervy fixture’ for the Saints because of that, but despite going into this game without their top goal scorer Liam Jones, St Neot appeared confident that they could achieve a result.

The first half was an exciting affair, with chances for both the St. Neot and Polzeath. Some fine goalkeeping from Sam O’Regan in the Saints goal saw him tipping the ball onto or just around the goal denying the opposition. Similarly some fine goalkeeping from the Polzeath keeper prevented Matt Bryant and Scott Kemp from scoring in return for the Saints.

Somewhat disappointingly one of the many attempted through balls from Polzeath midfield managed to split the high line of St. Neot defence. A sterling rear-guard action by German and King prevented some vicious strikes from the Polzeath forwards. O’Regan again managed to tip the ball on to the upright, a valiant sliding tackle from King prevented yet another strike but the deflection fell to Polzeath’s Aaron White, whose snap shot whistled past O’Regan to nestle in the back of the net.
Going into the break, it was safe to say that St. Neot had edged the game in terms of quality and control, and were unlucky not to have scored.
The second half saw Polzeath out of the blocks from the get go. It was again that man twixt the sticks, O’Regan that saved the Saints with some outstanding saves.

Keen through ball to launch Saints attack

Keen in the Saint’s midfield, quiet in the first half, started to show the form he had in the game versus St. Tudy, distributing the ball to the forwards well. A succession of attacks saw Crowle come close, Bryant come closer and Kemp come even closer; on a number of occasions repeatedly breaking the Waves back line to have one on ones with the keeper.

The sides ultimately cancelled each other out, in this very competitive and fast paced game. The ‘older more experienced’ heads of St. Neot midfield managed to nullify the youthful and much pacier attack of Polzeath.

St. Neot were unlucky not to get a draw from this game at the very least, but considering the result of the last game between these two sides, showed how far the Saints have come in such a short period.