City’s recent revival, which had seen them win
their last three Calor League premier division games, came to a disappointing
end against the Cambridgeshire visitors. Two goals by Ben Watson had got City
back on level terms after they went 2-0 down early in the second half, but
their creaky defence then conceded a late "sucker" goal to give the
visitors the win.
It was a frustrating end after a great comeback and
one that left manager Steve Massey “gutted” and “flat”.
Massey had made two changes from the team that
started against Arlesey Town, with Arran Pugh returning after suspension, with
Warren Daw dropping to the bench, while Olly Brokenshire came in for the
injured Joe Broad in midfield.
In the first 45 minutes, City were strangely flat
and fell behind in the 19th minute when Lewis Hilliard was put clear and he
calmly beat Ollie Chenoweth, rolling the ball past the keeper’s left hand.
City rarely threatened in the opening half and fell
further behind ten minutes into the second period when Jake Woolley stole in at
the far post to slot home Hilliard’s cross from the left.
This at last seemed to spark City into life and a
tremendous strike from the right of the area by Watson gave them hope.
And that hope grew into reality ten minutes later
when Watson made it 2-2, scoring at the far post off the underside of the bar,
after Paul Kendall had headed Liam Eddy’s left wing cross back into his path.
But City’s defence, which had looked shaky all
afternoon, was again breached ten minutes from time when Matt Nolan was left
unmarked eight yards out to slip Hilliard’s left wing centre past the helpless
Chenoweth.
Even the introduction of club skipper Jake Ash,
after six months out with injury, in the closing minutes could not save City,
as his goalbound drive was blocked by St Neots’ keeper Nathan Abbey.
City, who drop a place to 19th, must now try and
regroup ahead of Monday’s trip to Redditch United.
City: Chenoweth; Tully, Pugh, Kendall, White;
Lowry, Green, Brokenshire (Ash 87), Cooke (Copp 87); Watson, Afful (Eddy 44).
Subs (not used); Daw, Fisher (GK).
Goals: Hilliard 18 (0-1), Woolley (55) 0-2, Watson
(64) 1-2, Watson (74) 2-2, Nolan (81) 2-3.
Crowd: 417.
Referee Richard Corp (Frome).
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