Report by Jools Thomas

The majority of the second half did belong to the Moles but in truth the team had neither the guile nor the ideas to break down a well drilled and organised St Ives team who return to Cambridgeshire with promotion dreams of their own.

The opening minutes were more reminiscent of a mid-table end of season game and neither side looked prepared to take the initiative. It was St Ives’ 1st goal which provided the only talking point of the half. Andrew Phillips, deemed by the referee to be in an on-side position, grabbed the ball in the penalty area and as Moles’ keeper James Weatherill advanced, the striker lifted the ball into an empty net.

Amazingly this was the only incident of note in the opening half. After the break, FC had one of their better chances of the half when Jamie Rudd’s flicked header bounced off the bar with Brian Haule unable to take advantage of the rebound. St Ives broke quickly from this incident and Phil Draycott hit the ball just wide from the left hand side.

Gareth Price had another good game. On 54 minutes he tried a lofted shot which away keeper Tim Trebes dealt with comparatively easily. Price had another chance which incredibly was blocked by Davis Haule. Ken Feyi was brought on by manager Steve Bateman to bolster the attack and the young striker was eager to show what he could do. A Ben Stevens glancing header was blocked yet again by his own man as the away team packed out the defence providing a ring of steel around the keeper.

On 80 minutes Brian Haule made Trebes work for his wage with a snapshot. As the game entered its final moments FC had their best chance of the game. Aston Goss twisted and turned before hitting a powerful left sided shot that Trebes did well to turn away. A few moments later, a speculative Ken Feyi control and overhead kick had neither the pace or accuracy to trouble the away goal.

As the referee looked at his watch, James Weatherill dallied with a back pass and this was seized upon by Danny Watson who, after robbing the keeper, stroked the ball into an empty net.