FC’s season ended in defeat at St Ives with both goals coming courtesy of defensive mistakes. The major incident of the game however happened to home midfielder Jon Stead. He was injured in an incident on 74 minutes with the match being held up for half an hour. Once play resumed, the game had lost any spark or bite along with the jovial atmosphere created by FC’s colourful fancy dress clad fans.

The first few minutes of the game were indeed uneventful with both teams keen to test each other out. Robert Tomlin had moved into midfield to accommodate the returning Simon Sweeney. Rob himself replacing the absent Lamar Simpson. On 7 minutes Jamie Rudd fired in a powerful shot that just cleared the bar. Simon Sweeney, Robert Tomlin and Brian Haule were next to try and they created an opening which home keeper Barney McLaughlin gathered. In the 18th minute McLaughlin sliced the ball under pressure but in the ensuing melee Brian Haule failed to get any power on his shot as the keeper recovered to collect the ball easily.

Avi Viera had the first chance of note for the home team which Steve Perkins cleared whilst under pressure. Five minute later Perkins was again in action winning a tackle against home forward Dan Banister. On the half hour mark Connor Baker attacked down the left and his cross shot cleared the bar with the keeper in no-man’s land. Jon Stead replied with a cannon just over the upright before the same man made FC keeper James Weatherill earn his wages forcing a fingertip save from a robustly struck shot. Rudd and Haule attempted to redress the balance by finding an opening for Gareth Price who just dragged his delicate pass wide when most in the ground thought he had found the target.

On 46 minutes the industrious Stead saw his effort blocked before Dan Newman witnessed his header being saved by Weatherill. This pressure finally led to St Ives taking the lead. An attack down the right hand side saw an inviting cross played in for Karl Gibbs at the far post. Weatherill did get a hand to Gibbs’ shot but the young keeper couldn’t prevent the shot sneaking into the net.

Rob Tomlin in tandem with Bradley Wadkins attempted to grab the equaliser soon afterwards however Rob was beaten to the ball by keeper McLaughlin. A few minutes later Brian Haule found space on the by line and placed a useful cross for Gareth Price who headed just over. As the hour mark approached Steve Perkins left the field to be replaced by Ben Bateman. Kevin Mealor moved to full back with Connor Baker partnering the ever dependable Ben Stevens in the centre of defence. On 69 minutes Bradley Wadkins had FC’s best chance of the game to equalise. Finding himself clear, he bore down on goal however his low shot was saved by the legs of McLaughlin when perhaps chipping the keeper would have been a better option.

It was just after this event that the game was held up. Jon Stead was challenged for the ball by Wadkins just inside the home half with the St Ives man falling to the floor. Paramedics were called with emergency vehicles on the pitch. It was feared that the match could even be abandoned however after a break of around half an hour, the referee restarted the game to finish the final 14 minutes.

Upon the restart, FC wasted a free kick when Kevin Mealor hit the kick against the wall from a favourable position. Wadkins then tried to put in Price who just ran out of pitch to work in. Price later played in Brian Haule who fired in a potent goal bound shot with McLaughlin again saving bravely. This was FC’s last real chance as the home side took the initiative. Ben Stevens lost the ball with David Cobb seeing his resultant poke cleared off the line by Kevin Mealor. The second goal arrived right on the cusp of full time. A cross from the left again evaded the entire FC defence and a grateful Karl Gibbs fired in his 2nd goal from close range.

Line Up:
1. James Weatherill
2. Simon Sweeney
3. Conner Baker
4. Robert Tomlin
5. Steve Perkins Sub Off '56
6. Ben Stevens
7. Jamie Rudd
8. Bradley Wadkins Man of the Match '90
9. Gareth Price
10. Brian Haule Sub Off '86
11. Kevin Mealor

Used Subs:
12. Ben Bateman Sub On '56
14. Jacob Lowe Sub On '86

Unused Sub:
Fraser McLachlan