Reports02-03

Both teams came off the back of a first weeks loss to strong opposition and maybe that was why the first half was a cagey affair. Paxton played some of their trademark good football but couldn't break down a solid home defence. Comberton looked strong in the tackle but slightly short of invention.

The second half was more open but with few clear chances being created. The best occurred in the 72nd minute. A swift Paxton attack was disrupted at the expense of a corner. Luke Swain and Joe Walsh worked a quick one and Swain crossed. The ball fell invitingly for Adam Mayhew and he poked it home from close range.

By accident or design, Paxton then stopped playing their normal passing game and allowed Comberton to attack whilst trying to break swiftly with long balls up to Adam Swain. This tactic allowed the home side to create many more openings than previously but the nearest they came to scoring came with only a minute left. For the first time visiting keeper Ray Stanley was beaten but Walsh came to the rescue clearing off the line.

Paxton skipper, Matt Plumb, should have done better then put an unmarked header wide of the post just before the half hour and several other promising moves broke down without ever producing a clear opening. Nine minutes before the interval Foxton broke out from a period of Paxton pressure but Stuart Harper was first to the ball and tried to usher it back to Oxborough. It was outside the area so the keeper tried to lash the ball upfield, mistake, it hit Harper and fell nicely for Richard Barnes to drill the ball into the net.

The reserves started their season with a victory against a young Huntingdon side. Paxton started the better of the two passing the ball about well and were unlucky not to take an early lead. Paxton’s efforts were rewarded though mid way through the first half when a cross was only half cleared and was put back into the box for Rob Worrall to finish in style with an overhead kick. Paxton were then caught sleeping when a Huntingdon player was put through one on one with Paxton keeper Dave Smith who made a superb save to deny Huntingdon the equalizer. Paxton almost extended their lead just before half time when Gary Mansfield laid the ball to David Smith who crossed the ball for Worrall to head just wide of the target. Huntingdon came at Paxton after the break but went further behind when Gary Mansfield chased a long ball and finished well by looping the ball over the keeper from outside the box. Soon after it was 0-3 when Mansfield headed his second goal of the game from a John Goodchild cross. Mansfield could have got his hat trick when put through by a clever flick from Simon Goodchild only to see his shot saved by the Huntingdon keeper. Dave Smith then made another great save to deny the home team a consolation goal and keep a clean sheet and Paxton’s first three points of the season. Man of the match was shared between Simon Goodchild and Dave Smith.

A fairly even first half with the home side passing the ball around well but failing to find the final ball. Newmarket took the lead with only thirteen minutes on the clock, a dodgy offside trap was sprung by Mark Blair who made no mistake with his finish. Adam Swain had an opportunity to level the scores but his shot hit the keepers feet and looped away just wide of the post.

Early in the second half debutee James Schofield twice saved his team from going further behind but on the hour Blair was again loosely marked and finished clinically. Swain was again clear but couldn't finish before finally finding the net after a defensive error. Two further attacks should have brought an equaliser but both Adam, and his cousin Luke Swain, finished tamely allowing Nightingale to save easily.

Six minutes left and Blair completed his deserved hat-trick and Paxton were on the wrong side of a three-one scoreline.

Worrall was the frequent beneficiary of good work by both Adam and Luke Swain but couldn't find the net and there was only 22 minutes left on the clock when Johnson headed home with the help of a major deflection. Six minutes later and Worrall finally got his reward when he headed home a Matt Plumb free-kick. After that it was a pretty one-sided affair with Paxton creating a glut of chances that all went begging but also James Schofield making a point-blank save to preserve the win.

Great Paxton went into their second game of the season with a completely different side from the previous game’s victory fielding a side with seven changes. The game started off poorly with neither side really taking control and with few clear chances. Mid way through the first half a spell of Paxton pressure led to the opening goal with a Demos Harris long throw into the box being headed into his own net by a Wicken defender. Shortly after this Paxton doubled their lead with a move down the left. The ball went to Nick dyer who delivered a perfect ball to Andrew Conway who brought the ball down well and slotted home. It was Wicken who scored the next goal with a mix up in the Paxton defence letting the Wicken player stroll through and score giving James Oxborough no chance in the Paxton goal. Oxborough was called into action again saving well from a long-range effort to keep Paxton’s lead intact. Paxton extended their lead when Cummins got what he deserved for his hard work and dispossessed the Wicken defender and ran through to take the score to 3–1 at half time. After the break Paxton started off well passing the ball about well. Their efforts paid off when Demos Harris got on the score sheet when he intercepted the ball and ran through alone to score Paxton’s fourth. This was not a great performance but Paxton worked hard for the 4–1 victory and deserved the three points.

Same place, same opponents and in the first half, same performance, initial promise gave way to a lacklustre half. The visitors took a 17th minute lead when Stuart Harper could not cut out a through ball and were only denied a bigger advantage by a defiant James Schofield in the Paxton goal.

So better things in the second half then we hoped and in the first three minutes it looked so, Joe Walsh, Matt Plumb and Adam Swain all going close. But then it was back to the same tired performance and it was no surprise when, in the 73rd minute, Shelford extended their lead.

When the whistle was only moments away Paxton started to play and Plumb put a cross over to Swain in the box, Swain was manhandled and went to ground, the Referee has no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Luke Catchpole confidently put the penalty away for what was no more than a consolation.

Paxton went into their third game of the season full of confidence after winning both their previous games. However this confidence was not evident on the pitch in the first half. Paxton who had their full squad back for this week had the first chance of the match with a move down the right led to the ball being crossed in for Nick Dyer to head on target but the Sutton keeper saved well. After that Paxton found it hard to get into the game and were losing the ball in all areas, and gave Sutton a few chances, which luckily were not taken. Paxton almost went behind when James Fieldhouse and Paxton keeper James Oxborough confused each other and didn’t clear but again Sutton didn’t finish. Manager Alan Cullum had a lot to say at half time and what he said seemed to do the trick. Paxton started the second half a lot better and knocked the ball about well. Early in the second half the ball went over the top for Simon Oxborough to chase and he finished well from the edge of the box to put Paxton ahead. Sutton almost equalized straight after when the opposition striker was given time to shoot from outside the box to see his effort come off the crossbar. Five minutes later Oxborough struck again when the ball came off his shin and went in the back of the net. Paxton made some changes and these had a positive effect on the game and they were the only team that looked like winning the game. Paxton went 3-0 up when Steve Chamberlain put Andy Cummins through on goal for him to slot home with his left foot. Soon after the game was sewn up when Chamberlain raced clear and unselfishly squared the ball to Cummins to tap in. It could have been more when good work from John Goodchild put Dave Smith through to cross and Cummins flick fell to Chamberlain who should have done better. Paxton finished up 4-0 winners and went home with the three points. Man of the match was Martin Hunter.

The Reserves continue to hold a 100% record so far this season....but only just, after scraping through this Creake Shield Cup tie against Bottisham with an extra-time goal!

The 90 minutes had seen a fairly close contest, with both sides carving out plenty of opportunities for themselves only to spurn them or find the opposing keeper in a mean mood!

Much of the credit for Paxton's shut-out must go to Goalkeeper, James Oxborough who denied the visitors strike force on several occasions.

The one decisive moment came just five minutes into extra-time, when substitute, Simon Oxborough floated in a teasing cross, which Rob Worrall headed back past the helpless visiting keeper and into the net!

MAN OF THE MATCH - James Oxborough

By all accounts, as the score-line would suggest, this was an extremely open game which could have gone either way, but ultimately it proved to be a highly frustrating afternoon for Paxton, who just cannot seem to get into their rhythm this season.

According to Manager Wayne Humphrey, the first half was a story of wasted opportunities and soft goals conceded by Paxton. As it was the teams turned around with the scores level at 2-2. Paxton's goals came from Adam Mayhew and Ian Dawkes, on his return from suspension. One of the visitors goals was also scored by a Paxton player, the unfortunate Kenny Churchill turning the ball past James Schofield.

After the break things went from bad to worse, with Comberton scoring twice more to lead 4-2. Then came the usual late Paxton rally, with Dawkes, Danny Plumb and Adam Swain all coming close, before finally, with just a couple of minutes left, Swain scored his third goal of the season. Again Paxton pressed forward in search of
a late equaliser, but the final whistle beat them bringing an early end to any hopes of Premier Cup success this season.

This was first against second in Division 2B with both sides having won all of their previous games so it was always going to be a close encounter.

Ely had the best of the early chances and were through twice in the first ten minutes but failed to score thanks to James Oxborough in the Paxton goal. Soon afterwards, Dan Kennedy was cautioned for sharing his views with the Ref. Ten minutes later the ref reached for his pocket again this time to book Dave Smith for what seemed a fair Challenge (according to Dave anyway). Mid way through the half Ely scored the only goal of the game. Paxton failed to fully clear a corner and the ball fell to the Ely skipper who lashed the ball into the net from 10 yards.

Paxton then had the their best chance of the match when Andy Cummins was put through and turned the defender, only to see his shot well saved by the opposing keeper.

Soon after the restart Paxton came close when a Nick Dyer cross was met at the far post by Kennedy who's effort was denied by the Ely keeper. Paxton passed the ball better but created little in terms of any clear cut chances. Rob Worrall came within inches of connecting with a cross that bounced awkwardly between defender and goalkeeper and in the final minute Will Harding shot just wide. The score remained 1-0 and Paxton had their first defeat of the season.

Great Paxton’s league form is at best indifferent but they are now looking to resurrect their Hunts Senior Cup form of three years ago when they reached the semi-final following this victory at West End. This was the best of the quartet of first round ties and it saw both sides lead in normal time. Richard Marsden claimed his fifth goal of the season to put Somersham ahead early in the game but Ian Dawkes levelled on the half-hour. After the break Paxton were ahead courtesy of an own goal by Chris Hugill but playing against his former side defender Simon Anderson made the score 2-2 from a set piece. Into extra time and Luke Swain put the visitors in front for a second time but veteran Ian Boon scored to sent the contest into a penalty shoot out. At that point the Cambs League side kept their cool with Luke Swain, Adam Mayhew and Matt Plumb tucking their penalty kicks away and although Anderson netted for Somersham there were misses by Glyn Cooke, Ian Boon and previous penalty king Carl Osborn so Paxton are through to round two.

After their 7-1 cup victory over Eaton Socon Res. last week, our Reserves came into this Creake Shield Cup tie full of confidence, however, they came back down to earth with a bump, coming up against a very impressive Wickhambrook side that must stand a great chance of going all the way in this cup.

The visitors showed their intentions early on and went close twice before they finally took the lead when James Oxborough, returning after injury, fumbled a simple catch on his line.

However, Paxton fought back and levelled before half time when Rob Worrall stole in to turn John Goodchild’s cross past the visitors keeper.

After the break Wickhambrook stepped up a gear and regained their lead, before further goals (one a defensive error and another a magnificent solo run and shot) saw them through to a comfortable 4-1 victory.

A second defeat on the bounce for the Reserves, but without doubt, one that they never should have lost, after a cracking start.

Gary Mansfield timed his run superbly to tuck home the opening goal after 15 minutes and soon after Paxton went 2-0 up.

Rob Worrall met John Goodchild’s cross with an overhead kick which flew past a bemused home goalkeeper who, much like the Paxton players, must have been mesmerised by such athleticism from a 36 year old!! (guess who’s writing this?).

From then on, it was not Paxton’s day, Mansfield, Worrall, Glenn Farra and later on Steve Chamberlain all missed further chances whilst at the other end Lode took full advantage of defensive errors to come from behind and lead 3-2.

Lode twice cleared off their line in the dying minutes, but it was not to be Paxton’s day!

Then a debatable free kick award led to the first goal in the eleventh minute. The ball was floated into the Paxton box, Matt Plumb called for the ball, missed it and a Mildenhall forward stabbed the ball home. This knocked the wind out of the Paxton sails and they struggled to reproduce the slick passing game of earlier, even so it was a surprise when Mildenhall increased their lead on the half-hour. Simon Johnson was guilty of trying to play too much football at the back and gave away possession. Two quick passes and a crisp shot made it two-nil.

A defensive slip allowed Mildenhall a seventy-eighth minute consolation but it was too late, the match was effectively over.

9th November 2002: Yaxley Res. (A) Lost 0-4

Scott Gatty Cup, report by Rob Worrall.

Paxton went into this game on a run of poor form and hoped to turn it around. However, although their effort for the 90 minutes could not be questioned, the home side were just too strong and deservedly progressed to the next round.

Yaxley created the first chance of the match straight from the kick-off with the ball being hit down the left side and then crossed in to an unmarked forward who would have scored if it was not for a great save by Simon Oxborough. The home side took the lead when, after a scramble in the box, the ball fell to a Yaxley player who slid home. Paxton then started to play some better football and battled well. Midway through the second half Yaxley won a corner. Paxton failed to get it fully clear and when the ball came in again Yaxley made no mistake and made it 2-0.

Paxton did not let their heads drop and again began to play some good football. Rob Worrall turned his man in the box only to be brought down, but was hard done by when the ref who was no more than 5 yards away waved play on, surprising even the Yaxley players. More pressure from Paxton saw Andy Cummins put through only for him to shoot straight at the Yaxley keeper.

In the second half it was Paxton who created the first real chance as Worrall was put through one on one with the keeper but his attempted chip went straight into the keepers hands. A Yaxley counter attack down the right led to the third goal and the ball was put over to the far post for the left back to slot home. Yaxley made it 4-0 with about 20 minutes to go when a low shot went underneath Simon Oxborough. Then Oxborough made a great save from a penalty that he gave away. Although the result was a 4-0 loss Paxton played well and battled to the end and gave a much more encouraging performance than in recent weeks!!

16th November 2002: West Wratting (H) Drew 2-2

Paxton fought a valiant comeback to earn a draw with their high-flying visitors. Wratting came with an undefeated record and early on looked well worth their top of the table position.

The first real chance of the game fell to Rob Seal whose header was parried onto the post after just nine minutes. Three minutes later Wratting took the lead, a strong header off the inside of the bar. Inside the half-hour they moved further in front, this time with a route one kick down the middle and a first time flick over the advancing James Schofield.

Paxton continued to try and play passing football but the visitors worked hard to break up their attacks. Four minutes before the break Luke Swain pulled one back with a crashing left-footer from the edge of the area.

After the break it was the home side who started the brighter and it only took a minute for the scores to be level. Matt Plumb was fouled on the half-way line. He took the free-kick himself and found the head of Simon Johnson whose deft flick snuck inside the post.

The balance of power now swung the home sides way and they laid siege to the Wratting goal. Joe Walsh looked like establishing a lead when his back foot was scythed away however the referee saw nothing untoward and waved play-on. Then Stuart Harper had a header kicked off the line and a Swain overhead was well saved. Seal then went close with a header before Johnson saw his goal-bound flying header slide past the post.

A Swain free-kick was spectacularly saved before another Seal header skimmed the woodwork.

Despite all their pressure Paxton couldn't find the goal again and had to settle for a well-earned point.

Great Paxton Reserves bounced back to form in the league with a resounding 8-0 victory at managerless Longstanton. Paxton were the better side from the off, but were guilty of missing several good chances early on, most of which fell to striker Andy Cummins. They finally took the lead when John Goodchild crossed for Gary Mansfield to head home. Paxton doubled their lead when Mansfield unselfishly played the ball to Martin Hunter who had time to pick his spot before slotting home. Then Cummins finally got his first goal, looping a header over the advancing keeper after chasing a ball over the top from Simon Goodchild. The flood gates opened after the break with Cummins scoring twice more to complete his hat-trick. Rob Worrall scored twice in 5 minutes and a 20 yard strike by Dave Smith completed the rout!

Dreadfully dull, disappointing, dreary, one decent moment when Stuart Harper scored with a neat back-header, that's it.

The Reserves yo-yo season continued last week with a 2-0 defeat to table toppers Ely Crusaders. The visitors began well and deservedly took the lead after 15 minutes. They doubled it soon after, before Paxton began to find some rhythm. However, despite taking the game to the visitors for the final hour of the game, Ely stood firm and even looked like extending their lead. Ken Churchill sealed a poor day for the Reserves when he needlessly elbowed an opponent off the ball, within full sight of the ref who had no alternative but to send him off!

There were early signs that these were two side better going forward than defending and it only took eleven minutes for the visitors to establish a lead from a goalmouth scramble. Seven minutes later Paxton were level when a defender diverted home a low cross. On thirty four minutes an unopposed header from a corner put Stilton in front again.

The best bit of skill in the whole game came moments before the break. Adam Swain turned his man on the left side and ran on into the box, as the keeper came out Swain delicately passed the ball inside the far post for a terrific goal.

In the second half Paxton started to take control and it was no surprise when they took the lead. Ian Dawkes smacking home a Luke Swain cross in the fifty-sixth minute. It looked all over when Adam Swain notched his second with only sixteen minutes to go and should have been a minute later but Swain missed from a narrow angle.

In the seventy-ninth minute Stilton pulled one back and the nerves took over. Two minutes before time they got an equaliser after more hesitant defending. There was still time for the most controversial moment of the match, Matt Plumb went galloping into the area and seemed to be scythed down but the referee waved play-on and the ninety minutes was up.

Three minutes into extra time and Swain completed his hat-trick after good work by Dawkes and Luke Swain but Stilton struck back from the most unlikely source. Their keeper hoofed the ball downfield where it took an odd bounce and cleared James Scofield before bouncing into the net.

The rest of extra time was fairly uneventful but both Joe Walsh and Glenn Farra went close before the dreaded penalties.

After getting this far thanks to a shoot-out in the last round Paxton might have thought they were favourites but with three of their likely takers on the sideline it wasn't to be. Stilton netted four times but Walsh had his saved and Adam Swain blasted over, Matt Plumb and Dawkes scored theirs but it ended 4-2 with one to take.

Paxton Manager Wayne Humphrey made a few changes and by and large it was a much better balanced Paxton team that played against bottom of the league Debden. The opening goal was not long coming, skipper Matt Plumb playing alongside Adam Swain up front has a shot rebound off the bar and Swain clipped home in the 8th minute. Only three minutes later and a hand-ball in the area gave Ian Dawkes an opportunity to extend the lead. Dawkes 'scored' but the Referee ordered a re-take because of encroachment by Joe Walsh. On the second attempt Dawkes blazed over the ball.

It was a miss that looked costly when Debden equalised with a free header just before the half-hour but Dawkes atoned three minutes later with a scorching 30 yard free-kick which went in off the underside of the bar. In the 38th minute Swain chased a lost cause and managed to pull the ball back for Plumb to make it 3-1.

Paxton at Debden is a fixture which rarely ends with 22 players on the pitch and the pattern was continued in the 48th minute. Chris Bingham sprung a dodgy offside trap and the Debden keeper took decisive action, dashing out of his area like a train and running all over the unfortunate Bingo. After a lengthy stoppage the game re-started with a new Debden custodian and he was beaten only once when ten minutes later Plumb nicked his second.

There were more chances in the last half-hour but a combination of desperate defending, good fortune and wasteful finishing kept the score at four. Plumb being the worst culprit when with a minute to go he sidestepped one defender in the box before putting his shot wide of the post with a hat-trick beckoning.

After a week without a game, the Reserves returned to league action and good form with a home match against a struggling Warboys Reserves side.

Paxton approached the game with the right attitude and were the better of the two sides from the off. Kevin Shotter, making his first appearance for the Reserves, after recently joining the club from St Neots, soon warmed to the task and began to pull the strings in midfield. Paxton were rewarded with a first half lead when a good move up the right flank resulted in the ball being floated in for Andrew Conway to head in at the far post.

Simon Oxborough, deputising for James Oxborough, in goal for Paxton had very little to do except try to keep warm in the first half and things didn’t change much after the break.

Paxton doubled their lead early in the second half when a Jon Goodchild corner deceived everybody and squirmed in at the far post. Conway claimed a touch, a touch that was hotly disputed by his team mates and without the benefit of video replay, it was decided that Goodchild had indeed scored his first league goal of the season!

Warboys looked a beaten side at this stage and the only question was if Paxton would increase their lead further. That they did midway through the second half when Rob Worrall threaded the ball through to Andy Cummins who slotted home his 10th goal of the season. An old Paxton favourite, Jon Huddy, back home for 6 weeks, came off the bench and could have scored within minutes, only to lose control of the ball at the crucial moment. Paxton completed the scoring when Cummins returned strike partner Worralls earlier favour and set him up for a crisp left foot strike for his 7th goal of the season.

It was a dark & murky afternoon and the weather was no better. It is important to be positive and I'm positive this was an awful game. Give Foxton credit for their conversion rate, create two chances, score twice, that's 100% whereas Paxtons finishing was more like the 'barn-door' variety.

A 19th minute header gave the visitors the lead but it wasn't till the last minute of the half that the hosts created a worthwhile chance, Chris Bingham sprung the offside trap but hit the inside of the post, on another day it might have gone in but on this day the ball flew along the goalline and out the other side for a goal kick.

After a few, well chosen words from the manager during the break Paxton came out very positively in the second half and in the first ten minutes Adam Swain and Matt Plumb carved out four good chances with their first-time passing and off the ball runs, however nothing came of any of them.

Foxton increased their lead in the 59th minute, defensive dallying led to a half-chance shot from the edge of the box, being the day it was the ball found the corner of the net.

Swain finally got on the scoresheet in the last minute, a scrappy goal after a goalmouth melee.

The resignation of manager Wayne Humphrey, the previous Saturday, left Paxton in the charge of Matt Plumb who, to his credit, orchestrated a great result at high-flying Fordham. Paxton took the lead after only two minutes, the Swain boys combining down the wing before Lukes shot fortunately fell into the path of Adam Mayhew who steered the ball home. It's amazing how much difference a goal can make as from that point Paxton enjoyed the better part of the game and despite Fordhams 26th minute equaliser, through Jamie Parker, more than did enough to claim all three points.

In fact is it wasn't for Fordhams 15 year old debutant keeper, who made four or five top class saves, Adam Swain would have capped a fine afternoon with the winning goal but it just wasn't to be.

Manager Alan Cullum had to put out a much changed side after some late withdrawals and early on it looked like it. After only 13 minutes the visitors went ahead when some non-marking allowed an easy strike on Jon Goodchilds goal. That was a wake up call that the home team needed and parity was restored when Luke Catchpole drove in a 20 yarder straight into the top corner. Despite having more of the play Paxton couldn't translate that into goals before the break.

After half-time Paxton took more control with Jon Huddy much more prominent. It seemed like the lead was established after 57 minutes, a fine passing move ended with the ball falling to young Martin Hunter who hit a fine shot inside the post. The Referee awarded the goal but the visitors persuaded him to consult their linesman who had flagged for offside and it was chalked off.

But just 9 minutes later Andrew Conway was the recipient of a good pass from Huddy and it was 2-1. Huddy also set up Rob Worrall for number three 13 minutes from time with an extra assist to Dean Jarrett for some fine defensive work. With no time left Bluntisham benefited from a goal mouth scramble to make the scoreline more flattering to them.

Glenn Farra opened the scoring for the visitors with barely five minutes gone but Shelford came back to take a 2-1 lead by half-time. After the break it was fairly even with all the goals coming the the last quarter of an hour. Ian Dawkes equalised but with five minutes to go Shelford took the lead once more. Two minutes before time Dave Smith came off the bench to stab home after a goalmouth scrimmage and earn the visitors a deserved point.

These two teams last met in the Lower Junior Cup final, a close affair, and so was this one. There was little to choose between the sides but the home side enjoyed the better of the chances, Dean Jarrett should have taken a 2nd minute opportunity at the far post but headed over. There was a 25 minute wait for the next close shave when a 30 yard Jon Goodchild swinging free-kick shaved the junction of post and bar. Either side of the break Andy Cummins missed chances to put the home side in front and it was nearly an hour gone when the breakthrough arrived, Gary Mansfield stabbing home a corner on the far post.

Cummins had two more opportunities to settle it but shot wide the first and had the second saved. The home goalkeeper James Oxborough had had a quiet afternoon was called on to make a save in the 69th minute, he saved well but couldn't prevent a rebound which was stabbed home. Little else, in the way of scoring opportunities before the final whistle and the sides lined up again for extra-time.

A defensive mix-up allowed Ramsey to take the lead with just six minutes to go and that sparked a controversial ending. First Mansfield slipped and seemed to handle the ball on the ground, despite vehement appeals the Referee waved play-on. Then almost immediately Cummins was manhandled by the Ramsey keeper but again no action was taken. A skirmish ensued when the Ramsey #10 lashed out at substitute Martin Hunter but again firm action was missing. With just a minute left the same Ramsey player went in studs-up against a prone Oxborough and then prevented him from rising. Impatient to get on with the game Oxborough pushed him away only for the Ramsey player to grab Oxborough round the throat. Getting no protection from the referee Oxborough threw a swinging right fist which connected perfectly with his assailants nose and the whistle was finally blown. Oxborough was shown the red card and a penalty awarded.

Goodchild donned the jumper but was powerless to stop the spot-kick and the final whistle was drowned out by ructions on the sidelines.

The man said, "Football, it's a game of two halves", well this one proved it. In the first Paxton created most of the chances and deservedly took the lead on the half-hour. Matt Plumb took a free kick from the half way line and Glenn Farra stole in from an angle and headed the ball into the far corner. Two minutes later though a match changing event occurred. A scramble in the Paxton area saw Darren Fairbrass flick the ball off an opponents foot only to be caught on the ankle. Fairbrass went down and after a time had to limp off. Having lost two central defenders in the week the loss of a third was to prove crucial. Over equalised from a close range header just before the break and the die was cast .

In the second half Over increased their work rate and Paxton seemed to ease off. The visitors took the lead after 57 minutes. James Oxborough came out to try and punch away a high ball but an Over forward beat him to it, the soft header barely crossing the line. Four minutes later Ian Dawkes slipped and number three was rifled home. After having a quiet game the Referee then created a 79th minute stir. Danny Kennedy tried to make a tackle just outside the box but got more man than ball. The whistle blew but despite the home players indicating the large scrape clearly showing where the offence occurred the referee pointed to the spot. An incensed Kennedy was then shown the red card for dissent. The spot kick was dispatched cleanly and the game was effectively over. Number five went in 6 minutes later but there was still time for Adam Mayhew to turn and bang home a left-footer as a very small consolation.

2-0 defeat for the Reserves today, to Bottisham, one of the two teams who will DEFINITELY win promotion from Div 2B. Only real chance was a first time shot by Andy Cummins in the first half, which the home keep got down well to save.

Not enough desire and belief in the first half and found ourselves 2-0 down after half an hour...............the usual mountain to climb scenario! Much better performance in the second half, but no final ball and a shocking waste of corners - three in succession were kicked straight behind the goal and out of play!

Cup holders St Neots were dramatically dumped out of the Hunts Premier Cup by Cambs League outfit Great Paxton at Rowley Park on Tuesday evening. It was Paxton’s first ever victory in the competition at their third attempt in their third season and it was the first ever victory in the 50 years history of the Premier Cup by a Cambs League club. Emotions of the sides after the game were understandably in start contrast. Paxton Chairman Howard Fieldhouse was jubilant declaring ‘if we can beat the holders on their own ground we can go on and win the competition’. Saints coach Mike Brooks was brief and succinct in his summing up which loosely interpreted was ‘we were rubbish tonight’. Saints defeat came on the back on two consecutive league victories whilst for Paxton it was only their second win in their last nine league and cup matches.

At the start St Neots dominance was obvious and for a while whilst they were adjusting to playing under floodlights Paxton struggled to get out of their own half. However their confidence grew and in 28th minute the only goal of the game arrived a little against the run of play. A long pass found Glen Farra on the edge of the Saints penalty area and he sidestepped two defenders to score only his third goal in Paxton colours. St Neots made little impression before half time but stepped up their efforts after the break. Paxton showed that they can defend with Stuart Harper a towering rock in their defence and St Neots came closest to sending the game into extra time in the last few minutes. A shot by Nick Finney cannoned off the crossbar and Simon Claridges follow up shot was superbly turned away by Paxton keeper James Schofield to ensure his side’s unlikely place in the semi-finals of the competition where they will play away at Stotfold.

It was evident from very early on, that this was going to be a close game. Both sides showed a great deal of commitment and chances were scarce. Stuart Harper rescued the home side after 16 minutes with a last ditch goalmouth clearance whilst four minutes later the feat was repeated at the other end. The only goal of the game came on the half-hour. Danny Kennedy knocked a ball over the defence for the hard-working Adam Swain, Swain caught up with the ball on the goalline, looked up and picked out player/manager Matt Plumb with a fine cutback. Plumb met the ball on the run and crashed a header into the top corner.

Things began well enough and Paxton certainly had the better of the early exchanges, but found themselves a goal down after 15 minutes, when keeper James Oxboroughs clearance cannoned off the back of a surprised Brampton defender who gratefully returned the ball into an empty net to give the home side the lead.

Despite the set-back, Paxton continued with their bright creative football and were rewarded on the half hour, when Andy Cummins jinked down the right and sent in a looping cross for Rob Worrall to head home his 10th goal of the season.

Paxton continued to play well and just as it looked as though the sides would turn around level, a flowing team move ended with Jon Goodchild setting up Cummins who finished in style.

After the break, Paxton hit a wobbly spell, but thankfully, a third goal, again form Cummins, settled the result and they were able to come through the final 15 minutes with reasonable comfort.

March 15th update: Unknown to us Wratting fielded an ineligible player, The Cambs League decided the match should be replayed March 22nd.

Manager Matt Plumb might have known it was not going to be his day when four lads dropped out with flu on Saturday morning. So a patched up team went to one of the hardest places to get a result, the bog known as West Wratting. Quick, one time football, is impossible when your boots have to be cleaned twice during the warm up so both teams adopted the 'whack-it and run after it' approach. The home team unsurprisingly took an early lead, Paxtons defence went walkabout and James Schofield was given no chance from close range. Adam Mayhew scored an equally classy equaliser on the quarter hour and that galvanised the visitors to a long period of domination. After 24 minutes Plumb strode into the area before a defender grabbed his arm and spun him round, 'play on' signalled the Referee who was having trouble making it up the hill. Four minutes later Adam Swain raced into the area where another defender took him out with a body check Mick McManus would have been proud of (showing my age now). Again the Referee waived away the protests but managed to finally catch up play in enough time to hear Swains description of his parentage and waved his little yellow card.

Great Paxton Reserves finally beat their bogey team Lode, but only after a nail biting last few minutes! Paxton began well with debutant Dave Taylor twice going close, but they went a goal down after failing to clear a corner after 15 minutes. Then, exactly as they had the week before at Brampton, they scored twice in quick succession to take the lead. First, player manager Rob Worrall headed home a Dave Smith cross, then Andy Cummins lobbed the Lode keeper after being put through by Jon Huddy. John Goodchild crossed twice for Worrall to score twice more and complete a hat-trick of headers inside 15 minutes!

4-1 up at the break, Paxton's only concern was that they had twice before lost good leads to Lode! True to form, the visitors began a comeback that saw them score twice and have another disallowed but Paxton held on to win.

Football games are supposed to last ninety minutes, this one was effectively all over after twelve, it took the visitors just that long to score three times. In the fifth minute Paxton attacked down the left, the move was broken up and the ball hit along the line. The unattended right winger took the ball to the byline and clipped it back perfectly for the unmarked centre-forward to meet on the run and whack it home. In the tenth minute calamity defending allowed the second to be scored from inside the box. Two minutes later and a hopeful punt from the left wing went over the hands of the despairing Dave Smith and it was 3-0.

Things quietened down after that and it wasn't until the fortieth minutes before Tuddenham scored their fourth, an ambitious thirty yard hoof which Smith contrived to miss completely. After the break Simon Oxborough came off the bench to go in goal and Paxton looked more composed. Joe Walsh pulled one back and Glenn Farra got up to score a second. With 28 minutes still to go a remarkable comeback was still possible but Darren Fairbrass killed off that little idea by trying to beat three players in his own box, losing the ball and 5-2 was the final scoreline.

Paxton went into this game on the back of a heavy home league defeat to Tuddenham but, against much stronger opposition, were unrecognisable from the side which had surrendered in 12 minutes the previous Saturday. Indeed they looked lively, determined and well organised in the first half as they dealt comfortably with Stotfold and went close two or three times to taking what would have been a deserved lead.

Things changed after 43 minutes, when Stotfolds pacey new striker outpaced Darren Fairbrass, moved into the penalty area and then duly hit the floor to earn his side a spot-kick. James Schofield, back in the Paxton goal, made a great attempt to save the penalty and got a hand to it, but couldn’t stop it crossing the line. Just a minute later, an excellent piece of trickery from a Stotfold player and we were 2-0 down at the break.

Paxton refused to drop their heads and continued to make a game of it after the break. However, the home side went up a gear and began to play some slick football that brought them a deserved third goal. Further goals were conceded after first Chris Bingham, then Lee Clutterbuck, were punished after failing to shepherd balls out of play.

Paxton highlight of the match was a rare headed goal from Dan Plumb which completed the scoring and a 5-1 defeat.

Unavailability of players meant it was a strange 1st team line-up against Debden but those looking to impress worked hard and contributed to a solid win. True, Debden are not one of the top teams but they didn't come all that way to be walked over. The stage was set early on with the home side doing the majority of the attacking and it was no surprise when they took the lead on the quarter hour. Chris Bingham cut in from the left, side-stepped a couple of weak challenges and poked the ball past the oncoming keeper straight into the far corner.

Despite a great deal of possession after that only two more clear chances were created before the break, both Andy Cummins and Joe Walsh shooting wide from good positions.

The second half was like a carbon copy. Fourteen minutes in and Adam Swain made it 2-0, put through his initial effort was blocked but with the goalie then stranded slid it into an empty net. More chances came and went after that Matt Plumb (twice), Cummins and Glenn Farra (twice) all missing chances that on another day may have proved expensive, however the visitors, with one chance in each half, never looked like doing enough to score.

Paxtons first ever visit to Wisbech started badly. The home side took the lead on the half-hour through Simon Barker, 5 minutes later that was extended when Darren Fairbrass put past his own keeper for 2-0.

The immediate response from Adam Mayhew meant the visitors went in only a goal behind. After the break Mayhew grabbed a quick equaliser but another half hour past before Player/Manager Matt Plumb tucked away number three. Andrew Conway came off the bench to slide in another at the death and Paxton came away with a valuable three points.

Player/Manager Rob Worrall included two new young signings , Luke Askanasi and Aaron Fairbrass to complement some of his older hands and both did well in their first appearances for the club.

Paxton started by monopolising possession and that was the very much the pattern of the game. Some promising moves fizzled out but in the 18th minute it all clicked together. A six man move of one touch football cut through the visitors defence culminating in Martin Hunter shooting under the keeper into the far corner. Worrall, taking no chances, slid in to claim the goal.

After that, numerous half chances came and went but no addition to the scoreline until the 64th minute. Fairbrass hit a lovely through ball and Gary Mansfield finally sprung the tedious offside trap. Mansfield literally walked the ball past the keeper before tapping into an empty net.

Eight minutes later Worrall sprung the same trap and lashed number three home with his left boot.

Two minutes from time and man-of-the-match Fairbrass could have capped a fine game but saw his shot cannon off the inside of the post.

The Reserves had a day to forget at Bluntisham as their recent winning run came to an abrupt end with a 6 goal pasting! Things began badly when the home side scored with their very first attack, 6' 5" debutant "goalkeeper" Andre Fearon lobbed(!) after just 12 seconds! Unfortunately for Paxton, more of the same was to follow as Fearon, found himself out of position twice more, Bluntisham taking full advantage with two more lobs! Things went from bad to worse as Dave Taylor limped off with an
ankle injury and Rob Worrall and Dean Jarrett also picked up knocks!

Bluntisham scored a fourth before half time but Paxton showed some character after the break and came much more into the game. Youngsters Luke Askanasi, Richard Conby and AJ Fairbrass all worked hard and the Goodchild brothers Jonny and Simon never stopped battling. Half chances came and went, but it was to be Bluntisham's day and thanks to defensive errors, they scored twice more to complete the rout!

It's not often you get to replay a league match, especially when you lost the first game 2-1, but that was the peculiar position Great Paxton were put in by the Cambs League who had discovered that Wratting had fielded a player for whom the league had not seen the paperwork. It is amazing that can have a shocking pitch and wonky goals but if you don't get the paperwork right it can cost hundreds in fines and expenses.

Anyway to the game......... The home side were strangely lethargic in the first half and despite taking a 24th minute lead subsided to being 2-1 down at the break. Lee Clutterbuck scoring direct from a 28th minute corner which floated over everybody's head before Dan Plumb was picked out by his brother and scored a fine goal, killing the ball instantly, moving past an opponent and sliding the ball under the keeper in one, seemingly seamless, movement.

Thin walls afforded the opposition an opportunity to listen-in on the home side having a heated debate during the break. This was followed by squeals of tyres as substituted players departed the premises.

Well whatever went on it certainly worked a treat. For twenty five minutes the Wratting players ran around like demons while their visitors watched then go by. Goals in the 46th and 51st minutes establishing a lead followed by a 62nd minutes penalty conversion. Young keeper James Oxborough, cruelly exposed, was left scrambling round on his knees and in trying to dive for the ball just managed to take out an opposition forward.

Wratting scored a 70th minute 5th before the visitors perked up and competed for the last twenty

Great Paxton Reserves bounced back from last weeks defeat at Bluntisham with a much better performance to dispose of Wicken. Paxton began the brighter side, but had nothing to show for their efforts until the half hour mark, then Joe Walsh put Player/Manager Rob Worrall through on the left and he fired home from a tight angle.

Wicken rarely looked like getting back into the match and with an hour gone Paxton doubled their lead when, Man of the Match, Jonny Goodchild made a superb run down the left and squared for Worrall to claim his 16th goal of the season. Luke Catchpole tucked away a third from the penalty spot after Walsh had been brought down by the visiting keeper.

The win keeps Paxton's Reserves side in the hunt for promotion for the second time in three years.

The visitors seemed to have the better of the opening exchanges with Andy Cummins and Rob Worrall both going close but it was the home side who scored first in the 18th minute. Emergency keeper Mark Spavins being cleverly lobbed at the end of a quick Godmanchester break-away.

Six minutes later Adam Swain levelled after cutting in from the left and firing home from an acute angle. On the half-hour Worrall swivelled inside the box and fired the ball home into the far corner. The rest of the half saw Paxton pushed back by their hosts but setting up half chances with quick break-aways, Swain & Cummins being far too rapid for the Goddy defence.

Nine minutes into the second half and the game was effectively over. Cummins, as he did most of the night, chased when others wouldn't have bothered. An obvious keepers ball suddenly became more fifty-fifty and Cummins fired home after the inevitable fumble.

Paxton turned up the pressure after that and very shortly could have had two more but Worralls lob was headed off the line and a Stuart Harper header shaved the far post.

For all their experience Rovers couldn't make much happen against solid midfield performances from Luke Catchpole and Jon Goodchild who were ably supported from behind and in-front with Cummins picking up the 'man of the match' award for his constant harassment of the opposition whenever they had the ball.

There are some matches that seem to have nil-nil written all over them and in the first half this was definitely one of those with neither side showing that creative spark that would lead to a goal.

The ball did find it's way into the net in the 17th minute but the linemans flag was raised and Glenn Farra was disappointed that his pinball effort was disallowed.

The second half was a much different affair with the home side developing some nice moves. A fine bit of interplay between Joe Walsh and Dan Plumb led to Walsh crisply firing home in the 59th minute. It was significantly against the run of play when the equaliser went in 3 minutes later, a pearler, smacked in from the edge of the area giving James Oxborough no chance.

Two minutes later and Matt Plumbs determination combined with a fortunate rebound sprung Farra who, despite looking close to being off-side, went on to bang the ball home.

The lead should have been extended in the 75th minute, Dan Plumb missing from close range was excused because it looked as if he was subject to a significant shove in the back when shooting.

In the end Paxton came away with a useful three points and their second league double of the season.

The visitors main weapon seemed to be the enormous throws of their centre back and in the 34th minute one led to the second goal. A mighty heave into the home penalty area looked like going straight to Oxborough but he seemed to stumble and could only get his fingertips to the ball as it went over his head into the goal. The Referee pointed to the centre circle but the neutral linesman (sorry, Referees Assistant) stood with his flag raised indicating a foul on the keeper. The Referee ran over, said he didn't see it and that the 'goal' would stand. Cue mass protests and three bookings.

A solid performance was capped by a 75th minute winner from player/manager Matt Plumb. Put through by Ian Dawkes, Plumb fired home from twenty yards and gave Paxton fresh hope of a top six finish.

Hemingford have usually been a bit of a bogey side to Great Paxton but this was the match when their luck run out. Ian Dawkes had a header cleared off the line on the quarter hour and recent recruit Aaron Fairbrass flashed a shot wide a minute later. Hemingfords only strike on goal before the break crashed against the crossbar and they might have felt fortunate to go in at half-time level.

In the second half it was some uncharacteristic determination from Andrew Conway that allowed him to crash the ball home from outside the box. Visiting keeper Gareth Bridges being given no chance by a sizable deflection. Darren Fairbrass put a header over the bar before Conway missed a sitter, Adams Swains great work on the left going for nothing.

It was the last minute before Paxton grabbed the second. Adam Mayhew cut in from the right skipping past various defenders before shooting firmly. Bridges made a decent stop but the ball spun loose. Danny Plumb was the first to react and poked the ball under Bridges who then went ballistic at his static defence.

Paxton could have gone ahead in the very first minute when a Rob Worrall shot was deflected against the post but the luck evened out seven minutes later. A period of Brampton pressure culminated in what looked a fair goal when a misplaced back pass found a visitor behind the defence, he went ahead to stroke the ball home. The linesman and Referee saw it differently and the goal was disallowed

The home side kept pressing forward with left-back Gary Mansfield prominent up front and he had two decent chances to score but saw both his efforts miss the far post. Mansfield wasn't to be denied though and a 20th minute Luke Catchpole corner provided his third opportunity which he headed home. Four minutes later and it was Mansfield again heading in at the far post this time from a Jon Goodchild corner.

With 37 minutes on the clock yet another corner, Mansfields header this time leading to a penalty for hand-ball. Catchpole coolly converted it for a 3-0 half-time lead.

Two minutes after the break and it was four. Worrall received the ball on the left, swivelled losing his marker and crossed to the near post. Andy Cummins was the first to react and slotted the ball home. Maybe complacency set in after that because Brampton then had the better of things for quite a while however their shooting was of the barn-door variety and Mark Spavins was rarely troubled in the home goal. It was only with 15 minutes to go when they got a shot on target but that was too little, too late and Paxton were comfortable winners.

It must be a sign of how badly recent frontrunners Fordham have dipped that they failed to hold onto the lead against an out-of-sorts Great Paxton. The visitors took the lead on the quarter hour with a header and in truth rarely looked troubled by the Paxton attack. It was on the stoke of half-time that the home side had a little good fortune. Andy Cummins turned on the edge of the area and had a go, his shot seem scuffed but the direction was good enough to find the corner of the net.

After the break the home support were hoping for better things but within two minutes Darren Fairbrass pushed an opponent in the back and a penalty was awarded. James Oxborough had no chance as he went left and the ball was struck down the middle. A little bit of lax defending allowed Cummins to equalise again in the 67th minute. Picking up the ball on the half way line he ran past numerous defenders who backed off and seemed to wave him through. Racing into the area he picked his corner and finished superbly. Seven minutes later it was Cummins again, swivelling and firing home from close range. Fordham came right back and with only five minutes to go squeezed in their third.

Cummins had the last word though in overtime. A Danny Plumb shot was well saved but the ball rebounded just a little off the keepers body, Cummins was easily the first to react and tucked away his fourth.

The Reserves stretched their recent run to 9 wins from 10 thanks to what may at first glance appear a comfortable victory, but wasn't.

In truth, the home side probably had the better of the first half, with
Paxton looking strangely lacklustre, perhaps thinking that they just had
to turn up to win - always a dangerous attitude in a game that will always bring you back down to earth! It was somewhat against the run of play that Paxton took the lead, Gary Mansfield battling well in a
goalmouth scramble until the ball squirmed loose and Player/Manager Rob Worrall was on hand to poach his 20th goal of the season.

Mansfield's then grabbed some glory himself as he moved swiftly on to
Luke Catchpole's through ball and gleefully volleyed the ball over a
bemused Isleham goalkeeper before he'd had time to even consider the
shot!

A few home truths at half time and a different Paxton emerged for the
second half, albeit in the form of the same eleven players! Although the
home side continued to play neat and creative football, Paxton broke
away, Catchpole again the provider and Mansfield once again the
beneficiary. This time Mansfield carried the ball right up to the keeper
before slotting home his 10th goal of the season.

15 minutes from time, Mansfield completed his hat-trick, pouncing on a
woeful pass across the home penalty area and walking the ball into an
empty net. Further chances came and went in the final minutes as Isleham heads finally dropped, but neither Worrall, Dan Kennedy, Catchpole nor Jonny Goodchild could find the right finish.

With other results going to Paxton's favour, automatic promotion is now
a realistic possibility with four games to go.

Top of the table Sawston were beaten by a battling performance from the home team which partly made up for the previous seasons cup-final defeat.

Sawston certainly had the better of the first half although a quick breakaway by Adam Swain could have resulted in something better than a goal-kick. In the 34th minute a bouncing ball in the area popped up and was rammed home to give Sawston a one goal advantage at half-time.

The second half was a different story, Paxton competed much harder in midfield and were rewarded on the hour. A Danny Plumb corner was swung in from the right, Stuart Harper rose highest and nodded towards goal, Andrew Conway got a touch and the ball crossed the line.

Although Sawston had a fair bit of possession afterwards the Paxton defence was solid with Harper and fellow centre-back Darren Fairbrass commanding.

The winner came with only five minutes to go, Ian Dawkes picked up a loose ball in the centre circle and strode forwards, with thirty five yards to go he hit a swerving, dipping shot which pitched just in front of the Sawston keeper on his line. It looked as though the keeper had everything under control but the ball slipped through his arms and into the net to give Paxton a famous victory and on course for a top five finish.

Great Paxton Reserves set a new club record with their seventh straight league victory when beating lowly Warboys. It looked so easy early on when player/manager Rob Worrall crashed home the first with less than two minutes on the clock. In the tenth minute Gary Mansfield headed home a Jon Goodchild corner for his sixth in three games and the floodgates were being prised open.

Warboys first meaningful attack was in the 22nd minute when a through-ball was taken around Mark Spavins and tucked away neatly, the only question was were there two Warboys players offside when the initial ball was played or three? No matter, three minutes later Mansfield escaped to bang in his second a re-establish the two goal margin.

Although Paxton enjoyed the greater amount of possession after that there was no more scoring before the break.

It must have been the proverbial 'Something in the half-time cup of tea' because Warboys came out with all three substitutes on and looked a much more serious outfit in the second half. They deservedly clawed one back after only five minutes and in the next twenty could have easily had more.

It was up to the old warrior Worrall to finally make the game safe and in the 79th minute he obliged, ghosting past a couple of non-tackles he tucked the ball away with his right foot and cantered back to the half-way line like a two year old.

The first half of this game was no pretty sight, plenty of commitment but little in the way of chances to report.

The second half was something else entirely. After only five minutes a ball played into the Cottenham area was inexplicably handled by a defender and a penalty was awarded. After a few moments of debate Andrew Conway took the kick, placing the ball nicely into the corner and wheeling away to celebrate. A minute later and he could have had a second but headed wide at the far post. On the hour it was 2-0, Cottenham had a corner that was dealt with comfortably and the counterattack was on. Andy Cummins ran with the ball at his feet from inside his own half and made fifty yards before crossing into the box. The ball eluded Conway but fell nicely for Aaron Fairbrass to sweep in his first goal for the club.

Desperate now, Cottenham pressed forward but left themselves short at the back and three times should have been punished but Conway, twice, had shots shave the woodwork and Ian Dawkes had his well saved. Cottenham finally got a 74th minute goal when a sleeping defence was punished by a quick break.

The result was settled by the best goal of the night. With only a couple of minutes to go player/manager Matt Plumb picked up the ball in midfield and drove on at the defence. Seeing the keeper only feet off his line Plumb chipped him, from the edge of the area, with a lovely left footed strike which dropped just under the bar.

Paxton won their sixth league game in a row (their best run for three years) with a comfortable 2-0 win at Mildenhall. Both goals came midway through the first half, Andy Cummins and Glenn Farra supplying the finishes and cementing a top five position.

The first half only produced three chances, all headers, Rob Worrall will have felt he could have done better with his two but there was one just as good at the other end.

A minute after the break a mistake by Luke Catchpole was pounced on and Huntingdon took the lead. Four minutes later and it was level again, a Gary Mansfield header from a Jon Goodchild cross took a cruel deflection and despite a player being on the line found it's way in.

After 73 minutes Catchpole made up for his earlier error, chesting down a clearance, dancing past two players and firing into the corner.

With only seven minutes on the clock a needless free-kick was given away on the edge of the home box. Well struck, it rebounded off the inside of the post and with Mark Spavins still on the ground knocked in by an onrushing attacker. Mansfield had a golden opportunity to settle it before the final whistle but was prevented by a fine save and the game ended justifiably as a draw.

The Reserves clinched promotion with a game to spare, thanks to a late,
late goal from young substitute Luke Askanasi against Godmanchester
Reserves!

With the Recreation Ground now being prepared for the cricket season, Paxton played the game at Hall road, home of Eynesbury Rovers, of which they had fond memories after winning a Cup Final there last season. They got off to the best possible start with an opportunist strike by Gary Mansfield, from outside the box. As he strode on to Glen Farras' pass he struck a looping shot which sailed over the advancing keeper and into the net.
Mansfield required treatment following the goal having been kicked as he
struck his shot, but continued for over an hour.

Far from settling the side down, Mansfield's goal served only to bring
edginess into Paxton's play as they began to realise how close they were
to the prize they have pursued with great determination for so long.
Their tendency to sit back allowed Godmanchester to come more into the game, but the visitors rarely threatened young James Oxborough in goal until the stroke of half time, when he fumbled a harmless looking long ball and it squirmed into his net.

The second half story was mainly one of Paxton probing and Godmanchester attacking on the break, but there were few clear cut chances at either end. Then came a serious looking injury to James Fieldhouse, for whom first a stretcher and then an ambulance was called. (it later turned out to be just bruising).

As injury time approached a winning goal seemed highly unlikely, but
Paxton's unlikely hero Askanasi suddenly transformed the game with a
cool right foot finish and ensured the Reserves will play their football
at a higher level next season!

Man of the Match - Glenn Farra

Having defeated Sawston at home only a week or so earlier, Paxton went away with ambitions to spoil the hosts championship winning party and nearly did so. It was a very nervous Sawston who could hardly string a decent move together whilst Paxton always looked likely to score.

The first goal came three minutes before the interval courtesy of Ian Dawkes who became top scorer for the season despite missing nearly half of it through suspension. Sawston settled down more in the second half and equalised through their first shot on goal.

The controversial moment came with only a minute to go. Matt Plumb was pushed and on hitting the deck put his hand firmly on the ball. So, maybe a Paxton free-kick or a hand-ball decision against Plumb. No, a Sawston player kicked the ball from under Plumbs hand and three passes later it was in the goal. No big deal for Paxton but maybe a bit rough on West Wratting.

With promotion assured, Rob Worrall took the opportunity to give starts to a number of fringe players and it was by no means the strongest Paxton team who faced an 'up for it' Bottisham who'd been the team deprived of second spot.

Two down by the interval Worrall made a couple of changes but the scene was set and Bottisham got three more in the second half for some degree of revenge.