26th August 1998: Buckden (A) Won 4-0

The campaign began with a comfortable win over local rivals Buckden. Kevin Taylor scored a fine individual goal, against his former team, to separate the sides at half-time. After the break it was one way traffic with an own goal and two Rob Worrall strikes completing the scoring.

29th August 1998: Willingham (A) Won 5-1

Despite being unable to beat their hosts in two attempts, the previous season, Paxton showed what an improved side they are. On a lovely warm afternoon it was the visitors who played the sunny football.

Tony Knowles grabbed a first-half hat-trick and still found time to be pulled down for a penalty, Simon Anderson slotting home from the spot before the home side got a consolation.

In the second half Paxton slowed down a bit and Rob Worrall scored the only goal, set up, inevitably, by the live-wire Knowles.

2nd September 1998: Papworth (H) Won 3-1

Papworth were the visitors to the Recreation Ground for the first home game of the season. Paxton created many chances in the first half but none were taken, in fact only two good saves by keeper Andy Oxborough kept the game scoreless before the break.

In the second half the Papworth long ball game paid off early when they took the lead, for Paxton it was the first time in the season they had gone behind and it was a test of their mettle.

Simon Anderson brought the scores level with a searing free-kick from the edge of the box. Tony Knowles then showed great skill to lob the advancing keeper and shortly before the final whistle chipped in his second.

5th September 1998: Debden Res. (A) Won 3-1

This win made it four in four, a great opening to the season. Despite driving rain Paxton started hot and scored after just 24 seconds, Lee Clutterbuck, making his first start of the season grabbing the first. He then turned provider laying on the second for Tony Knowles.

Debden rallied before half time and pulled a goal back but an accurate Kevin Taylor cross set up the third for Knowles (his seventh in three games). After that Paxton should have increased the margin but Jon Huddy, Rob Worrall, Clutterbuck and Knowles failed to convert decent chances.

12th September 1998: Castle Camps (H) Won 1-0

This victory meant the season had started with 5 straight wins, a club record. Paxton started brightly against opponents who had won three of their first four games and almost scored with the first attack.

In fact it was 25 minutes before the first, and only, goal came. Following some fine play by Jason Hardingham, Rob Worrall with a perceptive finish lobbed the keeper who had strayed off his line. 

After the break more pressure led to hitting the woodwork but no further goals came.

19th September 1998: Littleport Town (A) Won 3-0

The home side were on a run of 20 league and cup games undefeated before this fixture but Paxton were in no mood to be impressed having won every game of the season to date.

Tony Knowles set up strike partner Rob Worrall for the first and the latter should have made it two but headed a great Kev Taylor cross over the bar. The home side had a good deal of possession but couldn't penetrate a well marshalled defence.

After the break Simon Anderson was floored in the box and put the penalty away himself. Shortly afterwards substitute Danny Plumb was scythed down before he'd even touched the ball and Anderson converted penalty number two.

26th September 1998: C.U.P. (A) Drew 1-1

Despite having early possession Paxton couldn't capitalise on it and went behind on the quarter of an hour when hit on the break. Then it was mostly all Paxton pressure but if the home defence didn't cope the referee seemed to come to their rescue even awarding a free-kick to them when a defender kicked Rob Worrall in the head.

Captain Wayne Humphrey had a few words with his team at half-time and suggested that they might like to do better in the next 45 minutes. Soon after the break Matt Plumb came on for his first game back after returning from Eynesbury. The equaliser was all about pace, the home keeper had bags of time to deal with a back-pass (or so he thought) but the Knowles Express caught him out and after nicking the ball Tony calmly found the net.

After that there was only going to be one winner but Simon Anderson, Kev Taylor, Plumb and Worrall all went close without sewing up the three points.

10th October 1998: Abington (H) Won 3-1

With seven wins and a draw in your first eight league games it comes as a shock when you are one down after only two minutes but Paxton must learn that the match starts when the referees whistle is blown, not five minutes later.

On the half hour an electrifying bit of pace from Tony Knowles unsettled a defender who was robbed and Knowles finished in style. 

Into the second half and Paxton pressure finally told after 72 minutes when Knowles turned provider for Wayne Harris to establish a lead.

Four minutes from time and Knowles was tripped in the box, Matt Plumb, playing his first home game since returning from Eynesbury, converted the penalty.

17th October 1998: Willingham (H) Won 4-1

Percy Oldham Memorial Cup 1st Round

Blustery conditions at the recreation ground failed to stop Paxton putting on a champagne performance to overcome Willingham.

Two goals in three minutes early on established a lead that was never in question. Rob Worrall got the first from close range and just after had a shot come off the foot of the post but it rebounded to Matt Plumb who drove home. 

In the second half Paxton continued in the same vein with Tony Knowles heading home a Worrall cross for the third and then Conbyning well with Jon Huddy before the latter finished clinically.

The visitors grabbed a consolation before the end but only slack finishing prevented a heavier defeat.

24th October 1998: Buckden (H) Won 8-1

Buckden arrived without their strongest team and came up against in-form Paxton on the wrong day.

Tony Knowles opened the scoring and soon after added his second before James Fieldhouse got number three. Before half-time Simon Anderson scored after the keeper had saved the spot-kick arising from Knowles being pulled down in the area. Buckden still had time to get one back with the home side easing up for the break.

In the second half it was back to business as usual, Rob Worrall got the fifth and Jon Huddy banged in number six. Lee Clutterbuck came of the bench to stroke home the seventh and Anderson got his second towards the end.

31st October 1998: Hotpoint Reserves (A) Won 5-0

Hunts Junior Cup 2nd Round

A wet and windy day in Peterborough saw Paxton stroll through this cup match. Hotpoint must have soon realised that this was not going to be their day as the visitors totally dominated from the start. 

Simon Anderson got the first early before, after 21 minutes, Rob Worrall added the second after being nicely set up by Jon Huddy.

After half-time Worrall completed a hat-trick with strikes in the 49th and 51st minutes. In the last minute Dan Plumb wrapped up the victory with the fifth goal.

7th November 1998: Ashdon Villa (H) Won 7-0

Top against nearly bottom was not necessarily going to produce a tight game, but the visitors came with a defence only conceding just over two goals a game on average so a hiding wasn't on the cards either.

In fact Paxton produced their best performance of the season so far scoring seven goals without reply.

Tony Knowles opened the scoring and also grabbed the second before Rob Worrall headed the third. Dan Plumb hit a cracking shot for number four and then supplied the cross for Worrall to head his second. Simon Anderson got number six from close range after timing a free-kick to perfection and then Kev Taylor completed the scoring.

21st November 1998: Papworth (H) Won 2-1 (aet)

Percy Oldham Memorial Cup Quarter Final

Pre-match thoughts that this was going to be a tough match for Paxton were exactly right.

After a tight opening 20 minutes it was Matt Plumb who brought down a Papworth player in the area and Dexter Dove stroked home the resultant spot-kick. Five minutes later Dan Plumb found himself through on goal but unselfishly set up Wayne Harris who crashed home an unstoppable shot to level the scores.

The second half was scoreless and the match went into extra time, with only 10 minutes of the second period to run it was Tony Knowles who grabbed the winner after being put clear.

28th November 1998: Hardwick (H) Lost 2-0

The long unbeaten run finally came to and end against one of the better sides in Senior 'B' with this home defeat. It was 14 matches and 8 months since the previous league defeat by Debden Reserves.

Tony Knowles saw an early shot rebound from the post and then the job was made more difficult when Wayne Harris conceded a penalty after the break to present Hardwick with the lead.

After that it was all charge forward to get the equaliser but it wasn't to be and four minutes from time the visitors broke away to seal the victory.

After having a fair share of luck in the early part of the season this was the day it deserted us.

5th December 1998: Lakenheath (H) WON 4-1

In the previous game Great Paxton had surrendered their eight month unbeaten run to Hardwick which was the only defeat on their way to winning Kershaw Senior 'B' by a record 17 points. They say a true test of a good side is how they bounce back after a defeat and Paxton didn't disappoint.

Simon Anderson scored the first with a free-kick after just two minutes only for the home side to level before half-time. Anderson restored the lead soon after the break and then Rob Worrall headed in a Simon Salisbury cross for his 13th goal of the season. Anderson completed his first ever hat-trick for the club to complete the victory but he was not to get the man-of-the-match award, that honour went to Jon Huddy. It was a game that Andy Oxborough will not want to remember as he picked up a nasty shoulder injury, as a result of a reckless late challenge, that would keep him out for the rest of the season.

12th December 1998: Warboys Town Res. (A) Drew 3-3 (aet)

There was little hint of the goal spree to come when the two sides battled out the first 77 minutes with the only goal scored by Jon Huddy.

Goalkeeper Simon Oxborough had had to go off injured at half-time only a week after his brother had suffered a similar fate. This had affected the defence and suddenly within three minutes Warboys scored twice to take the lead. Simon Anderson grabbed the equaliser with only one minute to go and sent the match into extra-time.

Soon Warboys had re-established the lead and it took a last throw of the dice by Manager Mark Spavins to earn a replay. He threw skipper Wayne Humphrey forward and Humphrey found himself one-on-one with the keeper coolly slotting the ball home off the inside of a post.

19th December 1998: Warboys Town Res. (H) Drew 3-3 (won on penalties)

There was a strong feeling of deja-vu at the end of this contest which like the previous week at ended 3-3 at the end of extra time but there had to be a winner so it was down to the dreaded penalty shoot-out (this was the first Junior Cup tie ever to be decided in such a manner).

Paxton fell behind early in the game when Paul Beeston capitalised on a poor clearance by stand-in keeper Wayne Humphrey but quickly recovered to equalise through Simon Anderson when he shot powerfully from the edge of the area.

Just before the break Tony Knowles put Paxton in front with his 16th goal of the season. Nick Bussey got Warboys back in the game but again Anderson put the home side in front.

That looked like it was going to be the final score but 3 minutes before time Bussey grabbed his second and sent the match into extra time.

A goalless half-hour meant it was time to stand up and be counted and Paxton stood tall, Anderson, Simon Salisbury and Kev Taylor scored but Warboys missed their second and third. So it was down to Lee Clutterbuck and he nervelessly tucked the fourth one home before being chased round the pitch by his ecstatic teammates. 

2nd January 1999: Debden Res. (H) Drew 2-2

With Andy Oxborough and Matt Plumb out with injury, Kev Taylor working and Wayne Humphrey on holiday this was always going to be a tough match.

Paxton dominated the first half without scoring, Lee Clutterbuck and Ian Gabriel causing problems for the visiting defence. Gabriel and Rob Worrall both went close but when half-time came it was still nil nil.

Debden came more into the game in the second half and went in front after an hour played. Spurred into action Paxton came straight back and scored twice in two minutes. Similar goals as on each occasion a Mark Spavins free-kick was flicked on by Simon Anderson. The first dropped at the feet of Tony Knowles who made no mistake with his first chance after coming on as a substitute. The second fell to Gabriel who capped his hard working performance with a goal.

It looked like that would be it but a last minute equaliser came when substitute Andrew Conway attempted to head clear but only found a Debden forward who gleefully steered the ball home.

16th January 1999: Littleport Town (A) Lost 4-0

This Percy Oldham Memorial Cup Semi-Final was the biggest game to date of the season but Paxton never got into it.

The opening few minutes were tight with just a half-chance at each end but it didn't take long for Littleport to establish a lead that was never really put under threat. Poor marking from a corner led to the goal and how Paxton missed their captain away on holiday.

After the break Paxton got more into the game but got caught on the break and went 2-0 down. With nothing more to lose Manager Mark Spavins threw on all three substitutes but it made little difference as defensive inadequacies led to two more goals.

30th January 1999: West Row Gunners (H) Won 5-1

Manager Mark Spavins selected the same eleven who had done so well the previous week. His decision was justified when Paxton made all the early running.

Jon Huddy hit the woodwork before Rob Worrall opened the scoring with his first goal in six matches, heading home a Brian Kitchin cross after good work up the right hand side. Things slowed down before the break but 1-0 was good enough at half-time.

Several chances went begging before the game was made safe, the best of them falling to Dan Plumb who saw his point-blank effort hit the goalkeeper. Dan Kennedy, making his home debut, helped create the second goal which Simon Anderson tucked away with ease and minutes later Huddy unselfishly set up Worrall to made it 3-0.

Tony Knowles came off the bench to set up fellow substitute Lee Clutterbuck for the fourth before West Row pulled one back following a rare mistake by Andy Oxborough. Two minutes from time Anderson set up Worrall who completed his hat-trick from close range.

6th February 1999: West Row Gunners (A) Won 4-1

After the 5-1 drubbing the previous week West Row couldn't have been looking forward to the re-match only a week later.

Their fears were soon born out when Paxton took an early grip on the game and it only took 15 minutes to score the opener. Dan Plumb rounded a defender and put the ball away comfortably and soon after he pounced on a loose ball to stab home after good work by Dan Kennedy. Plumb nearly grabbed a third on the stroke of half-time but his header went just wide.

The home side had their best spell just after the break and pulled a goal back in the 51st minute but the two goal advantage was soon restored, Tony Knowles finishing clinically after being put through by Rob Worrall. Simon Anderson set up Jon Huddy for the fourth and Paxton coasted through the last 20 minutes.

Great Paxton cruised into their first County Cup Final for 8 years with a resounding victory over Hartford. For the visitors, it was their third cup semi-final defeat in three weeks, Paxton showing no mercy as they powered their way into the Hunts Junior Cup Final!

All the Paxton goals came in the first hour. John Huddy headed the first and Simon Anderson burst through to score the second with only eight minutes on the clock. Tony Knowles, starting his first game for a month, robbed a defender and slid the ball home for his 19th strike of the season to make it 3-0 and Wayne Harris added a fourth with a well struck shot from 25 yards. Substitute Dan Kennedy scored his first goal for the club, just seconds after coming on and then Harris rammed home another scorcher to make it 6-0 at the break. Matt Plumb & Kennedy completed the rout in the second half before Hartford got their consolation.

20th February 1999: Papworth (A) Won 5-2

This game was always likely to be a potential banana skin and with twenty minutes gone defeat was clearly on the cards as Papworth raced to a 2-0 lead.

Forced to make changes to the team that had won the Hunts Junior Cup semi-final so comfortably the week before, Manager Mark Spavins brought himself and keeper Guy Thatcher into the starting line-up. He pushed midfielder Simon Anderson into a more forward role and played himself in the middle.

However after going two behind he made swift changes, bringing on James Fieldhouse for himself, pushing Matt Plumb up front and bringing Anderson back into his normal midfield role.

It was captain Wayne Humphrey who turned things around, first his header was handled on the line but the Referee concluded that the ball had crossed so awarded the goal. Then at the start of the second-half he scored a great goal, turning well before prodding the ball home from the edge of the box.

Plumb then sent Anderson clear who rounded the keeper before finishing clinically. Anderson, a few minutes later, got his second with a superbly curled free-kick and could have had his hat-trick but the referee ordered his successful spot kick be retaken and the goalkeeper saved the second attempt.

Plumb completed the scoring with another well taken finish.

27th February 1999: C.U.P (H) Won 5-0

This proved to be a much easier game than expected as earlier in the season it was 1-1 in the away fixture.

There was a scare prior to the game when Wayne Humphrey and Brian Kitchin only turned up 10 minutes before kick-off. New signing Paul Hancock made his debut in goal and capped a fine match with a clean sheet.

Early pressure was rewarded after 15 minutes when a poor clearance dropped at the feet of Dan Kennedy, he forced the ball across the goal and Tony Knowles hooked home his 23rd of the season.

After the break Simon Anderson latched onto a loose ball to fire in number two and shortly afterwards slotted home a penalty. Hardworking Simon Salisbury came up from the back to smash in number four from an acute angle before Anderson completed his hat-trick.

6th March 1999: Sawston Rovers (A) Drew 2-2

The unbeaten away record was kept in tact but this was undoubtedly a case of two points dropped.

After a good start the breakthrough came in the 18th minute when pressure caused a bizarre own goal. Soon it was 2-0 thanks to Tony Knowles. Maybe it was complacency but Sawston, desperately needing the points in their relegation battle, fought their way back into the game.

They pulled a goal back when Paul Hancock was unable to stop a curling shot from distance then levelled from the spot after Matt Plumb was adjudged to have committed a foul in the area. Hancock was unlucky as he blocked the ball only for it to rebound to the taker who crashed it home.

Level at the break but in the second-half it was nearly all Paxton pressure but nobody could break the deadlock. Knowles, Plumb, Wayne Humphrey and Simon Anderson all went close but in the end maybe the fighting spirit Sawston showed earned them the draw.

13th March 1999: Willingham (H) Won 4-1

This comfortable victory was the third in the season against Willingham and extended the unbeaten league run to nine matches, seven of them wins. With the exception of goalkeeper Andy Oxborough Manager Mark Spavins had a full squad to choose from and his selection made an impressive start, totally outplaying their guests in the first 20 minutes.

The first goal came from a long goal-kick by Paul Hancock, it was flicked on by Simon Anderson to Tony Knowles who pulled the ball down, turned his marker and shot home from the edge of the box. Just minutes later Anderson added the second scoring directly from a free-kick.

Just as Paxton looked like they were going to run up a big score the opposition got back into the game. Jon Huddy slipped while attempting to clear his lines and the opposing forward took his chance well hitting a sweet shot beyond Hancock for 2-1. This unsettled the home side and they were grateful for the half-time break.

The introduction of Dan Kennedy and Lee Clutterbuck in the second-half freshened the side up and further strikes by Knowles took the scoreline to 4-1, the only unsettling thing being that skipper Wayne Humphrey had to leave the field early due to injury.

20th March 1999: Fulbourn Hospital (H) Won 12-0

A 12-0 win should be something to shout about but with the visitors record this season it was almost expected. To be fair championship rivals Hardwick had only put three past them the previous week so perhaps it wasn't too bad.

With Jon Huddy away Manager Mark Spavins selected himself on the right-hand side of midfield and it was from there that he cut inside with seven minutes gone to open the scoring with his first of the season. Soon after Brian Kitchin, the only outfield player yet to score during the season, got his first for the club when he headed home.

Danny Plumb thumped in the third from close range before Rob Worrall got his 20th and 21st for the season heading home excellent crosses from first Simon Anderson then Wayne Harris.

Spavins started the second-half as he had the first, rounding a defender before slotting home the sixth, number seven came from Anderson and eight was an own-goal. Late substitute Tony Knowles wasted little time in adding two more before fellow replacement Andy Oxborough rose well to head home number eleven. The final strike was from Anderson with his 25th of the season from midfield.

With nearest rivals Hardwick and Littleport both losing on the day this win sent the team back to the top of the division for the first time in two months.

27th March 1999: Littleport Town (H) Won 2-0

This was a rewarding victory in more ways than one. In addition to gaining some revenge for the cup semi-final defeat it completed a league double and left  the team 5 points clear at the top of Senior 'B'.

Littleport came in to the match on the back of a 4-0 cup-final defeat by Hardwick and were missing some key players but they put up a brave fight.

Tony Knowles headed home his 30th goal of the season from a Wayne Harris free-kick to establish a first-half lead. After the interval a solid defensive display kept the visitors out and victory was secured when Knowles returned the favour and set up Harris for the second.

3rd April 1999: Lakenheath (H) Drew 1-1

This was one of our most disappointing performances of the season, according to Manager Mark Spavins, and not the result the result he was looking for going into a cup-final. 

Paul Hancock pulled off some crucial early saves to deny the visitors before Tony Knowles scored with a first time lob from 25 yards. At the start of the second half there were opportunities to extend the lead but the chances all went begging. Lakenheath were rewarded for their efforts with a late equaliser.

6th April 1999: Ramsey Town (At Warboys) Lost 1-3

A great achievement to reach a cup-final (the first in may seasons) was spoilt by a fairly insipid team performance on the night. With plenty of support (the first time the club had to organize a coach just for the supporters) there could be few excuses.

Ramsey dominated midfield from early on and scored in the14th minute when a speculative lob from player/manager Mark Pannett sailed over Simon Oxborough from all of 40 yards. Before the break Paxton were fortuitous to get level when a Ramsey defender hit the ball against the legs of Rob Worrall and it rebounded into the net.

After the break an injury to Wayne Humphrey caused a re-shuffle at the back and against the run of play Paxton nearly took the lead but Judd cleared a Tony Knowles shot off the line.

Ramsey re-took the lead in the 65th minute, Carl Leslie drove home after significant Ramsey pressure. There was still a chance for Paxton but a second freak goal sealed it. The bounce of a high punt was misjudged by Oxborough and Steve Tuffin was left with a simple tap-in.

10th April 1999: Ashdon Villa (A) Won 1-0

When challenging for the title it's points, rather than performances, that count so the three points from this below par performance were welcome.

Always looking the better side but it seemed with little idea how to prove it Paxton struggled but finally took the lead after an hour. The speed of Tony Knowles has worried defenders all season and yet again he was pulled down in the box. Simon Anderson slotting home the resultant penalty. Manager Mark Spavins had a quiet time between the sticks as the home side rarely threatened.

14th April 1999: Milton (A) Won 2-0

In the opening half-hour 5 clear chances were created by the visitors but they were all spurned and it was nearly half-time before Tony Knowles opened the scoring. Moments later he was pulled down in the box but the referee, much to the vocal annoyance of manager Mark Spavins, ignored the appeals for a penalty.

Shortly after half-time, maybe thinking about the earlier incident, the referee awarded a spot kick for what look like an innocuous challenge and Simon Anderson drove home at the second attempt.

17th April 1999: Fulbourn Hospital (A) Won 7-0

"Celebrations for village club" - John Walker, Town Crier

Once again the driving force behind the Paxton victory on Saturday was striker Tony Knowles who hit a first half hat-trick in just 29 minutes and a fourth after the break to take his tally to 34 for the season.

Brian Kitchin scored the fourth Paxton goal to give them a 4-0 half-time lead and the other two second-half goals came from Danny Kennedy and Rob Worrall.

20th April 1999: Hardwick (A) Won 3-0

"Champagne for Great Paxton" - John Walker, Town Crier

It was a champagne night for Great Paxton as they clinched the Kershaw Senior 'B' Division Championship with a crushing victory over their only rivals Hardwick on Tuesday evening.

It was a hugely appropriate way to clinch the title as Paxton have only  been beaten once in the league this season - and that was at home to Hardwick on November 28th.

Delighted Chairman Tony Wink beamed "We really wanted this victory and we fully deserved it, winning it in style on the night by outplaying the best side in the league - apart from us. We are really looking forward to next season when we shall once again be able to compete with the Bramptons and Hemingfords who seemed to have left us behind since we all joined the Cambs League".

Appropriately it was the local leading scorer Tony Knowles who set Paxton on their way with a seventh minute goal, volleying home a Matt Plumb free-kick. Paxton remained in control until the break, restricting their hosts to just one real chance and then on 53 minutes Plumb also provided the second goal crossed by Knowles and confidently finished by Lee Clutterbuck. The icing on the cake was the third goal, 14 minutes from time, scored by Rob Worrall after indecision in the Hardwick defence to crown the best ever season by the village side.

24th April 1999: Milton (H) Won 6-3

The afternoon began with the presentation of the Senior 'B' trophy to skipper Wayne Humphrey as well as medals to all the players. With the title won and several players unavailable this didn't promise to be a classic Paxton performance.

Dan Kennedy was in fine first half form setting up well taken goals for Jon Huddy and Simon Anderson. The second half got off to a good start with Rob Worrall scoring early but some sloppy defending allowed Milton to pull two goals back.

Brian Kitchin made it 4-2 then substitute Andy Oxborough (whose injury still prevented him from playing in goal) came on as a striker and crashed in the fifth from long range.

Milton got another but Anderson completed the scoring by stabbing home a Kev Taylor free-kick from close range.

13th March 1999: Little Downham Res.  (H) Won 4-2

Paxton Reserves continued their march to the top of Division 4B with another home victory, this time against Little Downham. Top scorer Ian Gabriel scored twice with the others coming from Simon Barker and Neil White as the team extended their unbeaten league record to 16 games.

20th March 1999: Huntingdon Res. (H) Lost 2-3

After 16 league games undefeated Paxton Reserves finally lost their unbeaten record at Huntingdon. On a bumpy pitch they struggled to play their usual brand of passing football and went down to the odd goal in five. Manager Phil Shepherd and Simon Oxborough scored the goals.

27th March 1999: Lakenheath Res. (A) Lost 4-1

Paxton Reserves lost ground at the top of Division 4B with this 4-1 defeat at the hands of promotion rivals Lakenheath.

After a poor start things got even worse when Alan Cullum was sent off after the break. Simon Barker got the solitary goal from the penalty spot.