Mixed fortunes for local sides as Rovers bow out of FA Cup and Saints fall in fiery clash

It was a weekend of mixed fortunes for our local sides. Eynesbury Rovers’ memorable FA Cup adventure came to an end against higher-league opposition, while St Neots Town suffered a frustrating league defeat in a dramatic contest packed with goals, cards, and controversy.

St Neots Town 2 – 3 Long Eaton United

At the Premier Plus Stadium, St Neots Town endured another tough afternoon in a fiery clash with Long Eaton United that saw three red cards, six yellow cards, and five goals.

The visitors struck first on 16 minutes when Owen Betts converted a cross from the right, before adding a second just after the half-hour when Charlie Bowen inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. Saints hit back quickly through Michael Amaeshike, who rounded the keeper to slot home from a tight angle and reduce the deficit before the break.

Tensions boiled over as players left the field at half-time, with St Neots’ Murphy Culkin and Long Eaton’s Gianluca Bucci both dismissed. After the restart, the visitors restored their two-goal advantage as Jahvan Davidson-Miller finished from close range. Down to nine men following James Hanson’s red card, Long Eaton dug in, but Saints substitute Jessi Obeng gave the hosts hope with a deflected strike.

Despite late pressure, St Neots couldn’t find an equaliser, leaving new assistant manager Chris Nunn still searching for his first win on home soil.

Needham Market 4 – 2 Eynesbury Rovers

Eynesbury Rovers bowed out of the FA Cup after a spirited fightback away at Needham Market, a side two divisions above them. The hosts raced into a 3–0 lead inside the opening 25 minutes, with Luke Ingram scoring twice — including a contentious second where he looked offside — and Tom Smith adding another.

Rovers regrouped after the break, and Luke Young pulled one back from the penalty spot early in the second half after he was brought down in the box. Ingram completed his hat-trick from the spot to restore Needham’s three-goal cushion, but Young struck again on 74 minutes after following up a spilled shot to make it 4–2.

Despite chances late on, Rovers couldn’t close the gap further, but leave the competition with £6,000 in prize money from their record-breaking run. Their attention now turns to the FA Vase, with Diss Town the visitors to Hall Road this Saturday.