Weekend Football Round-Up: Saints stun league leaders, Rovers march on in the Vase

It was a weekend to remember for both of our local sides, with St Neots Town pulling off a dramatic victory against the league leaders and Eynesbury Rovers keeping their Wembley dreams alive in the FA Vase.

St Neots Town produced a stunning result away at league leaders Coventry Sphinx, with Rhys Thorpe making a dream return from injury to score the Saints’ first-ever hat trick at NPL level. Meanwhile, Eynesbury Rovers kept their Wembley dreams alive in the Isuzu FA Vase, edging past Diss Town thanks to a late Max Kimpton free kick. Both results gave fans plenty to cheer about as the new season continues to take shape.

The Saints’ victory was made all the more impressive given their depleted squad, with key players missing through suspension and unavailability. Manager Cameron Mawer’s reshuffled side not only coped with the changes but rose to the challenge, frustrating Sphinx for much of the first half before edging a rollercoaster finale. For Rovers, their Vase tie wasn’t without nerves either — Diss proved stubborn opposition — but a strong second-half display and Kimpton’s decisive strike ensured progress to the First Round Proper. With league and cup action both producing such memorable moments, local supporters have plenty of positives to take into the week ahead.

Coventry Sphinx 2 – 3 St Neots Town

St Neots Town produced one of their best results of the season so far, ending Coventry Sphinx’s unbeaten start to the campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win away from home.

The star of the show was Rhys Thorpe, back from injury, who netted a stunning hat-trick – the first ever NPL treble for the Saints. Despite a makeshift line-up, with key players missing through suspension and loans, St Neots dominated the first half but couldn’t find a way past a strong Sphinx defence.

Thorpe broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half, before adding his second midway through the half to put the visitors in control. But the game exploded into life late on as Sphinx hit back with two goals in the final minutes to level the scores. Just when it looked like the Saints would have to settle for a point, Thorpe popped up deep into stoppage time to complete his hat-trick and seal a famous win.

Manager Cameron Mawer praised his side’s resilience, admitting he’d have preferred a calmer finish, but said the victory was a huge boost against the league’s early pace-setters.

Eynesbury Rovers 1 – 0 Diss Town (FA Vase)

Over at Hall Road, Eynesbury Rovers bounced back from last weekend’s FA Cup exit by progressing in the FA Vase with a late winner against Diss Town.

In a game of missed chances for both sides, it was Max Kimpton who proved the hero, drilling home a free-kick six minutes from time to send Rovers through to the First Round Proper.

Victor Osobu, back from suspension, went close on a couple of occasions, while Luke Young and Lewis Lynn also saw chances denied by the visiting keeper. At the other end, James Hoskins was alert to keep Diss at bay with some vital saves.

The breakthrough finally came after Young was fouled on the edge of the box, with Kimpton keeping his cool to slot home the decisive strike. The win ensures Rovers’ Vase journey continues – keeping alive their hopes of a memorable run towards Wembley.