Saturday, 19 January 2008 

Bourne Town  1    Yaxley  4

The Cuckoos avenged and reversed the scoreline from the early season home defeat by the Wakes with a victory at Abbey Lawn as three goals in the last eleven minutes of the first half proved decisive in settling the outcome.

The first half-hour in comparison was relatively quiet although the Cuckoos probably edged possession and opportunities. In the first 5 minutes, Ian Edge launched a header that looked like a sure-fire goal that was well saved on the line only to immediately limp off clutching his knee and giving manager Gary Clipston a worrying five minutes before returning to the game. At the opposite end, Cuckoos 'keeper John Feetham made a crucial, low scrabbling save to keep it even.

Skipper Ricky Hailstone opened the scoring for Yaxley after 34 minutes with a trademark "Beckhamesque"  free kick from just outside the D of the Wake's penalty box, opening the floodgates and Yaxley simply piled on the pressure. Two minutes later, Elio Salerno capped what was one of his most fruitful performances of the season, extending the lead against one of the teams that only weeks before had put in a transfer approach for him.

Mark Paul scored his 17th goal of the season with an instinctive one-touch drive from wide outside the penalty area, extending the Cuckoos' advantage five minutes before the interval.

As expected the Wakes came out with enthusiasm and for 15 minutes, certainly looked like they were capable of snatching a goal back. However it was the referee who, following a comedy 2nd yellow card for Cuckoo's defender Anthony Thomas, handed Jason Gough the opportunity to convert the resulting penalty in the 70th minute. The dismissal of Thomas brought a tactical substitution with Clipston swapping Elio Salerno for Chris Lenton (returning from more than a month's injury lay-off).

All credit to Yaxley, who instead of letting their heads drop and giving the Wake's any further opportunity to get back into the game, responded powerfully and went close twice before Teddy Rimmell (who had worked his socks off and was soon after replaced by Dan Fountain) sealed the victory for the Cuckoos in the 77th Minute.

Yaxley: John Feetham, Danny Steward, Ben Russell, Anthony Thomas, Matt Parrott, Teddy Rimmell (Dan Fountain), Ian Edge, Lee Blewett, Mark Paul, Ricky Hailstone, Elio Salerno (Chris Lenton).

Yaxley take on Blackstones on Tuesday night (22nd January) at Leading Drove  - 7:45pm KO - Quarter Final of the Hinchingbrooke Cup. (Please tune into Lite FM on FM106.8 for weather/match updates during afternoon/early evening)

COME ON YOU CUCKOOS !!!