With the campaign entering the final straight, the chances of St Ives Town finishing the season in the top half of the table look slim, as they have it all to do to preserve their Southern League Premier Division Central status.
At the time of writing, the Ives have hit a bad run of form having slumped down the table and suddenly looking over their shoulders at the relegation places. In mitigation, the team has been hit with injuries and illness recently, but since then their season has failed to regain some much-needed momentum and a return to form.
April is the final month of the season and the Ives face three big home games in their quest to retain a place in the Southern League Premier Division Central. On 1st April the Ives will host Coalville Town at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road. This will be a tough game as Coalville are looking to secure a promotion play-off spot. If that match was going to be tough then it will be even tougher when current league leaders Tamworth arrive a week later on 8th April. Then, the final home game of the season will see a local derby with Bedford Town the visitors on Saturday 15th. The final league game of the season is an away match at Nuneaton on 22nd April. There is a chance of silverware as they meet Yaxley in the final of the Hunts Senior Cup on Tuesday 25th April.
All those games will wrap a season that essentially can be split into two halves. An excellent first half of the campaign which included a fantastic FA Cup run. Then, a second half of the season that has seen an alarming drop in form culminating in the Ives entering the last few weeks of the campaign looking for much-needed points. Any supporters who witnessed the recent 5-1 defeat at home to Stourbridge will hope that was the watershed moment and things will now improve as they head into the final few games of the season.
Away from the first team, there has been recent success elsewhere at the club with the reserve team progressing through to the final of the Percy Oldham Cup. Meanwhile, off the pitch, there are plenty of fundraising activities being planned in the next few weeks. These include a race night and the annual St Ives Town golf day. With the latter, teams have already come forward and signed up for the event, for what is traditionally one of the biggest fundraisers the club has each year. The club is also actively looking at a partnership with a local food bank and also has several other community engagement schemes they are hoping to announce in the coming weeks.
At the end of April, the club will be hosting a quiz night. This will take place on Friday 28th at the club’s Quattro-Tech Westwood Road home. It will be a General Knowledge quiz including a raffle. Doors open at 6:30pm for a 7:15pm start. A maximum of 6 people on each team with an entry fee of £20.00 per team. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and the bar will be open throughout the evening. To book your team please contact paul@mayiclaim.co.uk
Like every non-league club, St Ives Town relies heavily on volunteers. So, if you have a few hours to spare either on a matchday or during the week then the club would love to hear from you. Please get in contact with Club Chairman, Paul Reason for more information. His email address is paul@rcostings.co.uk
So with the season reaching a climax, the team would welcome your support as they look to finish the season on a high. Admission prices for home league games are:
Adults: £11
Concessions (Over 65): £8
Military Discount (with ID Card): £5
Students (With ID Card): £5
U16’s to 12: £2
U12’s: Free (Accompanied with an adult)
UPCOMING FIXTURES
April 1, 2023 St Ives Town v Coalville Town 15:00 Southern League Premier Division Central
April 8, 2023 St Ives Town v Tamworth 15:00 Southern League Premier Division Central
April 10, 2023 Royston Town v St Ives Town 15:00 Southern League Premier Division Central
April 15, 2023 St Ives Town v Bedford Town 15:00 Southern League Premier Division Central
April 22, 2023 Nuneaton Borough v St Ives Town 15:00 Southern League Premier Division Central
April 25, 2023 St Ives Town v Yaxley FC 19:45 Hunts Senior Cup
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