Sponsored by
Defeated but improved display by Sleaford Town
TOWN boss Brian Rowland had promised some changes after his side's dismal run that has seen 12 goals conceded in three games.
For this trip to newly-promoted Irchester he was influenced to some degree by the unavailability of several players, with Ollie Sidney and Shaun Burrows continuing on the injured list along with the new-season team skipper Jon Machin, although there was a welcome and somewhat unexpected early return for Lee Llewellyn after his hamstring problem.
He was named on the bench along with Ryan Jones, relegated from the starting line-up for the return to right-back of Matt Hodgkins.
Gary Walters was at left-back, a position he filled admirably several times last season, while Adam Fenton moved into the middle of defence alongside Adam Weston. Significantly, there was a new signing in the shape of Jamie McGee, Grantham-based with junior experience at Mansfield and Forest. He started on the right of midfield and looked like being a useful acquisition.
It was a much better performance all round although the game was marred by a head injury to centre-back Weston just before the hour. A clash with home striker Paul Casswell, Weston fell in obvious distress and was taken off to the local hospital. Their match resumed after a delay of twenty minutes, and for a while it did take the sting out of the contest. Weston was later released and allowed to return home.
As for the game itself, it was decided by a solitary goal just before the break although Town had performed just as well as their hosts in general play but perhaps suffering from a lack of real intent in attack. Irchester danger-man Casswell had the ball in the net early on but was denied for offside, and defender David Glass moved forward to hit wide. For Town, McGee delivered a corner with Weston going for goal, the ball rebounding for Simon Bolland to strike too high. Weston then had a free-kick saved by the admirable home keeper Tom Cross.
There were some good moved from the Sleaford side, notably when McGee found Jason Sedlan who played a one-two with Jamie Shaw before keeper Cross rose to hold the high ball into his area before it reached striker Greg Smith. Back at the other end, Town custodian Andrew Scott held a high corner-kick and a cross by Tom Mills was headed wide by Casswell, who made a nuisance of himself throughout.
Irchester scored the all-important goal on 40 minutes following another home corner. It caused a scramble inside the box during which Michael Chong managed a close-range poke into the net. 1-0. Before the half-time whistle, Scott saved from Alan Campbell and from a dangerous-looking free-kick. HT
The weather did little to help the game with rain accompanied by blustery winds. However, Town played some decent football and looked much more likely to gain something from the contest. Shaun Popple fed the lively McGee who beat his marker only to have his cross scrambled clear. Home striker Campbell hit over before his clash with Weston, the Town man falling in immediate and obvious distress. As the ambulance carried the unfortunate Weston away the game resumed after its 20 minute delay. Weston's place at the back was taken by new-season signing Liam Warner. Later substitutions saw forwards Smith and Shaw replaced by Llewellyn and Scott Wilson.
Town continued to match their opponents. Walters had a free-kick saved, Llewellyn hit over the bar and McGee pushed forward to have a free-kick saved as keeper Cross continued to thwart the best of the Sleaford efforts. Following a further Walters free-kick, Llewellyn sent a shot towards the corner of the net looking a goal all the way, but Cross went down for a superb save. Right on 90 minutes there was an injury to Popple, the whistle then blowing to the relief of the home contingent.
Town (4-4-2) A Scott; M Hodgkins, A Weston, A Fenton, G Walters; J McGee, S Popple, S Bolland, J Sedlan; G Smith, J Shaw. Subs: L Warner, L Llewellyn, S Wilson, S Kirton, R Jones.
Town Comment by Lloyd Harmston
It was a fourth successive defeat for Town and yet manager Brian Rowland was much more positive in his after-match comments: "This was much better, in fact I felt we should have taken something from the game and would have settled for the draw. I could not fault anyone for effort although we did not manage to create enough genuine scoring chances. There is no doubt they (Irchester) were pleased to hear the final whistle."
The Town boss angrily dismissed rumours that influential skipper Jon Machin had left the club only weeks into the season, and he was looking forward to having him back in the side after injury, hopefully for this Saturday and the FA Vase home tie against Holbrook Sports. "We have suffered terribly from injuries so far and the season has barely started," said the veteran Town boss.
"Centre-back seems to be the problem position, for having lost Kris Jones and Temi Ajimoko, we have seen injuries to Ollie Sidney, Shaun Burrows and now Adam Weston. I was also considering using Jon Machin at the back but that idea was also ruled out through injury."
Although lower-ranked in the football pyramid, Holbrook should come to Eslaforde Park full of confidence after their FA cup victory at home recently, when they completely over-ran a poor Town side.
Now down to twelfth in the UCL Premier table, the Sleaford club can ill-afford to go out of the Vase competition at such an early stage, for apart from the obvious effect on team morale, a few good results can boost the coffers from the FA rewards.
Since Town qualified for these competition three season ago there has been considerable success and Rowland will be anxious to maintain at least some modicum of pride.
Rowland said: "It will not be easy. Make no mistake, Holbrook are a very good outfit and although we played far below par in that FA cup game they showed themselves to be strong and capable of playing some good football."
Town will need to answer the centre-half problems before Saturday, to counter a very useful Holbrook twin strike force and Rowland will be hoping for the return of Machin.
Town are also at home on Tuesday evening in a league fixture against promoted Peterborough Northern Star, kick-off 7.45 pm.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sleaford
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -6 C to -2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
