Late winner from maestro Shaw eases Town away from drop zone
United Counties League
Premier Division
Sleaford Town 1
Irchester United 0
SLEAFORD Town are really enjoying 2012, having remained unbeaten since the turn of the year, encouraging form even allowing for the fact that there have been a couple of blank weekends without fixtures due to the weather.
For this latest victory Town had to wait until five minutes from time to secure the points despite having dominated the game from the start and for more than half the match having a man advantage.
That said the win, against fellow strugglers, was well merited and vitally important and saw Sleaford pull a little further away from the danger zone.
The key to Saturday’s success was the defence, which looked strong throughout the 90 minutes, with Jones and Braithwaite at the heart of the defence making two early headed clearances to set out their stall from the very start.
With most of the action towards the Irchester goal a Jason Sedlan cross was pushed away for a corner and shortly after a free kick from Liam Tunstall fizzed over the bar.
Town were well on top but missed that vital cutting edge.
Sam Husband brought out a fine save from the Irchester keeper, cutting in from the left before firing in a shot on target.
In the 38th minute Irchester were reduced to 10 men after a foul on Jones but it remained goal-less going in to the half time break.
Town were hoping to capitalise on their man advantage and a neat flick by Michael Musson set up strike partner Tunstall but his shot went wide of the mark.
Then Tim Beadles somehow managed to hit over from point blank range after the keeper had fumbled.
It was left to club talisman and Town’s all time highest scorer Jamie Shaw to apply that vital finishing touch.
Coming on as a second half substitute, Shaw did what he does best by being in the right place at the right time. When a shot from current leading marksman Tunstall thudded against the bar in the 85th minute, Shaw, showing his natural predatory instincts, was first to react and on hand to pop the ball in for what proved to be the match winner.
Sixteen-year-old Harry Ginniff turned in an encouraging cameo late in the game, coming on as a substitute, with Town boss Brian Rowland saying: “He is a good young player, definitely one for the future.”
Town: Lindberg, Tunnicliffe, Jones, Braithwaite, Fenton, Beadles, Sedlan, Popple, Husband, Musson, Tunstall. Subs: Shaw, Ginniff, Calvert, Ellis, Ward
n This Saturday, Sleaford Town face a tough away fixture at Holbeach. Kick off 3pm
n In a generally encouraging week for Town, there was some disappointment with the news that influential midfielder Simon Bolland has left the club to join Spalding.
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Weather for Sleaford
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
