Town aim to break hoodoo
Brian Rowlands.
Town FC Comment
By Lloyd Harmston
NOT surprisingly the Sleaford Town fixture at home against Kempston Rovers on Saturday was called off due to the extent of the overnight frost and, of course, the promise of snow late on Saturday afternoon.
Club secretary Jamie Shaw, who attended the ground on Saturday morning for the official inspection, reported a complete ‘white-over’ and a playing surface that was rock hard.
Despite the frosty hardness of the pitch on Tuesday evening, the friendly fixture against Boston United did take place, the visitors winning by two goals to nil.
Both goals came late in the game, scored by Tom Sargeant and ex-professional Leon Constantine. Otherwise, Town gave a decent show against a strong Boston outfit, leaving Sleaford manager Brian Rowland well pleased.
“It was a good run-out, giving us the chance to have a look at some of our younger players,” said Rowland.
“Ryan Calvert started at centre-half with Harry Ginniff on the flank. What a pity that Ben Greenwood (left-back) is not available every week.
“We gave Boston a tough work-out and held them to a goal-less first-half. In fact they scored their two goals very late in the game.”
The real story is in the personnel rather than the play itself.
The Town side was a mixture of regulars and possibles and naturally, manager Brian Rowland made a few changes during the game.
Along with Charlie Ward and Jamie McCormack, Ben Greenwood is another young man studying at university, and is understood to be looking for a career in the RAF.
Harry Ginniff, a very promising young player, has already made one appearance for the first team in the UCL, having played the second half in the 1-2 reversal at Kempston back in December.
Newark-based Calvert had the full 90 minutes, while his partner at centre-half Joe Braithwaite made way at half-time for Adam Fenton.
Damon Tunnicliffe was in his preferred place at right back, after doing well at left-back in the recent home game against Daventry United.
Simon Bolland and Luke Toner were a strong central midfield, while Sam Husband, arguably the surprise package of the season, played on the left flank. The attack was familiar, with Liam Tunstall in partnership with Michael Musson.
Jack Whyley returned after missing a few games, to replace Toner in midfield.
Whyley had gone back into the Grantham League after finding himself on the bench every week and one cannot argue with a player’s desire to get a game of football on a Saturday afternoon.
It is all about personal choice, but I was a Whyley fan since his arrival on the scene and was sad to see him lose his early-season form and consequently his place.
Later in the game Jamie Shaw went on for Tunstall.
Shaw has gradually built up his fitness level and must surely be pressing for a regular place. Living up to his own superb history, is probably his biggest challenge.
Starting line-up (4-4-2) D Lindberg; D Tunnicliffe, R Calvert, J Braithwaite, B Greenwood; H Ginniff, S Bolland, L Toner, S Husband; M Musson, L Tunstall. Subs included J Whyley, J Shaw, A Fenton.
l This Saturday, Town take their unbeaten run of four games to Stewart & Lloyds at Corby and a battle against their bogey side.
In nine outings against this opposition since the club moved into the UCL Premier Division, Town has yet to earn a solitary point. The aggregate goal tally reads 6 for and 28 against.
However, there have been one or two signs recently that the Fates have taken a shine to Town, so who knows ….?
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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
