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Generous Town pay the penalty for lack of discipline
United Counties League Premier Division Sleaford Town 1 Newport Pagnell 2 THE long awaited first game of the New Year did not produce the performance or the result that Town fans would have wanted.
Keen to consolidate their mid-table position and having already beaten the visitors in their previous encounter at Newport Pagnell earlier in the season, Sleaford would have gone into this game full of confidence and high hopes.
True the visitors were, prior to Saturday's game, nine points above them in the table but Town have four games in hand and would have been aiming to close that gap.
However, it wasn't to be. In a largely uninspiring affair it was ultimately a lack of discipline which proved Town's downfall.
Having taken the lead they then proceeded to hand the game to their opponents with two penalties, much to the annoyance of Sleaford boss Brain Rowland.
In the opening minutes Ryan Oliver shot over and Walters struck a shot just wide of the mark.
At the other end former Cambridge player Darren Lynch was a real handful for the Town defence and showed flashes of his class throughout the game.
Sleaford squandered an opportunity to open the scoring after Matt Lunn, playing up front alongside Oliver in the absence through suspension of leading scorer Miles Hunter, slipped the ball neatly to his strike partner and Oliver crossed to Bolland who missed the chance when well placed to score.
The dangerous Lynch again created a half chance but Town keeper Andrew Scott comfortably saved.
The opening goal finally came two minutes before half time. Full back Tom Ward found Lunn and the striker slickly brought the ball under control before picking his spot to make it 1-0.
After the break, a mistake by Temi Ajimoko at the back let in Lynch who should have scored. But he was soon on the score sheet when Kris Jones fouled a Newport Pagnell player in the box and the former Cambridge man stepped up to take the spot kick, making no mistake to tie the game.
Town were forced to bring on Peter Brothwell at left back when Lee Llewellyn sustained a hamstring injury and mid-way through the half Daniel Reidy came on for Bolland.
But a second spot kick, with Jones again penalised, gave the visitors the chance to secure the three points. Lynch gratefully took the opportunity to claim his second of the game and victory for his team, leaving Sleaford to bemoan their generosity.
Town: Scott; T Ward, Jones, Ajimoko, Llewellyn; Bolland, P Ward, Roche, Walters; Lunn, Oliver. Subs: Shaw, Spence, Reidy, Clark, Brothwell
Manager's comment:
AFTER Saturday's poor result, Town boss Brian Rowland was annoyed about his side's lack of discipline.
He said: "It was a game we should have won but, in truth, we didn't play very well and then gave away two penalties.
"It was a disappointing game all round for us, you simply can't give away goals like that.
"The long lay off didn't help but that was no excuse. We will be training hard this week and working on the players' fitness levels. And I will be stressing the need for more discipline. We have given away too many penalties this season."
* This Saturday, Sleaford Town are at home to Daventry United – kick off 3pm.
Town should be virtually at full strength, with the return of Miles Hunter, Matt Hodgkin and Josh Giles from suspension, although Lee Llewellyn is likely to be out with his hamstring injury
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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
