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Last-gasp Machin nets opening win for Town
SLEAFORD TOWN 2 DAVENTRY UNITED 1 A goal in the very last minute by returning midfielder Jon Machin, also named as skipper, secured all three points for Town in this opening game of the campaign.
Visitors Daventry proved a tough nut to crack and the home side were perhaps a shade fortunate to be on level terms at the break.
Playing with a five-man midfield with the idea of switching quickly to a 4-3-3 formation as the game dictated, Town struggled to find any cohesion. After the break it was a different story and, although the visitors mounted a late surge, Brian Rowland's men sneaked the late winner.
The new defensive partnership of Oliver Sidney and Adam Burrows worked well, with Burrows emerging as the man-of-the-match. Striker Greg Smith showed some good touches for a big man and lacked nothing in the work-rate stakes.
However, it was the appearance just after half-time of substitutes Jamie Shaw and Tom Siddons that made Town look anything like an attacking force.
There was a gift for Sleaford after just 10 minutes when a forward ball from Simon Bolland was challenged by winger Sam Kirton. Under pressure, visiting defender Nicky Baillie attempted to nod a back-pass but the ball passed between keeper and the upright. 1-0.
Striker Smith looked to have doubled the lead minutes later, when his powerful shot made for the top corner of the goal but keeper Lee Farrow pulled off a stunning save. However, ten minutes after taking the lead the home side found themselves back on level terms as they were caught out at the back.
Daventry were playing the long ball right from the start and it paid off when a clearance by keeper Farrow was flicked on for striker Darren Frost to chase. He touched inside for Will Briscoe who showed some neat footwork to make room for the shot, then hit past Andrew Scott. 1-1
Daventry were the better outfit up to the break and Briscoe caused a few problems. He should have given his side the lead when in a good position for a shot, but sent his effort past the top angle.
Whatever was said in the dressing room during the interval, Town looked in a more determined mood from the re-start.
Simon Bolland hit across the face of the goal, Smith sent a long shot at the keeper and Machin tried a snap shot that just cleared the crossbar. After five minutes of play manager Rowland made his first substitution, sending on Tom Siddons for Jason Sedlan. Jamie Shaw than replaced left-winger Kirton and then Ryan Jones went on for Craig Stones at right full-back.
Now playing with three front men, Town went for broke. Shaw was always lively, Smith threw his considerable weight around and Siddons showed some semblance of the form that made him such a star when he made the England Under 18 squad.
Yet despite all the huffing and puffing the home side could not breach a resolute Daventry defence and, as the game wore on, it was the visiting side that seemed the more likely to break the deadlock. It took some stalwart defending and safe goalkeeper handling to keep the United attack at bay.
At one stage as the opposition forced a number of corners, the tall Burrows won some vital headers. Sidney came in with an important block, then within the space of 30 seconds Burrows threw himself into a last-ditch tackle and made a stop right on the goal-line. Having survived the scare, Town broke out to grab the winner after forcing a corner of their own.
Bolland delivered the cross and Machin met the ball on the corner of the six-yard box to hook his shot into the net to make it 2-1.
Sleaford Town (4-5-1): Andrew Scott; Craig Stones, Oliver Sidney, Adam Burrows, Lee Llewellyn; Simon Bolland, Jon Machin, Jason Sedlan, Shaun Popple, Sam Kirton; Greg Smith. Subs: Tom Siddons, Jamie Shaw, Ryan Jones; Nathan Thompson, Scott Wilson. Referee Mr J Thorold, Spalding.
Attendance 110.
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Weather for Sleaford
Saturday 11 February 2012
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