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Lunn secures Town win with last-gasp stunner
United Counties League Premier Division Rothwell Corinthians 2 Sleaford Town 3 DIFFICULT conditions following heavy rain made it hard going on the Rothwell pitch for this Premier Division clash on Saturday.
It was one of those games Town would have hoped to win but they had to wait until the final minute to secure all three points thanks to a stunning solo goal from man of the match Matt Lunn.
Sleaford had the upper hand for the opening 20 minutes and carved out several openings without really threatening to beat the impressive Rothwell keeper.
They also had to be wary of the threat posed by home left winger White, whose speed gave Town's back four plenty to think about.
In that opening spell, a couple of half chances fell to Miles Hunter and a Lunn strike was well saved. There was also a snap shot from Simon Bolland which fizzed over the bar.
Quick-fire White then swept past Matt Hodgkin and was only denied by Andrew Scott pushing his shot for a corner, which was then comfortably cleared by Temi Ajimoko.
Ryan Oliver found strike partner Hunter in a good position but Sleaford's leading scorer struck the ball wide of the mark.
Another lightening burst of pace from White again gave him a sight of goal but once more Scott was up to the task, pulling off another save.
It remained goal-less at the end of the first period and it wasn't until mid-way through the second half that either keeper was beaten.
The first goal game shortly after the hour, leading scorer Hunter was on this occasion the provider finding the industrious Lunn just inside the box and the wing man neatly tucked his shot away to make it 1-0 to Town.
Six minutes later and Rothwell had drawn level and inevitably it was White who sped through the Sleaford defence to score.
But Sleaford were quick to restore their lead, Oliver heading on to Hunter who made no mistake to register Town's second.
There was still plenty of time on the clock for some late drama and, 15 minutes from time, Rothwell were awarded a penalty when Hodgkin brought down the home striker in the area.
Scott was given no chance with the spot kick and the scores were once again tied at 2-2. Moments later Sleaford too were awarded a penalty for a foul on Hunter but Gary Walters' spot kick was brilliantly saved.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw up popped the mercurial Lunn. He beat three or four defenders in a weaving run before slotting the ball past the keeper for a superb winner in the final minute, giving no time for Rothwell to respond.
Town: Scott; Hodgkin, P Ward, Ajimoko, LLewellyn; Lunn, Bolland. Roche, Walters; Hunter, Oliver. Subs: T Ward, Spence, Clarke, Shaw, Drury
Manager's comment:
A HARD fought win in tricky conditions represented a good day at the office for Town boss Brian Rowland.
He said: "Rothwell is never the easiest place to come away with a win, so it was a good result for us and well-deserved on the day.
"The conditions made it very difficult to play football and their left winger White was a real handful at times with his pace.
"For us I thought Matt Lunn had another outstanding game and the winning goal he scored was excellent."
* This Saturday, Town are at home to Yaxley. Kick off 3pm.
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Weather for Sleaford
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
