Sleaford Town boss Jamie Shaw calls for ruthless streak after home defeats

Sleaford Town manager Jamie Shaw believes a cutting edge up front was all that was lacking in his side's back-to-back home defeats.
Jamie Shaw has called on his side to be more ruthless in the final third EMN-180110-123250002Jamie Shaw has called on his side to be more ruthless in the final third EMN-180110-123250002
Jamie Shaw has called on his side to be more ruthless in the final third EMN-180110-123250002

Town were knocked out 1-0 in the United Counties League Knockout Cup on Wednesday, and followed that with a 3-0 loss to Premier Division leaders Daventry on Saturday.

But Shaw was frustrated rather than dispirited and believed his side matched two sides who he expects to finish highly this season.

“It was a frustrating week for us against teams that will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season,” he said.

“We felt in both games that we could, and probably should, have got something on the day, but we’re not quite clicking in the final third, whether that be the final ball, a flick-on not quite going to our lad, or rebounds not falling for us.

“To compound that, when teams are having their period on top against us we are conceding goals that we feel we could have done better with.”

Town had a man advantage for two-thirds of their midweek cup tie when Holbeach’s Ford was shown a red card for a bad foul on Ward.

But they then fell behind before the break and were unable to unlock hard-working and well-organised opponents.

Sleaford produced a better performance in a goalless first half against unbeaten Daventry.

Joe Smith went close with a header from Ward’s cross, while Daventry’s striker was guilty of a glaring miss five minutes before the break.

There were loud shouts for a penalty a minute after the restart when Coupland’s shot was blocked on the line.

But Daventry took control with two headed goals from set pieces in the space of five minutes, and six minutes later it was 3-0.

The game was over, but Town continued to create chances for the final 25 minutes, with Millard and Tunstall both forcing great saves.

“It’s not all doom and gloom, as we are still creating chances and matching good teams,” added Shaw.

“We now just need to tighten up on some of the small issues that are seeing us not get results in these games.”

The fixtures go from one extreme to another on Saturday when they host bottom side Rothwell Corinthians who have picked up just one point this season.

But Shaw is refusing to take anything for granted and knows they will need to be sharper.

“We’ll be approaching the Rothwell game as if we were playing one of the top five, and we’ll train in the week to look to capitalise on our positive play and hopefully get the rewards that our overall level deserves.”