Sleaford Town up for FA Cup after fine league win at Newport Pagnell

The club is hoping for plenty of support through the turnstiles this weekend when they host South Normanton Athletic in the extra preliminary round of the world’s most prestigious domestic club competition.

Their hopes of a big crowd will not have been harmed by their 3-1 win at Newport Pagnell Town, a team which finished third in the Premier Division in May.

“It was a cracking win against a very good side who were title challengers last season and will expect to be right up there again this season,” boss Jamie Shaw told the Standard.

“The FA Cup is something that I have really targeted this year as our cup form last season was poor and a good cup run or two can bring so much positivity to the club as a whole.

“We hope the people of Sleaford will come out and support us as it really does make a big difference, and in turn we will look to do our bit to give them something to enjoy coming to watch.”

Town made a positive start to their second league match and hit the front after 24 minutes when George Couzens was put clean through by Joe Smith’s precise pass and arrowed a shot across the keeper.

The hosts gradually hit their stride and after a spell of pressure levelled nine minutes later thanks to Michael Lyons’ excellent finish from the edge of the box.

But Sleaford were not cowed, and before long were back on top and back in front two minutes into first-half stoppage time when Simon Bolland headed in Luke Hollingworth’s fine free-kick.

Shaw added: “After this we were able to control large parts of the game and keep them at arm’s length while always looking a threat going forward.”

The next goal was crucial and duly went Town’s way eight minutes from time following a good team move involving Couzens, Smith and second-half substitute Liam Harper.

A series of intricate passes on the edge of the box finally freed Smith who squared for Harper to tap home the third.

Town saw out the rest of the game to chalk up their first win of the new campaign and stir up hope for the cup.

They will be desperate to improve their record in the FA Cup, having fallen at the first hurdle in three of the last four seasons and never been beyond the first qualifying round.

To do so they will have to beat South Normanton, a side which finished 19th in the Midland Football League Premier last season.

Shaw said: “We had them watched on Saturday and are aware that this will be a tough tie, but are also confident that we have the tools to be able to get a positive result.”

* Kick-off at Eslaforde Park is 3pm on Saturday.

* Sleaford Town are looking for an official club photographer. If you are a keen amateur who wants to develop their skills and receive media acknowledgement for your work, contact club chairman Kev Newman at [email protected]