SLEAFORD TOWN 2 -3 BELPER UNITED

The Greens had already shown vast quantities of character to overturn a 2-0 deficit to haul themselves level at 2-2 at the Longwater Stadium, but they were destined to experience late heartbreak for the 3rd time in as many weeks as Pharrell Waite tapped home in the 96th minutes to steal victory for the Derbyshire outfit.

Player/Manager Tom Ward made four changes from the side that suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat at the hand of Wisbech Town in midweek with the injured Joe Braithwaite and the suspended Tom Siddons dropping out of the squad altogether while Finlay Armond and Lewis Daff took up positions on the bench. Their places were taken by new signing Sebastian Robbermond – who joined the Greens on a dual-registration from Grantham Town in the week – Marcus Pancho, Dominic Kew and the returning Issa Gaye. Visitors Belper meanwhile made five changes from their own 5-0 hammering at the hands of Wisbech last weekend with Chris Jones, Jacob Ferdinand, Oliver Simpson, Kieran O’Connell and Sam Boyall coming in to replace top scorer Richard Hanslow, Player/Manager Marc Strzyzewski, David Leigh, Jordan Godfrey and Stanley Hayden.

A steady opening quarter of an hour in searing heat at the Longwater Stadium finally gave way to some attacking action when first Kieran O’Connell saw his effort collected by Liam Flitton before his opposite number Ben Allsop was similarly behind Ryan Rushen’s punt a few seconds later. The Greens best chance possibly arrived when Issa Gaye was found well by Dominic Kew and his cross was just about diverted away from danger by the outstretched foot of Allsop.

The visitors returned from the first half water break with more impetus and they created the game’s best opportunity when Sam Boyall was threaded through by John King but he found Liam Flitton in fine form with the Greens keeper blocking his shot well when one-on-one. Just a minute or so later and Belper should have found the opener again when John King worked himself space and cut inside before powering an effort a few inches over Flitton’s crossbar. Belper found the opener their recent play deserved when a cross was inadvertently diverted into his own net by Max Ward in the six-yard area and that lead could well have been doubled in swift fashion when Dylan Garnett crossed for Sam Boyall to hook over the bar at close range when he looked set to score.

The game rather came to life during an actioned packed second period and the Greens were mightily unlucky not to find themselves level in the 47th minute when Sebastian Robbermond’s cross was headed onto the crossbar by Ryan Lennon, before Ryan Rushen’s acrobatic overhead kick from the rebound ended up clearing Allsop’s crossbar. Despite the Greens improvements, they were to soon find themselves 2-0 down in freakish fashion when Kieran O’Connell’s cross took a wicked deflection before nestling into the net off the bottom of the far post.

The Greens response was instantaneous though and just three minutes later they were back in the contest when persistent work from Dominic Kew saw him finally set up Ryan Rushen to smash home at close range to half the deficit – though that gap was nearly reinstated a minute later when Jack Tyson’s sweeping effort from distance flew inches wide of Liam Flitton’s post. Nevertheless, the Greens pressed on and were level two minutes later when Marcus Pancho took aim from distance and crashed a wonderful effort into the net beyond the despairing dive of Ben Allsop in the Belper goal.

A collision between Allsop and his defender Chris Jones saw the former forced to leave the field of play with his place taken in goal by midfielder Dylan Garnett who promptly produced a fine save to push away Jacob Fenton’s powerful drive before Tom Ward headed just over the bar from the resulting corner. At the other end, Liam Flitton was required to tip away a fine effort from John King at his near post before in stoppage time, Ryan Lennon will feel he should have done better than stab Ryan Rushen’s cross inches wide of the post.

But despite the Greens looking set to be the ones to steal a late goal is was a lapse of concentration at the other end that saw Pharrell Waite on hand to untidily tap over Liam Flitton and steal the tie for the Derbyshire side – leaving the Greens crestfallen once again. There was still time for Ryan Lennon to drag a fine chance inches wide of the far post in the 98th minute, but there was to be no more late drama at the Longwater Stadium as the Greens crashed out of the Knockout Cup at the first time of asking.

The Greens now have a free midweek before local rivals Newark & Sherwood United visit the Longwater Stadium next Saturday afternoon for a crucial United Counties League Premier Division North clash. Kick-off is set for 3PM.

Words: Oliver Atkin
Image: Steve W Davies Photography