Heanor Town 1 - 3 Sleaford Town

The Greens looked destined for defeat at the Town Ground, heading into the 88th minute chasing a 1-0 deficit, but late goals from Jacob Fenton and a brace for Ryan Lennon saw the visitors steal all three points in an enthralling final 10 minutes in Derbyshire as the Greens made it three wins on the spin in all competitions.

Player/Manager Tom Ward made three changes from the side that hammered Ollerton Town 6-0 in FA Vase action last weekend with those absentees headlined by last weekend star man, Akeel Francis – who was called into action for his parent side Grantham Town on Saturday. Elsewhere the injured Joe Braithwaite dropped out of the squad as he continues to fight a calf problem while Dominic Kew – having recovered from a bout of Covid-19 in the week, took a place on the bench. They were replaced by the returning Jacob Fenton who recovered from injury in-time to start, Finlay Armond who returned from a stint on the bench last weekend and Issa Gaye – who missed last weeks trip to Ollerton through suspension. Hosts Heanor meanwhile were defeated by Saffron Dynamo in the League Cup during midweek and they made two changes themselves from that side with Josh Craddock and Jake Carlisle taking the places of George Morris and Adam Clark in the starting eleven.

Dark and rainy conditions at the Town Ground contributed to a very quiet opening 10 minutes where Liam Flitton comfortably gathering Jake Carlisle’s header was the only real goalmouth action created by either side. The Greens generated their first clear-cut opportunity of the contest just short of the quarter of an hour mark when fine inter-play between Ryan Rushen and Jacob Fenton eventually saw the latter cut inside Carlisle and blast just over the crossbar. Back at the other end and a lively Issa Gaye was required to make a fine double intervention to thwart Keaton August, before Sacha Markelic was unlucky to head Keiran Debrouwer’s pinpoint cross onto the post. Heanor did soon convert their chances into an opening goal though when Debrouwer saw his initial effort well blocked by Max Ward allowing Danny Gordon to latch onto the loose ball and smash – via a wicked deflection – the opener past the helpless Liam Flitton.

The Greens were much improved during the opening minutes of the second period but it was Heanor who were close to doubling their advantage when Markelic worked himself space to shoot straight into the grateful hands of Liam Flitton. The Greens then thought they had dragged themselves level when Tom Ward headed home – but the Greens Player/Manager saw his effort ruled out for a handball after consultation between the referee and his assistant.

By this stage the Greens were beginning to take advantage of a tiring Lions backline and it was wingers Jacob Fenton and Ryan Lennon who were presenting the most threatening outlets. It was Lennon who should have had the Greens level with 20 minutes remaining when his close-range effort was diverted agonisingly onto the post and out from Fenton’s dangerous cross. With 10 minutes remaining the Greens were left ruing their luck again when a Drummond corner caused chaos but amongst a plethora of flying bodies – and despite the presence of Kyle Watkins who felt he was upended – the Greens still could not haul themselves level.

Liam Flitton was then required to be lively at the other end to prevent the contest being put to bed when he produced a fine diving save to tip aside Markelic’s drive after he’d broken free of the attentions of the Greens defence. That save was then pulled into sharp focus when the Greens finally did find a leveller two minutes out from the 90, when a fine through ball from Dominic Kew set Ryan Lennon free to coolly round Michael Emery in the Lions goal and stroke the Greens back on terms. Lennon was then involved again just two minutes later when the Greens remarkably hit the front, finding Lewis Daff who in turn fed Jacob Fenton - who composed himself well to lift a powerful effort over Emery and into the top corner of the net.

All was not won for the visitors though and they were thankful to Liam Flitton for a fantastic save with his feet to divert Adam Clark’s powerful drive away after he’d broken free down the left. Despite this though, the Greens put the result beyond all doubt in the 99th minute when Jacob Fenton robbed Emery of the ball and, despite the Lions keeper then hauling him down, Ryan Lennon was on hand to take the baton on and tap home the Greens third into an empty net.

The Greens are back on the road once again next Saturday – with another long journey, this time into deepest Nottinghamshire to take on Kimberley Miners Welfare in United Counties League Premier Division North action. Kick-off at the Stag Ground is at 3PM.

Words: Oliver Atkin