Valiant Greens Slip to Melton Reversal

Sleaford Town suffered a frustrating 1-0 United Counties League Premier Division North defeat at the hands of Melton Town on Saturday afternoon.

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Victory at the Longwater Stadium completed a quickfire league double for the Reds over the Greens but the hosts would certainly feel they were worthy of a point despite a scrappy Melton goal midway through the second half.

The suspension of club captain Charlie Ward – the result of an accumulation of yellow cards in the first half of the campaign – came as a blow for Player/Managers Tom Ward and Nathan Arnold. He represented one of three changes made by the management from the Greens 1-0 victory over Wisbech Town last weekend. Dominic Kew – also falling foul of an accumulation of yellow cards – dropped out of the side too, while Kristers Zaluzinskis, drafted in as emergency cover last weekend, dropped out of the squad altogether also. In their places Tom and Max Ward returned from suspension and injury respectively to start, while there was also a place for duel-registered Finlay Armond to make a welcome return to the Longwater Stadium. There was also a place on the bench for new signing Kofi Gonsalves who joined the Greens in midweek from Division One side Saffron Dynamo. Visitors Melton Town meanwhile made just one change from their narrow 2-1 victory over Hucknall Town last weekend, with Greg Mills dropping to the bench in the place of Paul Anderson who made his return to the starting eleven.

The first half could best be described as a quiet affair at the Longwater Stadium with clear-cut chances at a premium as both sides cancelled each other out effectively. Akeel Francis did have Bill Harrison scrambling when his miscued cross dipped just wide of the crossbar while Jacob Fenton’s well placed freekick eventually fell at the feet of Lewis Daff who blazed well over the crossbar.

At the other end, wild efforts from Paul Anderson and the captain Sam Beaver were symptomatic of a frustrating 1st half in front of goal and when Melton did break through the lines, Tom Wakley found Kyle Watkins in his way to great effect. Back at the other end and the Greens should have been alive to a Jacob Fenton long throw that was missed by Harrison before the half's best opportunity saw Shaun Harrad’s venomous freekick whistle past the far post.

The second half produced a little more zip from both sides and the Greens generated the best opportunity of the contest so far when Tom Ward’s knockdown fell at the feet of Ryan Rushen who was denied in expert fashion by Bill Harrison at close range. Two minutes later and it was Liam Flitton’s turn to pull off a strong save when he was required to beat away Paul Anderson’s powerful effort before Flitton was again in action 10 minutes later, scooping up the ball bravely after a fiercely fought Melton corner.

As the game edged towards its closing stages, the Greens found themselves behind in unfortunate circumstances when Greg Mills sweeping freekick was deflected into the net via an unidentified Greens body after it had also deflected of Damien McRory. That goal allowed Melton to settle and they did a good job at containing any attempts of a Greens comeback. Akeel Francis did well to put in Jacob Fenton in but he could only smash over the crossbar. The Greens golden opportunity arrived in the final seconds of stoppage time when a twisting and turning Rushen did a fine job to flash a ball across goal but with no other Greens present – an equaliser and ultimately the points – eluded the hosts.

The Greens complete a quickfire run of three home games on Wednesday evening when they entertain Holbeach United in Lincolnshire Senior Trophy Quarter-Final action. Kick-off at the Longwater Stadium is set for 7.45PM.

Words: Oliver Atkin