Battling Greens Grab Three Points

The Greens were much the better side throughout the contest in South Lincolnshire and it was Ryan Lennon who was the hero, slotting home a wonderful individual effort midway through the second period to send the Greens on their way to a first ever three point haul at Outgang Road.

Player/Managers Tom Ward and Nathan Arnold made four changes from the side that were defeated 2-0 on home soil the midweek before last – the headline of which saw Ryan Rushen return on duel-registration from local rivals Grantham Town. Also coming in were Ryan Flitton and Ryan Lennon while midfielder Sebastian Robbemond also returned to the heart of midfield after starting on the bench against the Knights nearly a fortnight ago. They replaced the suspended duo of Tom Ward and Charlie Ward while Nathan Arnold dropped to the bench – the other absentee the duel-registered Finlay Armond who returned to action for parent club Matlock Town. Hosts Deeping Rangers meanwhile were defeated 4-0 in midweek by promotion chasing Melton Town and they went unchanged from that side, hoping to generate an immediate response in aid of their own play-off hopes.

The Greens very nearly made a fast start at The Haydon Whitham Stadium, Lennon breaking free and lobbing the onrushing Michael Duggan only to see the ball drop agonisingly onto the roof of the net. At the other end and Liam Hook was pulling the strings for Rangers and Tom Waumsley headed his corner just over the crossbar before Ryan Rushen latched onto a tame Dan Dougill freekick but could only loft the ball over the bar.

Gregg Smith did well shortly after to free Ryan Rushen to cross for Ryan Lennon, but his header was blocked by Duggan with his legs at close range before Greens keeper Liam Flitton was required to make a fine save of his own, denying Elliott Foster in fine fashion at close range with his feet. Rushen continued to be the dangerman for the Greens and he forced another save from Duggan before Liam Hook saw Luke Hunnings head another corner just over the bar at the other end as the sides headed in at the break level.

The hosts came out fighting in the early minutes of the second half and Hook was involved again, feeding Tom Smith who powered over the crossbar. Luke Hunnings continued to cause the Greens problems too, heading another Hook corner just over the crossbar while at the other end, Gregg Smith headed Latrell Patterson’s long-throw wide of the post.

Just five minutes later though and the Greens did find a deserved opener when Ryan Lennon collected well and drove at the defence, working space before finding a lovely finish into the bottom corner of the net with the aid of a fine Ryan Rushen distracting run. That was really the least the Greens deserved and Smith was ever so close five minutes later to doubling the advantage, crashing Akeel Francis’ deep cross inches over the crossbar.

From there, the inevitable pressure began to mount, though the Greens did an admirable job at keeping Rangers at arms-length. Hunnings headed Liam Hook’s freekick just wide of the post, before the same man couldn’t force space and the box and skewed wide of the mark. The Greens looked dangerous on the break though and could have grabbed a clincher when Lennon fed Rushen who’s smart turn was followed by an effort well-wide of the post. Rangers did have the ball in the net with nearly the final kick of the contest, but a foul prevented any Greens frustrations and they sewed up a well-deserved three points.

The Greens attentions now turn swiftly to a return to The MKM Ground with local rivals Boston Town the visitors in United Counties League Premier Division North action – kick-off on Wednesday evening is 7.45PM.

Words: Oliver Atkin