Sleaford Town failed once more to earn points on the road in 2026, as they were beaten fairly comfortably by mid-table Dronfield Town in the United Counties League Division One.

Greens’ manager Jamie McGhee opted to make a selection of changes from the team that failed to impress last time out at Gedling MW. Phil McCann, Harvey Gothard and Andy Whalen were the ones to come in for Ryan Kamm, Ewan Simmons and the suspended Taylor Gray.

As the referee blew the first whistle, most inside the Stonelow Stadium couldn’t have imagined a worse start from a Sleaford perspective, as Dronfield took the lead within twenty seconds. An unfortunate slip from Benji Zalewski allowed Matty Ord in on goal, who then drove his effort low and hard past McCann to make it 1-0 before many fans had taken to their seats.

In the twentieth minute, things got even worse for Sleaford as a penalty was awarded to the hosts. James Twigg seemed unaware that he had handled the ball, but the referee had less sympathy, and the decision was made. Sam Bebbington stepped up to take and fired the ball to McCann’s left, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way and doubling the advantage.

After this however, it was Sleaford who looked most likely to get the next goal. Kyle Onyon was first to go close for The Greens, as he flashed the ball wide at the back post after a lovely ball from Whalen across the box. Whalen himself had a good effort saved by the feet of Dronfield’s Lewis Naylor minutes later.

Sleaford though would eventually get their goal, as Dion Tansey-Potter found the net to halve the deficit. A nice pass from Jake Thompson was superbly controlled by Tansey-Potter, who proceeded to cut inside from the left, beat his man and drill the ball in at the near post ten minutes before half-time.

The second half in truth failed to entertain. Despite this however, Dronfield sealed the game with a third goal on the counter, straight after Silas Stewart-Caws had an effort saved at the other end. Arran Bovill was found by a lofted ball, and finished cooly with a chip over McCann, making it 3-1 to the hosts.

More misery was piled on Sleaford after seventy minutes, as they received their second red card in as many games. James Twigg again found himself on the wrong side of the referee’s whistle, as a second yellow card for a foul on Ord on the break saw him dismissed.

Reflecting on the game, Jamie McGhee believed Sleaford gave themselves a “mountain to climb” after conceding so early. “It’s a bitter pill to swallow at the moment, obviously the confidence isn’t very good at the minute, but we’re trying our best to lift it. But going a goal down after twenty seconds makes it hard work.”