Sleaford Town were denied all three points in dramatic fashion at Staveley Miners Welfare, as two late goals completed a comeback for the hosts in a seven-goal encounter. The Greens had established a 3–1 advantage early in the second half through goals from Dion Tansey-Potter, Ben Robson and Josh Parker, but Staveley fought their way back before scoring twice in the closing stages to secure a 4–3 victory.

Sleaford began the afternoon sitting fifth in the UCL Division One table, but travelled to Staveley with a number of players unavailable from the squad that had secured a 2–0 victory at Dunkirk in their previous outing. Kemal Yenibertiz and Riley Wilkinson were absent from the starting XI, while Taylor Gray, Jake Henderson and Brima Daramy were also missing from the matchday squad. Archie Olivier-Townrow and Sam Edgington came into the starting side as Jamie McGhee was forced to make changes, with the Greens able to name just four substitutes.

Despite the changes, Sleaford made an excellent start and needed just three minutes to open the scoring. Dion Tansey-Potter produced a superb strike to give the Greens an early advantage, although Staveley responded to bring the game back level. Sleaford continued to pose a threat, with Edgington releasing Josh Parker on 25 minutes, only for the home goalkeeper to race from his line and beat him to the ball.

Parker was booked two minutes later before finding himself at the heart of the action again on the half-hour mark. His strike forced an excellent save from the Staveley goalkeeper, but the resulting corner proved decisive as Ben Robson rose to head home and restore Sleaford’s lead at 2–1. Jonathan Timmins entered the book shortly afterwards for a shirt pull in midfield before putting his body on the line moments later, taking a Staveley strike to the face as the hosts searched for another response. The Greens held firm to take their one-goal advantage into the interval.

Sleaford continued to threaten after the restart, with Lewis Smith firing over from an Edgington delivery five minutes into the second half. At the other end, Ryan Kamm was called into action and got down well to his right to make an excellent stop, preserving the Greens’ advantage. That save was followed almost immediately by Sleaford extending their lead, as Tansey-Potter turned provider and delivered for Josh Parker to find the net in the 54th minute, putting the Greens 3–1 ahead.

With a two-goal cushion established, Sleaford appeared to be in a strong position, but Staveley continued to push for a way back into the contest. Fin Parker was booked for a late challenge on 68 minutes before McGhee made his first change five minutes later, introducing Kyle Onyon in place of Lewis Smith. The hosts pressure eventually told in the 78th minute when they converted from a corner to reduce the deficit to 3–2, with Benji Zalewski replacing Tansey-Potter shortly afterwards.

The Greens had an opportunity to restore their two-goal advantage in the 82nd minute when Onyon found space for a shot on target, but the Staveley goalkeeper was equal to his effort. That save would prove increasingly important as the hosts continued to apply pressure in the closing stages.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, another Staveley corner produced the equaliser to make it 3–3 and set up a frantic finish. The decisive blow then arrived two minutes into stoppage time, when the hosts struck again to take the lead for the first time and complete a remarkable turnaround. There was little time for the Greens to respond before the final whistle arrived in the 95th minute, confirming a 4–3 victory for Staveley.

Reflecting on the closing stages, McGhee admitted his side had fallen short of the standards required to see the game out. “We learnt a harsh lesson in not doing the basics in the last 15 minutes, so just really disappointed,” he said. “Staveley are a good side and they put us under a lot of pressure, but we should have dealt with it better.”

It was a difficult result for the Greens to take after putting themselves in such a strong position away from home. Despite travelling with a depleted squad, Sleaford had shown plenty of attacking quality to establish a 3–1 advantage, but Staveley’s persistence and threat from set pieces ultimately turned the contest in the hosts favour. The defeat, coupled with results elsewhere in the division, saw Sleaford slip one place in the table, ending the afternoon in sixth position.

The Greens will now look to bounce back when attention turns to the FA Vase, travelling to Birstall United Social FC on Saturday 12th September for a 3pm kick-off. Coach travel is available for supporters wishing to make the trip, with anyone interested encouraged to contact the club for further information and to book their place.