Following the defeat to Lincoln United last weekend, manager Matt Evans made just one change, with Lewis Greenfield making his way into the squad.

The game started with Sleaford on top, dominating possession and creating a few chances for themselves. The most noticeable effort was from Josh Parker, who dragged a left-footed effort narrowly wide of the post, coming so close to opening the scoring. The game changed very quickly, however, with Ashby Ivanhoe getting a penalty after Harrison Leech caught the attacker rather than the ball when coming out, for which he was booked. After minutes of commotion and debates from Ashby players and the referee, the ball was put down by Grouse, who hit the crossbar. He then collided into Sam Greenwood, with the referee pointing back to the spot. On his second attempt, the Ashby attacker placed the ball in the top corner, with Leech unable to get near it.

Sleaford responded well, fighting hard for the remainder of the half, but couldn’t get anything from their attacks.

The second half started much poorer for Sleaford, as they didn’t seem switched on, making mistakes and letting Ashby in, only for Leech making some great saves. Substitute Andy Whalen came on and quickly created issues for the defenders. A cut back was stabbed at by him, but the goalkeeper did brilliantly to get across to it and parry the ball away to stop a certain equaliser. Will Hollingsworth had a chance of his own moments later. From short range, he received the ball from a cross and hit it, but his effort was mis-hit, as it went wide and way for a goal kick, despite the strikers protests.

The game was eventually put to bed, with Will Robson tapping a ball in from close range after a drilled ball across goal. The Sleaford defence could do nothing about it, despite throwing themselves at the ball. Joe Wilkinson came close to giving Sleaford a conciliation in stoppage time. The midfielder received the ball on the edge of the box and hit his effort towards goal. However, a deflection stopped him from scoring, with the ball landing into the goalkeepers’ hands.

Sleaford threw themselves at it late on, but a spirited effort wasn’t enough as they saw out a 2-0 defeat on the road.

Next up for the Green Army is a trip to Newark Town on Saturday 1st March, set for a 3pm kick off.

Written by Finley Smithson.