Sleaford Town travelled to Harrowby on Saturday, as they faced Newark and Sherwood United, playing out a 0-0 draw, despite Newark receiving two red cards.

Greens boss Matt Evans made three changes to the side that lost 4-2 to Gresley Rovers last week, with the injured Jake Henderson and Harrison Leech being replaced by Lewis Smalley and Jonasz Gadomski, as well as Ollie Skinner making way for Ben Ashall. It was a fairly even opening 10 minutes, with both sides testing each other, unable to create anything clear cut between one another.

After the first 15 minutes, striker Andy Whalen seemed to be barged in the box, falling to the ground. Despite appeals from the Sleaford players, the referee waved for play-on, ignoring the appeals. After a shot from Newark and Sherwood which was well saved by Gadomski, the Greens broke down the other end of the pitch, with the ball falling to Harry Gibbons on the edge of the box, who drilled it into the hands of Nykah Liburd-Hines. In the aftermath of the save, Sleaford had a corner, taken by Sam Greenwood. After his goal directly from a corner against Gresley, Greenwood went for it again. The corner was tipped onto the crossbar by Liburd-Hines and went away from danger.

Ben Robson had an effort on the stroke of half time, as he controlled it from his chest and volleyed towards goal, but it was hit wide of the mark.
Gibbons had a second opportunity at the start of the second half, being found through on goal and sitting one-on-one with Liburd-Hines. After placing his shot, it was saved superbly, with the follow-up being cleared, too. The Highwaymen were the next to take momentum, with two efforts in quick succession. The first was hit narrowly wide after being closed down well, and the second was brilliantly saved by Gadomski, pushed away for a throw-in.

With 20 minutes of normal time to play, Kane Auld saw red after two yellow cards in quick succession, the latter being for a high foot into Robson’s midriff.Sleaford continued overall domination but couldn’t do enough to create a clear-cut opportunity.

Deep into stoppage time, Jonathan Timmins had a speculative effort from long distance, which was close to finding Sleaford’s opener.
As the clock struck 100, Marley Fearon saw red for a late challenge, much to the uproar of Sleaford players and management.

As the last opportunity in the dying embers, Ben Ashall found himself free on the wing and had a strong effort towards goal which was well saved by Liburd-Hines. Despite follow-up attempts, Newark and Sherwood cleared it, and with that the referee blew for full time.

Next up for the Greens is a season-defining match against play-off secured Boston Town on Easter Monday, as The Greens look to secure their spot in the league for the 2025/26 season.

Written by Finley Smithson