Goals from Leo Almond, Jamie Williamson and a brace from Ryan Hlabangana helped the Saints to control the game from early, with Sleaford offering very little in return.

Sandiacre pushed on from early, showing an early sign of dominance, as Benni Wilson was given the space on the right wing, cutting inside and hitting an effort towards goal, however it was high and wide, giving Jonasz Gadomski very little to worry about.

Two minutes later, the Saints found the lead. Jordan Lambert found himself in a dangerous position after spinning his defender, before playing a ball across goal which was met by a free Hlabangana, who tapped it in from close range, giving Sleaford’s ‘keeper very little chance.

With 15 minutes gone, Gadomski pulled out a fantastic double save to deny a second for Sandiacre, with both shots forcing brave saves, before the linesman eventually flagged for offside.

The home side managed to find their second with 25 minutes gone. Almond was set through on goal, and with defenders chasing he slotted it cooly past Gadomski, doubling the advantage.

The gap got pushed to three five minutes after Sandiacre’s second. A corner was swung into a dangerous area, meeting the head of player-manager Williamson, whose free header easily landed into the back of the net.

The slow half an hour gave Sleaford a similar feel to the first match of the season, with the game almost away from them before they could have a real chance.

Sleaford had an opportunity to get one back just before half time, with a cross from Riley Wilkinson meeting Joe Wilkinson, whose shot was saved by Richard Stainsby before the ball was eventually cleared from danger.

As the second half kicked off, Sleaford showed a bit more tempo, with a shot from Harry Gibbons landing just over the bar, as the attacker tried to lob Stainsby, who came flying out his goal to try and collect the ball.

Harrison Ainslie had a shot from the edge of the box following a corner, which was easily saved by Stainsby, despite the power he put behind it.

The result was confirmed with over half an hour to go. Hlabangana was set through on goal with his pace too much for the chasing defender Jonathan Timmins. The midfielder rounded Gadomski, before placing the ball into an open net.

This led to the game going flat, with Sleaford trying to get back into the game to save pride but struggling to win anything against a dominant and well-drilled Sandiacre.

As the game went into added time, Benji Zalewski found himself through on goal after a failed clearance by goalkeeper Stainsby. As Zalewski prepared to strike, Williamson put his body on the line superbly to deny a consolation.

After the match, manager Matt Evans admitted his side were second best on the day in all aspects.

He said: “They were so much better than us in every single area. The quality that they brought is what we should aspire to be like. We panicked once we conceded, and we couldn’t get into any rhythm, get the ball or play to our strengths.”

Evans will be hoping for change as their side face another two games next week, continuing their early fixture congestion.

Written by Finley Smithson