Evans frustrated as Sleaford beaten by hosts Clifton
Sleaford Town narrowly missed out on picking up points on the road for the second successive game, losing 2-1 to Clifton All Whites thanks to a free kick late in the second-half.
Taylor Gray brought things level for Town following an opener for the All Whites within the opening ten minutes, but ultimately they fell just short.
Clifton went in front when attacking midfielder Nathan Kelly picked the ball up from 25 yards out and beat his man before striking a beautiful shot into the top right corner, with keeper Teddy Jefcoate stranded as he watched the ball sail in.
Sleaford pressure then led to an equaliser five minutes before half time. A cross in from Riley Wilkinson was knocked down at the back post by Lewis Smith. The header eventually landed in the feet of Gray, whose turn and finish was superb, beating Whites keeper Harris who made himself big to try and stop the effort.
But the hosts won the game when from a free-kick was won on the edge of the box, and put in by Harry Daykin. His delivery deflected off Michael Lindsey, before hitting captain Jonathan Timmins last and hitting the back of the net, leaving Jefcoate wrong-footed at close range.
Greens boss Matt Evans said afterwards: “It’s a difficult one to take as we came here wanting to be better than that, but ultimately if you don’t take your chances you don’t get what you deserve and you don’t win football matches.
"There wasn’t enough of a clinical approach at that end, and then for their second goal which won the game it was a daft free-kick to give away but then it hit two players on its way in – every time the ball seemed to drop it dropped for Clifton more than it did for us but that’s football.
"Going behind early again was frustrating and we are looking for answers and keep changing things so it’s disappointing that’s happened again."
The Greens now turn their attention to this weekend, where they face Pinxton in more UCL Division One action on Saturday with a 3pm start.