FA Vase test for Sleaford Town after late heartbreak at Staveley MW
Sleaford Town boss Jamie McGhee is hoping his side can bounce back from last Saturday's late hammer blow 4-3 defeat at Staveley MW when they head to Birstall United Social in the FA Vase this weekend.
A depleted Greens side looked to have done enough to take three points.
But late lapses saw Staveley claw level with two minutes left of the 90 and then win it in added time.
“We threw it away, being 3-1 up with 15 minutes to go,” said McGhee.
“We learnt a harsh lesson in not doing the basics in the last 15 minutes, so we are just really disappointed.
“Staveley are a good side and they put us under a lot of pressure, but we should have dealt with it better – their goals were three set pieces really.
“It is really disappointing to switch off on key moments.
“The Vase game will be a nice distraction from the league.
“Birstall will be a tough side. We have to get the energy right. The lads are hurting in there.
“We will do our part in trying to lift them and we will go to Birstall with optimism of getting a good result.”
Saturday's defeat, coupled with results elsewhere in the division, saw Sleaford slip one place in the table, ending the afternoon in sixth position.
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 took the points amid the late drama.
Sleaford began the afternoon sitting fifth in the UCL Division One table, but travelled to Staveley with a number of players unavailable 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.
On 30 minutes Josh Parker's 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.
Sleaford continued to threaten after the restart and Tansey-Potter turned provider and delivered for Parker to find the net in the 54th minute, putting the Greens 3–1 ahead.
The hosts' pressure eventually told in the 78th minute when they converted from a corner to reduce the deficit to 3–2.
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.
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 to complete a remarkable turnaround.