In-form Sleaford Town inspired by Oliver double

Ryan Oliver has rediscovered his goal touch in recent games with three goals in his last two outings EMN-170603-182240002

They put plenty of daylight between themselves and the bottom three with a 4-0 win over Leicestershire side Kirby Muxloe who ended the match with only nine men in a game of three red cards.

Fresh from a 3-0 win over Huntingdon seven days previously, Paul Ward’s men made a blistering start and were 3-0 up within 15 minutes.

Ryan Rushden reacted quickest to a goalmouth scramble to put Town ahead before Ryan Oliver scored a fine second.

Tom Siddons dispatched a penalty into the top corner and the visitors’ afternoon grew worse when their number nine was sent off before the break.

Kirby were then reduced to nine men in the second half after an altercation which also saw Town’s harry Millard shown his marching orders.

But his dismissal did little to dampen Town’s spirits as Oliver bagged his second and Town’s fourth with an acrobatic volley from Rushden’s corner.

It was Town’s fourth win in their last five United Counties League matches and lifted them to 16th in the Premier, and within three points of 13th-placed Northampton ON Chenecks.

Sleaford have a blank Saturday in their fixture schedule this weekend, but return on Tuesday with a tough trip to third-placed Yaxley.

The Cambridgeshire side are on a four-match unbeaten run and were narrow 1-0 winners at Eslaforde Park in the reverse fixture back in September. Kick-off is 7.45pm.