Sleaford Town blow Cogenhoe away with Millard's first-half hat-trick

Town made an impressive start with Millard and Ryan Oliver going close before the former punced after 17 minutes, curling a low free-kick around the outside of the wall and inside the far post.

Ricky Lovelace made a fine reaction save as Cogenhoe responded strongly before Town made it 2-0 six minutes before the break when they broke quickly from a home corner with Millard running into the box and beating Worth with a great low finish.

And ib first-half stoppage-time it was 3-0 when Millard won anither free-kick just outsuide the box and this time he sent his shot over the wall to beat the dive of home keeper Worth and complete his hat-trick.

Sleaford ruined any hopes of a Cogenhoe comeback just befoe the hour as a free-kick from the halfway line was played into the box where Kieron Elliott was allowed to turn and fire home.

The hosts finally got no the svcoresheet with 15 minutes left when Lowery met Tuck’s corner with a great header which went in off the underside of the bar.

Oliver was denied a fifth for Town by a goalline clearance, and the hosts had the final word with seven minutes left when Tuck’s free-kick picked out the run of Stevenson who buried a header for 4-2.

Town: R. Lovelace, D. Worthington, O. Price (D. Hone 63), C. Hall (B. Machin 89), C. Ward, J. Braithwaite (c), B. Hockin (G. Asplin 80), K. Elliott, R. Oliver, H. Millard, T. Siddons.

* Sleaford Sports Amateurs staged a remarkable comeback to record their latest Lincolnshire League win at home to Nettleham.

Within 40 first-half minutes Jack Higginson had completed his hat-trick to put the visitors firmly in command at 3-0 up.

But two goals in a minute from Liam Tunstall and then Nathan Thompson shortly before half-time gave Sleaford hope.

Tunstall equalised with 20 minutes left and five minutes later had his hat-trick to cap the fightback and give Amateurs a 4-3 win.

The win extended their unbeaten run to five matches and strengthened their top 10 position.

It was the opposite side of the coin for Sleaford Town Reserves, however, as they let a lead slip at home to Lincoln Moorlands to exit the Supplemntary Cup.

Ryan Rushen’s first-half double gave them a 2-1 lead at the break. George Zeurner equalised with 20 minutes left, but Rushen’s hat-trick goal put the hsts in front once more.

But two goals in the last six minutes from Zeurner and then Nathan Adams sent Sleaford crashign out at the second roudn stage.

On Saturday, Amateurs travel to sixth-placed Grimsby Borough Reserves, and Town Reserves go to Nettleham who sit a place and two points below them.