Sleaford Town boss Jamie Shaw questions decision to play on

While the Premier League and English Football League called a halt to their campaigns last Friday to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, non-league football carried on until Monday.

This included Sleaford Town’s United Counties League Premier match with promotion-chasing Rugby Town, a 2-1 home defeat which attracted an estimated gate of 130 to Eslaforde Park.

In an ever-evolving, and unique, situation, the Lincolnshire League announced its suspension at 9am on Monday.

Initial indications from the UCL were that midweek games could go ahead if clubs wished, only to order a full suspension later on Monday following FA advice to stop all grassroots football for the foreseeable future.

“We benefited with a decent crowd against an already well-supported club when there were few other games on elsewhere, so that will help pay some bills which is great,” said Shaw.

“However, I personally can’t understand why games were being played.

“While professional leagues are off this obviously has a drip-down effect in that until their season finishes there can be no promotions or relegations decided.

“If their season is going to finish in June/July then what is the benefit of us getting ahead of them and finishing sooner?

“Players, managers and volunteers also have day jobs, some of which are becoming increasingly volatile due to the current crisis.

“Therefore those people were conflicted as to which had to take precedence, and I feel in these circumstances it was a conflict that could have been avoided by strong FA leadership.”

The break in the season, which could yet turn out to be a full-stop, came after Town had recorded one of their results of the season – a 4-2 win at Lutterworth Town last Wednesday.

Town led 2-1 at the break after Kieran Wiles first goal for the club and Ryan Anderson’s finish following a goalmouth scramble.

Sam Jackson’s inswinging corner was turned in for an own goal and Liam Tunstall’s volley made it 4-1 before the hosts grabbed a late consolation.

Sleaford briefly threatened an upset on Saturday when Tunstall gave the hosts a first-half lead with his fifth goal in nine appearances.

Rugby levelled through a contentious penalty from Ryan Seal, but Town contained the visitors well until Charlie Evans took advantage of a momentary slip in concentration to convert a cross with 20 minutes left.

The midweek win had lifted Sleaford five points clear of Pinchbeck who occupy the sole relegation spot.

Yet with the coronavirus lockdown expected to last for many weeks, and perhaps months, question marks hang over the entire grassroots and professional football world over whether the 2019/20 season can be completed.