Sleaford Town hit by back-to-back defeats

Sleaford Town's good run of form was brought to an end as they slipped to back-to-back United Counties League defeats last week.
Tom Siddons was also on the mark against HuntingdonTom Siddons was also on the mark against Huntingdon
Tom Siddons was also on the mark against Huntingdon

Following Paul Ward’s announcement he would be standing down as manager at the end of the season, Town lost 2-1 at Yaxley last Tuesday evening and then went down by the same scoreline at home to Rothwell Corinthians on Saturday.

After a blank weekend, the Green Army went into the midweek fixture on the back of four wins from their previous five, but faced a stern test at top four side Yaxley who were keen to avenge their extra time FA Vase defeat.

The hosts dominated the first half and went ahead following a move down the right when Joe Butterworth teed up Phil Stebbing to stab home after a well-timed run into the box.

Town came into the game and were only denied an equaliser by a couple of fine saves from the home keeper.

But with 20 minutes left, Dan Cotton doubled the lead, having hit both post and bar, he made it third time lucky by converting a Matt Sparrow cross.

Sleaford stuck to their guns, however, and were rewarded in stoppage-time when Tom Siddons got on the scoresheet.

Town were looking to bounce straight back against mid-table Rothwell four days later, but a scrappy first half promised little and ended goalless.

And the visitors made the breakthrough five minutes into the second half when Djedje Gomes found the net.

But back came Sleaford who levelled just seven minutes later when Hollingsworth played in Ryan Rushen and the in-form striker, who scored for the Reserves in midweek, fired home to draw the sides level.

However, the visitors grabbed the three points at Eslaforde Park as Jordan Henson pounced with 19 minutes remaining.

Despite the results, Town remain 16th and with an eight-point gap to third-bottom Oadby who have a game in hand.

They continue their run-in with another home match against Wisbech Town on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Wisbech sit seventh in the Premier Division after a run of five straight league wins.

Town (v Yaxley): McGann, Worthington, Braithwaite, Ward, Hone, Siddons, Smith, Elliot, Hockin, Millard, Oliver. Subs: Asplin, Ellis, Fenton.

Town (v Rothwell): McGann, Worthington, Hone, Braithwaite, Hollingsworth, Machin (Ward), Elliot, Rushen (Wilkinson), Siddons, Asplin, Oliver (Fenton).