Sleaford win but first halves must improve warns boss McGhee
A Lewis Smith goal sealed a 1-0 win for Sleaford Town at Sandiacre Town in UCL Division One on Saturday, but Greens manager Jamie McGhee warned his side need to improve their first half showings.
Smith struck on 56 minutes to seal the points in a much-improved second half display after Sandicare had enjoyed the first half edge.
“We have to be careful. We can't keep getting away with first half performances being a bit lacklustre or not the way we want to play,” said McGhee.
“I don't want us to be a team that just turn up for half a game.
“It is difficult to steamroller teams at this level, but if we can get to 75-80 minutes of a game in control I am happy.
"But we are making it hard work for ourselves and it's quite stressful.
“We have to start better and brighter.
“First half we were not quite doing what we usually do.
“I wanted us to keep the ball a lot more than we did, but we got embroiled into a little bit of a 'fight-ball', so it was very back and forth without anything really materialising.
“They had a couple of chances and we had two good chances, but we were still just off it for my liking.
“We were getting schooled at times in the first half by the experienced lads Sandiacre have got. They slowed the tempo down and made it their game
“At half-time I asked the lads to go back to basics, show some character and play our way, and, thankfully, second half they did what we asked them to do straight from the get-go.
“They were at it in trying to keep the ball.”
In a first 45 minutes that showed little quality from either side, the visitors had a series of chances testing Saints' goalkeeper Anthony Young.
The second half started much brighter for Sleaford, and with that came the goal on 56 minutes.
Jake Henderson had time at the back, and clipped a good ball over the Sandiacre defence.
Smith got on the end of it, beat his man for strength and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Changes came in the second half as Sleaford looked to get fresh bodies on to protect their lead.
The game fizzled out after Smith's goal, with the referee blowing for full time after some well worked game management from Sleaford.
With that win, Sleaford sat fifth, setting their sights on staying around the play-offs.
After a midweek trip to Louth Town, on Saturday the Greens are at home to Maltby Main.