Town see off battling Benington

Town will consider themselves somewhat fortunate to have overcome their Boston League opponents who acquitted themselves well on the day in this Lincs Junior Cup tie. Four second half goals from Town ultimately proved decisive but Benington can consider themselves unlucky to have only led by a solitary goal at the break.

With Mickey Stones, Nathan Rawdon and skipper Chris Johnson unavailable, Town manager Paul Johnson restored Gareth Melia to the starting eleven with Carl Smith moving into a more central position and top scorer Michael Harness occupying the lone striker role. Otherwise it was a familiar looking line up and Town started reasonably well.

They were dominating possession with Richard Jackson seeing a lot of the ball in midfield. Tony Edwards fired over at the far post after a cross from Michael Harness eluded everyone and Carl Smith headed just over after running onto a clever pass from Harness. A series of corners followed as a Town looked to turn their possession into clear chances but midway through the half Benington took a surprise lead.

Andrew Shinn's attempted clearance lacked distance and although Jackson looked to have retrieved the situation his attempted pass to Steve Lovett was intercepted and as Lewis Burchnall rushed off his line to meet the oncoming attacker he was adjudged to have fouled him just inside the area. The resulting penalty was not convincing but it went under Lewis to give the visitors the advantage.

For the remainder of the half Town looked very uncertain with the visiting centre forward causing problems for Steve Brown and Scott Lowman at the heart of Town's defence. A nervy Town almost conceded a second when the ball was lifted over Burchnall but Steve Lovett calmly cleared the ball off the goal line to safety. Town were looking to get on level terms and Ollie Johnson saw a free-kick saved before Richard Jackson fired just wide. However, it was the visitors who could easily have added a second goal before half-time.

A static Town defence allowed their striker to run clear and as he knocked the ball past the on rushing Burchnall before colliding with Town's keeper, another penalty kick and a possible dismissal seemed a likely outcome but to Town's relief the referee adjudged the collision to be accidental.

This proved to be the let off Town needed and after stern words from manager Johnson they came out with renewed purpose in the second half. Within five minutes they drew level when a Gareth Melia cross was half cleared to Harness who struck a fine shot on the half volley into the far corner of the Benington net. Town were looking a different side and minutes later they took the lead when Tony Edwards seemed to hang in the air for an eternity before guiding another Melia cross just inside the far post.

This should have been the signal for Town to push on and score more goals but within two minutes the visitors had drawn level with a fine individual goal but Town's defence will feel they should have offered much greater resistance. Despite being pegged back, Town continued to dominate possession with substitute Luke Blondel seeing a lot of the ball down Town's left. Jackson and Smith were prominent in midfield but it was the other member of the midfield trio who restored Town's lead with a superb individual goal. There seemed little danger when a high ball dropped to Ollie Johnson twenty five yards out but a superb first touch was followed by an unerring shot that nestled in the far stanchion with the keeper well beaten.

Minutes later victory seemed to have been secured when Michael Harness latched onto a poor defensive header before firing confidently into the corner for his second goal of the game. Callum Low and Dave Marshall replaced Steve Lovett and Steve Brown as Town looked to press home their advantage but a nervy finish was guaranteed when their winger cut inside two challenges before lifting the ball beyond Burchnall to give Benington hope of taking the game into extra time. However, Town saw the game out without further incident to progress through to the last sixteen.

This coming Saturday Town travel to local rivals Skegness Town for a Supplementary Cup tie but they know only too well that a much better performance will be demanded if they are to have any chance of getting a favourable result.

Town side:
Lewis Burchnall, Steve Lovett (Callum Low), Andrew Shinn, Steve Brown (Dave Marshall), Scott Lowman, Ollie Johnson, Tony Edwards, Richard Jackson, Michael a Harness, Carl Smith, Gareth Melia (Luke Blondel).