Sergeant sends Town into County Cup Quarters

Lincs Junior Cup but despite dominating the game throughout they almost paid the price for missing a host of chances in normal time. A goal early in the second half looked as though it was going to be enough to secure the hosts their passage into the last eight but a late strike from substitute Gareth Melia finally beat the Spalding keeper who had pulled off a series of fine saves to frustrate Town.
Manager Paul Johnson made a number of enforced changes with skipper Chris Johnson, Michael Harness and Steve Lovett all being restored to the starting line up along with keeper Jason Stamford who made his competitive debut for the first team. After a nervy opening five minutes Town took the initiative and although a heavy pitch made flowing football difficult they dominated possession. Tony Edwards and Tom Sargeant were a threat in wide areas and with Mickey Stones holding the ball up well they started to create chances.
Richard Jackson fired just wide and Sargeant blasted over as Town pressed but midway through the half their keeper pulled off an outstanding save to deny Sargeant after he got his head to a Tony Edwards cross. Moments later Tony prodded the ball home after good work from Michael Harness but he was adjudged to be offside.

Town's defence was rarely threatened with Andrew Shinn having a fine game but when Scott Lowman missed his clearance, Jason Stamford did well to gather in a low shot. Town continued to press and Mickey Stones looked to have legitimate claims for a penalty turned down. With players finding it difficult to keep their feet in heavy conditions, clean shots on target were at a premium and after Richard Jackson controlled a Nathan Rawdon cross superbly he rolled the ball wide of the far post. Mickey Stones was denied by their keeper as he came quickly off his line and Sargeant evaded a number of challenges before seeing his shot blocked. Tom then turned provider as he drove at the heart of the defence before finding Harness but Michael's curling effort went just wide.

With the half drawing to a close, Nathan Rawdon brought the ball down well but his volleyed effort flashed just wide and the teams went in level at the break. Town continued to dominate at the start of the second half but it was the home side who took a surprise lead. Jason Stamford's kick lacked distance and when Town failed to gain possession in midfield, a through ball enabled their striker to evade Chris Johnson before finishing confidently past a helpless Stamford in Town's goal.

Despite this setback Town had the opportunity to respond instantly when another determined run by Sargeant forced their full-back into a mistimed challenge at the expense of a penalty. Sargeant himself took the kick but the keeper pulled off another fine save before reacting quickly to save the rebound. Sargeant's forceful running was a feature all afternoon and when he drove into the penalty area a goal seemed certain but his close range effort was blocked.

Midway through the half Callum Low replaced Steve Lovett with Scott Lowman pushed further forward and when a Michael Harness shot was blocked, Scott headed the loose ball against the bar with the keeper beaten for once. Harness was then replaced by Gareth Melia as Town searched for an equaliser but despite going close on several occasions they looked to be going out of the competition until Melia struck with four minutes remaining. There seemed little danger when the ball fell to him on the left but he turned and curled a great shot beyond the keeper into the far corner.

As the game headed for extra time Gareth almost secured the win after playing a neat one-two with Stones but the keeper reacted superbly to tip his well struck shot round the post. He then did well to deny Stones a headed goal from a Tony Edwards cross and Town had to settle for taking the game into extra time. The message from the management was for Town to stay positive and to remain patient and the decisive goal would come and Tom Sargeant capped off a fine individual performance to score the winning goal in the opening period of extra time. Picking the ball up some thirty yards out, Tom pushed the ball out of his feet before firing the ball unerringly into the top corner despite the best efforts of the keeper to get a hand on the ball.

Sargeant went close again as the half drew to a close but this time the keeper did well to palm the ball away. Town had to remain alert at the back as the hosts looked to play the ball in behind when they had the chance but Callum Low was in imperious form after coming on and he played with great composure to ensure keeper Stamford was relatively untroubled.

Town's keeper did well to come off his line quickly to clear as Spalding's striker looked to break through early in the second period of extra time but Town continued to press and they forced a number of corners to frustrate the home side. Stones was holding the ball up superbly as Town looked to see out the final moments and in the final seconds Gareth Melia picked out the run of Scott Lowman but he was again denied by the inspired Spalding keeper who came off his line to block.

Moments later the referee ended the game and much to their relief, Town had progressed through to the next round. They had dominated the game throughout and created a host of scoring opportunities but a mixture of poor finishing and inspired goalkeeping looked to have cost them dearly but a moment of inspiration from Gareth Melia and a stunning strike from Sargeant ensured they finally got their just reward.

This coming Saturday Town return to league action with another tough game against rivals Skegness Utd who overturned a two goal deficit to secure a point in the corresponding fixture at Wainfleet Road earlier in the season. Kick off on The Wong is at 3.00pm.

Town side:
Jason Stamford, Nathan Rawdon, Andrew Shinn, Scott Lowman, Chris Johnson, Steve Lovett (Callum Low), Tony Edwards, Richard Jackson, Mickey Stones, Michael Harness (Gareth Melia), Tom Sargeant (James Melia).