After doing so well since Christmas, the miners now have a 50% win record from their last six matches, seeing them stay in with a chance of survival, but also a sense of what could have been with two of the three defeats coming against sides who were in and around the relegation picture but have dragged themselves out of the mire, leaving Kimberley in a three way shootout with bottom side Shirebrook who are five points from safety and Gresley Rovers who have been in freefall and find themselves just a point above the miners, having drawn one match and lost the rest since mid December.

Sleaford come into the match knowing that a win will most likely ensure their safety in the league as they sit six points above Kimberley in second bottom and five above Gresley in third bottom. However, having played a match more than the teams below them, Sleaford will be keen to arrest a run of four straight defeats and ease the pressure. Defeat could see them sucked into the relegation conversation.

On Saturday, the first team welcomed Wisbech Town to the Stag Ground. The miners started well, with Zak Sandhu opening the scoring as early as the second minute. They had a goal disallowed for handball as the ball was bundled into the net in a pileup of players. The referee must have had good eyes to spot any handball. Wisbech were given a penalty after a clumsy tackle in the host box. Ben Alsopp guessed the right way and saved the spot kick. Kimberley could, and should have gone on to wrap the game up by half time, such was their dominance in the first half. The second half however, was a different story. The visitors came out of the blocks in the same manner as Kimberley did in the first half and were rewarded with an equaliser just as quickly into the second period. With forty two minutes remaining, Kimberley would have expected to pick up where they left off in the first half and regain the lead. This was not the case. A very lacklustre second half from the hosts saw Wisbech take control of the match and wrap up the win with less than ten minutes to go as a cross was not dealt with and the ball found it's way into Alsopp's goal.
Final Score - Kimberley Miners Welfare 1 - 2 Wisbech Town

Sleaford Town’s last match was an away trip to Newark Town a fortnight ago. Ryan Rushen scored a hat trick for Newark as Lewis Greenfield scored Sleaford’s only goal in reply with the match finishing 3-1 to Newark after being level at half time.

LAST TIME AROUND

The last time the two sides met was in mid September. Joe Smith scored a hat trick in a comfortable 3-0 home win for Sleaford.

Last season, the two sides met in February last year at Sleaford. Dan Tuck, Sam Brown and Kole Lambert scored for the miners, while Greg Smith scored a consolation in added time for a 3-1 to Kimberley.

The match at the Stag took place in October 2023, where Sleaford took the points through Jacob Fenton and Dom Kew for a 2-0 win.and Bijan Pakrouz after going into half time at 0-0. Final score, 4-0.

A LITTLE ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

Sleaford Town FC was founded in 1923. They joined the Lincolnshire League, where they were generally successful, being a regular top-ten team. In 2003, Town announced plans to seek a higher level of football in the United Counties League. They had their best-ever season in 2003–04, winning the title for the first time in twenty-three years, and gaining promotion to the UCL

After leaving their previous ground, Sleaford played for three seasons at RAF Cranwell, but despite winning the Division One title in 2005–06, they were not allowed promotion until their new Eslaforde Park ground was ready the following season, and they finished runners-up.

The club are currently members of the United Counties League Premier Division, led by manager Paul Ward.

They first entered the FA Cup in season 2008–09, reaching the First Round Qualifying, while in the FA Vase, their best performance has been to reach the Fourth Round in season 2015–16.

Honours
United Counties League Division One[1]
Champions 2005–06
Runners-up 2006–07

FINALLY

This is another huge match in the battle to stay in the division. Kimberley will want to make up for last week’s poor performance, knowing that anything other than a win will leave them in deep trouble. Sleaford will want to break their four match losing streak and secure their own safety in the division

For the next two matches, we are offering a reduced entry fee of £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and under 16’s go free with a paying adult.

Please come along and support the boys. We need you.