Kirton Town returned back to league action yesterday, with a trip to high flying Skegness town reserves. Some of the team were late arriving, leaving only 25 mins to kick off, so after a quick warm up, and a few team changes, Kirton were ready for kick off.
The first half was equal, Kirton holding well in defence with everything that Skegness threw at them, With Richard Ford been a rock after been moved to centre back from midfield he had a outstanding afternoon, shrugging off every Skegness challenge and even taking a few nasty challenges, most notably one in the first half that needed some treatment and a nasty one late in the second half that left him on the floor. With Marc Neall working his usual trickery in midfield ,Declan Sands and Dean Fisher looking to take their chances up front, Everything was going ok until 18 mins when after a sliding challenge Reece West pulled up with a hamstring problem and was replaced by Kyle Bates straight away ,Skegness only had one real chance in the first half ,when after clean through on goal Kirtons returning keeper Jamie Hall was quick of his line to block the forwards shot with his diving leg, as the first half drew to a close Declan sands should have done a bit better with a header from a great cross but could only divert it wide half time 0-0.
The second half started and after a few mins Kirton were 0-1 up, a lovely through ball from Marc Neall and Dean Fisher raced onto it ,to side foot a chest high shot past the keeper and into the net 0-1,and within 10 minuets,Kirton were 0-2 up .A free kick awarded to Kirton just outside the box, Declan Sands stepped up and duly dispatched the kick into the far corner of the net.Kirton Town were buzzing now and really had the momentum, Skegness were shell shocked and all at pieces, they had a couple of half chances but nothing that troubled the defence or goalkeeper. Ten minutes later Kirton Town were 0-3 up ,another lovely ball from Marc that put Declan through one on one with the keeper, as he was pushed wide looked as though he had took it too far but a great shot at the near post and it was 0-3.Not long after this the sub Kyle Bates suffered a serious ankle twist and had to be replaced by Nick Kirkland, who did a good job when he come on, and soon after Kirton gave a debut to 16 yr old Niall Larkin as he replaced Ashley Davis. Skegness did score one late goal a thunderous shot that gave the Kirton keeper no chance, but apart from a nasty challenge on Richard Ford that left him on the floor ,this was Skegness’s last contribution of the game, the referee soon blew for full time and a jubilant Kirton had beaten Skegness 1-3 to take all the points ,well done lads this was a good result and a good win, and good TEAM PERFORMANCE, not forget a GREAT TEAM SELECTION from the managers Dale Atkinson and Paul Fossitt,lets keep the team spirit up and the run going
