Gingerbreads Win Away In The Trophy

Goals fifteen minutes from the start and end of the game secured the result for the Gingerbreads, but it could have been more.

“Everyone put a shift in today.” Said First Team Coach Greg Young. “ We created chances and were on top, it was just a question of getting the goals.”

The Gingerbreads stated the game well, with three changes from the defeat at Mickleover, and a change to two up front, Grantham showed plenty of energy and started to create chances almost straight away. Only a good defensive header got the ball away from Ben Middleton in the sixth minute.

The two sides exchanged long passes for forwards a minute later, but both were over hit. Grantham began to keep Yaxley at arm’s length, the home side only mustering a shot from 25 yards by Jordan MacLeod that flew well over the top of Jan Budtz’ goal.

Pressure from the Gingerbreads grew and led to a goal on 16 minutes. Ash Worsfold and Liam Hardy had previously combined to set Jack Stobbs free and his cross for Nail Doran took another desperate intervention to deny Grantham a goal. From a corner, Worsfold was pushed in the penalty area, referee Mr Gregory pointed to the spot and Hardy drilled the spot-kick down the middle of Finlay Iron’s goal.

Stobbs was proving a handful for the home defence and a series of crosses teased the home defence. Iron gathered some well, but on 21 minutes was grateful to see James Berrett drive his shot over the crossbar from Stobbs’ cross.

Another effort from distance by MacLeod was all Yaxley could muster for the rest of the first half, while Grantham went close to adding to their lead on a number of occasions. Worsfold headed a cross from Ben Turner over the top of the home goal, then was thwarted at the near post when he got to Nail Doran’s cross only to see his effort deflected wide.

Stobbs and Doran continued to put great delivery into the home penalty area. A free kick from Stobbs flashed across the six yard box just needing a touch to convert it while Doran delivered a delightful cross after 35 minutes that somehow eluded everyone. Five minutes from the break, Worsfold hit a low shot that came back off the woodwork.

It began to look as though the missed chances would come back to haunt Grantham after the break as Yaxley came out strongest. For ten minutes, they had the better of the game, but couldn’t take advantage. A quick free kick routine tested Budtz, but he dealt with Joe Butterworth’s shot comfortably.

Grantham hit their stride again and began threatening the Yaxley goal again with their crosses. Stobbs delivered a ball that was inches off the toes of Worsfold before Michael Hollingsworth put in a perfect delivery for Middleton, but he couldn’t keep his header down.

The home side almost levelled on 61 minutes. Daniel Cotton played in Harvey Steel and his deep cross was met at the far post by Liam Hook. Budtz had got across quickly to block Hooks’ shot and the Yaxley midfielder poked the rebound wide. Four minutes later, Charlie Johnson had a free header from a corner, but couldn’t find the target.

Grantham dominated the rest of the game as they looked to wrap the tie up. A second penalty was turned down by Mr Gregory on 68 minutes when Worsfold seemed to be fouled again inside the penalty area, but this time the referee wasn’t interested.

It didn’t take Grantham much longer to wrap the game up. With a quarter of an hour to go, Worsfold again found Stobbs who delivered a great ball for Remaye Campbell. He took a touch, then lifted his shot over the advancing Iron to double the Gingerbreads lead and leave Yaxley with no way back into the game.

Campbell and Manasse Kianga tried to add a third, but Yaxley did enough to keep the score at two while the Gingerbreads ensured a clean sheet at the other end covering well to deny Sam Bennett a shot in the 86th minute.