This was a new venue even for the greybeards amongst the 3rds, people who have played everywhere around the NW sector but for whom a visit to Grantham, home town of Newton and Thatcher, was a novelty. Grantham’s Wikipedia page also tries to lay claim to Thomas Paine, who is nearly the political polar opposite of Thatcher. This is rather stretching a point, Paine’s connection to the town apparently being 18 months working there. Presumably this is a sop to any local lefties, but really he remains a man of Thetford.

So Grantham, as a locality, has the right wing and left wing well covered. Pity we didn’t take note during the first half as our play all seemed to occupy the centre ground, which was clogged up with too many voices/sticks all offering essentially the same spiel, leaving the poor voter/ball carrier feeling he has no real options. Grantham possibly looking more threatening, as they attempted to exploit the spaces left as our defence was sucked up the pitch in a misguided attempt to ‘help’ with the attack. Particularly prominent at centre-forward was Grantham’s skipper, who just happens to be ex South 3rds player Benjie Groom. We weren’t going to let him score, surely? Well, not on the strong side at least, our defence opting to let the reverse look after itself... ;-)

I don’t remember the home ‘keeper being forced into many saves in the opening period. However, Lino certainly made one key one for us. It came inside the opening five minutes from The Failed Apple Dodgers first short corner [what do you mean, you don’t think that is their nickname?!?]. A powerful flicked shot was heading chest high just inside the right post, but Lino got a big left hand across to glove the ball narrowly wide. Great stop.

The general consensus at half-time was that our performance had been pretty underwhelming, and we could manage more much with a more energetic display. Ali in particular emphasised workrate in closing down players attempting to clear and turning the ball over high up the park. We put it into practise right from the whistle, as a string of shorts were forced. A couple of clear chances came as a result, but they were not converted.

In fact we wouldn’t take the lead until the storm seemed to have abated and the home defence pushed out. A Grantham attack had been terminated by a foul just outside our 25. Matt showed excellent speed of thought to find Tom out wide right, way before the hosts defence had got organised. Such was the space afforded, all it took was one more pass from Tom to play Rob in clean through. Rob drew the ‘keeper out, rounded him (on the strong side!) and bashed home.

Within five minutes, we were two up as one of our shorts finally succeeded. The left slip option was finding space and time (both Joe and Tom had had good chances from this previously), so it went that way again, with Tom the recipient. Tom’s shot beat the ‘keeper, but was blocked on the line. From my, admittedly distant, vantage point, this clearance may not have been via a stick. However, as the ball ran to Ali for a tap in at the far post, the need for the Umpire to make a decision was obviated. If Tom’s shot had indeed hit a foot, and the Umpire had seen it and was considering awarding a flick, then this was a very good advantage played.

We added one more goal in a very similar manner. Again a short was switched to Tom and his shot was saved. This time the ball was heading towards the penalty spot and a waiting defender, when Rob intervened with a diving reverse stick sweep. Spectacular finish.

Our aim for the day had been to win and thereby put what pressure we could on 5NW’s top two sides. That must count as achieved, but the news filtered through that Louth and Boston had both been handed walkovers in their games. So not a great deal of tension, then. Oh well. It means Louth are now out of our reach and promoted, and catching Boston seems unlikely as they are 3 points ahead, with a much better goal difference. They just need a point in their final match to be sure of promotion, which is away to bottom side Nomads, who haven’t won all season. The perfect time for our cross-town rivals to change that stat, isn’t it? We will have to make the short trip to Newmarket for our last game, do our level best to win and cross our fingers.