Southwell City pick up vital NSL Premier Division points against Sandiacre
Title-chasing Southwell City earned an important three points in their quest for promotion as Liam Moran’s goal proved to be the difference against Sandiacre.
City, who have promotion firmly in their hands, moved within two points of second-placed Woodthorpe and four points from NSL Premier Division leaders Keyworth United, who have played two and four more games respectively.
Southwell boss Jonny Upton said Saturday’s win was huge.
Sandiacre had a glorious chance to take the lead when Adam Gillot rounded Ryan Fletcher in the City goal after seven minutes, but the forward fired wide of the post.
Southwell had to wait until the 63rd minute for their goal as Moran benefited from good play from Ben Selby and Matty Newton.
Newton had a chance to round off the tie in injury time, but failed to finish a one-on-one.
“We were not at the races in the first half but we controlled the second [despite] a ropey last ten,” said manager Upton.
On Wednesday, as the Advertiser went to press, City travelled to the league leaders Keyworth.
Southwell went 1-0 down inside the opening ten minutes as both centre-halves were drawn to a long ball.
Having lost the initial flick, Callum Wolloch ran clear to finish past Fletcher.
City equalised in the second half when Selby found Moran, and the latter headed home.
Selby then combined with Will Stocks eight minutes later as the winger fired into the near corner to give the visitors the lead.
Matthew Hopewell spoiled the Southwell party though as his header with minutes to go levelled the tie.
And it nearly went from bad to worse for City who were saved by the offside flag minutes later as Keyworth had the ball in the back of the net.
The late drama continued into the 93rd minute — and the last kick of the game — as Southwell’s Fenn Radford’s thunderous effort bounced off the crossbar.
Upton said: “What a game. Keyworth edged the first in chances but we should’ve been out of sight in the second half.
“We missed lots of chances and there was lots of odd decisions.”
Last night, City travelled to Cotgrave while on Saturday they host Bilborough Town (3pm kick-off) as they play catch-up on fixtures.
