FOOTBALL: Horncastle ‘well beaten’ by Hykeham
Hykeham Town 3 Horncastle Town 1
Horncastle Town boss Paul Johnson offered no excuses after his side went down to Lincolnshire League rivals Hykeham Town and admitted: “We were well beaten.”
Once again, Johnson had selection headaches as he took his side into an always-difficult fixture with injuries ruling out several key players.
Town travelled without long-term absentees Matt Low and Gaz Melia along with Benn Wadd, Tommy Chalk, Danny Bent, regular keeper Lewis Burchnall and Steve Brown.
Andrew Shinn took his place at left-back, despite being plagued by a persistent hamstring problem.
“We were well beaten” said Johnson. “Hykeham may not be the side they once were but they are still difficult to beat on their own ground. They were certainly too good for us on the day.”
Town did not start well and just when it seemed they had weathered the early home pressure, they conceded a sloppy goal.
During the remainder of the first half, they picked up and reached the break only one goal behind, still very much in the game.
However, the second period started badly as Hykeham doubled their tally on 48 minutes.
Town also lost defender Daryl Dunn who limped off just minutes after the re-start and was replaced by Ben Johnson.
A tough task for Town became impossible when the home side added a third on 70 minutes, another give-away goal.
At least, Town dug in to prevent further damage and created a couple of openings.
Luke Pickford missed a chance and Michael Harness was harshly judged offside when he found the net.
Shinn had a header well saved and in the dying seconds, Harness grabbed his side’s consolation from a Pickford pass.
Town (4-4-2) B Willerton; D Dunn, C Johnson, A Enderby, A Shinn; M Harness, O Johnson, C Smith, B Watters; M Harness, L Pickford. Subs: B Johnson, C Low.
This Saturday, Town make the short trip to play Louth Town Reserves, (2.00pm).
The reserves will be in action at The Wong in a Lincoln League fixture against Mons FC, (2.00pm).
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Weather for Horncastle
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: North
