Blues finish on a high.

Despite having to field a patched up team the Blues finished the season on a winning note, a well struck goal from Rhys Stanley ensuring they held on to fifth position in the final table. With Chris Riley unavailable, Ed Munton played his first game “between the sticks” and was instrumental in preserving Town’s one goal lead. Damian Lloyd made his full first team debut, with Jake Reynolds and Adam Willis on the bench. On a beautiful afternoon and in front of a healthy crowd, Town had the better of the early play, James Munson and Sam Wilford both going close. While the pace of play was leisurely, both sides carved out openings, Sherwood keeper Gary Doncaster pulling off a flying one-handed save from Reece Self’s acute-angled shot after Munson’s quick throw in. Rhys Stanley and Wilford were combining well, a mazy run past four defenders by Wilford ending with Stanley clearing the bar by inches. Doncaster then came out well to clear from Wilford and a flowing move between Self and Stanley saw Tom Mallinson’s final shot hacked off the line. Despite holding the upper hand for the greater part of the half, the teams were still level at the interval.
Munton was called into serious action in the 53rd minute as Lance Mulligan beat the defence, crossing for Dave Bullock who brought out an excellent one handed save from the Town keeper. He then pounced on another Mulligan effort, holding it at the second attempt. Mallinson unleashed a fierce cross shot which beat the post by inches, while in the next move Tim Gregory did the same at the other end. Reynolds replaced Munson on the hour, before Town scored the decisive goal after 73 minutes. Rhys Stanley’s perfectly struck 25 yarder giving Doncaster no chance. Things got harder for Sherwood a couple of minutes later as Charlie Taylor received a second yellow card following a clumsy challenge on Wilford. Oli Dyson was unlucky to see his goalbound shot diverted into the keeper’s arms by Adam Smith before Arron Martin, who had an excellent 90 minutes, embarked on a run from inside his own half, only to be robbed by Tom Gascoigne as he lined up his shot. With a minute left on the clock, Mulligan broke clear and looked certain to score, but Munton spread himself well to save with his feet and secure the three points. There was just time for Wilford to shave the post at the other end before the final whistle, Doncaster being red carded on his way off the field apparently for comments made to the officials.