Premier Division

Gainsborough Town  1    Skegness United  2

United secured the one point they required to take the title with this win over the only other side who could have taken the title from them.

On a warm sunny afternoon both sides started in a competitive manner knowing what was at stake for each of them. United had the advantage of the slope in the first half.

It was United who had the first half chance after 8 minutes when a shot was wide of the target.

The early part of the match was busy in midfield, and both sides moving the ball well. Adam Broom was unlucky with a shot, and then Kurt Crossley was released through the middle, however his shot was wide of the target. Gainsborough were using the height of Lee Bognar to set up counter attacks, however he had no support when he won any ball. Then following a United corner Kyle McGuigan had his headed stopped on the line. Then on a Gainsborough counter attack Jamie Skinner cleared the danger, and following this Ben Martin had to be quick of his line to gather a through ball. United went back onto the attack, and were probing the home defence to find the final ball to break the deadlock.

With half time approach United get the goal they were looking for when Michael Howard was pushed over in the area. JORDAN WALDEN stepped up to send home keeper Danny Markam the wrong way with the spot kick.

Soon afterwards the half time whistle blew, and United went in with goal advantage, which on balance of play they deserved.

The second half started with the home side looking quickly to get back on level terms. They did this after just 5 minutes when a slip in the visitors defence resulted in Lee Bognar taking advantage, and with a neat chip placed the ball over Ben Martin into the far corner of the net.

Shortly afterwards Mark Hallam replaced Michael Howard, and Kyle McGuigan moving to a more forward position.  United restored their two goal advantage shortly afterwards when Crossley was released down the left by Rayner-Mistry, and when his cross came over Kyle McGuigan got in between two home defenders, and the ball found its way into the net. The goal went down as an o.g., however McGuigan had a big influence in the the final result. Following this Jordan Walden was unlucky with a shot. The home side were still having plenty of the ball in midfield, however with United holding a high line, many of the balls over the defence where going out for goal kicks, or gathered by Martin in goal. However, on two occasions Martin had to punch clear from a couple of dangerous looking crosses. United were still looking to increase their lead, and McGuigan had a shot gathered by Markam, and then from a corner Skinner hit the bar with a header. Gainsborough came back looking to get back on level terms, however they were finding it difficult against visitors back line. With the game drawing to an end Crossley had a shot charged down by Markam, and Ryan O’Loughlin firing wide.

The match ended with United taking the title with three matches to play, and all the side had played their part in the victory. Both sides playing the game in a sporting and completive manner, along with praise to referee Gavin Sartain in his control of the match, and not having to produce a yellow card.

Team: Ben Martin, Arron Scutt, Ross Muirhead, Jordan Walden, Jamie Skinner, Adam Broom, Luke Rayner-Mistry, Kyle McGuigan, Michael Howard ( Mark Hallam ), Ryan O’Loughlin and Kurt Crossley.

Unused subs: Jordan Smith, Josh Clarke and Jobe Stainton.

Man of the Match: Kyle McGuigan