ChromaSport United Counties League
Division One
Harrowby United 1
Oadby Town 2
Despite the young Oadby side having the better of the early play, the Arrows had the first real shot of the game from Sam Weatherstone which went just wide.
The Poachers went in front from the penalty spot after 28 minutes when midfielder Che Adams got to the by-line in the area and was brought down by Sam Kirton’s mistimed tackle. Substitute Ollie Brown-Hill despatched the spot kick, sending Arrows keeper Jack Drury the wrong way.
After 34 minutes, a one-two between Lee Shaw and Martin Wormall ended with the latter shooting just over the bar. A minute later, the visitors went two up when a slick Oadby move created the opportunity for Kris Stevenson to square to Callum Earls who shot past Drury from 10 yards.
Harrowby created two more openings before the break, the first when a cross into the box was headed wide by Jamie Preston with Poachers keeper Denhem Hinds in no man’s land, and the second when a clearance from Dan Reidy found Shaw whose shot was comfortably saved by Hinds.
The Arrows introduced Craig Wilson for the second period, replacing Luke Peberdy, and it immediately paid off when Wilson’s positive run at the Oadby defence resulted in a free kick on the edge of the area. Bobby Lee stepped up and fired home the kick, all be it with a little deflection, past Hinds only a minute after the restart.
The Arrows pressed forward at every opportunity during the half but the Poachers’ defence, well marshalled by Jim Dodds, soaked up the pressure. Substitute Scott Webb had a shot saved by Hinds after 65 minutes and a minute later the Arrows carved a great opening for Wilson who just failed to get a good connection inside the six yard box, and saw his effort run agonisingly past the post with the keeper beaten.
On 70 minutes, a break from Oadby found Earls through on goal but his chipped effort was finger-tipped past the post by a stretching Drury. Harrowby continued to press but the Poachers saw out the remaining time to take the three points.
Harrowby’s man of the match was Sam Weatherstone.
Match ball sponsor was S.A.O. Carpentry & Joinery of Grantham.
Harrowby United: Drury, Weatherstone, Vorley (Webb, 47), Hill, Reidy, Peberdy (Wilson, 45), Kirton, Lee, Preston, Wormall, Shaw.