After the previous weeks disappointment of going out of the cup to Wyberton res, Kirton were paired against Wyberton again for an away league match Martin Durrant was absent and so was Michael Collins due to a nasty tackle from the previous week which resulted in his ankle been in a cast (we all hope he has had speedy recovery) Kurt West returned in centre defence, young Niall Larkin made his first start at left back, and new signing James Hardy was brought into midfield.
Kirton didn’t want a repeat of the week before ,and took the game to Wyberton from kick off ,the midfield was stronger and the forward line was causing them problems from the start , but Kirton after a couple of early misses had to wait until the 20th minute before they scored Marc Neall collected the ball on the edge of the box and after seeing his first shot blocked the rebound come back to him nearly on the ground he beat the keeper with a shot with his other foot, that flew into the net. After the restart it was Kirton who looked most like scoring again and five minutes later they did Declan Sands was put through and he hit a shot right into the bottom corner of the net beyond the keeper to make it 2-0 to Kirton. Some hard work in midfield and defence kept Wyberton out as they looked to get back in the game, but after another 15 mins they were level, firstly on 30 mins a unlucky header from a Kirton defender put Wyberton through, and with Joe Gilbert in the Kirton goal coming out to close their player down he lobbed the ball over his head and into the empty net,3 mins after both teams were level, some slack defending on the edge of the Kirton area and the wyberton player was given time to turn and fire a brilliant shot into the near corner beyond the diving keeper.35 minutes played and it was 2-2 but the half was not over yet ,with some strong challenges coming in and pressure still been applied Kirton forced a corner and as Ashley Davis floated the ball into the area James hardy flicked the ball on and arriving at the far post was Callum McDonald to head the ball home for 2-3 and give Kirton the lead before half time. The second half started without any changes Wyberton started pressing more looking for the equaliser , Kirton were fighting hard as a team to keep them out Kurt West never backed out of a challenge the whole game and was playing brilliant in defence, as was Callum McDonald and Niall Larkin after taking a nasty knock in the eye from the first half and Lewis Dunworth on the right .The midfield power house of Richard Ford who never shirked out of a challenge ,and the midfield dynamo of Marc neall who never stopped running, but it was 20 mins before Wyberton Equalised, some pressure from Wyberton down the right and a deep cross to the far post ,confusion between the goalkeeper and defender and the ball bounced through and into the goal of the post,Wyberton were in the mood now and 5 mins later they were in front ,a surging run down the left and the player cut inside unleashed a shot into the far corner of the net 4-3 to the hosts with 15 mins left.
Reece West was brought on for Ashley Davis who had a good game on the wing, but was only took off to add a bit of beef to the midfield James Hardy was pushed up front, and this paid off ten minutes later as Kirton were pressing and won a throw in deep into Wybertons half, Richard Ford with one of his long throws launched the ball into the penalty area and with some confusion with their goalkeeper Declan sands headed the ball into the net. As time ticked by and only 5 mins left some brilliant running again by Marc Neall who from the halfway line to the by-line he got a cross into the box and with the ball running wide James Hardy thrashed the ball into the net to put Kirton into the lead, We managed to hold on for the last 5 mins which seemed like another half hour, but everyone dug in deep and claimed the 3 points for a much deserved victory, this was a great all round team performance no one had a bad game there were 4 players that were outstanding and could all have been players of the match but on this occasion Lewis Dunworth for his gritty determination just won it. well done lads great win well played all of you , see its nicer to be enjoying your sat and Sunday with a win behind you than a loss.........let’s keep it up for next week to believe in your selves you have had some unlucky results from games you should have won, onwards and upwards for the KIRTON TOWN
