After a couple of home defeats, 5-1 against Horncastle 2nds and 3-1 against Long Sutton 4ths, Grantham recorded a 3-0 victory against Bourne Deeping 6ths.

It seems Grantham play better when a full team is not available…10 today took on a youthful side from Bourne.

With Nick Jack in goal for the first time this season, a back three of George Lodge, Jem Hill and Graham Johnson, midfield of Mark Pearce, Nick Wraith, Will Hill, David Braunton and Andy Hill, set up behind Jack Lee in attack.

Bourne got their team to the pitch first and took the end that Grantham usually play from in the first half, playing down the slight slope. The game was fairly even to begin with each team probing each other’s defences, and as in Grantham’s previous two matches the home team took the lead about half way through the first 35 minutes. Jack Lee increasing his tally for the season to two.

George Lodge, who normally plays upfront or on the wing, took a little while to settle into the right back slot, but towards the end of the first half was beginning to boss Bourne’s left wing attack.

At the half-time whistle Grantham were very pleased to keep the lead, not having conceded any goals.

From the start of the second half, Grantham weathered and repulsed attacks by Bourne, but did concede a couple of short corners, but these were dealt with one way or another.

Going up the other end of the pitch Grantham forced their own short corner and Jem Hill scored with a clinical shot, deflected by the keeper, but still hitting the back board to give Grantham a 2-0 lead.

Despite only having 10 men, Grantham stuck more to their positions of play and worked together as a complete unit, rather than attack and defence with very little in the midfield (as happened in the previous two games). Another attack led to Jack Lee scoring his second of the match at the second attempt, which left the result in no doubt.

There was some good play by Grantham, better link up between players, although wayward passes still need working on and not getting caught on the ball!

Next week sees Leadenham 2nds come to Grantham, which should be a sterner test, from the team who nearly won promotion last season.