In an eventful morning, STFC got back to winning ways against AFC Kirk Hallam. The conditions were less than ideal with freezing temperatures, frozen ground, snow falling but the team got themselves out on the pitch as soon as possible. Except for Boston. He was busy walking around Toton after a big night, unaware it was Sunday and that he had football. Fortunately, Hogg and Flewitt were on hand to take him home and collect his kit so he could play.

The lads got the nets up and warm up going before the Kirk Hallam team or the referee arrived. The referee later carried out a thorough pitch inspection which he deemed OK for now but would need regular checks throughout the game to ensure it didn't get worse.

Manager Matt Harris was forced into a number of changes with Cole buying some gloves in Devon, Toby still out long term with a knee injury and Mulligan had booked a manicure so was double booked. Harris opted for a 3-5-2 formation with Tacey dropping into midfield, Cox to wing back and Fat keeping his role up top after an impressive game against Shardlow the previous week. Bradders moved into the back three alongside Harris and Fryer.

The game started well with Cox and Boston both getting space out wide and the Hallam players seemingly happy to follow them about, wherever they went. Within the opening 10 minutes, Cox managed to swing two crosses into the box with Azza just inches away from getting something on them. Fryer, Harris and Bradders having some threat to deal with but mopped it all up well. A good chance came on the 18th minute as Boston found the ball out wide and picked out Rick inside, he continued to move the ball infield and found Flewitt who took it passed one player before being hacked down by another. After some arguing from their player to the referee and a jibe at Flewitt, their player calmed down and Flewitt took the resulting free kick which troubled their kep somewhat. That gave STFC an idea of how he'd react to long range shots.

STFC later got themselves a corner which Rick swung in, Harris headed goalwards but it was blocked and not cleared particularly well. A scramble in the box and Bradders lashed an effort toward goal which saw no block this time and went straight into the back of the net for 1-0.

The confidence boost provided STFC with more composure and chances continued to be created - Cox picking out another two crosses, Ryan having a shot from range, Hall going close but it was Tacey who got the 2nd. Fryer collecting a Kirk Hallam long ball at the back and finding Boston out wide who'd done really well so far to get the better of their full back. He found Tacey with an infield ball who managed to turn out before lashing an effort from 30 yards which would have been bread and butter for kep but he clearly had too much butter and not enough bread as he spilled the shot into his own net.

STFC were in a comfortable position but Kirk Hallam kept trying a long ball to their striker who proven in the last game he was a quick and tricky player. It was actually their striker who picked up the ball on the 36th minute and Ryan went near him and breathed. He chucked himself to the floor at the strong gust and the referee blew for a free kick. Their player stepped up and hit an effort over the wall which unfortunately, Matt spilled and their striker was on hand to collect the rebound and get one back for the visitors.

With 5 minutes to go of the first half, a Flewitt corner was lofted in which Hogg took down before hitting a shot goalwards. Their player put up his arms and Hogg bellowed out for a penalty to which the referee blew his whistle and awarded. It was the same player who gave away the free kick earlier in the half and he again pleaded his innocence with the referee but the ref stood his ground. Hogg stepped up and in a moment of madness, passed it to the kep. Play continued.

Half time came and Matt addressed what he'd seen - have more shots, don't let them have time and don't give them space. The players knew what was needed and Kirk Hallam hadn't really threatened much in the first half.

The 2nd half started as through Kirk Hallam had been given a telling off, as they came out with a bit more tempo to their game. STFC soaked it up well, with Hoggy, Flewitt and Tacey all managing to find space in midfield and distribute the ball around well. Unfortunately, Kirk Hallam did manage to find an equaliser after some well worked passing in the STFC half and their midfielder struck a low shot into the bottom corner which Matt was never going to be able to reach. 2-2 and game on.

Kirk Hallam made two changes after that to freshen things up but STFC were down to a bare 11 so had to make do with what they had on the pitch. It was STFC who looked the most likely to grab a winner, with Halls header just going wide after another Cox cross, Tacey having his shot blocked and Fat doing his best to get in behind the defenders.
However, it was Tacey who managed to get the winning goal on the 78th minute after Hogg found Fat with a nice through ball in the middle. Fat managed to turn and spot the well timed run of Tacey who got in behind the defender for a one on one and he knocked it passed kep for a tap in. He wheeled away in celebration and slid, belly first into a great puddle of muddy water. Tacey started to cry in regret.

STFC managed to play out the remainder of the game comfortably with Hallam running of steam and STFC changing their style of play to defensive.

Man of the match - Boston O'Grady

Match Statistics
Phil Harris - Attendance rating +2
Boston O'Grady - Timekeeping -1
Boston O'Grady unlocked hypothermia
Rick Ross unlocked pneumonia
Banny Bogg - Penalty Taking -2
Rick Ross - Long Shots +1
Bradders added a red rash to his temporary tattoo collection