Chapman the hero as Sheffield FC go five unbeaten

Defender Adam Chapman scored twice, including a last gasp equaliser, to ensure Sheffield FC stretched their unbeaten run of five matches.
Sheffield FC's Lee Cooksey heads against crossbar in 2-2 draw at Wisbech Town. Picture: Joseph SmartSheffield FC's Lee Cooksey heads against crossbar in 2-2 draw at Wisbech Town. Picture: Joseph Smart
Sheffield FC's Lee Cooksey heads against crossbar in 2-2 draw at Wisbech Town. Picture: Joseph Smart

Club found themselves two goals down to struggling Wisbech Town only to roar back for a share of the spoils.

Sheffield had gone in search of a fifth BetVictor South East Division away victory against a lowly Wisbech side with just one win in seven on home soil.

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However, Gavin Smith’s men made the worst possible start as they conceded two quick-fire goals inside the opening 15 minutes.

Poor marking allowed Danny Draper to fire the hosts in front from a ball into the box with 14 minutes on the clock.

The Club defence was found wanting again a minute later as Draper helped himself to his second.

Lee Cooksey went close to getting once back only for his header to crash against the crossbar. Five minutes before the interval though and Sheffield were back in the game as Chapman found the net with a stooping header from a corner.

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It was a much better performance from Sheffield in the second half, yet despite putting plenty of balls into the Wisbech box, it looked like being a fruitless journey.

That was until the 90th minute when Club got men forward at a corner and when the ball was flicked on Chapman showed determination to get there first to smash home from close range to earn a deserved share of the spoils

Stocksbridge Park Steels saw their home clash with South East Division leaders Carlton Town washed out following heavy morning rain.

In one of only five games played in the Toolstation NCE League, Handsworth made it three league wins from the last four after twice coming from behind to beat bottom of the table Athersley Recreation 5-3 to move up to 14th in the Premier Division.

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The visitors, who were looking to end a run of six defeats on the spin, rocked the Ambers by taking a 20th minute lead when Kane Swinburn converted a cross.

It didn’t take Handsworth long to restore parity when just three minutes later Anthony Mackie tucked home a rebound after a Leon Osbourne shot, who was playing despite being involved in a traffic en-route to the ground, had cannoned off the post.

Athersley regained the lead five minutes before the break with Swinburn grabbing his second with a deflected shot that left keeper Ben Townsend wrong footed.

The Ambers turned the game on its head in the second half with a devastating three-goal blast in the space of eight minutes

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Osbourne grabbed his second on 54 minutes heading in a Alfie Eagle cross on 54 minutes to level the scores once more. Two minutes later and Handsworth had the lead for the first time as Leon Howarth fired home after latching onto Mackie’s through ball. And the home side made it 4-2 on 61 minutes when Marley Grant thumped home a loose ball after the visitors had failed to deal with a corner.

Athersley were given hope when they pulled it back to 4-3 on 78 minutes with Swinburn completing his hat-trick, curling a superb 25-yard free-kick past Townsend.

However, with four minute remaining the Ambers wrapped up the points with fifth.

Young substitute Callum Walton showing his promise with an excellent run and finish for his first senior goal.

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The game ended on a sour note as Handsworth had Harry Bamforth sent off deep into stoppage after the hosts had won a free-kick.

Hallam saw their clash with Division One leaders Winterton Rangers postponed with Sandygate Road pitch waterlogged

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