Louth clear at the top after big win

LOUTH Town extended their lead at the top of the Central Midlands League Supreme Division table to four points with a comfortable 4-0 victory away at Calverton Miners Welfare.

Town began the game brightly on an excellent surface and dominated most of the early possession.

Sam Smith had the first opportunity, but his shot from 20 yards was comfortably dealt with by keeper Randall.

Carl Martin then fired in a vicious drive which deflected away for a corner as the Calverton defenders worked hard to get as many players behind the ball as possible.

Just when it began to look as though the home side would weather the storm, their defence was finally breached on 23 minutes when Jamie Rowbotham scored a superb individual goal.

Town's leading marksman picked up the ball just outside the area and flicked the ball over his marker, then over the next defender before slipping it past the onrushing Randall.

Rowbotham could have added to his impressive scoring record moments later when he reacted quickly in the area only to see his diving header saved.

Calverton fashioned a chance for themselves when Clarkson found himself in a yard of space on the edge of the area and turned smartly – but fired over.

Town, however, were in vibrant mood and, from their next attack, Kurt Crossley broke clear and managed to round Randall, only to have his shot from a tight angle cleared off the line.

With half-time approaching, Town thought they had won themselves a penalty when Rowbotham looked to have been brought down in the area. Their appeals were waved away by the referee.

Town resumed control after the break and a Mark Woods header from a Rowbotham cross flew just over.

With an hour gone, Town scored again to put daylight between them and Calverton.

The move was started and finished by the impressive Sam Smith who played the ball from inside his own half to Rowbotham. He beat two defenders before squaring for Smith, who had made a 50 yard run from midfield, to arrive right on cue to side-foot home.

Town's confidence was high and they extended their lead further when Martin got on the end a fiercely driven corner from Mark Wood to give Randall no chance.

Calverton tried valiantly to stage a late rally, but Town, having conceded just 17 league goals, have earned a reputation for having a mean defence and Craig Wherry remained largely untroubled.

Town had the luxury of having two quality strikers in Mark Fairburn and Danny Kilmore on the bench and manager Paul Walden introduced them both to keep the pressure on.

With the game deep into added time, the pair combined to create a goal for Fairburn, who made it 4-0 to the visitors.

Elsewhere, second-placed Kirkby Town were surprisingly beaten 6-0 by Sutton Town.