Grantham climbed out of the bottom four with a 2-0 win over Mickleover Sports.
At a wet and windy Meres Mickleover had advantage of the elements in the first half but it was Grantham who started well. Both Danny Meadows and Ben Harris got early crosses into the Mickleover box and Harris had a shot saved by Mickleover keeper Smith - Varney on 9 minutes. Mickleover countered and Jake Turner saved from Anthony Griffiths Junior a minute later. Jamie McGhee ran from his own half after 13 minutes and appeared to be brought down but referee Mr Newbold waived play on. Grantham went close to taking the lead on 17 minutes when after seeing four efforts blocked in the Mickleover area Danny Meadows found Lee Shaw but his shot went narrowly wide. Greg Smith saw his volley geo wide on 23 minutes and was then adjudged narrowly off side when he got in behind the Mickleover defence. Mickleover had a chance on 29 minutes when Andy Dales had a shooting chance but Jake turner was out quickly to block the shot with his legs and the Grantham keeper then recovered to collect the loose ball. A mix up in the Grantham defence on the half hour when Turner and Emmott appeared to leave the ball to each other presented Mickleovers Charlie Dawes with a shot at goal but he screwed his shot wide. Jamie McGhee was brought down on the edge of the box on 36 minutes which earned Mickleovers John McGrath a yellow card. When the free kick came in it was cleared off the line with Grantham forwards closing in. Mickleover ended the half strongly. Turner got down well at his near post to save from Dawes and Griffiths Junior fired over from the edge of the box. Turner was called into action again on 44 minutes when he parried a 25 yard strike from McGrath and the ball was cleared by Greg Smith. The half ended goalless.
Grantham had wind advantage in the second half but it was Mickleover who made the better start forcing 4 corners in the opening 15 minutes as Grantham struggled to get out of their own half. Jake Turner twice came to Grantham’s rescue firstly saving from Charlie Dawes with is legs and then getting down well to save at his near post. Grantham began to get back into the game and Michael Emmott saw is 35 yard effort saved by Smith – Varney on 57 minutes. Ben Harris got in a saving tackle as Mickleovers Jake Bennet threatened on 63 minutes. Grantham introduced Ben Saunders for the injured Jamie Shaw on 67 minutes. Grantham took the lead on 74 minutes when Danny Meadows got in a cross into the Mickleover 6 yard box and Greg Smith headed home to put Grantham one up. Grantham were now well on top and Sam Purcicoe made a run deep into the Mickleover half on 77 minutes and when Ben Saunders played in Ben Harris his shot was saved by Smith – Varney. Grantham doubled their lead on 78 minutes. Following a corner the ball was forced over the line with Ben Saunders credited with the final touch. Grantham brought on Jack Beckett for Ben Harris and Stefan Bilyk for Greg Smith and Grantham played out the remainder of the game to secure a valuable 3 points
Grantham
J Turner, D Meadows, M Emmott, M Hollingsworth, B McGowan, S Purcicoe, J McGhee, R Lewis, G Smith (S Bilyk 90), L Shaw (B Saunders 67), B Harris (J Becket 85)
Sub not used C Vagoroso

Mickleover Sports
M Smith – Varney, J Bennett, A Jackson, J Broadhead, D Wiley, S Berry, A Dales (C Spencer 79), S Finlaw, A Griffiths – Junior (G Pearson 79), J McGrath (Anthony O’Neil – Dwyer 79), C Dawes
Subs not used S Oshoboke, C Palmer

Referee A Newbold

Yellow Cards Grantham 1 Mickleover 3

Corner Count Grantham 6 Mickleover 8

Free Kicks Conceded Grantham 12 Mickleover 5

Attendance 200