Both sides were aware of recent good results the tempo was slow from kick off, although each had early glimmers at goal before the opening goal came. Just past the quarter-hour, a good run by visiting winger Harrison Lowe, end with a strike that was on target, but lacked the power to bypass home stopper Woody Wells. Soon after, a good run by Ben Burrows saw him challenge the Springfield keeper who punched away well after a big bounce of the ball in the area.

Burrows would find his name on the scoresheet in the 22nd minute. Aaron Baldwin played Burrows through and under pressure from the defender, slotted the ball home calmy just inside the post.

United managed to recycle possession well in the following ten minutes or so after the goal although possession wasn't being turned into chances as the visiting keeper wasn't being tested. Thomas Kearney did put in a fine cross curling away from goal but the United forward line couldn't take advantage.

Springfield did start to gain impetus on the half-hour, as another purposeful run by Harrison Lowe found the in-form forward Harry Kateley and his fierce drive was superbly saved by the diving Wells before it found the top corner to bring parity to the game.

Unfortunately for United, from the resulting corner, a clumsy challenge in the area was detected by referee Josh O’Sullivan who pointed to the penalty spot. Up stepped Kateley and the ball found the right corner of the net, giving Wells little chance.

After the break, it was the visitors who again struck at a very opportune moment, barely a minute into the half. A rapid counter-attack was instigated by a surging run by Will Wheeler who picked out the run of Kateley with a super through ball and Kateley finished coolly into the right corner to give Matt Cardy’s side a two-goal lead.

The hosts responded quickly and boss Simon Thomas made several changes on the hour to assist with regaining the initiative. Tom Kearney again had a strike at goal which couldn’t past Haddon while substitute Lucas Polyblank fired wide after being played in by fellow replacement Louie Hay.

As the half went on, the pressure being applied by Utd heightened, although the ‘Field were doing a decent job of soaking it up said by making good interceptions. Utd did get that crucial second goal midway into the half as replacement forward Daniel Williams’ fine strike evaded the defenders & sailed into the right side of the net.

Unsurprisingly, that goal buoyed Simon Thomas’ team and they pushed forward down the flanks to create further chances. Warder again headed wide for the hosts, while Smith had another decent chance denied by Wells. Springfield had to retreat to the confines of the own half for the last fifteen minutes and had to weather a few goal-mouth scrambles and two decent efforts by substitute Gary Cohen, the second of those chances created by a fine cross by Baldwin from the right flank. The visitors’ resolve was tested but after seven minutes of additional time, the final whistle blew and Springfield could celebrate a hard-earned three points, which takes them up to eighth and only four points behind Utd in fourth in a tight mid-table.

Thanks to Scott W for providing this match report