A makeshift Manor Farm silenced the doubters with a dominant and comfortable win at Shaftesbury.
Despite the league positions, Farm knew this would be a tough outing. Not only had Shaftesbury won three of their last four matches, but Farm were also missing at least four regular starters and had struggled with consistency in recent weeks. Injuries and suspensions forced Farm to bring in three returning players, one of whom made the perfect start to his return within just three minutes. Evander Grubb cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the far top corner.
The Farm celebrations had barely died down when Lashenko’s makeshift eleven doubled their lead inside five minutes. A clever corner routine saw Grubb add an assist to his name as he rolled the ball low for Louis Britton, who ended his mini goal drought by slotting home the second.
Farm continued to press and created several more chances before the break. Britton came inches away from connecting with a Mason Winter cross, and another returning forward, Ben Bament, fired just over the bar. Shaftesbury finally had an opportunity at the very end of the first half. Former Bristol Rovers and City forward Brett Pitman, back at Shaftesbury after a prolific spell last year, was found at the back post but could only head over the bar.
There had been plenty of talk about Pitman, but Farm have a marquee striker of their own they wouldn’t trade for anyone. Louis Britton spotted the home keeper Murphy out of position and sent a long-range effort into the net for his 23rd goal of the season.
The game fizzled out in the second half, with the home side struggling to mount any significant threat. Meanwhile, Farm held firm to secure their third clean sheet in the last four games.