Kidsgrove won their first league match since September as three first-half goals sealed a 3-0 win at home to Sheffield FC.
Anthony Malbon slotted home the first while Jordan Johnson and Jack Sherratt both scored soon after to put Grove in a position of real authority at half-time.

In a second half of few chances Peter Ward’s team remained on top, controlling the tempo of the game to guide themselves over the line and return to winning ways in the Evo-Stik First Division South.

Grove’s last victory in the league came against Tividale at the end of September while more recent success has been in the cup competitions, but the past two months have underlined the side’s attacking threat, particularly after going behind as the comebacks against Leek Town and Newcastle Town highlight.

But in today’s encounter it looked as though there would be no need for another dramatic fightback, as the home side got off to the perfect start through Malbon, who latched on to Tom Morris’ long ball to break clear and score with a low finish on 15 minutes.

The scale of Grove’s dominance became apparent when Johnson, following a period of sustained pressure from the hosts’ attacking players, rounded Sheffield goalkeeper Thomas Dunn to convert from a tight angle.

Grove would be celebrating yet again just moments later as Sherratt found himself in the right place at the right time to emphatically plant the ball into an empty net after a rebound fell kindly at the feet of the midfielder.

With the home side now 3-0 up, the second 45 minutes saw Grove keep possession for long periods without seriously testing the Sheffield defence, Nick Wellecomme got on the end of Malbon’s through-ball but was thwarted by the offside flag in what proved to be the clearest sight of goal for the hosts.

In the end it mattered little as Grove secured an emphatic win that not only confirms three vital points in the league but leaves the team in good shape ahead of the rescheduled cup match against Marine on Tuesday.

By Matthew Henderson