Sharks fired into fifth by fine Frankham free-kick (From Gazette Series)

Sharks fired into fifth by fine Frankham free-kick

Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One Bourton Rovers 1 Sharpness 2

GOALS from Mike Sherman and Matt Frankham ensured that Sharpness maintained their good run of form with victory over Bourton.

Both sides were sluggish early on and the Sharks might have gone behind had not Nick Grove been alert to a 30-yard drive.

The visitors did soon get into their rhythm though and took the lead with a spectacular strike from Sherman. Picking up the ball in the middle of the park, Sherman drove the ball in from 35 yards for his tenth goal of the season.

Bourton should have drawn level a little later on but, after Grove parried a shot from the left, the follow up was miscued wide with the goal beckoning.

Sharpness took advantage of the situation and doubled their lead before the break.

Frankham was upended as he latched onto a Dave Nash through ball but the forward got up and bent a superb free-kick into the net from 25 yards.

The Sharks should have gone further ahead in the second half but Tommy Patterson missed when it looked easier to score.

The rest of the game was fairly comfortable for the visitors, although Rovers did pull one back in the final minute.

Sharpness have now moved into fifth place in the league and have their sights set upon improving on last season's second placed finish.