Ron Eaglen Challenge Cup – Quarter Finals
The semi finals of this year’s competition will be contested by Ivy Tavern, New Swan FC, Ruston Sports FC, and Scothern United, all of whom came through their quarter final games unscathed today. Ivy Tavern overcame Lincoln Moorlands 6-0, New Swan defeated division four side Hykeham Athletic 8-0, Ruston Sports FC saw off the challenge of Travellers Rest 2-0 and Scothern United will be savouring their 4-1 win at Rustons United, a team that defeated them 10-0 in the League at the end of October.
The draw for the semi finals of this years competition will be made by the League Management Committee at their next meeting which takes place on Monday 9th January 2017. The semi final games will be played on Sunday 12th February 2017.
Premier Division
There was just one game played in this division today and this saw Metheringham defeat Welton Sports AFC 5-0 at the Paddock, a result which sees the visitors rooted even further to the bottom of the League whilst their hosts climbed one place in the table above Newton United who were without a fixture today.
Division One
Gatehouse FC made it 7 wins out of 7 with a slender 1-0 win at AFC Harpars, a result which saw them go to the top of the table as the leaders at the start of the day, Welton FC, came unstuck at Hykeham Memorial FC, going down 3-1, a result that sees Welton slip to second in the League table whilst Hykeham Memorial FC climb to fifth in the table with plenty of games in hand to concern the teams that are currently above them. Saxilby Athletic climbed to third spot following their 8-3 demolition of AFC Plough, a team that suffered their third consecutive defeat after making a bright start to this campaign.
Division Two
League leaders Railway Inn AFC picked up a point at Plough Sturton in a 1-1 draw whilst second placed Bassingham Bugle Horn FC closed the gap by winning 6-3 at Crows Athletic. Greenbank FC are now third following their close fought 2-1 win at home to Waddington United, a result which sees the two teams change places in the table. FVA Jerusalem move up to fourth spot after their impressive 5-1 home win against much improved Red Lion Dunston. Newton United enjoyed a 2-1 home success against Woodhall Spa United to extend their unbeaten run to 4 games and in doing so inflict Woodhall’s 5th game on the trot without a League win.
Division Three
League Leaders Wragby FC made it 10 straight League wins today with a comprehensive 6-1 win at home to Ingleby Arms (Marton) FC. Second placed Shakespeare Athletic hit the goals trail out at Branston, returning home after an 11-2 success against HBW United. Cherry Willingham won their 6th consecutive League game today thanks to a 5-4 home win over Fox & Hounds FC to occupy 3rd place in the table. I can already imagine receiving some emails saying “how can this be right when they have only played 6 League games and they have drawn 1?”. The answer to that is that they defeated Witham FC in the middle of their current run but that game has been deleted from the League table following Witham’s resignation from the League. Dynamo Varsity are 4th after their 4-0 home win today against Newtoft Terreirs and North Lindum Hawks jumped over Queen in the West FC today in the table after the 2 teams met at Queen’s with Hawks running out victorious by 4-3. Turks Head won 3-2 at Lincoln RNA to leave their hosts rooted to the bottom of the table.
Division Four
Today saw the return fixture of top v bottom when leaders Coningsby FC visited The Blue Lion FC, a team they defeated 16-0 on the opening Sunday of the season. The Blue Lion, despite still waiting to collect their first points of the season, have improved immeasurably recently and they came close to pulling off the shock of their season today when they were leading 3-2 at one stage before going into 2 minutes of stoppage time whilst holding the leaders at 3-3. The visitors claimed the points with 2 last minute goals to win the game 5-3 but The Blue Lion are looking ever more likely to gain their first points of the season anytime soon and fair play to them all for their commitment to date. AFC Golden Eagle kept up the heat in second place with a 4-0 home win against The Shed FC, whilst Birchwood United recorded an impressive 2-1 home win against Railway Inn United, a result which saw the visitors lose their 100% League record. Third placed Broadley FC came unstuck at Nosey FC with the home side running out 3-2 winners whilst the final game in this division saw Saxilby Sports FC take maximum points from their visit to AFC West End with their result being a 2-1 win.
Ian Stephenson