15th January – Results round-up

Fred Quibell Junior Cup Quarter Finals

Today saw the quarter final matches played in this competition which is open to all sides that play in the lower 3 divisions of the League.

I had the privilege of watching most of the second half and extra time of the game played at Ravendale Drive between North Lindum Hawks and AFC Golden Eagle. The game finished 2-2 after 90 minutes and a penalty awarded to North Lindum Hawks during the extra time period looked like being the potential winner until home keeper Chris Bennett, who had an outstanding game generally, flung himself to his left to push the well struck kick away to safety. This proved to be pivotal when a Golden Eagle striker earned his side a place in the semi finals with a last minute of extra time goal to see his side through. Credit must go to both teams who played the game in a fantastic spirit and at a pace and skill level that belied their League status. They did the League and themselves proud and it was a joy to watch such a game. Great credit too must go to young referee Jayke Brophy who handed the game magnificently and who’s excellent interpretation of the use of advantage assisted the game as a spectacle to those who saw it. Well done to all involved.

AFC Golden Eagle will now host highly placed Division 3 side Shakespeare Athletic in the semi final after Shakespeare saw off the challenge today of Red Lion Dunston when they ran out winners 6-3 out at Dunston. The other games saw Birchwood United overcome the challenge of Saxilby Sports AFC in a 7 goal thriller at the Birchwood, 4-3 the winning scoreline in that one, and Turks Head, who finished their game at home to Cherry Willingham 2-2 after extra time but won the penalty shoot out 4-3. The latter results sees Birchwood United take on Turks Head at the Birchwood Leisure Centre for a place in the final at the end of the season.

Premier Division

League leaders New Swan kept up the pace with a good win in a 9 goal thriller at Ruston Marconi’s ground when they triumphed 5-4 against Ruston Sports FC. Second placed Lincoln Moorlands went down 3-9 at home to defending champions Ivy Tavern and Rustons United moved up to third spot with a 4-2 win away at Travellers Rest. Scothern United were unable to raise a side with their opponents Metheringham so the points were awarded to Metheringham in accordance with League rules. This sees Metheringham  consolidate their position in the middle of the League table and sees Scothern drop a couple of places to 7th.

Division One

Leaders Gatehouse FC maintained their 100% League record with a 5-2 home win over second at the start of the day Welton FC. Saxilby Athletic earned a 1-1 draw at Old Boys United which now sees them sitting second in the table on goal difference to Welton FC after the two teams changed places in the table today. Hykeham Memorial FC made the long trip out to Horncastle Town but returned with maximum points after recording a 3-2 victory whilst AFC Lincoln Green bagged all 3 points courtesy of a 4-2 win at St Helens FC. The remaining 2 games saw the points shared in draws. Lincoln Imp FC and AFC Plough drew 2-2, and Trent Valley FC and AFC Harpars finished 1-1.

Division Two

With the top two sides without fixtures today third placed Greenbank FC closed the gap by recording a 5-4 win at bottom of the table Lincoln High Street FC. Fourth placed FVA Jerusalem returned from South Clifton with a point from their 1-1 draw against Newton United Reserves, and Waddington United moved up to fifth place in the table after their 2-1 victory at home to Bardney FC. The final game in this division saw Woodhall Spa United’s poor form of late continue when they went down 0-2 at home to Plough Sturton, a result that the visitors move up a place in the table with the hosts remaining second to bottom.

Division Three

There were just two games played in this division today with leaders Wragby FC maintaining their relentless form when they made it 12 wins out of 12 in the league thanks to a 5-0 demolition of Queen in the West FC. The other game saw Newtoft Terriers enjoy a 6-1 win at home to HBW United, a result which saw the two teams exchange places in the League table due to Newtoft’s superior goal difference.

Division Four

Broadley FC took advantage of leader’s Coningsby FC’s week without a fixture to go level on points at the top of the division. They did so by defeating Railway Inn United 3-2 at Yarborough, and in doing so inflicted their visitors with only their second league defeat of the season after they had won their opening 6 league games. Hykeham Athletic moved up to fourth spot and look well placed to make a challenge at the top following their 6-2 win today at home to AFC West End.

Next week sees the Quarter final matches of the Jock Mitchell Memorial Trophy played with a place in the semi finals of that competition up for grabs. That trophy is the competition for clubs competing in the lower two divisions of the League.

Ian Stephenson