This week’s cup focus was provided by the Preliminary round of the Fred Quibell Junior Cup.
There were 5 games which yielded 35 goals at an average of 7 goals per game. There was nothing dull about the football on offer between those 10 teams. Remarkably for the amount of goals scored all games appeared close on paper but we all know that football is not played on paper!
The game of the day if results are anything to go by was at Bassingham where the home side Bassingham Bugle Horn FC went down 5-7 to derby rivals FVA Jerusalem. Not far behind in the goal stakes were Crows Athletic and Railway Inn AFC who shared 9 goals between them with the home side Crows edging the game 5-4. The eagerly awaited derby at Heighington between Turks Head and new boys HBW United was edged 4-3 by the home side Turks Head, whilst Plough Sturton defeated visitors Dynamo Varsity 3-2 out at Sturton. Finally two of the League’s new teams in the form of Hykeham Athletic and AFC Golden Eagle came up against each other at the Memorial Hall North Hykeham and it was the visitors from the Eagle who progressed in the competition thanks to a 0-2 away win. The draw for the next round of the competition will be made this evening and will appear on the League site once it has been made.
Premier Division
League newcomers New Swan FC wasted no time in heading the division following their 7-3 home win against Newton United. Travellers Rest defeated Metheringham 4-2 at the Cowpaddle whilst the remaining two games in the division saw the points shared. Ruston Sports and Scothern United shared 10 goals between them in a highly entertaining 5-5 draw whilst Lincoln Moorlands opened up their points account in the League’s top division with a 1-1 draw against local rivals Ruston United.
Division 1
There were plenty of goals in this division with Gatehouse FC topping the scoring charts with a 7-2 home victory against Saxilby Athletic. Welton FC started life in the division comfortably following last season’s promotion with a 1-6 win away at Trent Valley FC. Old Boys United put the disappointment of their recent County Cup exit behind them with an excellent 2-4 victory away at St Helens FC. AFC Plough’s impressive start to the season continued with a handy looking 4-1 win at home to AFC Lincoln Green. The final game in this division involved the two Horncastle based sides who came up against each other for the first time in League history. The bragging rights went to the visiting team, AFC Harpars, with a 1-2 win at Horncastle Town.
Division 2
Red Lion Dunston are finding life tough at the moment with a number of players not committing themselves to them as had been expected. To their credit they are patching themselves up and keeping going which is admiral on their part. Their cause wasn’t helped today however with the visit of new to the division Greenbank FC who rattled in 8 goals without reply to make matters worse for the home side. Woodhall Spa United carried on from where they left off last season, scoring 6 without reply when they entertained Newton United Reserves, whilst Waddington United enjoyed their day by recording a 4-1 home victory against Railway Inn AFC.
Division 3
Early season pace setters Wragby FC maintained their impressive start to the season with their 3rd League win on the bounce following their 4-1 home defeat of Shakespeare Athletic. Ingleby Arms FC (Marton) won 4-2 at home to Fox & Hounds FC, and Witham FC took maximum points against Newtoft Terriers with a 2-1 home win.
Division 4
Early leaders Coningsby FC made it 3 wins on the spin with a 0-4 victory at FVA Jerusalem Reserves. Broadley FC plundered 22 goals without replay away at the hapless The Blue Lion FC whilst Birchwood United hit 8 without reply when they visited The Shed FC.
Ian Stephenson