Ron Eaglen Cup – Round One
It may have been Movie week for those of us, and yes there will be plenty of you out there, that were forced to watch Strictly last night but today saw the Autumnal drama that Ron Eaglen Round One usually produces at this time of the year when the evenings are really starting to draw in.
Pride of place must go AFC Golden Eagle who last year competed in Division Four and who found themselves elevated 3 divisions this Season to Division One. Today they hammered Premier Division opponents Newton United in a game played out at South Clifton due to pitch congestion at Bracebridge Heath. This result, taken in isolation, would suggest that the League decision to promote the Eagle 3 divisions was a meritous one despite reservations of some within the Eagle ranks at the time.
Cherry Willingham FC from Division Two also enjoyed a superb win by putting out Premier Division opponents Saxilby Athletic who themselves have found life hard since the start of the Season in their new divisional surroundings.
Railway Inn United recorded an impressive looking victory against opposition from two divisions higher when they ran out 3-1 winners at home to Welton FC from Division One.
Coningsby FC from League Division Two will be delighted at knocking out early Division One leaders Trent Valley when they held their nerve with the dreaded penalties. The game ended 0-0 after 90 minutes and then 1-1 after extra time. The final score after the taking of penalty kicks was 4-1 to Coningsby.
Ruston Sports were another team overcoming higher division opposition when they visited St Helens FC who play one division higher in the League format. A solid looking 3-0 victory for Ruston Sports sees them progress safely into the next round of the competition.
There were two all Premier Division clashes with Anglers taking on Rustons United out at Saxilby and Metheringham FC entertaining New Swan FC at Metheringham. Both games went to extra time with Anglers versus Rustons finishing 1-1. The Rustons boys held their nerve to record an impressive away win thanks to a final score of 5-4 in their favour from the 12 yard spot. New Swan only needed extra time at Metheringham after the 90 minutes ended 1-1 but the additional 30 minutes produced 3 further goals for the visitors as they took the tie 4-1 after extra time.
Highest scorers of the day in this competition were Nettleham FC as they recorded a 7-1 home win over Dunston FC whilst Lincoln Moorlands scored one goal less as they ran out 6-1 winners at home to Shakespeare Athletic.
North Lindum Hawks from Division Two pushed their Premier Division opponents Hykeham Town TRFC in a 5 goal thriller with the Premier Division team coming out on the right side of the score line thanks to a narrow 3-2 victory.
Wragby was the place for a goal feast as the home side defeated same division opponents FVA Jerusalem 4-3 in a 7 goal spectacle.
Old Boys United’s good start to the Season was maintained courtesy of a 4-1 home win against AFC West End, whilst another side hitting 4 goals were The Sports Bar who won 4-0 away at Broadley FC. The final 2 games played in the competition were decided by just one goal in each. Railway Inn AFC took the tie at Plough Sturton 3-2, whilst Welton Sports AFC won 2-1 at home to Queen in the West FC. The fixture between AFC Harpars and Bassingham Bugle Horn FC was postponed as the home side were unable to raise a side so Bassingham progress into the next round as per rule.
The draw for Round Two of this competition has been made and appears on the Ron Eaglen Cup page under CUPS on the website.
Division Two
It’s very rare that a side can jump more than half way up the table with a slender one goal victory but Waddington United did exactly that today thanks to a goal by Ross Dalton which saw then get maximum points from their first League game of the Season when they entertained Lincoln High Street at Mere Road. This was the only game played in the division due to the fixtures played in the Ron Eaglen Cup.
Division Three
Newtoft Terriers hit 5 goals today thanks to a 5-2 home victory over Lincoln RNA whilst Birchwood United continued their good form following their promotion last Season. Today they recorded an excellent 3-1 away victory against Queen Athletic which sees them occupying 3rd spot in the League table just 2 points behind the League Leaders.
Division Four
Nosey FC remain top of this division after a highly entertaining 3-3 draw at home to much improved side this season HBW United. I saw much of this game myself whilst visiting the games played at Yarborough today and I must congratulate the players on both sides, and both management teams, for playing the game in a great spirit. Highly competitive but played fairly with smiles on faces. The referee Dave Dowman set the tone for this with his excellent handling of the game so well done to all involved in this game, it was a pleasure to watch.
Morning Star FC have made an impressive start to their first Season in the League and they continued their good form today with a 3-0 win at home to Branston Homeguard. Metheringham Reserves look another useful new team to the League and they had a slender 3-2 away win against much improved The Blue Lion. Saxilby Sports FC are enjoying life in the League this Season and their 3-1 away win at The Shed FC maintained their good early Season form. Finally in this Division Shakespeare Imps recorded a good looking 5-2 win away at FVA Jerusalem Reserves as they also look a good new team to have in the League ranks.
Ian Stephenson