Premier Division
The top 2 teams consolidated their respective positions today with slender victories over their main challengers who occupied positions 3rd and 4th at the start of today. Leaders Swan FC overcame the challenge of Rustons Sports courtesy of a 2-1 win at Birchwood whilst second placed Ivy Tavern travelled to Rustons United and left with a 1-0 win to their credit. Metheringham FC moved up to third spot today without needing to get changed as their fixture at Scothern was postponed with the home side unable to raise a team. Newton United maintained their improved form since the turn of the year and today’s 4-2 home win over bottom side Welton Sports AFC saw them move up to fourth from bottom, their highest League position over the last couple of seasons.
Division One
Horncastle Town will be delighted with their performance today as they secured an impressive 3-3 draw at leaders Gatehouse FC. This result sees Gatehouse’s lead cut back at the top as they failed to win for only the second time this season in the League. Horncastle remain third from bottom but will take heart from their performance today for sure. Second placed Saxilby Athletic enjoyed a 2-1 away win at Hykeham Memorial FC, a result which now sees them sitting just 2 points behind the leaders however they have played 2 games more. Welton FC lead the division for much of the early part of the season before falling away with a string of defeats, however they have found some consistency of late and their win today by 7-0 at home to AFC Harpars sees them return to third spot in the table. Today’s reverse for Harpars sees them remain second from bottom despite a run of excellent results since the turn of the year. Trent Valley’s impressive run of late continued today with a 4-3 win at bottom side St Helens FC and Old Boys United won 4-1 away at AFC Lincoln Green, the team that occupy the place immediately above them in tonight’s League table.
Division Two
Leaders Bassingham Bugle Horn FC were made to work for their points today by visitors Red Lion Dunston but they took maximum points from the contest thanks to a slender 1-0 home win. The result does little to help Red Lion at the wrong end of the table as they remain second from bottom but with Bassingham having won 9 of their previous 11 League games the visitors will take heart from their performance today. FVA Jerusalem moved into second spot after their 4-1 away win at Plough Sturton and in doing so they replaced Railway Inn AFC in second spot after Railway were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Bardney FC. Waddington United have been in good form of late but their 2-6 defeat away at bottom of the table Lincoln High Street FC gave the home side their first League win of the season. The remaining game between two of the mid table teams, namely Crows Athletic and Newton United Reserves saw the points go the way of the home side with Crows recording an impressive looking 7-1 victory.
Division Three
There were just 2 games played in this division today. Second placed Shakespeare Athletic took maximum points from their visit to bottom of the table Lincoln RNA with a 2-1 win, this result saw them close the gap on leaders Wragby FC having now played an equal amount of games with them. The points difference currently stands at 5 in favour of the team from Wragby. The other game in this division saw North Lindum Hawks and Turks Head share the points in a 1-1 draw.
Division Four
Broadley FC returned to the top of the division after their resounding 6-0 win away at The Shed FC. They replaced Coningsby FC who found themselves without a game today. Railway Inn United were the latest team to increase bottom of the table The Blue Lion FC’s goal difference as they ran out 9-2 winners up at Bracebridge Heath. Birchwood United were proving to be a consistent force until they recently reached the Cup Final of the Fred Quibell Cup and since achieving that their form has deteriorated alarmingly. Today saw them go down 1-0 away at Nosey FC. Hykeham Athletic remain in the mix at the top end of the division after they were awarded the points today with FVA Jerusalem Reserves unable to field a team with most of their players choosing to have a weekend in London as part of the famous Impvasion according to their disappointed Manager.
Ian Stephenson