With 19 League games played it is disappointing to only receive 2 match reports, and one text of scorers, out of a potential of 38. When I speak to people at games I am constantly told that the weekly match report section is something that people enjoy reading however to only receive such a limited response makes me question the appetite that there is for future articles of this nature and a better response from clubs in the immediate future will be required if the article is to continue after the Christmas break.
From the material received I am able to produce the following reports:
Division One
Lincoln Imp FC 5
AFC Lincoln Green 2
Lincoln Imp FC remain handily placed in fourth spot in the Division thanks to a hat-trick from Callum Ranyard and a brace from Thomas Hewitt when they entertained AFC Lincoln Green. The Imps’ man of the match was Thomas Hewitt who also provided 2 assists in addition to scoring 2 goals himself.
Division Two
Red Lion Dunston 3
Railway Inn AFC 4
Railway Inn began the match in a positive manner in the final round of matches before the festive break and quickly took control of the game. It came as no surprise to see them take the lead when a cross from the right wing was met by their forward for a simple header in. It wasn’t much longer before Railway doubled their lead when an under-hit back pass from Dunston allowed the Railway forward the simplest of tasks to run on to it and put the ball into the back of the net. Chances were few and far between for Dunston but they did not concede any more goals before half time.
Dunston, as seems to be the norm these days, were chasing the game and as a consequence they started to play better, however a mistake from keeper Harry Wright, who was standing in for Steve Brumpton, allowed Railway to make it 3-0 in the 55th minute. Dunston at least managed to keep going and they opened their scoring account a few minutes later with a great strike from Paul Masters. It wasn’t long though before Railway restored their 3 goal lead when another cross came in and was met by the Railway centre forward who get there first and knocked it in on the volley from 12 yards.
At about the 75th minute however one of the Railway defenders had to be carried off the pitch with what at first appeared to be a minor ankle injury having landed awkwardly in his area after going up for a header. With Railway having made the substitution and being down to 10 men, Dunston managed to get two quick goals back in the last 10 minutes, both scored by Master to give him his hat trick and make the score 4-3 to Railway, however with only a couple of minutes left they were unable to create any further real chances. In fairness the score line was only close due to Railway having gone down to 10 men. After the Railway player came off it soon became apparent that the injury he had sustained was much more serious with him having to go to hospital with what looked like a fractured ankle or very severe ligament damage. All of the Dunston team wish him a speedy recovery and that he is back on the field again in the near future, sentiments echoed by myself on behalf of all connected with the League I am sure.
Division Three
Ingleby Arms (Marton) FC 2
Dynamo Varstity 3
This game proved to be a hard fought victory for the visitors. Ingelby Arms started the game the stronger team with their centre midfielder running the show for the first 20 minutes and they were rewarded for their bright start with a goal midway through the half. Varsity were struggling at this stage but changed their shape to limit the home side’s danger man and they were rewarded when captain Aiden Vaughan, who had been given this task, shook off the challenge of his marker and found Vincent Van Doninck. He calmly levelled just before half time.
Thankful for the break Varsity regrouped and they were ahead 10 minutes into the second half when Vaughan found Josh Hayes who slotted past an advancing keeper. The skipper then made it a hat trick of assists when a well placed corner found Stuart Andrews who bundled the ball home. With the game coming to its conclusion Varsity gave Ingelby hope when Paul Norris smashed home past his own keeper, but the boys in blue were able to hold on for their third league win on the bounce going into a quiet January. Man of the Match for Dynamo was Aiden Vaughan.
Ian Stephenson