Yesterday the Country witnessed the most heroic performance from Lincoln City in the FA Cup and today saw the opportunity for two teams to have the privilege of playing in a cup final at the home of the magnificent City team. What a prize that is for anyone involved in local Sunday Football.
The Fred Quibell Junior Cup was the competition that offered the prestigious reward for the victorious semi finalists today with AFC Golden Eagle entertaining Shakespeare Athletic, and Birchwood United playing host to Turks Head.
AFC Golden Eagle needed extra time against Shakespeare Athletic before running out 4-2 winners whilst Birchwood United needed only regulation time to overcome the challenge of Turks Head by winning the game 3-1.
Congratulations to both AFC Golden Eagle, and Birchwood United in reaching the final of the competition. The final will be played on 9th May 2017 at Sincil Bank. Both teams play in Division 4 of our League and when they met in the League earlier in the season it was the visitors on the day, Birchwood United, who inflicted the only defeat that AFC Golden Eagle have suffered this season when they triumphed 3-0. It should make for an excellent final.
Premier Division
There was no change to the top three positions in the division today following today’s results. Leaders New Swan won their game at home to Travellers Rest by a slender 1-0 margin, Ruston Sports and Rustons United shared 11 goals in their ‘Derby game’ with Sports winning 7-4 in a match refereed by Gary Sutton who was returning to the League after his years as an excellent Football League Referee. Ivy Tavern remain in 3rd spot after their 2-0 home win against Newton United and the village ‘derby’ at Welton between Welton Sports AFC and Scothern United went in favour of the visitors thanks to a 6-3 victory.
Division One
The top two teams at the start of the day remain comfortably placed after the day’s results. Leaders Gatehouse FC won 3-1 at bottom team St Helens FC and second placed Saxilby Athletic enjoyed a 6-2 success at much improved Trent Valley FC. Lincoln Imp FC moved back up to third place in the table after an entertaining 4-3 win in Horncastle against Horncastle Town, whilst the other Horncastle based team, AFC Harpers, continued their recent improvement in results with a resounding 5-1 home win against AFC Lincoln Green. The remaining game in this division saw Hykeham Memorial FC return home with a 4-0 win when they visited Old Boys United. This result saw Memorial climb up to fourth position in the table whilst their hosts fell to second from bottom in the table.
Division Two
Things have tightened up somewhat at the top of the division after today’s results. Leaders Bassingham Bugle Horn FC were held by Plough Sturton in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Bassingham whilst second placed Railway Inn AFC were also held 1-1 at home to bottom side Lincoln High Street FC. These results provided the opportunity for third placed FVA Jerusalem to close the gap and they did so courtesy of an excellent 4-2 away win at Waddington United. Whilst reporting this result the Waddington United Secretary stated that many of his players were suffering from a hangover from celebrating Lincoln City’s brilliant win yesterday. I have news for him – most people in Lincoln are suffering from the same condition, including myself!
Greenbank FC returned to winning ways after a major blip recently, they did so with a 2-1 win away at Bardney FC, whilst Newton United overcame the challenge of visitors Red Lion Dunston with a 2-0 home win out at South Clifton.
Division Three
Wragby FC continued with their relentless League form today with a 7-0 drubbing of HBW United, this being their 14th consecutive League win. Third spot is now occupied by Dynamo Varsity who came through a tight game with Cherry Willingham, winning by a slender 1-0 margin. This result sees the two teams exchange positions in the League. Fox & Hounds found form today with a 4-0 home win against Lincoln RNA and Newtoft Terriers enjoyed a 1-0 away success when they visited Ingleby Arms FC (Marton).
Division Four
Top spot was up for grabs today with ‘leaders at the start of the day’ AFC Golden Eagle pre-occupied with a cup semi final so the two teams immediately behind them had the opportunity to overhaul them in the table on the day. Neither wasted that opportunity with second placed Coningsby defeating The Shed FC 6-2 to move into the coveted top spot position. Broadley FC defeated Nosey FC 3-0 to move into second spot as things continue to be tight between the top 3 positions however AFC Golden Eagle’s 2 games in hand could be the telling difference at the end of April however with so much football still to be played anything could still yet happen.
Saxilby Sports AFC now occupy fourth position in the table after their excellent 6-0 away win at FVA Jerusalem Reserves and Railway Inn United returned to winning ways after an excellent 2-1 away win at Hykeham Athletic
Ian Stephenson.