Jock Mitchell Memorial Trophy – Round Two
This competition offers the dream to our teams from Divisions 3 and 4 to reach the final and to play in a cup final with the chance of getting silverware and prestige for their Club. Today saw 16 teams going head to head for a place in the quarter finals of the competition.
There was a hatful of goals, 14 in total, at Mareham Le Fen where the home side, who are propping up all the other teams in Division three, lost out to inform Nosey FC from the Division below them when the visitors rattled in 9 goals whilst conceding 5 in a 9-5 away win.
Another team to score 5 were Queen Athletic when they defeated lower Division opponents 5-1 away at Sudbrooke Drive. Three teams scored 4 goals today, namely HBW United thanks to a 4-1 home win over FV Jerusalem Reserves, Nettleham FC with a 4-1 away win at Queen in the West FC, and The Shed who ran out 4-2 winners at home to Shakespeare Imps.
Three teams scored 3 goals each in their games to earn a place in the Quarter finals of the competition, these being Division Three leaders Birchwood United who won 3-1 against Saxilby Sports FC, Morning Star who perhaps sprung the surprise of the round courtesy of a 3-1 home victory over higher Division opponents Broadley FC, and Ruston Sports FC who needed extra time before putting The Sports Bar out of the competition by 3-2 at Rustons.
Premier Division
This evening sees new leaders in the shape of Anglers FC who now occupy top spot courtesy of a slender 1-0 home win against former League leaders Hykeham Town TRFC. A Craig Bridge penalty within the first 5 minutes of the game separated the two sides although Hykeham had their chances with the home keeper making an impressive double save in the first half when it seemed certain that Hykeham would score and when Hykeham did beat the keeper near the end the woodwork came to the home side’s aid when a thunderous shot rebounded out and back into play before the resulting header on goal was too high to hit the mark.
Hykeham Memorial recorded their first League win in the Division today when they ran out 5-2 winners at home to Lincoln Moorlands/Railway FC. This result sees them record their fourth point of the campaign, ironically against the same opposition that saw them gain their first League points of the Season when they gained a very credible 4-4 draw on that occasion. This result sees Memorial jump up two places from second bottom position whilst Lincoln Moorlands/Railway FC drop to fourth place.
Newton United will no doubt be celebrating this evening as their 3-2 home win over Metheringham FC saw them record their first League victory of the Season and in doing so they climbed off the bottom of the table to be replaced by Saxilby Athletic in that spot, Saxilby did not have a fixture today.
Division One
Bassingham Bugle Horn FC went goal crazy today when they visited Railwway Inn AFC at North Scarle. They returned home with an 8-4 victory to their credit, a result which sees them change places with their opponents in the League table, ironically on goal difference with both sides having obtained 8 points each so far this Season.
The remaining game in this Division saw Old Boys United and Welton Sports AFC share the points in a 1-1 draw at Washingborough. This result sees Welton Sports remain second in the table whilst their hosts climbed three places to 7th with the other teams around them not having a fixture today.
Division Two
The game of the day in this Division today had to be the one at Birchwood where the home side, Shakespeare Athletic, lead Waddington United by 5 goals to nil after just 35 minutes. What was said by the Waddington Manager at half time is not known but his team scored 7 goals in the second half to win the game 7-5. It would also be interesting to know what the Shakespeare Manager said to his team at full time after surrendering a 5 goal lead! Game of two halves? It certainly was, in spectacular style. Waddington move up to 6th place in the table with a whole cluster of teams level on 9 points apiece. Leading that cluster, on goal difference from the others, is North Lindum Hawks. They recorded a fine 7-3 away win at Dunston, whilst AFC Harpars now occupy fourth spot after their 5-1 home win over Heighington FC. Coningsby FC are moving in the right direction again after an indifferent start to the Season and this was underlined today when they defeated Lincoln High Street 4-2 at Yarborough.
Division Three
There was just one game played in this Division today and this saw Lincoln RNA take maximum points when they entertained Newtoft Terriers at Skellingthorpe Road. A 3-2 victory saw RNA move up a couple of places in the table as they narrowed the gap on their mid-table opponents.
Division Four
Again there wasa just one game played in this Division due to the Cup featuring most of the teams from Divisions three and four. Metheringham Reserves went down 1-3 at home to AFC West End, a result which sees West End move up to third place in the table whist Metheringham Reserves remain unchanged in eigth spot.
Ian Stephenson