Kelly Read Cup
There was cup fare on offer today with 7 Kelly Read Cup first round ties taking place.
The most notable fixture when the draw was made was the game at Wragby between last season’s finalists. Home side Wragby FC would have fancied their chances for sure as they boast a 100% League record in division 3 this season and they have also scored 55 League goals to date. They were up against Metheringham FC, who have won the competition in each of the last 2 seasons. On the day Metheringham ran out 5-1 winners in a game that overall was comfortable for them.
Scothern United were the day’s biggest winners as they smashed 15 past Red Lion Dunston in a 15-0 victory at the Village Hall. Welton Sports AFC ran out 4-1 winners at home to Old Boys United and Newton United returned to winning ways after a baron spell in the League with a 2-0 away win at Welton FC. Coningsby FC overcame higher division opponents HBW United with a 6-0 win at Branston and the all 3rd division game between Turks Head and Ingleby Arms (Marton) FC went the way of Turks by a 4-2 margin.
The remaining game between Bassingham Bugle Horn FC and Railway Inn AFC was abandoned after 16 minutes due to a serious injury sustained by a Railway player. The score at the time was 2-1 in Bassingham’s favour however the game will be replayed next week at Bassingham. On behalf of the League I would like to extend my very best wishes to the player and wish him a speedy recovery.
Premier Division
There were 2 game played in this division today involving the teams from Rustons. Ruston Sports moved up to second place in the league thanks to a 5-0 home win over Travellers Rest and neighbours Rustons United defeated Lincoln Moorlands 5-1 on the next pitch. This result sees United move into third place with Lincoln Moorlands dropping down to fourth.
Division One
The saying in football is that the mark of a good side is seeing how they react to a defeat. Last week League leaders Gatehouse FC tasted their first defeat of the season so how did they react to that today? A 16-2 home win today against third placed Lincoln Imp FC was the answer. The visitors assisted the home teams cause somewhat by turning up with just 9 players but Gatehouse are now up and running again after the disappointment of last week. The other game in the division today was at the other end of the division when AFC Plough had a comfortable 5-0 victory against St Helens FC at Skellingthorpe Road.
Division Two
With the top two teams playing each other in the Kelly Read Cup it was an opportunity for third placed Greenbank FC to close the gap at the top of the division. Newton United Reserves had other ideas however and a 3-2 victory for the home team out at South Clifton saw Greenbank miss their opportunity. Waddington United enjoyed their visit to Coileby, returning with a 6-1 win to their credit against Crows Athletic, and Plough Sturton collected all 3 points by defeating Bardney FC 3-0 at Yarborough.
Division Three
Shakespeare Athletic helped their points total, and their goal difference, with a 6-0 win at home to Queen in the West FC, a result that saw them go second in the table behind leaders Wragby FC who themselves were on cup duty today. Two sides who will deem themselves to be at the wrong end of the table came face to face today in the shape of Newtoft Terriers and Fox & Hounds FC. Defences don’t appear to have been on top in what turned out to be a 10 goal thriller with home side Newtoft taking the spoils with a 6-4 win. The result sees Newtoft climb a couple of places in the table leaving the Fox hovering second from bottom in the table.
Division Four
There was a near full programme in this division today. At the start of the day the leaders were Coningsby FC but cup duty gave the chasing pack a chance to progress up the divisional placings. Broadley were in poll position to take advantage and they did so courtesy of a 5-2 home victory over Birchwood United. That result now sees Broadley sitting in top spot, one point ahead of second placed AFC Golden Eagle who themselves enjoyed a 5-2 success away at Hykeham Athletic. Saxilby Sports AFC now occupy 5th spot after their 4-0 home win against The Shed FC and FVA Jerusalem Reserves found their goal scoring touch with a 6-0 win at home to Nosey FC. Railway Inn United made it 7 wins in 9 league outings with a 2-0 away win at AFC West End.
Ian Stephenson