Lincolnshire County Football Association County Sunday Cup – Round Two
Dynamo Varsity 0
Metheringham FC 2
Metheringham visited unbeaten and high flying Division Three side Dynamo Varsity in their County Cup tie on what is one of the biggest pitches in the league, but a perfect playing surface none the less. The first chance of the game went to the home side with a ball across the six yard box missed by two Dynamo players. Metheringham then thought that they had taken the lead but Jake Thorpe’s effort was ruled out for off-side. Having created this chance Meg then upped their game with some smooth passing and they did take the lead on 23 minutes. A ball punted forward found Ben Garrick and he immediately played Jayden Driven for him to hold off his marker as he advanced to drill home an unstoppable shot inside the near post. From then on the home side rarely got into the Meg half but their visitors were guilty of failing to convert a number of good chances. On the stroke of half-time Meg thought they had doubled their advantage but referee Andy Pearson, who had a very good game throughout, ruled that Kyle Thompson’s long throw in had not touched anyone as it sailed into the far corner of the keeper’s net. In the second half Dynamo came out on the front foot and Meg were fortunate not to see them level the tie with a long ball played forward which was met by Derek Wyld but his effort just went wide of the post. Meg had to be concerned that they had not put the tie to bed in the first half and another effort from Wyld from a corner was headed off the line by full back Joe Willey. With 70 minutes gone Meg did double their advantage when Jake Thorpe played a ball across field from right to left, finding Jayden Driver. Cutting in he fired goal-wards but keeper Mike Barton could only palm it out into the path of Ben Garrick for a simple tap in. A couple of minutes later Garrick had an even easier chance but blasted over the bar from four yards. Then full back Kyle Thompson rattled the Dynamo bar from close range as he sort to register his first club goal. Meg played out the reminder of the game playing possession football as they looked after the lead that they had gained. Dynamo put in what was described as an industrious performance however it was the overall quality of the visiting team that saw them progress through to the next round of the competition.
The Dynamo Varsity man of the match was Derek Wyld, whilst Metheringham’s Man of the Match was central defender Liam Hargrave.
The Green Man Ropsley FC 1
Railway Inn United FC 2
The game started with both teams trying to work each other out as little was known of each other with them both playing in different Leagues. There were few chances created by either side early on but Railway looked to make use of the ball in between the full back and centre back which would saw Lilley get in numerous times. After 25 minutes Chris Hardy found an inch perfect ball to Lilley who swiftly turned on the ball and fired it into the back of the net to give the visitors the lead. Tireless efforts from the midfield three of Rich Barker Chris Hardy and the train himself would keep the Railway on top for the next 10 minutes until they conceded a goal reminiscent of a game of pinball following a corner that Railway just could not get clear despite various clearances and point blank saves from Mikey Barrand. The visitors went into the half time interval well satisfied with their efforts and parity with the score line.
The second half started much as the first had ended with Railway pressing and the Green men defending resolutely. After an hour James Stephenson came on to replace manager Steve Ashton who would limped off with a groin strain. This meant a reshuffle with skipper Kyle Hughes dropping into centre back alongside Adam Antell. A few minutes later Kyle Walker entered the fray which resulted in another reshuffle which meant Hughes playing at right back and “the train” at centre back. The ball was now being played up longer for Walker who could take a touch and knock it out to Zachary Markham on the wing, this was a tactic that worked well. Sadly for the visitors the 90 minutes came to an end with the scores 1-1 resulting in extra time being required to decide which team would progress in the competition. Railway seemed to want it more in extra time as they came out flying. Lilley missed a difficult chance and then with six minutes gone Kyle Walker ran past 3 players and got into the box before dinking the ball to the back post for James Stephenson to fire in from close range to bring absolute joy for the Railway boys. They then managed to hold on, thanks in no small part to Adam Antell at the back and Mikey Barrand who yet again pulled of worldy after worldy save in goal. Gavin Lilley would like to personally say well done to everyone of the Railway lads for keeping going for 120 minutes as they never once stopped with their effort and commitment..
Mulberry FC 0
Ivy Tavern 12
Ivy Tavern travelled to Spalding to play a Mulberry side being given a second chance in this season’s competition and it didn’t take long before Danny Wells curled in a delicious free kick which a helpless Mulberry defender turned into his own net to put Ivy ahead. The game turned scrappy for 15 minutes until Jordan Taylor put Ivy further ahead with a close range finish. Wells then curled another delicious ball, this time directly into the bottom corner, from the edge of the box. Jordan Curtis was next to get in on the act smashing home a penalty after Sean Cann had been bundled over in the area. Cann then sprung into action firing in a quick fire hat trick, the first being a typical mazy run and clinical finish, the second a close range header after good work from rampant Callum Dye and the third was made after good running off the ball by Taylor opened the space for Cann to run clean through on goal before scoring.
It’s often difficult to stay motivated in a game where a team is in total control and being 7-0 up at the break presented that possibility but Ivy managed the situation fairly well during the second half. It wasn’t long before Jordan Curtis had his second of the game after the tricky Dye again forced one of the Mulberry defenders to handle in the area, and Curtis duly despatched the resultant penalty. Dye then got on the score sheet himself with a rocket from the edge of the area which flew into the net. Hatton was introduced and was, as ever, full of running. Cann added a couple more to take his tally to five for the morning, Anu Pier, who had come on in right midfield, jinxed his way into area and sent the keeper one way and the ball the other in one movement for his first goal for the club, much to the delight of the Ivy following.
Division One
Lincoln Imp FC 2
Welton FC 4
The home team started the game with only 9 players and were 0-1 down early on after a good bit of play saw the ball fall to Daryl Spencer who instinctively shot from well outside the corner of the box and left the goalkeeper standing and admiring the effort which flew in to the top far corner of the goal.
It wasn’t long before Spencer scored his second of the game after a great solo effort and before the home team managed to bring on their 10th player who arrived late to the game.
Before the break Spencer got his hat trick – not bad for the regular right back/winger of the team who has asked for a while to be given an opportunity to play up top!
Lincoln Imp started the second half on the front foot and it wasn’t long before their striker calmly slotted home after a good initial save by the Welton keeper. Soon after the home side scored directly from a corner making it a nervy end to the game for Welton.
Luckily for the away team, Morgan Caines broke through from the half way line and managed to finish neatly to make the score 2-4 in favour of the visitors.
Division Four
FVA Jerusalem 12
The Blue Lion 1
The game finished 12-1 to Jerusalem with the visitors putting in a poor first half which saw them concede 9 times.
In the second half however Blue Lion came out a team reborn!! They pulled a goal back, scored by Tom Hirons, after about 15 minutes and despite losing a player to injury and going down to 10 men as a result, they gave a very good account of themselves for the remainder of the half.
Although the result saw them register another heavy defeat the boys still managed to enjoy themselves and they look forward to their next fixture.
That’s a great sentiment on which to end this article for another week.
Ian Stephenson