Premier Division
Lincoln Moorlands/Railway ended the first month of the Season as the only team in the Division with a 100% record. They are shown as having won all 5 League games but their three points today came courtesy of an FA rule as their scheduled opposition of the day, Metheringham FC, were unable to raise a side.
Second placed Rustons United went down by the odd goal in five when they visited Welton Sports AFC. First half goals from Mackinder and Dye put the visitors firmly in the driving seat before Welton pulled a goal back before half time through Richards. A second half goal from Aisthorpe levelled things before Biggs netted the winner in the last minute of the game. This was United’s first League defeat of the Season and was Welton’s first League win since returning to the top flight division of the League. With just one defeat in their opening four League games they are comfortable in mid-table and can be pleased with their efforts to date.
Hykeham Town TRFC are fancied by many to do well this Season and they underlined this credential today with an impressive looking 5-0 home win against AFC Golden Eagle. A brace from Mehta, plus goals from Thomas, Foster, and Dickinson gave Eagle a taste of what they have been serving up on opponents on a regular basis over the last couple of Seasons. Despite this result Eagle drop to fourth place which represents a really good start for the side that only two Seasons ago were playing in Division Four of the League.
Current League Champions Anglers FC will be pleased, and doubtless relieved, to record their first win of the Season at the fourth attempt today following their visit to New Swan. Goals from Bowden, Wilkinson, and Taylor did the trick leaving them in the middle of the Division in sixth place after a 3-0 victory. New Swan remain third from the bottom but have played a game fewer than the teams around them and a win from that would give them some much needed breathing space, despite it being very early days of the campaign.
Division One
Goals from Hewitt, Martin, and Ekins shot Trent Valley to the top of the pile in Division 1 after a 3-1 away win at Bassingham Bugle Horn FC. Dale hit the target for the home side but that proved to be nothing more than a consolation for his team.
Wishing Well Cherry fell off top spot after a 2-4 reverse at home to Welton FC. Crowther, Luther, Atkinson and Williams gave the Welton boys an impressive win. Pitchford and Barnes’s goals were not enough to prevent Well from suffering their first League defeat of the Season which put a dent in their previous 100% League start to the Season.
St Helens FC climbed to third place after a crushing 8-1 win at home to bottom of the table Wragby FC. Papworth hit four goals for the Saints with the remainder coming from Whitehouse and Welbourn who both chipped in with two goals apiece. Shoubridge notched the solitary reply for a Wragby side still waiting to pick up their first points of the Season.
A goal each for Shawcroft and Kalkerts couldn’t stop Newton United slipping to defeat at home to North Lindum Hawks. They had a Mayhall hat-trick to toast for their splendid 3-2 win out at South Clifton. It was third time lucky for the Hawks as they had lost their opening two games since their promotion to this Division at the end of last Season. Both sides meet again next week in Lincoln in the County Cup.
The final game in this Division between Fox & Hounds FC and Lincoln High Street FC was postponed when Lincoln High Street turned up with only a handful of players proving insufficient to fulfil the fixture. The points have been awarded to Fox & Hounds in accordance with Rule.
Division Two
AFC Rustons started their game at home to Old Boys United today in top spot and anyone watching the first half of the game could never have foreseen what was to happen in the second half. At half time the game was at a stalemate with neither side having breached their opponents net. Nine second half goals gave Rustons a 5-4 win thanks to goals from Miller (2), Collins, Dougan, and Mills seeing them over the line with Old Boys’ gallant effort lead by Hobson, Gardiner, Sewell, and Hudson.
Nettleham FC leapt into second position after a splendid 4-1 win at Plough Sturton, the team that started the day in second place themselves. Froggatt, Park, Parker, and Kerrigan all found the net for the visitors whilst Kildare was on target for the hosts. After the results of the day Plough drop a couple of places to fourth spot.
Waddington United are also climbers and they now occupy third place after a second half goal from Harrison, his third of the Season, was enough to bag all 3 points in their game at home to Cherry Willingham. Waddington boast the second best defensive record in this division with just 6 goals conceded in 4 games but with an average of goals scored measured at exactly two goals per game this is a winning combination if they can keep these figures going until the end of the Season.
Hykeham Social FC inflicted the first League defeat of the Season on visitors Coningsby FC at Fen Lane. Despite a goal from Todd for the away side, Foster and Goldacre both scored to give the home team their second win of the Season.
Despite another gallant effort by Glyn Jones’s battling youngsters at Dunston it was the visitors, Witham St Hughs, who recorded their first ever League win in the League thanks to a hat-trick from Clay and an individual goal from Brown when the two sides met at Dunston. A goal from Drummond 5 minutes before the end was a little reward for a much improved second half effort from the young Dunston side. Knowing Glyn Jones as I do I am sure he would not mind me congratulating Witham on their first ever win in our Football League.
Division Three
Leaders Horncastle Town were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Lincoln RNA. Russell, with an assist by Wiggins, spoilt the party somewhat with the goal for RNA. The home team marksman was Daubney.
Morning Star appear to be finding their feet, and more importantly the back of their opponents net now, as they put 4 goals past Broadley FC, whilst also managing to keep a clean sheet in a 4-0 win. Goals from Marshall, Drury (penalty), Goodge, and Crampton were the scorers which lifted their team into third place in the table tonight.
Ruskington Lions bounced back from their disappointment last week with a 4-1 win away at Stacey West. Jackson hit a brace whilst additional goals from Flintham and Cooper ensured the Lion’s roar at the top end of the table was maintained as they remain two points behind Horncastle Town. Miller scored the goal for Stacey West, who remain pointless after 5 attempts.
The Sports Bar are now level on points with Queen Athletic, who they defeated 3-0 today, with two goals from Jamieson and a further effort by Ward being their reward when the sides met at Heighington.
Division Four
Crown & Arrows had goals from Waplington and Dobson to thank for a 2-1 home win against HBW United kept them at the top of the pile and importantly maintained their 100% start to their League campaign. A goal from Brown, plus a miss from the penalty spot on 70 minutes, ensured that HBW pushed their opponents all the way in this one.
Railway Inn United made it 2 wins out of 2 to remain second in the table with a comprehensive 5-0 win at home to bottom team The Shed FC courtesy of goals from Smith (2), Paul, Lilley, and Clark.
Bottle & Glass remain third in the table despite their game with Metheringham Reserves falling victim of a late postponement on the day. This game will be subject of review by the League Management Committee to decide upon whether it is played at a later date in the Season.
FVA Jerusalem Reserves climb up to fourth place tonight after two goals from Fennell secured the points against Swanpool FC 2-1 at Monson Park. Bentley was the scorer for the Swans.
AFC West End chalked up their first win out of three attempts today with a useful 3-0 win away at mid-table M.H.Blue Lion thanks to goals from Fisher, Gorman, and an own goal.
Next week sees our sides remaining in the Lincolnshire County Football Association Sunday County Cup in action. Good luck to all our teams in that competition.
Ian Stephenson