Premier Division
There was a significant swing at the top of the table today which may prove vital when the season is completed. Ivy Tavern’s 7-1 win away at Newton United and Rustons United’s 2-1 home win over New Swan now sees the team from the North of the City being completely in control of their own destiny in their efforts to retain the Premier League Trophy. Ivy now lead New Swan by 3 points and they have a game in hand and a much superior goal difference. The two teams are still to play each other during the last 3 weeks of the season so anything can still happen at the top of this division. Metheringham FC romped to a 7-0 triumph away at Welton Sports AFC, a result which confirms that the Welton side will now finish bottom of the teams that remain in this division, as Lincoln Moorlands are currently credited as finishing bottom due to their resignation from the League midseason. Ruston Sports AFC remain in 3rd spot following their 4-2 away success at Scothern United.
Division One
Congratulations go to Gatehouse FC who became the Division’s champions with 3 games to spare following their 8-0 drubbing of AFC Lincoln Green today. The Gate lead the division by 8 points with their nearest rivals Saxilby Athletic winning 4-0 today at home to Trent Valley. The top two sides have been way clear of the chasing pack for some time now and both will return to the Premier Division next season where I am sure they will be more than ready to take on the teams that await them. Hykeham Memorial moved up to fourth position today following their 4-2 away success at Lincoln Imp but down at the bottom St Helens gave themselves a boost for not finishing at the foot of the table after they defeated Horncastle Town 3-1 at Skellingthorpe Road. This result now sees both teams on 18 points with Horncastle having 2 remaining games and St Helens having just one. The two teams immediately above these are Old Boys United and AFC Harpars. They played out a goal-less draw today leaving just one point separating the bottom four positions in the table.
Division Two
Leaders Bassingham Bugle Horn FC maintained the pace at the top of the pile today when they won 6-0 away at Railway Inn AFC, a result which leaves the hosts in 3rd place in the table. FVA Jerusalem remain second following their 2-0 home win against Newton United Reserves. This leaves Bassingham needing just 3 points from their remaining 3 games to clinch the title and complete an amazing turnaround of fortunes from the team that struggled so much last season. That is making the assumption that second placed FVA Jerusalem cannot turn round a goal difference of plus 24 goals in just 3 games over the League leaders, something that may have been possible had Solihull Moors competed in this division but as our teams turn up for games this appears most unlikely to happen. Crows Athletic are now 4th following their 3-3 draw in their derby game away at Red Lion Dunston and Bardney FC will be pleased to record a win after their 3-2 home success over mid table Waddington United. Although Bardney remain second from bottom in the table they can climb away from danger in their last 3 games with a decent points haul as they also have a game in hand on their rivals.
Division Three
Wragby FC made it 18 wins out of 18 in the League today following their 3-1 home win against Cherry Willingham FC. This result leaves the village side needing just 5 points from their remaining 4 games to secure the title, assuming that second placed Shakespeare Athletic take maximum points from their remaining 3 games. Today Shakespeare defeated Ingleby Arms FC (Marton) 6-1 out at Sturton to keep their title challenge flickering. Dynamo Varsity look comfortable in third place which is where they remain after their 2-0 away success today at North Lindum Hawks. Cherry Willingham are fourth after todays defeat to the League leaders but they must be pleased with what has been an excellent season back in the League, notwithstanding the fact that they have a cup final to look forward to at Sincil Bank at the end of the month. Turks Head moved up to fifth place after their 4-2 win away at Newtoft Terriers and Queen in the West have returned to winning ways recently and did so again today with a 5-1 home success against HBW United.
Division Four
The positions at the top of this division have been changing all season with a number of teams occupying, and then vacating, the coveted position. Broadley FC remain in top spot today but they went down 2-4 at Fred Quibell Cup Finalists Birchwood United. AFC Golden Eagle helped their own cause no end after they won 4-1 at home to AFC West End to remain in second place. They are now breathing heavily down the necks of the leaders as they are just one point behind them and they have a game in hand. Just to make life a little more interesting the top two teams play each other in ten days time, a game that may well influence where the title will go in this division this season. This does not exclude Coningsby FC, the team sitting in third spot, as they are only 2 points behind the leaders but have a far superior goal difference themselves following their 3-1 home win against Saxilby Sports AFC today. Railway Inn United move up to fourth place after their 3-2 home win against Nosey FC and they replace Hykeham Athletic in the table after the Hykeham side went down 1-4 at home to The Shed FC.