Today saw the eagerly awaited kick-off of the 2016 /2017 League season. It was the day that many had been waiting for and already some may be thinking that their season is looking good whilst others may be thinking that the Chairman’s cheque book may be required if pre-season expectancy is likely to come to fruition!
As is usually the case the opening day fixtures were dominated by our teams competing in the Lincolnshire County Football Association County Sunday Cup. It must be said that our teams produced a fantastic set of results with one of our teams progressing to round 2 in every game that involved one of our sides today.
Last season’s defeated semi-finalists both progressed at the first time of asking. Metheringham FC overcame Sutton Bridge United 4-1 whilst Ivy Tavern FC won 2-4 at hard working and well organised Hykeham Memorial FC. Scothern United were rampant in front of goal coming out of their home game against Lincs Haulage FC with a fine 12-0 win, a score line that had Secretary Ann Green miscounting after running out of fingers as she initially thought it was only 11. Lincoln Moorlands weren’t far behind recording a superb 10-1 home win over Mulberry FC, a result which will do Manager Keiran Fox and his boys a power of good as they look forward to life in the League’s premier division. Newton United enjoyed a memorable 9-4 victory after extra time at home to Grimsby based Nunsthorpe Tavern as they were trailing to the visitors as the 90 minute mark approached. Lincoln Imp FC returned from Grantham having won 0-8 against Royal Queen, whilst Gatehouse FC recorded an identical score line win away at Witham Wanderers. The come back of the day must have been at Fen Lane where the hosts Railway Inn United played host to new boys HBW United. The visitors would have been confident at half time as they were leading 0-4 but their hosts came out for the second half in determined fashion and overturned the deficit to record a memorable 5-4 win. AFC Lincoln Green defeated Swineshead Institute 4-3 on penalties with the game finishing 5-5 after extra time. Fox & Hounds FC enjoyed an excellent 1-2 away win at Pinchbeck United whilst the remaining 3 ties were guaranteed to provide a successful outcome for one of our teams as they were all Lincoln Sunday League team ties. AFC Plough from Division 1 had a superb 1-0 win at home to Premier Division opponents Travellers Rest FC, Bassingham Bugle Horn FC put last season’s difficulties well behind them with an impressive 5-2 win at home to newly promoted division 1 team Old Boys United, and finally St Helens FC won 1-3 away at Lincoln High Street FC. The League will have plenty of interest in the draw for the second round which will now involve a healthy number of our League teams thanks to the successful results today. Congratulations to all who won their games today.
There were 12 League games played today with teams competing in Divisions 2, 3 and 4. In Division 2 FVA Jerusalem recorded a comprehensive 5-0 home win over Railway Inn AFC, newly promoted Greenbank FC enjoyed success at Waddington United with a 1-3 victory, and Sleaford Seahawks FC had a narrow 3-2 home win over the newly revamped Bardney FC.
Division 3 saw all 4 games being won by the visitors. Dynamo Varsity won 0-5 away at Newtoft Terriers, North Lindum Hawks recorded a 1-4 success away at Lincoln RNA, Wragby FC won 1-3 away at Ingleby Arms (Marton) FC, and Shakespeare Athletic won 2-4 away at Turks Head.
Division 4 saw the highest score of the day recorded by new team Coningsby FC. Their 16-0 home win against fellow new team The Blue Lion FC sounded an early warning as to their strike force ability. AFC Golden Eagle returned to the League with an impressive 0-9 win at The Shed FC, Nosey FC won 3-2 at home to FVA Jerusalem Reserves, and finally Hykeham Athletic won 3-2 at home to Birchwood United in the afternoon kick off caused by the pitch sharing with a team competing in the County Cup today.
Ian Stephenson.