Sunday 10th May 2026 sees the eagerly awaited Ron Eaglen Challenge Cup Final taking place at the LNER Stadium, Sincil Bank, Lincoln between 2 Clubs who occupy the top 2 League positions in our Premier Division.
This Competition is the League’s own version of ”the FA Cup” as all Clubs in the League must enter one team, that being their highest ranked team in the event of a Club having multiple teams in the League.
Ruston United entertain Jolly Brewer FC in a mouthwatering final which should be of the highest pedigree to watch. Ruston United currently lead the Premier Division by 2 points with just one game left to play. Jolly Brewer FC climbed to the top of the Premier Division recently only to be toppled following an unexpected defeat to Nettleham FC Sunday during the last week of the Season BUT both Ruston United and Jolly Brewer FC each have one final game to play and would you believe it, it is against each other in the League next week on Sunday 17th May. That final League match in the Division will define the League’s Champions with Jolly Brewer, the current Premier Division title holders, needing to win the match to retain the crown again, and Ruston United need a solitary point to take the title away from Jolly Brewer. You couldn’t write the script as the saying goes!
Ahead of the game I will take a look at how the 2 teams got to the final.
Ruston United:
Round 1: Newtoft United (away) won11-1
Round 2 : East Drayton (away) won 4-2
Round 3: Shakespeare United (home) won 2-1
Round 4: Nettleham FC Sunday (away) won 4-1
Round 5: Hykeham Town TRFC (home) won 4-1.
Jolly Brewer FC’s journey in this Cup saw them reach the final with the following match results, all of which were played away from home in the most unusual set of draw outcomes.
Jolly Brewer FC
Round 1: Bye
Round 2: Ivy Tavern FC (away) won 10-0
Round 3: Metheringham FC (away) won 1-0
Round 4: Birchwood Queen in the West FC (away) won 5-0
Round 5: Welton Sports & Social FC (away) won 3-2.
The match kicks off at the LNER Stadium at 10.00am. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN EARLIER THAN USUAL MORNING KICK OFF due to the Kelly Read Cup Final being played in the afternoon following this match and time is required for cleaning and preparation for the later Cup Final.
The Match Officials are:
Referee: Mr Will Vickers
Assistant Referees: Mr Alex Wilson and Mr Matthew Mantle
Fourth Official: Mr Tim Eagles
Entry fees: Adults £10.00
Concessions for Under 16s £5.00
Under 5’s Free.
Should the match finish all square after the regulation 90 minutes then 30 minutes extra time will be played and if all remains level after that then the match will be decided by the taking of penalty kicks.
Please note that this event is a cashless event. Payments will be by card, as will any drinks and food purchased from the ground.
On paper this promises to be a close and intriguing match, but when did football ever play out like it looks on paper? Why not come and see the League’s top 2 teams as they compete for the trophy, it really promises to be a cracker!
League Secretary.
