For the second successive week, the weather proved to be the dominant force across the local non-league scene, severely limiting the fixture list and leaving just two league matches able to beat the conditions.
That left attention split between a tense National League South encounter involving Boston United and an absorbing top of the table clash higher up the pyramid, with both games offering plenty of interest from a Lincolnshire perspective.
Boston grind out a vital point on the road
Boston United were in televised action on Saturday evening, making the trip to Braintree Town in a match carrying clear importance for both sides. With Braintree sitting below the Pilgrims in the table, this was very much a fixture Boston could not afford to lose.
What followed was a nervy, attritional contest. There was a reasonable level of entertainment in terms of effort and organisation, but clear-cut chances were at a premium. In fact, neither side managed a single shot on target across the 90 minutes, underlining just how tight and cagey the evening was.
From a Lincoln City perspective, the key talking point arrived just after the hour mark. On 63 minutes, City loanee Oisín Gallagher was shown a yellow card for pulling back a Braintree player as the hosts attempted to break. Four minutes later, former Imp John Akinde was introduced from the bench for Braintree, before another ex Lincoln man, Lenell John-Lewis, was withdrawn for Boston just a minute after that.
While it may not live long in the memory, the goalless draw could yet prove a significant result for Boston United. A clean sheet on the road and a point gained rather than three lost keeps some breathing space between themselves and the teams below, and there is hope this can be used as a platform to begin edging up the table in the weeks ahead.
Spalding strengthen their grip at the summit
The second match of the weekend was a far more open affair, as Spalding United hosted Harborough Town in a high quality top of the table clash.
A crowd of 1,170 were treated to a genuinely entertaining contest, played at a relentless pace from the opening whistle. Spalding struck first on 10 minutes when Curtis Thompson found the net to give the hosts an early advantage. Harborough responded well and were level just before the break, O’Sullivan finishing in the 35th minute to ensure the sides went in all square at half time.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with both teams committing men forward and looking to force the issue. Spalding regained the lead in the 76th minute when Maniche Sani struck, setting up a dramatic finale. As the match moved deep into added time, Harborough pushed bodies forward in search of another equaliser, only to be caught on the counter. Bart Cybulski sealed the points in the 98th minute, making it 3-1 and sparking celebrations around the ground.
That victory opens up a nine point lead at the top of the table for Spalding United, though the schedule shows little sign of easing. Another stern test awaits next weekend with a difficult away trip to third placed Quorn FC, as the relentless run of big games continues.
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