Some important games were played by our local non-league sides on Tuesday night, with several teams either pushing on towards their targets or battling through difficult circumstances.
Boston United were away at Forest Green Rovers, announcing the signing of forward Liam McCarron before kick off. McCarron, who has previously been with Leeds United, Stoke City, and most recently Northampton Town, was part of the same PFA development squads as Adam Reach before his move to Lincoln, and Boston will be hoping for a similar impact. He began the match on the bench.
There was bad news ahead of kick off, however, with goalkeeper Wogan injured and potentially facing a long spell on the sidelines. Despite that, Boston started strongly and took the lead in the 12th minute when Maguire converted a penalty. Their first half dominance continued, with goals from Grimes in the 39th minute and Cursons shortly before the break giving United a commanding advantage.
Forest Green manager Robbie Savage made changes at half time and the contest became more even. The hosts pulled a goal back in the 71st minute and added a second deep into injury time, but Boston held firm to secure a 3-2 victory, extending their good run of form and moving into the top half of the table.
Gainsborough Trinity were at home to Leek Town, looking to continue a strong sequence of results that has pushed them towards the play off places. Gainsborough applied plenty of pressure in the first half but went in level at the interval. The breakthrough arrived in the 52nd minute through Sisk. Leek thought they had equalised seven minutes later, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. That moment seemed to galvanise Trinity, and Imps loanee Charlie Parks added a second in the 81st minute to secure all three points and maintain their upward momentum.
Lincoln United were also on the road, travelling to Blyth Town looking to build on recent form. The opening stages were quiet, but United began to take control and opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Brown headed home from a corner delivered by Power. Three minutes later, another corner produced the same outcome, with Swinn this time finding the net. Wells sealed a comfortable 3-0 victory in the second half, pushing United further clear of the relegation zone.
Pinchbeck United travelled to Southwell City amid significant off field uncertainty, following confirmation that the parish council is looking to sell the land on which the club currently plays. The club is taking legal advice, but matters on the pitch also proved difficult. Southwell scored inside five minutes and went in 3-0 up at half time. Pinchbeck improved after the break but were unable to find a goal, eventually falling to a 3-0 defeat.
Harrowby United were at home to Wisbech Town, aiming to respond to a heavy defeat at the weekend. It was a fairly subdued contest with few clear chances, ending goalless, but the point could prove valuable in Harrowby’s fight to avoid relegation.
Away from the pitch, Sleaford Town have appointed Jamie McGhee as their new manager. McGhee was instrumental in guiding Harrowby United to promotion and then defying expectations by keeping them in the division the following season. Sleaford will be hoping he can now lay the foundations for a successful future at the club.