Mixed Fortunes For Lincolnshire’s Non-League Sides On Opening Weekend

July 26, 2026 Gary Brigg Town, Harrowby United, Local Non-League Clubs, Louth Town, Pinchbeck United, Skegness Town, Sleaford Town 0

While we continue to look forward to Lincoln City’s first match at this level for 65 years, several of our local non-league sides began their own league campaigns over the weekend.

There was a mixed set of results across the United Counties League and Northern Counties East League, although plenty of encouraging signs for the weeks ahead.

Skegness Town

Skegness Town began their UCL Premier Division campaign with a 3-2 defeat away at Hucknall Town.

There has been a change to the management structure at Skegness during the summer. Last season’s first-team manager, Chris Rawlinson, has moved into an overall manager role, with former joint-manager Gary King taking charge of the first team.

The Lilywhites have also added to their squad, including the arrival of striker Jordan Nuttall from promotion-winning Boston Town.

Skegness dominated much of the opening half at Hucknall but were unable to turn their chances into goals. They also saw a penalty appeal waved away before the hosts struck against the run of play to lead at the interval.

Lucas Dakin equalised inside the opening minute of the second half, but Hucknall began to take control and scored again in the 76th and 81st minutes.

Kyle Radford pulled one back for Skegness, although they could not find an equaliser and returned home without a point. Despite the result, there were promising signs in their opening performance.

Harrowby United

Harrowby United made a winning start to life in UCL Division One following last season’s relegation.

There has been a significant turnover of players during the summer, with the club placing a greater emphasis on local talent. Nick Anderson has been appointed manager and has promised an attractive, attacking style of football played with the ball on the ground.

Their opening fixture came at home against Selston, with neither side able to break the deadlock during the first half.

Kene Ukatu opened the scoring for Harrowby in the 52nd minute before Sam Wright doubled their advantage 14 minutes later. Those goals secured a 2-0 victory and a welcome opening three points.

Sleaford Town

Sleaford Town suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat away at Swallownest in their first match of the season.

Manager Jamie McGee has kept the nucleus of last season’s squad together while adding several new faces. There have also been changes behind the scenes, with McGee bringing in a new management team.

Swallownest, who Sleaford had not faced previously, took the lead after 20 minutes and remained in front at half-time.

Josh Parker equalised for the Greens in the 64th minute, but the hosts restored their advantage ten minutes later. Sleaford had opportunities to level again, although Swallownest held on in a closely fought contest.

Pinchbeck United

Pinchbeck United opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw at home to Radford.

Manager Lewis Thorogood has overseen another rebuild during the summer and has spoken about introducing a fresh style of play, without placing any firm targets on the side for the season ahead.

Radford opened the scoring after 16 minutes and carried that lead into the interval, despite Pinchbeck creating chances of their own.

The hosts responded strongly after the break, with Brendon Parker equalising in the 73rd minute. Six minutes later, Parker struck again to complete the turnaround and put Pinchbeck ahead.

Their advantage lasted only three minutes before Radford equalised. Neither side could find a winner, with a share of the points a fair outcome.

Louth Town

Louth Town began life in UCL Division One with a 1-0 home defeat against Sandiacre Town.

The White Wolves have moved across from the Northern Counties East League this season and were able to retain manager Carl Martin despite reported interest from elsewhere. Martin has also strengthened his squad ahead of the new campaign.

Sandiacre scored the only goal of the game during first-half stoppage time. Louth applied strong pressure after the break but could not find an equaliser.

Although the result went against them, Louth produced an impressive performance in their first fixture in the division.

Brigg Town

Brigg Town made an excellent start to their NCEL Division One campaign with a 3-2 victory against Appleby Frodingham.

Brigg narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season despite collecting 78 points and will be hoping to challenge again this time around.

The club entered the season following the tragic death of Under-14s manager Andrew Casey, with a quiet determination around the Hawthorns. Most of last season’s senior squad has been retained, while experienced local striker Dayle Southwell has joined the club.

John Stovard has also been added to the management team alongside Stephen McCarrow and Martin Pembleton.

Brigg made the perfect start when Josh Batty scored inside the opening minute. Appleby Frodingham equalised after 25 minutes, but Adam Drury restored Brigg’s lead on the stroke of half-time with a curling finish into the top corner.

The hosts continued to dominate after the break, with Batty scoring his second and Brigg’s third in the 55th minute. They also struck the crossbar before Appleby reduced the deficit from a set-piece in the 72nd minute.

Brigg finished the contest strongly and fully deserved their victory, securing all three points from their opening game.

Overall, it was a reasonably positive start for our local non-league clubs. Harrowby and Brigg collected victories, Pinchbeck earned a point, while Skegness, Sleaford and Louth all showed enough in defeat to suggest better results should follow.

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