The second Saturday of the new non-league season brought another busy programme for our local sides, with early patterns already beginning to emerge across the various divisions.
Some teams are still searching for their first victory, while others have made encouraging starts and are beginning to build momentum. There was late heartbreak, a local derby boost and another victory for one of the early pace-setters.
Skegness Town 2-2 Hinckley AFC
Skegness Town went into their home fixture with Hinckley AFC having already experienced contrasting emotions during the opening week of the United Counties League Premier Division season.
Town had been left empty-handed on the opening Saturday, but responded positively in midweek when they welcomed Deeping Rangers for their first home game of the campaign.
An early penalty put Skegness behind, but Declan Johnson drew the hosts level before an own goal completed the turnaround and secured all three points. That victory provided a welcome confidence boost ahead of Hinckley’s visit.
Skegness carried that momentum into Saturday’s contest and were firmly on top during the opening 20 minutes. Their strong start was rewarded in the 24th minute when Dakin found the net to give Town a deserved lead.
Seven minutes later, Dakin struck again to double the advantage and put Skegness in control. They maintained their two-goal cushion until the interval, but the second half would prove far more difficult.
Hinckley returned from the break with renewed purpose and began to match, and at times dominate, the hosts. Their pressure told six minutes into the second half when they pulled a goal back.
Just two minutes later, the visitors were awarded a penalty and converted it to bring the scores level. Skegness responded and attempted to regain control, but they were unable to find a winning goal.
The points were eventually shared, meaning Town have now registered a win, a draw and a defeat from their opening three league fixtures.
Thank you to everyone who travelled to Skegness with us yesterday – a proper away support on our longest away day of the league campaign! pic.twitter.com/HXySLIxJmv
— Hinckley AFC (@hinckley_afc) August 2, 2026
Dronfield Town 2-1 Pinchbeck United
Pinchbeck United travelled to Dronfield Town looking to build on the draw they secured during the opening weekend.
They made a bright start and created a couple of good opportunities before Parkes gave them the lead in the 14th minute. Pinchbeck looked comfortable for much of the opening period and deservedly carried their advantage into half-time.
The balance of the game shifted after the restart, however, as the hosts began to take control and force Pinchbeck deeper.
Dronfield finally found an equaliser in the 79th minute, leaving the visitors with a difficult final period to negotiate. Pinchbeck battled to preserve a point, but they were dealt a cruel blow five minutes into added time when the home side struck the winner.
It was a difficult way to lose after leading for so long, and Pinchbeck will now turn their attention to Tuesday night’s local derby at Sleaford Town as they continue to search for their first victory of the campaign.
Sleaford Town 1-0 Pinxton
Sleaford Town also began the weekend looking for their first win of the season as they welcomed Pinxton.
The first half was disrupted by a lengthy stoppage following an injury to one of the visiting players. Play was halted for approximately 15 minutes, and everyone at the Stacey West wishes the player well in his recovery.
Once the game resumed, Sleaford enjoyed the better of the first half and controlled much of the play. However, they lacked composure in the final third and were unable to make their dominance count before the interval.
The hosts made a number of tactical adjustments at half-time, but the pattern initially remained the same. Sleaford continued to enjoy possession without finding the decisive touch, and the match appeared to be drifting towards a goalless draw.
That changed in the 78th minute when Josh Parker found the net to give Sleaford the breakthrough they had been searching for.
Parker’s goal proved to be the difference, securing all three points and providing Sleaford with a timely confidence boost before Tuesday’s derby against Pinchbeck United.
📝 Match Report
The Greens claimed all three points with a 1-0 victory over Pinxton F.C. at The BPH Stadium.
Read Media Officer Olly Burton’s full report from Saturday’s UCL Division One clash.
🔗 https://t.co/4GNs9tjZnQ#GreenArmy pic.twitter.com/NCHvMMMTzl
— Sleaford Town F.C. (@SleafordTownFC) August 2, 2026
Harrowby United 2-1 Staveley Miners Welfare
Harrowby United followed up their opening-day victory by maintaining their perfect start against Staveley Miners Welfare.
After the difficulties of last season and the disappointment of relegation, Harrowby have begun the new campaign with renewed confidence. That was evident from the opening stages on Saturday, with the hosts taking the lead after only seven minutes through Jacob Boyes.
Their advantage was doubled in the 22nd minute when Sam Wright added a second. Harrowby continued to dominate the remainder of the first half and went into the interval in a commanding position.
Staveley improved after the break and began to work their way back into the contest. The visitors pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute, giving themselves hope of completing a comeback.
Their task became significantly more difficult in the 79th minute when one of their players was sent to the sin bin. Harrowby managed the closing stages and held on to secure another three points.
The victory means Harrowby have maintained their 100 per cent record and made an encouraging start to their bid to bounce back at the first attempt.
Radford 0-0 Louth Town
Louth Town were involved in an open, end-to-end contest during their trip to Radford, although neither side was able to produce the finishing touch.
Both teams had opportunities to break the deadlock, but the match eventually ended goalless and the points were shared.
While Louth would undoubtedly have hoped for victory, the result did at least secure their first point of the season. They will now look to use that as a platform and begin climbing the table over the coming weeks.
Wombwell Town 4-2 Brigg Town
Brigg Town travelled to Wombwell Town hoping to add to the three points they secured during the opening weekend.
They were also looking for a response following a disappointing 3-0 cup defeat against Kingsley Boys in midweek, but the game quickly became an uphill battle.
Two goals around the half-hour mark left Brigg facing a two-goal deficit and gave Wombwell firm control of the contest.
Brigg produced a spirited response after half-time and reduced the deficit in the 71st minute when Josh Batty scored with an excellent half-volley.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly checked, however, as Wombwell went almost straight up the other end and restored their two-goal advantage.
Brigg continued to battle and gave themselves another glimmer of hope in the first minute of added time when Dayle Southwell made it 3-2.
Once again, Wombwell responded. A fourth goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time finally settled the contest and ensured the points remained with the hosts.
It has not been the start Brigg would have wanted after narrowly missing out on the play-offs last season, although their second-half fightback offered some encouragement despite the result.
Next weekend will see the remainder of our local non-league teams begin their competitive campaigns, bringing an even busier programme of fixtures across the county.
We wish them all the very best for the season ahead.