Lincolnshire Non-League: Trinity Hit Three And Boston Claim First Win

August 16, 2026 Gary Local Non-League Clubs 0

There was a little bit of everything across the Lincolnshire non-league scene this weekend, with league points, cup drama, red cards and penalties all featuring as clubs continued to settle into the opening weeks of the new campaign.

For Boston United, there was the welcome sight of a first victory after the disappointment of their home defeat against Aldershot. The Pilgrims travelled to Solihull Moors and made three changes, one of them enforced, and after an open first half-hour they struck through Lennon Wheeldon, whose excellent run ended with a finish into the bottom corner in the 29th minute.

Boston protected that advantage until the break before emerging strongly in the second half, and Ken Aboh doubled their lead within three minutes of the restart. From there United were largely in control and might have made the scoreline even more convincing, although they failed to convert a penalty in the 78th minute, with the 2-0 victory still enough to get points on the board and provide a timely confidence boost.

Spalding United, meanwhile, were playing their first home fixture since stepping up into National League North, welcoming Oxford City after an encouraging victory on the opening weekend. Oxford made the brighter start, although Spalding gradually worked their way into the contest and there were opportunities at both ends before the visitors took the lead in the 41st minute.

The Tulips then suffered another setback when Dan Jarvis was forced off through injury shortly before half-time, just as Jimmy Dean’s side appeared to be finding some momentum. Spalding pressed during the second half without really finding the incision required to unlock the Oxford defence, and the visitors protected their slender advantage to inflict a first home defeat of the season. Dean was disappointed afterwards, feeling his side had played backwards too often rather than trying to force the issue further up the pitch.

There was a much more positive afternoon for Gainsborough Trinity, who responded to their midweek defeat with an excellent 3-0 victory away at FC United of Manchester. The hosts had started on the front foot, but Trinity struck against the run of play after 12 minutes as they won possession in midfield, forced their way forward, and Fraser Preston finished for his second goal of the campaign.

From there Gainsborough began to exert far more control, although David Robson still had to produce two excellent saves shortly before the interval. Between those stops, Theo Williams added Trinity’s second with a fine finish, ensuring Russ Wilcox’s side went into half-time firmly in command.

FC United were reduced to ten men five minutes into the second half, giving Trinity even greater control of proceedings, and George Hornshaw completed the scoring in the 79th minute. A three-goal away win, and a clean sheet against strong opposition represented an excellent response after their previous result.

Lincoln United also continued their encouraging start with a 2-1 home victory against Heaton Stannington. The contest began in lively fashion before the Whites gradually began to establish themselves, with Liam Moran opening the scoring in the 27th minute and Finley Armond doubling the advantage eight minutes later.

It appeared United might be heading towards a relatively comfortable afternoon, only for Heaton Stannington to pull one back in the 41st minute and ensure there was still plenty of work to do after the break. The second half was tighter and more evenly contested, but United held firm to collect another three points and preserve their unbeaten start to the season.

Three of our sides were also involved in FA Vase action, with contrasting fortunes across the afternoon. Skegness Town welcomed Eastwood and took the lead in the 28th minute through a Matt Clarke penalty, although the visitors were level eight minutes later courtesy of an own goal.

Neither side could find a decisive second goal after the break, meaning the tie went directly to penalties, where a former Imp became the decisive figure. Scott Loach saved three Skegness spot-kicks before stepping forward himself to score the winner as Eastwood progressed 4-3 in the shootout.

Pinchbeck United were hoping cup football might provide some respite from a difficult beginning to their league campaign, but their FA Vase run ended at home to Stapleford Town. Pinchbeck produced a competitive performance for long periods, yet goals in the ninth, 91st and 92nd minutes gave the visitors a 3-0 victory that perhaps looked more comfortable on paper than the contest itself had been.

That leaves Pinchbeck to focus entirely on trying to turn their league fortunes around, even at this early stage of the campaign.

Harrowby United did make progress, securing a 1-0 home victory against Sandiacre. Harry Johnson finished a good team move in the 38th minute and, although the visitors pushed increasingly hard for an equaliser during the second half, Harrowby protected their lead to book a place in the next round.

Boston Town also recorded a victory in their first home Northern Premier League fixture, although manager Chris Funnell was considerably happier with the points than the performance. Harry Limb put Town ahead from the penalty spot after 24 minutes and that remained the score until the interval.

Defensive errors allowed Loughborough Students to equalise from a free-kick in the 53rd minute, although the visitors were reduced to ten men only three minutes later. Boston eventually made the numerical advantage count when they were awarded another penalty in the 80th minute, with Limb converting once again to secure a 2-1 victory. Funnell admitted afterwards the display had fallen below the standards he expects, although he also acknowledged that collecting points is particularly important at this stage of the season.

Grantham Town might have viewed those comments with some frustration after producing a decent performance at home to Rugby Borough but coming away empty-handed. The visitors created very little during the contest, yet a superb 20-yard effort in the first half proved enough to earn them all three points.

It was a difficult outcome for Grantham after their midweek draw, especially given the overall level of their performance, but it served as another reminder that results rather than territorial dominance ultimately shape the early league table.

Both Lincolnshire sides involved in United Counties League Division One action were beaten, although Sleaford Town came close to taking something from their trip to Clipstone. They fell behind after only three minutes and spent much of the opening quarter-hour under pressure before beginning to work their way into the match.

Sam Edgington produced the equaliser in the 24th minute, scoring from a free-kick around 25 yards out for his second goal in as many matches. Sleaford then began to enjoy the better of the second half, but the match swung decisively when Edgington was shown a red card in the 79th minute.

Even with ten men, Sleaford continued trying to get forward, only to concede a penalty in the 90th minute before Clipstone added another in the 94th to complete a 3-1 win. Manager Jamie McGee felt his side had deserved at least a point, with the dismissal proving the defining moment.

Louth Town were also looking to respond after their 4-1 defeat at Sleaford, but two early goals put visitors Dunkirk firmly in control. Theo Kit-Bushell reduced the deficit in the 31st minute and Louth continued to press after the break, searching for a route back into the contest.

Their task became even harder when Freddie Walker was shown a straight red card in the 84th minute, allowing Dunkirk to see out a 2-1 victory and leave Louth still searching for a positive response.

Stamford also endured another frustrating afternoon, despite handing a debut to goalkeeper James Goff for the visit of Racing Club Warwick. The Daniels were behind after only five minutes and, although they had opportunities to respond, they went into half-time trailing 1-0.

There was an improvement after the interval and Trey Charles equalised in the 63rd minute, only for Racing Club Warwick to retake the lead three minutes later. That proved decisive, leaving Stamford without a point from their opening three matches and still looking for a permanent leadership team, while a youthful squad continues to learn quickly at this level.

At the other end of the early table, Brigg Town moved to the summit after a 2-0 victory against Doncaster City. Brigg produced an excellent attacking first-half display, taking the lead through Dayle Southwell in the 14th minute before Dayle Hutson doubled the advantage five minutes later.

The second half demanded something very different, with Doncaster pushing forward and Brigg required to show their defensive strength. They created little at the other end after the interval, but stood firm even after Oakley Hill was sent off in the 76th minute, ensuring both the clean sheet and all three points remained intact.

Joint manager Stephen McCarrow was understandably pleased with the performance, and if Brigg can reproduce that combination of first-half attacking football and second-half resilience regularly, their early position at the top of the table might prove to be more than simply an August curiosity.

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