There was another busy midweek programme for Lincolnshire non-league sides, with Gainsborough Trinity producing the standout result and Skegness Town also collecting an impressive away victory.
Spalding United and Lincoln United both had to settle for draws, while there were defeats for Boston Town and Boston United, with Grantham Town also taking a point from their home fixture.
Spalding United 0-0 Macclesfield
Spalding were looking to respond to their first home defeat of the season as former Football League side Macclesfield visited the Sir Halley Stewart Field. The Tulips controlled much of the opening half an hour and created opportunities without finding a breakthrough, before Macclesfield gradually began to impose themselves as the interval approached. Neither side could make their spell of pressure count, however, and the game remained goalless at half-time.
The second period followed a similar pattern, with opportunities at both ends but neither side able to provide the decisive finish. A 0-0 draw leaves Spalding with a win, a draw and a defeat from their opening three league matches. It is a respectable start, although their first two home fixtures have highlighted the importance of turning possession and chances into goals if they are to establish themselves towards the right end of the table.
AFC Mansfield 1-3 Skegness Town
Skegness travelled to AFC Mansfield looking for a response following their disappointing FA Vase exit at the weekend. The hosts enjoyed the better of the early chances, but it was the Lilywhites who struck first when Lucas Dakin produced an excellent finish against the run of play.
That goal gave Skegness confidence and Dakin took full advantage after the break, completing his hat-trick before the hour mark to put the visitors firmly in control. Mansfield’s task became even more difficult when they were reduced to ten men just two minutes later. The hosts did pull one back from the penalty spot, but there was no denying Skegness a fine 3-1 away victory.
Gainsborough Trinity 4-1 Stockton Town
Gainsborough Trinity’s excellent start continued with an emphatic home win against Stockton Town. The Blues were ahead inside three minutes through Ashton Offler, an early goal that allowed Trinity to settle quickly and play much of the opening period on the front foot. Their advantage was doubled after 33 minutes when a mistake in the Stockton defence presented Jordan Helliwell with the opportunity to make it 2-0.
Trinity remained in control after the interval and continued to create opportunities before Theo Williams added the third around the hour mark. Williams outmuscled his opponent, drove into the penalty area and fired low beyond the goalkeeper. Stockton reduced the deficit from the penalty spot in the 77th minute, but any hopes of a comeback disappeared when they were shown a straight red card seven minutes later. Ben Blyth then completed the scoring with virtually the final kick of the game, tapping home to make it 4-1 and round off another excellent night for the Blues.
Boston Town 0-2 Wellingborough
Boston Town went into their home meeting with Wellingborough hoping to continue what had been an encouraging run of results, but it proved to be a difficult evening for the Poachers. The visitors scored once in each half to secure all three points and leave Boston empty-handed.
It was a setback rather than anything more significant at this early stage of the campaign. Boston have shown enough in their opening matches to suggest they can compete well, although this was one of those evenings where they were unable to turn their recent momentum into another positive result.
Grantham Town 1-1 St Ives Town
Grantham are now 18th in the table following a 1-1 draw at home to St Ives Town. The Gingerbreads fell behind after half an hour and, although the contest remained open, they struggled to find the finishing touch required to bring themselves level for much of the evening.
Their persistence was finally rewarded in the 87th minute when Louis Czerwak found the net to earn a share of the points. Grantham have produced some encouraging football, but finding a more consistent cutting edge will be important if they are to start climbing the division.
Lincoln United 1-1 Pontefract Collieries
Lincoln United dropped their first points of the season after being held by Pontefract Collieries at Ashby Avenue. Pontefract began brightly and put the Whites under pressure before United gradually worked their way into the contest and started creating chances of their own. Despite that improvement, it was the visitors who went ahead in the 38th minute and carried their one-goal advantage into the break.
United started the second half strongly but were fortunate not to fall further behind when a scramble inside the penalty area ended with Pontefract striking the post. The momentum changed again when the visitors were reduced to ten men, and Lincoln eventually made the numerical advantage count. Sam Swinn struck the equaliser in the 85th minute to preserve United’s unbeaten start and secure a 1-1 draw.
Boston United 2-3 Birmingham City PL2
Boston United were also in action in cup competition against Birmingham City’s PL2 side and produced a strong performance despite suffering a late defeat. Ken Aboh gave the Pilgrims the lead in the 37th minute before Lennon Wheeldon doubled the advantage five minutes after half-time, putting Boston in an excellent position.
Birmingham responded by scoring twice to level the contest before delivering the decisive blow in added time, completing a 3-2 turnaround. The result was a frustrating one given the position Boston had established, but the Pilgrims can take plenty from the performance against a talented Birmingham side.
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