League points and FA Vase progress were on the line during a weekend of mixed fortunes for our local non-league sides, writes David Ward.
Spalding United continued their impressive start, Lincoln United returned to winning ways and Pinchbeck finally celebrated their first league victory. Brigg Town also progressed in the Vase, although there was shootout disappointment for Sleaford and Louth.
Boston United 1 Wealdstone 3
Boston United were left wondering how they had come away empty-handed after an attacking performance undermined by defensive errors and missed opportunities.
The Pilgrims began positively and led in the 11th minute through a Jamie Grimes header, his second goal in as many games. Another effort was ruled out for offside in the 20th minute, while the visiting goalkeeper produced several excellent saves. Poor defending allowed Wealdstone to equalise after 27 minutes, but Boston continued to create chances before the break.
United had a golden opportunity to regain the lead two minutes into the second half, only for John-Lewis to have his penalty saved. The game then turned decisively against them as Wealdstone scored in the 65th and 66th minutes.
Boston kept pushing, striking the crossbar and sending two efforts narrowly wide, but could not find a way back. Tuesday’s home fixture offers a quick opportunity to put a frustrating afternoon behind them.
Spalding United 2 Bedford Town 1
Bart Cybulski took his tally for the season to 11 as Spalding United came from behind to beat Bedford Town and move fourth in National League North.
Both clubs had been tipped to struggle, but Bedford arrived with four successive victories behind them, while the Tulips were looking to maintain their own excellent start. An open game saw the visitors capitalise on a defensive mistake to lead in the 14th minute.
Spalding responded positively and, after creating several chances, levelled through Cybulski a minute before half-time. He struck again three minutes after the restart to put the hosts ahead.
The Tulips were the stronger side throughout the second half, defending firmly when Bedford threatened and carrying greater purpose going forward. They deserved their three points and sit fourth after nine games.
Gainsborough Trinity 0 Avro 2
Gainsborough Trinity paid for failing to take their chances as Avro claimed all three points with two second-half goals.
Trinity controlled much of the opening half and created the better opportunities. An injury which forced off one of the visitors’ attacking threats appeared to strengthen their position, but the sides remained goalless at the interval.
Avro emerged with greater purpose after the restart and took the lead in the 53rd minute. Gainsborough pushed for an equaliser and had opportunities to level, but their finishing let them down. With Trinity committing players forward, the visitors added a second in stoppage time.
Lincoln United 3 Ossett United 1
Lincoln United produced an excellent display to return to winning ways, with three first-half goals putting them firmly in control against Ossett United.
Goalkeeper Lawson returned following the previous weekend’s injury, and the Whites were ahead after just four minutes when Rio Molyneaux smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Sam Swinn and former Lincoln City midfielder Alan Power were prominent as United dominated, with Elliot Dye adding a deserved second through a 37th-minute tap-in.
Liam Moran made it three shortly before the interval, converting a fine cross from Max Baker. Power continued to dictate midfield after the break, rolling back the years with a performance reminiscent of his days in an Imps shirt.
Further chances went unconverted and the game became scrappier as legs tired. Ossett pulled one back with a low drive in the 90th minute, but that did little to diminish a thoroughly deserved home victory.
Boston Town 0 Belper Town 3
Boston Town’s difficult spell continued as Belper Town took their chances to secure a comfortable away victory.
The Poachers started well, but fell behind to the visitors’ first real attack after ten minutes and conceded again in the 23rd minute. Confidence appeared low, particularly in attack, where Boston struggled to find the target.
A triple half-time substitution was followed by further changes, with all five substitutes used by the 62nd minute. Belper nevertheless added a third three minutes later to settle the contest.
Boston’s manager acknowledged afterwards that his side had been well beaten, but remained confident they could come through their current difficulties and start picking up results.
Grantham Town 2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 3
Grantham Town’s late fightback fell short despite a goal from returning signing Ryan Rushen.
Back with the Gingerbreads after joining from Newark, Rushen equalised in the 27th minute after the visitors had taken the lead. Rushden restored their advantage five minutes later and went into half-time 2-1 ahead.
Grantham played well and created opportunities, but a third visiting goal in the 75th minute left them with a mountain to climb. Alex Roberts struck five minutes later to set up a tense finish, only for the equaliser to prove elusive.
Gresley Rovers 3 Skegness Town 1
Skegness Town endured a disappointing afternoon as their recent good form deserted them against Gresley Rovers.
The hosts took the lead after 15 minutes and had a player sent off shortly afterwards, but Town could not make their numerical advantage count during a below-par first half.
Gresley doubled their lead ten minutes after the restart before Skegness finally began to show more urgency. Cotton pulled one back in the 85th minute, but hopes of a recovery lasted only a minute as the hosts scored again. Bailey Forth’s subsequent dismissal completed a miserable day for Town.
Pinchbeck United 1 Gedling Miners Welfare 0
Pinchbeck United finally secured their first league win of the season, with Josh Panton’s second-half goal bringing relief and celebration.
The hosts played with confidence in a goalless first half, moving the ball well but struggling to apply the finishing touch. Encouraged by their performance, they continued positively after the break and made the breakthrough in the 71st minute through Panton.
The defence stood firm to protect the lead, and the celebrations at full-time showed how much the result meant. Pinchbeck will hope it provides the confidence to begin climbing away from the bottom of the table.
Birstall 1 Sleaford Town 1
Sleaford Town exited the FA Vase after losing a penalty shootout at Birstall.
Dion Tansey-Potter gave Town the lead in the 42nd minute, but the hosts equalised five minutes into the second half. Neither side could find a winner, taking the tie to penalties, where Sleaford were beaten 3-0.
Louth Town 1 Kirby 1
Louth Town also suffered FA Vase shootout disappointment after recovering from a goal down against Kirby.
A penalty conceded in the 44th minute left Louth trailing at the break, but Ethan Scott equalised in the 67th minute. The sides could not be separated before the final whistle, and an extended shootout eventually went Kirby’s way, 7-6.
Brigg Town 3 Dearne & District 2
Brigg Town booked their place in the FA Vase first round proper after overcoming a first-half setback against Dearne & District.
The Zebras made a flying start, with Charlie Fleming scoring after five minutes and Josh Batty doubling the lead three minutes later. However, Brigg eased off and allowed their opponents to score twice before the interval. A missed penalty shortly before half-time added to their frustration.
Brigg regained the initiative after the restart, and Fleming struck again in the 64th minute. His second goal of the afternoon proved decisive, securing a 3-2 win and a place in the next round.
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