Lincolnshire non-league clubs were back in action across the league and FA Cup, with Boston United returning to winning ways and Spalding United securing their place in the next round, writes David Ward.
Forest Green Rovers 1-3 Boston United
Boston United ended their winless run with an impressive victory at Forest Green Rovers. With illness affecting the club and making team selection more difficult, the Pilgrims faced a demanding away fixture but produced a much-needed response.
United could hardly have made a better start, taking the lead inside 45 seconds. Teale won a defensive header and the ball reached Tom Cursons, who ran through before sending an angled drive into the far corner. The advantage lasted only until the third minute, however, when Forest Green equalised.
Boston had chances of their own during the first half, but they also looked out of sorts at times and needed Chadwick to keep them level. The goalkeeper produced three excellent saves before the interval, ensuring United went into the dressing room with the score at 1-1.
The Pilgrims looked more in control after the restart and regained the lead within five minutes. Cursons was played into the penalty area and brought down, before stepping up to convert the resulting spot-kick for his second goal of the afternoon.
Forest Green continued to pose an occasional threat, with Chadwick making another superb save in the 63rd minute to preserve the advantage. Boston finally gave themselves breathing space in the 75th minute, when Lennon Wheeldon scored from Georgie Gent’s corner.
It was a timely return to winning ways for United, who now face a fortnight with three players away on international duty. After a difficult run and disrupted preparations, they left with three valuable points.
Skegness Town 1-1 Leicester Nirvana
Skegness Town had to settle for a point against Leicester Nirvana as they looked to end a three-match winless run. Both sides created opportunities during a lively opening half, with the two goalkeepers making good saves to keep the game goalless at the break.
Town began the second half with greater control, but it was Leicester who broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute. Skegness responded by pushing forward and creating a couple of promising chances before Lucas Dakin finally found the equaliser in the 75th minute.
The goal encouraged Town to press harder for a winner, but they could not find the finishing touch. An improved attacking effort after falling behind therefore brought a point from a hard-fought encounter.
Sutton Coldfield Town 3-3 Grantham Town
Grantham Town surrendered a two-goal lead before fighting back to draw at Sutton Coldfield Town. Having won at home in midweek, the visitors made an excellent start and looked well placed to build on that result when Louis Czerwak scored twice inside the opening 29 minutes.
Sutton pulled a goal back just before half-time, giving themselves a route back into the contest. They carried that momentum into the second half, dominating the early stages after the restart and scoring twice to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead.
Grantham recovered their composure and found an equaliser in the 78th minute through Ryan Rushen. Town continued to push for a fourth, but ultimately had to accept a point from a match in which their early advantage had promised all three.
Bedworth United 0-2 Boston Town
Boston Town responded to their home defeat against Cleethorpes Town with a convincing away victory at Bedworth United. The visitors attacked from the outset, keeping the hosts pinned back as they searched for the opening goal.
Their pressure paid off in the 30th minute when Thomas Siddons fired into the top corner. That strike separated the sides at half-time, with Town having enjoyed a positive opening 45 minutes.
Boston continued to impose themselves after the interval and were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute. Harry Limb, who had only just come on, converted to double the advantage and put Town firmly on course for victory.
The visitors saw the game through to collect three points and a clean sheet. It was just the response they wanted after their previous disappointment.
Pinxton 4-0 Pinchbeck United
Pinchbeck United were unable to build on their previous 1-0 victory as they suffered a heavy defeat at Pinxton. Having hoped that result might mark a turning point in a difficult season, United travelled looking to bring home at least a point.
Instead, the hosts took control and established a two-goal lead before half-time. Pinxton added another two after the interval to complete a comprehensive 4-0 victory, leaving Pinchbeck with another disappointing afternoon to reflect on.
Although the season remains at an early stage, United need to find greater consistency if they are to avoid a prolonged struggle against relegation. The encouragement of their previous win was quickly replaced by a reminder of the improvement still required.
Sleaford Town 3-0 Gedling Miners Welfare
Sleaford Town put their penalty shoot-out cup exit behind them with a strong second-half performance against Gedling Miners Welfare. New arrivals Lewis Marsh, from Lincoln United, and Joe Smith, from Grantham Town, both made their debuts after joining on dual registration during the week.
Town began brightly and went close on a couple of occasions inside the opening 20 minutes. Gedling grew into the contest as the half developed, however, and although Sleaford had shaded proceedings, a goalless scoreline at the interval was a fair reflection.
The hosts took firm control in the second half and broke through in the 63rd minute when Lewis Smith opened the scoring. Sleaford also passed up two good opportunities before Riley Wilkinson doubled their lead in the 76th minute.
Even with a two-goal cushion, Town continued to attack rather than allowing the game to drift towards its conclusion. Their persistence brought a third goal right at the end, with Smith scoring his second to round off a deserved victory.
Swallownest 3-2 Louth Town
Louth Town suffered a late defeat at Swallownest as they attempted to recover from their own penalty shoot-out cup exit. The home side appeared to make better use of the blustery conditions early on and took the lead inside ten minutes, but Louth responded through Cole Nelson in the 15th minute.
Swallownest regained the advantage from the penalty spot in the 26th minute, only for Town to fight back again. Brendon Parker produced a fine finish in the 37th minute, receiving a pass before sliding the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 2-2.
That brought an entertaining first half to a close with neither side able to hold on to an advantage. After the break, however, Swallownest took greater control while Louth struggled to find a way through the home defence.
The decisive goal arrived in the 88th minute, leaving Town with little time to respond for a third time. It was a disappointing finish for the visitors, although Swallownest’s second-half performance meant the result was deserved.
Harrowby United 1-4 Dunkirk
Harrowby United paid the price for a disastrous opening spell as Dunkirk claimed a comprehensive away victory. The hosts found themselves 3-0 down inside 35 minutes, leaving them with a substantial task before the first half had even finished.
Kieren Stanley pulled a goal back shortly before the interval to offer some hope of a recovery. Harrowby improved in the second half, but the damage had already been done and Dunkirk added a fourth to put the result beyond doubt.
Stamford 0-3 Bishop’s Stortford
Stamford endured a difficult afternoon at home to Bishop’s Stortford, with three second-half goals condemning them to defeat. The hosts were on the back foot from the opening stages, although they did create some chances and reached half-time with the game still goalless.
The contest changed when Bishop’s Stortford took the lead through a penalty early in the second half. From that point, the visitors were firmly in command and added another two goals to complete a convincing 3-0 win.
Leeds UFCA 0-1 Brigg Town
Brigg Town continued their excellent form with a hard-earned victory at Leeds UFCA. The league leaders arrived unbeaten in ten games and buoyed by an FA Vase victory that had secured a home tie against Selby in the first round proper.
New signing Dominic Mellor, who had joined from Club Thorne Colliery, was included for the trip to Yorkshire. The contest took a significant turn in the 31st minute when a double sending-off reduced both teams to ten men.
Brigg responded the better of the two sides and took the lead just three minutes later. Oakley Hill scored his first goal for the Zebras, giving them an advantage they carried into half-time.
The second half demanded a resolute defensive performance, particularly in the final ten minutes as Leeds threw everything forward. Brigg held firm to secure another three points, setting up an exciting local derby against high-flying Winterton next weekend.
Leamington 1-1 Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity earned an FA Cup second qualifying round replay after coming from behind at Leamington. Having enjoyed good cup runs in each of the past two seasons, Trinity began another important tie in difficult conditions, with strong winds contributing to a scrappy opening.
Both sides battled for possession, but clear opportunities were limited. Gainsborough’s first real chance came in the 39th minute when Fraser Preston forced the goalkeeper to tip his effort over the bar, before Leamington took the lead shortly before half-time.
Trinity gained greater control after the interval and drew level in the 55th minute. A good combination between Preston and Connor Brown ended with Brown tapping home the equaliser.
From there, Gainsborough did almost everything but find a winner, putting the home side under sustained pressure. Leamington held on, however, and the teams will meet again at Trinity on Tuesday night to decide who progresses.
Spalding United 2-0 Hanley Town
Spalding United continued their winning run and booked a place in the next round of the FA Cup with victory over Hanley Town. The Tulips included new arrivals Tionne Critchlow-Woyo, on loan from Coventry City, and Daniel Barton, who had made his debut in the Lincolnshire Cup during the week.
Despite playing two leagues below their hosts, Hanley began with real intent and put Spalding on the back foot. The Tulips gradually worked their way into the contest and created a couple of chances to take the lead, but the sides reached half-time without a goal.
Spalding took greater control after the restart, although it was a triple substitution in the 55th minute that helped change the course of the match. Hanley continued to defend well, making the home side work hard for their breakthrough.
That finally came in the 73rd minute when Dion Sembie-Ferris put the Tulips ahead. The victory was secured in the 89th minute, with Ben Fowkes finishing into an empty net following a goalmouth scramble.
Spalding’s manager was full of praise for Hanley’s efforts after a competitive cup tie. It was the Tulips who progressed, however, maintaining their winning momentum with another clean sheet.
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