David Ward rounds up Saturday’s Lincolnshire non-league action, with a heavy defeat for Boston United, five goals for Brigg Town and a late comeback winner for Boston Town. Gainsborough will feature tomorrow in a special piece.
Yeovil Town 6-0 Boston United
Boston United endured a miserable afternoon at Yeovil, conceding four times in the final 11 minutes of the first half on their way to a heavy defeat. The optimism generated by last season’s finish and the summer recruitment has faded, with the victory at Forest Green providing a rare recent bright spot.
The opening stages gave little indication of what was to follow, with both sides creating chances and both goalkeepers making saves. However, Boston allowed a Yeovil player to run almost half the length of the pitch to open the scoring in the 34th minute, and their afternoon quickly unravelled as three more goals followed before the break.
There was a response after half-time, but Boston were already facing a damage-limitation exercise. Yeovil added a fifth in the 73rd minute, then converted a penalty two minutes later to complete the scoring.
Paul Hurst described the performance as embarrassing and apologised to the 121 travelling supporters. Boston hope to have four players returning for next weekend’s home fixture against Southend United, although Hurst made clear that the side beaten at Yeovil should not be regarded as a weakened team.
Blyth Spartans 1-0 Lincoln United
Lincoln United were left frustrated at Blyth after a strong performance brought no reward. The Whites started brightly and created an excellent opportunity for Daniel Emmanuel in the tenth minute, only for the hosts to survive and immediately score at the other end.
United went on to control much of the match, with Power particularly impressive in midfield, but could not find an equaliser. Dave Frecklington praised his players’ effort and commitment afterwards, taking encouragement from the performance despite the result.
Skegness Town 0-0 Ashby Ivanhoe
Skegness Town steadied themselves with a goalless draw after their midweek defeat at Blackstones, where an early two-goal advantage, established by Theo Kit-Bushell and Declan Johnson, had become a 5-2 loss. Chances were limited during the first half against Ashby Ivanhoe, with much of the play concentrated in midfield.
The contest opened up after the interval, and Skegness pushed for a winner in the closing stages. Neither side could make the breakthrough, leaving them to share the points.
Boston Town 3-2 Rugby Borough
Boston Town recovered from two goals down to claim a dramatic victory, with Tom Siddons striking from distance in the final minute of normal time. The Poachers, missing seven players through injury, had fallen behind after just two minutes and conceded again in the 34th.
Matt Cotton started the recovery shortly before half-time, getting a touch to Zak Munton’s effort to reduce the deficit. He almost levelled before the break after rounding the goalkeeper, but a covering defender cleared his effort off the line.
New signing Mhamdi Aziz marked his debut following his arrival from FC Peterborough with the equaliser in the 54th minute, holding off two defenders before finishing. Boston continued to press, and Siddons eventually found the winner before the hosts negotiated five minutes of added time.
Chris Funnell was unhappy with the goals his side conceded, describing them as their worst of the season. However, the Poachers again showed their ability to recover from a poor start and turned a two-goal deficit into three points.
Grantham Town 2-3 Coleshill Town
Grantham Town were beaten despite creating enough opportunities to take something from their home meeting with Coleshill. The visitors opened the scoring in the 17th minute, and the Gingerbreads remained behind at the interval despite applying sustained pressure.
Ryan Rushen equalised in the 52nd minute, but Grantham immediately surrendered parity as Coleshill went back in front. The visitors added a third in the 70th minute, leaving the hosts with a difficult task.
Louis Czerwak converted an 85th-minute penalty to give Grantham hope of a late recovery. However, they could not find another equaliser and slipped to a narrow defeat.
Sleaford Town 0-0 Maltby Main
Sleaford Town followed their midweek derby defeat to Louth with a scrappy goalless draw against Maltby Main. Neither side did enough to establish control, although Alfie Sheen had a late opportunity to win it for the hosts, firing wide.
Jamie McGee acknowledged that the match had offered little entertainment but was happier with his players’ commitment. He felt they had shown more fight than in their previous two fixtures.
Louth Town 0-0 Pinxton
Louth Town could not build on their midweek derby victory as they were held to a goalless draw by Pinxton. A quiet afternoon produced little goalmouth action, with neither side able to find a breakthrough.
It was a less eventful outing than Louth’s win over Sleaford, but another point added to their total. Clear opportunities remained scarce throughout.
Harrowby United 2-0 Gedling Miners Welfare
Kieran Stanley scored twice as Harrowby bounced back from their midweek defeat at West Bridgford Colts. In front of a crowd of 170, the hosts started strongly and took the lead through Stanley in the 22nd minute.
Gedling briefly threatened a response, but Harrowby regained control and carried their advantage into half-time. Stanley added his second in the 73rd minute to secure all three points.
Swallownest 3-3 Pinchbeck United
Pinchbeck United twice came from behind before being denied victory by a late Swallownest equaliser. The hosts led after nine minutes, but Pinchbeck responded well and levelled through JJ Ward on the counterattack shortly before half-time.
Swallownest regained the lead in the 59th minute, only for Josh Balding to head Pinchbeck level seven minutes later. Ward then scored his second to put the visitors ahead for the first time.
A home equaliser three minutes from time prevented Pinchbeck from taking all three points. Nevertheless, their attacking response offered encouragement after a difficult run.
Brigg Town 5-0 Ilkley Town
Brigg Town extended their unbeaten run with an emphatic victory over Ilkley, scoring four times after the break against ten men. Missing two suspended defenders and another player through injury, the Zebras were looking for a stronger performance after their goalless midweek draw at Goole.
Josh Batty won and converted a penalty in the 20th minute to put Brigg ahead. Ilkley were awarded a disputed penalty around the half-hour mark, but Liam Higton produced an excellent save to preserve the advantage.
The visitors were reduced to ten men four minutes later following a two-footed challenge on Lewis Gartland, who was able to continue. Reece Yorke doubled Brigg’s lead within two minutes of the restart, and the hosts kept pressing.
Batty added his second in the 73rd minute, Dayle Southwell made it four in the 85th, and Yorke completed his own double in the final minute. Brigg’s refusal to ease off pleased the management as they strengthened their position at the top of the table.
Bury Town 1-1 Spalding United
Spalding United will need a replay to settle their FA Cup tie after recovering from a poor first half at Bury Town. With seven long-term injuries restricting their options, the Tulips included Peterborough United loanee Oli Rose but fell behind after seven minutes in front of a crowd of 1,200.
Dion Sembie-Ferris equalised shortly before the interval, giving Spalding a foothold after what their manager described as their worst first half of the season. The visitors improved considerably after the break and took control, but could not turn their pressure into a winner.
The sides will meet again at Spalding on Tuesday night. Both will be in Monday’s draw for the final qualifying round, with the prospect of moving a step closer to the first round proper adding to the replay’s importance.
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