Spalding United moved within one win of the FA Cup first round proper and Gainsborough Trinity hit six on their travels, but there was disappointment elsewhere across Tuesday night’s Lincolnshire fixtures, writes David Ward.
FA Cup
Spalding United 4-0 Bury Town
Spalding United delivered an emphatic response to Saturday’s draw at Bury Town, sweeping aside their visitors to secure a home tie against Alvechurch in the fourth qualifying round. After their manager had publicly expressed his disappointment with the first-half performance at the weekend, the Tulips wasted little time in making amends. Bart Cybulski opened the scoring after just four minutes, meeting a throw-in with a stylish volley.
Dan Jarvis doubled the advantage in the 20th minute when his effort from a cross slipped past the Bury goalkeeper, before Dan Barton added a third with a fine chip seven minutes before the break. Spalding remained firmly in control after the restart, although Peter Crook produced an excellent save in the 58th minute to preserve the clean sheet. Ben Fowkes completed the scoring late on, tapping home the rebound after Jarvis’s strike from outside the box had been saved.
The Tulips now have the chance to reach the first round proper for only the third time in their history, and the first since their 5-3 defeat at Newport County in 1964/65. They join Boston United and Scunthorpe United in the final qualifying round, with those two clubs set to meet each other.
Northern Premier League Premier Division
Whitby Town 2-6 Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity put Saturday’s cup disappointment behind them with a commanding victory at Whitby Town. With Frank Mulhern back in the side following his spell away from the club, Trinity took the lead in the opening minute through Fraser Preston’s direct free-kick. Whitby sent an effort narrowly wide, but the visitors continued to create chances and doubled their advantage in the 28th minute when Aaron Simpson got a touch on another Preston effort.
Connor Brown made it three from a corner on the stroke of half-time, leaving Trinity firmly in charge. Whitby pulled one back in the 63rd minute, but Gainsborough responded seven minutes later as Javelle Clarke got ahead of his marker to finish from a cross. The visitors then controlled possession impressively, including one passage of around 30 passes without Whitby touching the ball.
Harrison Beeden added the fifth in the 81st minute and struck again from a corner three minutes later to complete Trinity’s scoring. Whitby grabbed a second in the final minute of normal time, but it did little to take the shine off an excellent evening for the Blues.
Northern Premier League Division One East
Bradford Park Avenue 3-1 Lincoln United
Lincoln United briefly threatened an away victory at Bradford Park Avenue before the hosts fought back to take all three points. The Whites reached half-time with the game goalless, although Bradford had twice struck the post and seen a goal ruled out for offside. Within a minute of the restart, Liam Moran put United ahead after the ball came off the goalkeeper.
The advantage lasted only five minutes, with Bradford equalising before increasing the pressure. They took the lead in the 74th minute and added a third eight minutes later, leaving United with a difficult task in the closing stages. Tom Ward’s header struck the crossbar, but the Whites were ultimately beaten by a side who provided one of their toughest tests of the season so far.
Northern Premier League Division One Midlands
Nuneaton Town 2-1 Boston Town
Boston Town made a promising start at Nuneaton Town but were unable to hold on to their early advantage. Zak Munton put the Poachers ahead with a direct free-kick in the tenth minute, and two further opportunities offered the chance to extend that lead. Instead, Nuneaton equalised in the 32nd minute to send the sides into the break level.
The second half began with chances at both ends before the hosts gradually gained control. Their pressure brought the decisive goal from a corner in the 75th minute, leaving Boston chasing an equaliser. Despite their efforts to recover, the Poachers came away empty-handed after a competitive showing.
United Counties League Division One
Pinchbeck United 0-3 Southwell City
Pinchbeck United were unable to build on Saturday’s draw as Southwell City secured victory with three first-half goals. With development players included in the home side, Pinchbeck took time to settle and fell behind in the 13th minute. They subsequently produced some encouraging football, but two further goals in the final three minutes of the half left them facing a substantial deficit.
Southwell protected their lead effectively after the interval, absorbing Pinchbeck’s pressure and defending well when the hosts created openings. There were positive passages of attacking play from United, but no breakthrough to offer a route back into the contest. Cutting out the lapses that proved costly before the break will be important if those encouraging moments are to translate into results.
Harrowby United 0-2 Stapleford Town
Harrowby United’s frustrating start to the season continued with a home defeat against an in-form Stapleford Town. The hosts began brightly but struggled to turn their early play into clear opportunities, allowing Stapleford to grow into the contest. The breakthrough arrived during four minutes of first-half stoppage time, giving the visitors a narrow advantage at the interval.
Harrowby sought an equaliser after the restart, but Stapleford added a second in the 74th minute to secure the points. The Arrows had hoped to mount an immediate promotion challenge following last season’s relegation, but currently find themselves around mid-table. With roughly a quarter of the campaign played, there remains time to improve, although they will need to find greater consistency.
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