Late winners, comeback victories and FA Vase progress featured in an eventful afternoon for Lincolnshire’s non-league clubs, writes David Ward.
Boston United will follow, as David attended the game and has a special report prepped.
Lincoln United 3-2 West Auckland
Alan Power rolled back the years with a last-gasp free-kick as Lincoln United scored twice in added time to turn a likely defeat into a dramatic victory. The Whites had looked the stronger side for much of the afternoon, creating several early opportunities before Liam Moran headed them in front after 24 minutes.
United thought they had doubled their advantage shortly after the break, but an effort from a corner was disallowed for a foul, with the visiting goalkeeper appearing to collide with his own teammate. West Auckland were then reduced to ten men following a heavy challenge on Daniel Emmanuel, yet the visitors equalised on the break in the 77th minute. Despite further United pressure and some important saves from the visiting keeper, West Auckland struck again five minutes later to leave the Whites facing an unlikely defeat.
United kept going and finally found their equaliser in the 92nd minute through Tom Ward, but there was still time for another twist. A free-kick outside the area gave Power his opportunity, and the former Imp delivered with virtually the final kick to complete a remarkable turnaround.
Marine 1-0 Spalding United
Spalding United’s injury problems prompted the loan signing of Rohan Vaughan from Harrogate Town, with the newcomer going straight into the side at Marine. With seven first-team players sidelined by long-term injuries, the Tulips made a positive start but struggled to turn their approach play into clear chances. Marine gradually gained control, with Crook making important saves to keep the game goalless at the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Spalding starting brightly before the hosts imposed themselves again. The decisive moment came in the 66th minute, when the Tulips lost possession inside their own area and Marine punished them with the only goal. Jimmy Dean was left frustrated by his side’s inability to retain the ball, with attention now turning to next Saturday’s FA Cup tie.
Emley AFC 1-2 Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity built on their midweek victory by coming from behind to win at Emley. A quiet opening gave way to a more eventful finish to the first half, with the hosts missing an open goal after intercepting a backpass and Trinity also passing up an opportunity before the interval.
Emley took the lead within two minutes of the restart and threatened to extend their advantage, with David Robson producing an important save before another effort struck the crossbar and bounced down. The hosts appealed that the ball had crossed the line, but no goal was awarded, and Trinity were given a route back into the match when they won a penalty on the hour. Frank Mulhern converted, despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to his effort.
The equaliser shifted the momentum and Harrison Beeden put Gainsborough ahead in the 76th minute. Theo Williams nearly added a third, only to be denied by an excellent save, before Trinity survived a late scare to secure all three points.
Sutton Coldfield Town 3-3 Boston Town
Boston Town came away with a useful point from a six-goal contest at Sutton Coldfield, although a two-goal half-time lead had initially promised more. Zak Munton opened the scoring after 25 minutes following a positive start from the visitors, then added his second two minutes before the interval to give Boston a deserved advantage.
Sutton Coldfield responded strongly, scoring twice inside the opening eight minutes of the second half before completing the turnaround with a third. Boston refused to fold, however, and Tom Siddons met a Ted Gibbons free-kick to bring them level within five minutes of falling behind. Both teams had chances to win it late on, but the draw still represented a creditable result away against strong opposition.
Grantham Town 2-3 Coleshill Town
Grantham Town were left frustrated after a spirited effort against Coleshill ended in a narrow home defeat. The visitors took the lead in the 17th minute, and although the Gingerbreads created opportunities in response, they remained behind at half-time.
Ryan Rushen brought Grantham level seven minutes after the restart, heading home after a saved shot looped into the air. Coleshill immediately restored their advantage and added a third in the 67th minute, leaving the hosts chasing the game again. Louis Czerwak converted an 86th-minute penalty to set up a tense finish, but Grantham could not find an equaliser despite further chances.
Banbury United 3-2 Stamford
Stamford showed improvement following their heavy defeat in their previous home outing, but were unable to take anything from an entertaining game at Banbury. The Daniels began on the front foot and Luca Alonzi put them ahead in the 22nd minute, only for the hosts to equalise in the 35th. Stamford then needed a goal-line clearance and some determined defending to reach the interval level.
The game swung decisively towards Banbury immediately after the restart, with the hosts scoring twice inside three minutes to establish a 3-1 lead. Tyler Young pulled one back in the 55th minute and Stamford remained competitive as the action moved from end to end, but Banbury held on. Although the result was disappointing, the performance offered encouragement ahead of a challenging run of fixtures.
Skegness Town 3-2 Clay Cross Town: Match Abandoned
Skegness were leading Clay Cross 3-2 when the match was abandoned following an allegation that a homophobic comment had been made between players.
Clay Cross chairman Lee Watson said the player reported the alleged comment to the referee, who took both teams off and spoke to the managers. Watson said: “The decision was made by the referee to abandon the fixture given the alleged comment made by the opposition and threats of a violent nature.”
Skegness gave a different account of how the abandonment was decided, stating: “The referee then asked both managers if their sides wished to continue, which Clay Cross refused to continue and therefore the game was abandoned.” The club said it would make no further comment until investigations were completed. The FA and United Counties League have been contacted for comment.
Sandiacre Town 2-3 Pinchbeck United
Pinchbeck United continued their recent improvement with a hard-earned away victory, with JJ Ward marking his 100th appearance for the club by opening the scoring in the 12th minute. Sandiacre equalised eight minutes later, but Pinchbeck restored their lead after 31 minutes when pressure on a backpass forced a goalkeeping error, allowing Florin Alex Pitigoi to finish into an empty net.
The visitors extended their advantage in spectacular fashion after the break, with Ulus Hussein returning a poor clearance into the top corner from around 35 yards in the 57th minute. Sandiacre pulled a goal back in the 69th minute, but Pinchbeck defended resolutely to protect their lead. After a difficult start to the season, their recent performances are providing grounds for optimism.
Maltby Main 3-1 Louth Town
Louth Town endured a frustrating afternoon at Maltby Main, where a promising second-half response was undone by a disputed penalty. The hosts applied early pressure and took the lead in the 27th minute, with Louth unable to find a reply before half-time.
The visitors improved after the restart and deservedly equalised in the 61st minute, when Jack McSpaddon’s chip beat the goalkeeper and crept over the line. Their momentum was interrupted when Maltby were awarded a penalty on a counterattack, a decision that left Louth aggrieved, and the hosts converted before adding a third in the 71st minute. Louth’s frustration increased when a subsequent appeal for what they felt was a similar incident in the opposite penalty area brought no award.
Sleaford Town 2-1 Stapleford Town
Sleaford Town continued to make home advantage count, coming from behind to defeat Stapleford with an added-time winner. The Green Army looked the stronger side during the opening half, but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 32nd minute and held that advantage until the break.
Ben Robson equalised two minutes into the second half, rewarding another purposeful start from Sleaford. The hosts continued to create chances and finally made one count in added time, when Kyle Onyon found the winner. There was still a final defensive task to complete, with Sleaford clearing a late Stapleford effort off the line to preserve a deserved three points.
Kirby Muxloe 0-1 Harrowby United
Harrowby United secured their place in the next round of the FA Vase with a 1-0 victory away at Kirby Muxloe. Further match details were unavailable, but the narrow win ensured the Arrows continued their cup campaign.
Brigg Town 3-2 Selby Town
Brigg Town recovered from a slow start to beat Selby and join Harrowby in the next round. The visitors deservedly went ahead in the third minute, but the Zebras found their rhythm and equalised through Reece Yorke after 26 minutes. Dayle Southwell headed them in front six minutes later, with Harry Parr adding a third on the stroke of half-time.
Brigg remained on top for much of the second half, although Selby began to threaten more as the game entered its closing stages. The visitors pulled a goal back in the 87th minute to set up a nervous finish, but the Zebras defended well enough to see out the tie.
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