Gainsborough Trinity extended their winning run, Grantham Town struck four on the road and Lincoln United celebrated a late winner on another busy afternoon across Lincolnshire’s non-league scene, writes David Ward.
Eastleigh 4-2 Boston United
Boston United’s televised lunchtime trip to Eastleigh ended in another defeat, although the scoreline was harsh on a much-improved Pilgrims performance. Following his criticism last weekend, Paul Hurst made six changes to his starting side as he looked for a fresh beginning.
There were signs of nerves from both teams during an opening 15 minutes that produced some attractive football but few clear chances. Eastleigh were forced into a change in the 21st minute, but took the lead just a minute later to spark a remarkable spell of four goals in nine minutes.
Boston responded almost immediately, winning a penalty for a foul on the edge of the area. Lennell John-Lewis converted via the crossbar, although Eastleigh threatened again straight from the restart, forcing Chadwick into an excellent save before restoring their advantage a minute later.
The Pilgrims continued to attack, going close with a near-post flick before Jake Rooney produced a superb equaliser in the 31st minute. Chadwick then made another important save three minutes later as the sides went into the interval level at 2-2.
Boston began the second half strongly and forced the home goalkeeper into a couple of good saves, only for Eastleigh to regain the lead on the hour. Ken Aboh thought he had equalised seven minutes later, but his effort was ruled out for handball, and further saves from the Eastleigh keeper frustrated the visitors.
Rooney had a late opportunity to rescue a point but fired wide in added time, with Eastleigh scoring their fourth from the resulting goal-kick as Aaron Blair completed his hat-trick. Hurst felt afterwards that his side did not deserve the scoreline, and Boston had certainly contributed enough to an entertaining contest to feel disappointed at leaving empty-handed.
Warrington Town 1-2 Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity made it five successive victories with a hard-earned win at Warrington Town. The visitors were quickly on the front foot, seeing an early chance scrambled clear before Ronnie Kokkinos opened the scoring in the sixth minute.
Warrington responded with a spell of pressure and a couple of opportunities before equalising in the 33rd minute. Trinity regained the initiative, however, and Harrison Beeden restored their lead with an excellent volley shortly before half-time, with Mulhern almost adding another when his ambitious effort from the halfway line struck the crossbar.
The second half remained entertaining, with both sides creating chances as Warrington searched for another equaliser. Neither could add to the scoring, leaving Trinity to take all three points and continue their impressive run.
Lincoln United 2-1 North Ferriby
Lincoln United left it late to secure all three points against North Ferriby at Ashby Avenue. The visitors made the stronger start and pushed the Whites back during the opening stages, although United gradually grew into a first half that ended goalless.
The hosts emerged strongly after the interval and Liam Moran put them ahead in the 48th minute. North Ferriby responded with a couple of close efforts before scrambling home an equaliser in the 66th minute.
That setback prompted another response from United, who began asking more questions of the visiting defence. Ferriby’s goalkeeper kept his side level until the 88th minute, when Kane Hutchinson-Wilkes struck to secure a late victory for the Whites.
Hednesford Town 2-0 Spalding United
Spalding United were unable to put their FA Cup disappointment behind them as they slipped to defeat at Hednesford Town. The Tulips had been the better side during a goalless first half, controlling much of the play and creating several half-chances without finding a breakthrough.
The contest changed within a minute of the restart when Hednesford took the lead. Spalding struggled to respond during the next ten minutes, with their commitment and confidence appearing to dip after falling behind.
They eventually recovered and began pushing forward again, with the home goalkeeper producing an excellent save to tip an effort over in the 65th minute. A Cybulski header was cleared ten minutes later, before Hednesford caught the visitors on the counter to score their second and secure the points.
Manager Jimmy Dean was particularly disappointed by his side’s response immediately after conceding, having seen a similar spell in their previous cup tie. Although pleased with the first-half performance and their later efforts to recover, he identified that difficult ten-minute period as something to address in training during the week.
Basford United 2-4 Grantham Town
Grantham Town produced an excellent attacking display to win at Basford United, with two midweek arrivals joining the squad. Defender Elwalid Elhagany, signed from Ilkeston Town, went straight into the starting line-up, while Curtis Durose began on the bench following his move from Clay Cross.
The Gingerbreads started brightly and Lee Shaw put them ahead inside six minutes. Grantham continued to control the half, with Louis Czerwak scoring twice in less than a minute around the 25-minute mark to establish a commanding 3-0 interval lead.
Basford offered more after the break, but Shaw scored his second of the afternoon in the 54th minute to put the visitors four goals clear. Grantham subsequently allowed the hosts more room to play, conceding in the 79th and 84th minutes, but their earlier work ensured they returned home with all three points.
South Normanton Athletic 2-0 Pinchbeck United
Pinchbeck United endured another difficult afternoon as defeat at South Normanton Athletic left them in the bottom two. The visitors again played some good football in spells, but struggled to turn those passages of play into clear opportunities or goals.
South Normanton scored once in each half, while Pinchbeck’s efforts to find a response came to nothing. With their goal difference also a concern, the need to become more effective in front of goal and more secure defensively is growing if they are to move away from trouble.
Sleaford Town 3-1 Shirebrook Town
Sleaford Town came from behind to beat fellow play-off contenders Shirebrook Town in wet and windy conditions at the BPH Stadium. The Greens were looking to respond to their 2-1 defeat at South Normanton and started positively, creating a couple of early chances.
It was Shirebrook who took the lead in the 12th minute, however, and the visitors enjoyed the stronger spell that followed. Ryan Kamm made an excellent save to prevent a second in the 21st minute before Sleaford settled and began to work their way back into the contest.
Two changes at half-time helped the hosts start the second half strongly, with Calum Law seeing an effort deflected in the 53rd minute. Shirebrook had a good opportunity to double their advantage in the 65th minute, but Sleaford equalised two minutes later through an excellent Kyle Onyon goal.
The turnaround was completed just a minute afterwards when the Greens scored again to take the lead. Sleaford controlled the game from that point and Josh Parker added a deserved third three minutes into stoppage time.
Brigg Town 0-0 Selby Town
Brigg Town were unable to follow their eight-goal victory last weekend with another win, despite having the better of a feisty contest against Selby Town. The Zebras created several early chances, although a booking for stopping a Selby breakaway in the 13th minute offered an indication of the increasingly niggly afternoon ahead.
Brigg controlled much of the first half without finding the net, and that pattern continued after the interval. Both the post and crossbar denied the hosts as they searched for a breakthrough, while Selby continued to frustrate them.
Tempers boiled over in the 88th minute following a series of niggling challenges, with a Selby player sent off for violent conduct and two teammates booked in the same incident. Brigg still had an opportunity to win it in added time, but an effort was cleared off the line to ensure the points were shared.
Harrowby United 2-2 Clipstone (Clipstone won 4-3 on penalties)
Harrowby United fought back from two goals down in their United Counties League cup tie against Clipstone, only to suffer defeat in the penalty shootout. Clipstone took the lead in the second minute and doubled their advantage before half-time to leave the hosts with plenty to do.
Jacob Boyes gave Harrowby hope with a goal in the 70th minute, before Luke Cullen equalised eight minutes later. Clipstone also had a player sent off, but Harrowby could not find a winner before the final whistle and the visitors progressed with a 4-3 shootout success.
Louth Town 0-0 Clifton All Whites (Louth won 4-2 on penalties)
Louth Town progressed in the United Counties League cup after a penalty shootout victory over Clifton All Whites. An entertaining game produced chances at both ends, but neither side could apply the finishing touch needed to settle the tie in normal time.
Louth looked the stronger side and went particularly close in the 13th minute when Broughton’s effort slipped just outside the post. Further opportunities came and went, leaving penalties to decide who would advance.
The first three spot-kicks were converted before Clifton missed their second attempt. Three more successful penalties left Louth 4-2 ahead, and another Clifton miss confirmed the county side’s place in the next round.
St Neots Town 2-3 Skegness Town
Skegness Town survived a late scare to progress in the United Counties League cup at St Neots Town. Dec Johnson put the Lilywhites ahead after ten minutes and added his second seven minutes later to give the visitors an excellent start.
Skegness appeared in control, but St Neots pulled a goal back shortly before half-time and returned after the interval looking to build on that momentum. The visiting defence stood firm, however, and Conor Marshall restored the two-goal cushion in the 56th minute.
St Neots continued to press and were awarded a penalty six minutes into added time, which they converted to set up a tense finish. Skegness then had to withstand a final spell of pressure before the whistle confirmed their passage into the next round.
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