FOOTBALL: Leaders Sleaford Town Reserves defeated a second time

Home teams dominated in the latest round of fixtures in the Balcan Lighting Supplies Lincolnshire League.

The chasing pack closed the gap on leaders Sleaford Town Reserves after they suffered only their second league defeat of the season at Lincoln Railway.

Horncastle Town climbed out of the bottom four with a tidy win over 10 man Cleethorpes Town Development Squad.

Wyberton kept the pressure on with a 5-1 success over Skegness United, while third placed Skegness Town completed a league and cup treble over Ruston Sports at Burgh Road.

The fixtures at Brigg Town Reserves and Market Rasen Town, against CGB Humbertherm and Hykeham Town respectively, were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

Lincoln Railway AFC 3

Sleaford Town Reserves 1

Recent results have earned league leaders Sleaford Town Reserves the Sills and Betteridge Team of the Month Award for January.

But February has not started so well for them.

They suffered their second league defeat of the season, but remain seven points clear at the top.

The Railmen grabbed a two-goal lead before Nathan Thompson scored for the visitors from the penalty spot.

As they looked for an equaliser, Sleaford were rocked back by the Lincoln side’s third.

Horncastle Town 2

Cleethorpes Town Development Squad 0

Having enjoyed the benefit of the strong wind for the first 45 minutes, there must have been concerns in the Horncastle camp as to whether or not the slender one-goal lead they took into the break was going to be enough.

It came courtesy of a 13th minute strike from Carl Smith, but against a side bolstered by one or two players with Northern Counties League experience, the lead felt rather slim.

However, a resilient Horncastle battled against the elements and then did something they haven’t done all season – they scored a second goal in a league match.

Ben Fidling’s 55th minute goal was the first time the Wongers have scored more than one goal in the league this term.

Horncastle, encouraged by their faithful followers, continued to frustrate the visitors, who had defender Kurt Barwick dismissed for a poor challenge with 10 minutes to go.

The result lifted the home side into eighth in the table.

Wyberton 5

Skegness United 1

Skegness United slipped to ninth in the table after their fourth consecutive defeat.

Wyberton’s victory completed a league and cup treble over the seasiders, having beaten them home and away in the group stages of the Supplementary Cup.

Daniel White netted a brace for the villagers, whose other scorers were Nicky Frost, Curtis Revell and Ben Jaques.

Jake Portas scored United’s consolation.

Skegness Town 4

Ruston Sports 0

Jordan Smith scored twice as Skegness Town consolidated their third place in the table.

After surviving an early scare when the well placed Joe Barrett dragged his shot wide, the seasiders led at the break through goals from Courtney Warren and Wade Hurst.

Rustons keeper Leigh Cook kept his side in the game with a string of fine saves and this continued after the interval.

Town finally added to their tally in the 80th minute when Smith grabbed his first with a sharp left footed shot. He doubled his contribution three minutes later when he scored through a crowded goal area.

Results: Horncastle Town 2 Cleethorpes Town Development Squad 0, Lincoln Railway AFC 3 Sleaford Town Reserves 1, Skegness Town 4 Ruston Sports 0, Wyberton 5 Skegness United 1.

Postponed: Brigg Town Reserves v CGB Humbertherm, Market Rasen Town v Hykeham Town.

Related topics: