It’s been quite the week for Lincoln United.
First, they preserved their two-point lead at the top of the United Counties League Premier Division North, with a 2-1 victory over Ashby Ivanhoe last Saturday. Then, they claimed their first silverware of the season on Wednesday night, with a 3-1 win at Bourne Town to get back-to-back County Cup wins.
Now, this Saturday, they travel to title rivals Eastwood, hoping to all but secure promotion into the Northern Premier League.
Lincoln United manager Scott Hellewell said: “For Bourne to have dropped points in the last two games, and obviously Eastwood last week, it has been a massive plus for us and it has put us top of the league.
“It opens a five point gap between us and Bourne, which is a nice gap to have, but it does not mean at all that it is over for Bourne.”
The Whites manager said: “We know the games coming up, we are going to have to make changes. We are pretty much bare bones, I think we have got 12 first team players who are involved every week.
“I’ll probably have to name myself, Paul Grimes might have to name himself even though he is injured, so we are not ideal number wise.”
He said: “We have got a really good squad and we believe in this squad, so making changes I do not think is going to affect us massively. I think we have got a couple of players missing on Saturday.”
On coming back from a goal down to win against Ashby, United manager Scott Hellewell said: “I think we are used to it, if I am honest. I can not remember how many games we have played now where we have gone one-nil down or we are having to chase a game.
“I think it shows the character of the lads, the never-say-die attitude. I think it is because we conceded fairly early, it gives you a lot of time to get back into the game.”
Meanwhile, central defender Henry Moore said: “Three points at this stage of the season – it is massive for us.”
On the Eastwood game, Moore said: “Our focus is the league. As long as we put in a good shift next Saturday and hopefully beat Eastwood, to give us a bit of breathing space.”
The Whites beat fellow title rivals Bourne Town 3-1 in this season’s Lincolnshire FA County Cup final, after two incredible late saves from United goalkeeper Jack Steggles to earn their first trophy of the 2024/25 season.
The question now is whether United can complete the domestic double by also winning the United Counties Football League Premier Division North title.
Scott Hellewell’s side sit just two points above Eastwood with three games remaining, whilst Bourne Town are five points adrift of United in third, after losing last weekend to Heanor Town.
If Lincoln United can win the league and seal automatic promotion into the Northern Premier League, it would be the first time that The Whites have played at this level since 2019/20’s Division One South-East campaign, which was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Failure to win the title would leave United’s promotion hopes in the balance, with just one team promoted through the playoffs between the sides finishing between 2nd and 5th. There are currently just 13 points separating The Whites in first and Heanor in fifth.
The win for Lincoln United over ninth placed Ashby Ivanhoe last weekend was not a formality.
The Knights took the lead in the opening quarter of an hour, after a shot from Chris Acott squirmed under the feet of Steggles on 15 minutes.
On 32 minutes, Scott Matthews curled a corner towards the back post for Moore to head towards goal, but an Ashby defender was stood on the goal line to clear away just in time.
Four minutes later, The Whites drew level. Once again it was Scott Matthews with the pass towards Jack Varley, who after a mix up at the back for Ashby, took a brilliant touch to burst past the sliding challenge of the defender before hitting a left-footed shot towards goal, which trickled over the line, underneath the body of Ashby goalkeeper Bradley Catlow.
Just before the break, Lincoln United nearly completed the first-half turnaround, but Jaime Ture’s header was sent wide from a good position, after Evan Payne’s lofted delivery.
On 58 minutes, Ture did get his goal. Payne’s long throw on was fantastically flicked towards the edge of the 12 yard box by Elliot Dye, and Ture lashed in a right-footed volley into the bottom left corner to complete the comeback to ensure the Whites stayed top.
