Lincoln City maintained their top spot and 11 point advantage over the chasing pack who are just outside the automatic promotion positions in The English league 2. Their unconvincing 1-1 draw with the bottom club Macclesfield belied their march on promotion under the Cowley brothers which has seen the brothers given the freedom of the city (Lincoln).
Just two miles away Lincoln United were at home to Gresley the bottom side in the Evostik East Division.
Lincoln United are the junior team in Lincoln by age as well as status having been formed in 1938 (Lincoln City FC were formed in 1884) first known as Lincoln Amateurs but changed their name to United in 1951 after signing their first professional player. They play in all white with some red trim hence the nickname the ‘Whites’. Apart from two good runs in the FA Cup in 1991/2 and 97/98 they have maintained a level of football averaging where they are today.
Lincoln City’s opponents Gresley FC were only reformed in 2009 but have had a very successful 10 years that seems to have hit the buffers this year as they lie last in the league and look doomed to be demoted back to a similar level as to where they started. There had been a previous history of football success in Gresley under the name of Gresley Rovers since 1882, they were unlucky to lose the 1991 FA Vase Final against Guiseley that went to a replay.
Lincoln United FC 1 Gresley FC 0
The conditions were great for football on this warm end of March Saturday with rolling grey skies interspersed by sunny spells. The stadium is at the end of a housing estate and part of a sports and social ground. The next door cricket ground looks magnificent and ready for a summer season. There was little wind, made calmer by the trees along two sides of the ground. The pitch was flat and well drained but the grass was patchy in places. There is plenty of covered areas and seating in the ground but the crowd of only 105 was disappointing, perhaps they should play when Lincoln City are away.
Gresley countered any United threat and were on top with long throws from either side into the goalkeeping area causing angst for the defenders. Lincoln United had little to offer and a young Ben Alsop in goal for Gresley looked comfortable.
The half time score of 0-0 showed little promise of a high scoring second half and when on 72 minutes Lincolns No.3 Scott Mathews stepped up to take a free kick to the left of the D everyone seemed surprised when he bent it accurately left footed round the wall and into the far corner. Apart from United’s No.9 winning the majority of aerial battles they lacked any great intent and if someone would have played off his winning balls more could have been accomplished.
When your down your down and Gresley continued to dominate the game after the goal but to no avail.
The food facilities ‘The Canteen’ were good with a great choice served by a friendly duo and doing brisk business.
Chips and coffee were £2.50 and the chips were very hot, large, a good portion, golden but the soggy centres let them down to score 68.
Payonthegate 