Lincolnshire Non-League Roundup – Big Win For Relegation-Haunted Side

The first full non league weekend of 2026 saw a busy and eventful programme for our local sides, with victories, frustrations and late drama spread across Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

The action began on Friday evening as Brigg Town travelled to Appleby Frodingham and returned with a valuable 2-0 win. Jake Varley put Brigg ahead in the 33rd minute, before a bizarre moment late on sealed the points. With five minutes remaining, Appleby appeared to switch off completely, allowing Dayle Hutson the simplest of finishes in the 85th minute. The win further strengthens Brigg’s position in the play off places and underlined their growing consistency.

Saturday started with a testing trip for Boston United, who faced Boreham Wood away from home. Paul Hurst handed debuts to two new signings, Tom Curson from Harrogate Town and Jake Rooney on loan from Derby County, but it looked like another difficult afternoon when the hosts took the lead inside nine minutes. The turning point came shortly after half time when Boston were awarded a penalty and Boreham were reduced to ten men. Lennell John-Lewis converted from the spot and the momentum swung decisively. Boreham lost their composure and Boston capitalised, with Hiwula firing home the winner in the 81st minute. It was Paul Hurst’s first victory since returning to the dugout and one that will fuel hopes of a sustained push away from danger.

Spalding United’s grip at the top of the table continues to loosen after another frustrating afternoon at home to Bishop’s Stortford. Defensive errors saw them trail 2-0 at the break, but a strong second-half response salvaged a point. Johnson reduced the deficit in the 63rd minute before Lawlor levelled things up 13 minutes later. While the comeback was welcome, Spalding now lead by just one point, with rivals holding three games in hand.

At the other end of the table, Stamford picked up a valuable 2-2 draw against Bromsgrove Sporting and remain unbeaten in 2026. They fell behind early but responded through Lobjolt in the 17th minute. A dominant start to the second half saw Armstrong put Stamford ahead in the 54th minute, only for Bromsgrove to alter their approach and snatch an equaliser in the 84th. With teams around them losing, it could prove an important point.

Gainsborough Trinity handed a debut to new signing Henry Brown, on loan from Grimsby Town, and he made an immediate impact. Trailing 1-0 at half time against Hednesford Town, Trinity fought back strongly and Brown marked his first appearance with the equalising goal. The afternoon was slightly soured by a late red card for Jackson in the 89th minute, but the point was fully deserved.

Credit Graham Burrell

Lincoln United continued to look more assured, with another positive display against Ossett United. New signing Bradley Wells went straight into the side and United controlled much of the contest. Connor Brown opened the scoring in the 36th minute and doubled his tally shortly after the break in the 50th, securing a 2-0 win and a deserved man of the match performance.

Elsewhere, Boston Town suffered their first defeat since October, losing 2-1 away at Sherwood Colliery. After falling two goals behind, Town mounted a late push and scored in the final minute, coming agonisingly close to an equaliser but ultimately leaving empty handed. Grantham Town also slipped up in the play off race, losing 3-2 to Melton. An early own goal gave Grantham the lead, but Melton turned the game around. Darlington’s 78th minute equaliser raised hopes, only for Melton to win it with a penalty in the 92nd minute.

At the bottom, Harrowby United recorded a surprise and much needed 3-1 win away at Kimberley Miners Welfare. Tom Hill’s spectacular overhead kick opened the scoring, with Kareen Abouraia reacting quickest to a missed penalty to make it 2-0 at half time. Kimberley pulled one back, but Gabriel Ebede sealed the win deep into stoppage time.

Pinchbeck United were held to a late 1-1 draw by Staveley Miners Welfare after Glynn Slater’s first half goal was cancelled out in the 86th minute. Skegness Town also shared the points in a 2-2 draw with Heanor Town after racing into a two goal lead through Liam Adams inside the first minute and Lucas Dakin in the 23rd, only to be pegged back.

There was some confusion surrounding Sleaford’s match, with discrepancies between the manager’s post match interview and the official report. What is clear is that Kyle Onyon scored his first goal for the club, Andy Whalen added another before half time, and Riley Wilkinson netted a late goal in the 92nd minute. Sleaford also missed a golden chance with the final kick of the game when a one on one effort was blazed over.

All in all, it was a mixed but compelling set of results as we edge closer to the business end of the season, with plenty still to play for across the non league pyramid.