League Round Up: 16 Dec

After morning inspections the pitch at The Wong was passed fit and the two teams served up an eight-goal thriller.

Meanwhile frozen pitches at Nettleham, Wyberton and Sleaford, put paid to any further Lincs League action.

Horncastle Town 3 Ruston Sports 5

These two sides are now locked at the top of the table after a topsy-turvy battle at The Wong.

The morning’s sunshine helped to thaw out the playing surface and set the stage for an entertaining game that was a credit to the league.

The Lincoln-based visitors drew first blood when Callum Dye fired in from the right and midway through the first half Alex Mackinder rose unmarked to head home goal number two.

The home keeper denied Sports a third before Town pulled a goal back to make the half time score 2-1.

Early in the second half the Wongers drew level and then edged in front with a third goal.

Alex Mackinder grabbed his second to make the score 3-3.

It looked as though they would be sharing the spoils until Rustons manager Jordan Mackinder entered the fray from the substitutes’ bench.

He put his side in front with his first touch in the last minute and then deep into stoppage time grabbed his second to make the three points safe.

Horncastle’s goals were scored by Ben Fidling (two) and Luke Blondel.

Having fought out two close encounters in cup competitions this season, these two teams are now sitting at the top of the pile with 20 points apiece going into Christmas. Horncastle have the slightly better goal difference.

Both have away trips to sides from the bottom three after the festive break on January 6. Horncastle are due to travel to CGB Humbertherm, while Rustons visit AFC Boston.

Results:

Horncastle Town 3 Ruston Sports 5.

Postponed - Nettleham v Skegness Town; Sleaford Sports Amateurs v CGB Humbertherm; Wyberton v AFC Boston.