Today saw the first of the League’s showcase cup finals taking place with the top two teams in Division 3 competing for the Jock Mitchell Memorial Trophy. With both teams in excellent form recently a good game of football was anticipated as the teams walked out in bright Spring sunshine on an impeccable looking Sincil Bank pitch.

The early exchanges were quiet with both teams cancelling each other out but the game came to life in the 13th minute when Luke Blundell rose well in the box to a peach of a cross to beat Bardney keeper Ritchie Heywood to open the scoring for Horncastle.

In the 19th minute Bardney appeared in trouble when keeper Heywood dropped the ball allowing Andrew Bullivant with an opportunity that he could not take as his effort missed the target following another quality ball played in from the Horncastle right flank.

Bardney thought that they were back on level terms after 21 minutes when their leading goal scorer Greg Brown hit the back of the net with a quality finish from a tight angle but the Assistant Referee had spotted an offside in the move and the goal was disallowed.

After 26 minutes Horncastle captain Andrew Bullivant went through one on one with Bardney keeper Heywood but blasted his shot well over the bar when it looked easier to score, however it should be pointed out that the ball took a horrible bobble just as he was about to strike it, possibly the only blemish in the pitch, which saw the Bardney team breathe a sigh of relief at the score remaining at 0-1.

On 30 minutes Horncastle’s Callum Low headed over when he met another quality ball played in from a free kick, this time the ball coming in from the right back.

Bardney were managing to threaten the Horncastle goal and the final action of note in the first half saw Bardney’s Greg Brown lob the ball over the Horncastle keeper following a free kick played in from the half way line but the ball had slightly too much on it and cleared the goal in the process.

Half-time: Bardney FC 0 Horncastle Town 1

Both teams emerged from the break unchanged but an injury sustained by one of the Assistant Referees in the first half saw a change in the Match Officials line up for the second half.

The second half was a relatively even affair with both teams playing some good one touch football around the park which was pleasing on the eye. Greg Brown had a chance with a crisp shot from the left that went narrowly wide of Horncastle keeper Liam Smith’s left hand post and George Swift went close for Horncastle when he attempted to chip the ball over the keeper.

Horncastle extended their lead in the 84th minute from a corner that was played in deep to the far post which found Ashley Bullivant, on as a second half substitute, unmarked at the back post and he planted a firm header past Heywood to give his side a two goal cushion.

Greg Brown thought that he had reduced the arrears in the 89th minute when he found the back of the net but the Assistant Referee had a flag raised for an offside offense.

Both sides are to be congratulated on competing in an excellent game of football which was a credit to each team and to Division 3. The game was watched by a very healthy crowd and it was a pleasure to be told by a number of Bardney players how much they had enjoyed the game and the occasion despite the fact that they left the game empty handed. This was local football at its best and all involved will remember the day for a long time for all the right reasons, of that I am sure.

The trophy and mementos were presented by Mr Ian Mitchell, Mr John Mitchell, and Mrs Judith Deeley.

Mark Simmons, Development Team Manager;

"It has been a great season for us this year and the team has performed very well. To come to Sincil bank and win the cup final is a fantastic experience for all involved.

This is a very good squad of players that will go on to represent Horncastle's two other senior sides.

I would like to thank Alan Wilkinson (Assistant Manager) for all his help and support over the last couple of years.

I would like to thank the chairman, Colin Low, and the club for its continued help with providing the great facilities that we now have."

Horncastle Town FC Development Team:

Liam Smith (GK), Joe Wilkinson, Harry Simmons, Will Burton, Callum Hotchin, George Swift, Nadir Boulaid, Daniel Nixon, Andrew Bullivant (C), Callum Low, Ashley Bullivant, Ben Fidling, Luke Blondel, Tom Sewell, Tom Johnson, Eddie Wright (GK)