Horncastle welcomed Lowlands to the Wong on a bright and blustery Sunday morning for the first warm up match of the season. An enthusiastic crowd gathered from the visitors and home teams enjoying the summer sun.

With Lowlands at full strength Town were missing key players, team captain for the day Aaron Smith deputising for James McKeag.

Lowlands kicked off and settled quickly, sensing their advantage with the favourable wind they pressed but Town held firm. Fullbacks Chloe Pickering and Kyle Tempest exemplary in defence with Daniel Cobban putting his body on the line, blocking a goal bound shot.

Ten minutes in and the visitors struck first, the ball skilfully slotted into the Town left hand corner, leaving Peter Smith no chance.

The Wongers gained their composure with Ellis Roberts as playmaker and Archie Kirk as enforcer, taking control of the midfield. It was however Lowlands who doubled their advantage through a driven shot from inside the box.

Shortly after and exploiting the wind, the visitors scored with a speculative shot, the home keeper left unsighted by the sun.

Nearing half time Town continued their neat passing game leading to an opening for Alfie Baird who dragged his shot just wide. The Wongers continued to pressurise the visitors and with the referees whistle about to sound for the break. the ball was pulled back from the byline by Joshua Baxter to the edge of the box to Ellis Roberts who duly lashed the ball into the net, HT 1-3.

Town started the second half positively, with Aaron Smith rampaging through the centre terrifying the Lowlands defence. With the Lincoln team on the backfoot Town continued to press, it wasn’t long before Connor Pinkett scored, guiding the ball past the visitors keepers arm, from Joshua Baxter cross.

With towns keeper a spectator Town continued to press for the equaliser, with Pinkett on fire running onto a Roberts through ball he picked up his second, blasting the ball into the net.

Not content with a draw Town pressed for the winner, Archie Kirk came close from a direct free kick.

This engaging match drew to a close with a well earnt draw for town.

The coaching team praised all the players for their application and effort, with special commendation for Chloe Pickering and Ellis Roberts. It was however Kyle Tempest and Connor Pinkett named jointly as man of the match for their excellent respective performances in defence and attack.

Town will be looking to go one better when they host Lowlands in their first league game on 18 September.

Match Report By Shaun Smith