The match in the third round of the Lincolnshire Challenge Cup Competition was played on The Wong, Horncastle on Bank Holiday. The match had excited a large amount of interest throughout the County, in as much as the City had hitherto been considered the premier club of the county, while Horncastle could boast of winning every engagement this season.

The Lincolnians have throughout been the favourites and they themselves have ever been confident of success and on Friday were accompanied by about 500 of their friends and a band of music. The day was eminently suitable, and upwards of 2,000 spectators gathered on the ground. The City won the toss and elected to kick towards the town. The home team followed their kick off in fine style and at once made an invasion into their opponent’s territory. The City backs however were on the alert and soon returned the ball to the forwards, who immediately took a dashing and pretty run into the Horncastle lines but found themselves unable to overcome the vigilance of Tweed and Curtis.

For some few minutes the game was of very even character, each club alternately being compelled to act on the defensive.

The game was exceedingly fast on both sides and as it was apparent that the clubs were using their upmost exertions to gain an advantage.
The excitement was accordingly at a great height. The brothers Newsome and E.Teesdale for the City were very prominent, passing and dribbling with great skill, for they were fully equalled by the brothers Turner and Albone for Horncastle while C.E. Chapman by his skilful manoeuvres puzzled the Lincolnians.

Some good play from the backs, some smart passing among the forwards and a good combination from the whole team and C.E. Chapman was enabled to lower the City’s colours and place a goal to the credit of Horncastle amid the mingled cheers and groans of the spectators. This un-looked for event caused the City to re-double, if possible their previous exertions, and on one occasion they appeared likely to equalise the score. A sharp shot was direct for the Horncastle upright but the ball, striking the cross-bar it rebounded into play only however to be again propelled forward. Jeffrey however caught the ball and immediately threw it out of danger, a piece of play for which he received the well earned plaudits of the spectators.

The Horncastrians soon again asserted their superiority, and several corners were obtained but were turned to no account and at last the second goal was placed to their credit from the foot of W. Turner.

Half time left Horncastle 2 goals to the City none. When play resumed it was plainly apparent that the home team were superior players to their opponents and they poured in numerous shots which owing to Cousan’s defence in goal proved of no avail. A really splendid run and an attempt to score was made by J.Turner but in vain The finest run of the afternoon was obtained by C.E.Chapman who took the ball the entire length of the field skilfully passing all the City team and placed the ball through the uprights. Simultaneously however W.Turner had charged the goalkeeper and the referee ruled the goal to be offside. Shortly afterwards a scrimmage occurred in front of goal out of which Chapman registered a further goal which was allowed. The contest thus ended in a decisive victory for Horncastle by three goals to nil.

Both teams played well and the above score may be regarded as a fair criterion of the merits of each club.

Horncastle had never been much troubled to present themselves in the County XI while the City sometimes contribute four although they do not possess a player that can cope with T.Chapman or Curtis and have none to beat either of the brothers Turner:

Teams - Horncastle: W.Jeffrey, F.Tweed, H.Curtis, F.Chapman, R.Andrews, L.Brooks, W.Turner, J.Turner, C.E.Chapman , R.Turner, H.Albone.

City : E.A.Cousans, S.Ogelsby, T.White, G.Simpson, F.Y.Teesdale, W.Fox, C.Newsome, H.Newsome, E.Teesdale, R.Mason, Hallam.

Mr G.S.Harby of the Sheffield Association officiated the game as referee.

Town reach last 16 of the FA Cup!

In the 1886/87 season Horncastle Town Football Club achieved what must be their greatest moment when they reached the last 16 of the FA Cup! On the 5th February 1887 Town were beaten 5-0 by eventual winners of the competition, Aston Villa.

In the first round of the competition Horncastle were drawn at home to Darlington. The game was played on the 30th October 1886 and Town come out 2-0 victors to see them progress into the next round.

For some unknown reason Horncastle received a bye to the next round of the competition where they again won 2-0, this time against local rivals Grantham.

Again, Horncastle received a bye, as did many other teams left in the competition. This saw them draw meet Aston Villa in the last 16 of the competition. However, this time round their oponents were too strong and Town were defeated 5-0 away at the Perry Bar ground in Birmingham, putting Aston Villa into the fifth round of the FA Cup. England international, Arthur Brown scored a hat-trick and Albert Brown scored a brace in front of a crowd of 3000. This put Villa into the quarter-finals for the first time and they went on to lift the trophy, beating Darwen, Glasgow Rangers and rivals West Bromich in the final.