THE WHITE WOLVES DEVOUR LINCOLN MOORLANDS RAILWAY IN 7 GOAL ROMP

 

LINCOLN MOORLANDS RAILWAY 0 V LOUTH TOWN 7
28 MARCH 2015---3PM @ NEWARK ROAD----NCEL FIRST DIVISION [ATT 29]


LOUTH ULTRAS TAKE OVER THE 'ARTISTIC' STAND

This Lincolnshire 'derby' was as one sided a game as you are likely to encounter with 4 goals in the last twenty minutes seeing Louth home to a convincing victory and limiting Lincoln Moorlands Railway to a sole first half shot that struck the post.  Had Louth been more clinical they would quite easily have embraced double figures against a home team who struggled to clear their own half for much of the game.
So before the blog looks at the game we arrived at Lincoln courtesy of rattling, jumping and dam uncomfortable pacer train just after midday.  It had been interesting at Sheffield to meet ground hopper Michael who I had met at a Glapwell game last season he was on his way from Mirfield with his wife to surprisingly Lincoln for the Moorlands Railway game!  His wife however had chosen to take a look around Lincoln.
Luncheon was taken at The Forum a Wetherspoons pub which shock of shocks had toilets downstairs, not upstairs, mind you they were still a fair hike away and as ever enough to challenge the returning Sir Edmund Hilary who I passed in the corridor. 

THE FORMER LINCOLN RACECOURSE GRANDSTAND NOW OVERLOOKING THE SPEED OF THE A57

Upon completing the offer price fish and chips it was time to make a trip to pay due remembrance to Lincoln Racecourse which still has the fantastic 1897 grandstand standing proudly by the A57 overlooking the long closed course.  Indeed the course was closed 50 years ago now but the grandstand still remains, a listed building and now developed as The Grandstand Community Centre. Today was even more interesting to visit because The Lincoln the premium race at the course that upon closure was transferred to nearby Doncaster was being run their today.  As the traffic roared past on a road that was closed on past race days, although never as busy as todays traffic, there was a moment to pause to remember the old course and ponder that I guess today more of a fight would have been put up to keep it open.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE NEWARK RD GROUND

Back into the city by the waterfront and time to jump on board a number 27 to Hykeham Road for a quick hop over to Newark Rd and Moorlands ground, as we leave Lincoln city there are a few Lincoln City supporters making their way to Sincil Bank for their home game against Forest Green.  Indeed a bit of thought today in delaying and re arranging kick off could have seen a selection of hoppers maybe swelling all the clubs coffers because Lincoln United were also at home versus Gresley, all games had a 3pm kick off what a shame!

COVERED TERRACING

Approaching the ground down a long tarmac driveway and to the left we went into the sports and social club for a light lemonade, a pleasant enough place situated outside the ground.  Upon emerging at 2.20pm we found the ground entrance locked up and with a open fence by the players entrance and decided to wonder in, with full intention to pay, we met Mark the club secretary who said the turnstile was not open yet, we asked if we could pop in to take some pictures and that we would of course pop along to pay when the club had opened the turnstile.  The club are, as are all non league clubs, reliant on helpers and you see here today at Lincoln Mark is café operative, raffle seller, flag collector etc and Ian who was preparing to open the turnstile at 2.30pm was also host in the hospitality area at half time amongst other duties. 

THE TEAMS EMERGE LED OUT BY TODAYS REFEREE DAVID JONES

As ever for a club that is struggling, Lincoln are second bottom, volunteers are thin on the ground but thankfully Moorlands have two people today sticking with the club and helping it through difficult times.  They have some interesting close season developments off the pitch that will hopefully share the load with a wider range of volunteers coming to the club.
The ground is neat and tidy with plenty of room around the ground for any developments[?] with hard standing although the far goal area is covered with astroturf I guess over gravel.  To the left hand side is a slightly set back wooden stand which has had a certain amount of thought put into its design it is though set back slightly from the touchline which makes viewing a little difficult if people stand to the front of it. 

L-R IAN AND MARK CATCH UP BY THE CORPORATE TURNSTILE

On the opposite side at the far end on from the dug outs is a four rowed fairly large Atcost stand while to the top side of the dug outs is a one stepped covered raised terracing.  Behind the goals were the ground is entered the toilet block has seen better days but serves its purpose, the snack bar is operational with burgers on the go and nearest to the pitch a large building with changing rooms, secretary's office and hospitality area.  One nice touch is the turnstile block being painted in the clubs maroon and blue colours!

GOAL NUMBER 1 FOR JAMIE COULSON

The game, well at half time it had been all Louth apart from a sweet curling effort from Lincolns number 9, Joshua Schofield, which struck the right hand upright.  A double from Jamie Coulson both neat back post finishes slotting past Chris Stanley in the home goal.  Louth would probably had some more goals in the bag if some of the finishing had not been amiss with a few glory day hunters trying shots when a pass may have been more effective.

NUMBER TWO FOR LOUTH AND JAMIE COULSON

The second half saw Luke Rainer Mistry make it 3-0 after 54 minutes before the game entered a bit of a lull, that said Moorlands were still struggling to form any sort of attack.  Four goals followed in the last 20 minutes which made Louth's overall possession look more convincing in the score line.  Steve Norton secured a running double on 71 and 81 minutes before a rather harsh penalty awarded for handball against Adam Leeder who saw the ball bounce up and hit his hand.  The penalty was dispatched by Danny Stevens on 85 minutes before in the third minute of stoppage time before Jack Whitwick trickery set up and unmarked Callum Hyland to smash the ball home.
The second half hand seen the Louth keeper Scott Drury fly out to the edge of his box to thwart what had been probably the home sides second attack of the game as he went down to block the effort the ball hit him in the face, resulting in the dislodging of his contact lens something he played he remainder of the half without to no detrimental affect!

SLIGHT DISAGREEMENT HERE

The final score of 7-0 had nearly summed up this one sided affair with a bigger deficit being a risk through much of the game but for some poor finishing the score line would surely have reached double digits.  Credit must go to new Moorlands manager Stuart Ward who encouraged and supported his players all afternoon in a sporting and fair manner and its to be hoped that Lincoln Moorlands Railway will see happier days soon and their small band of volunteers will receive some much needed support.
With time to spare in Lincoln before the 1824 departure there was time to take a quick look around the historical streets and to view the Cathedral from various places.  We bade fair well to Michael and his wife from Mirfield at Sheffield station, we had both ticked off a new ground in what is a pleasant surrounding in the suburbs of Lincoln.



A GRAND CENTRAL 4 CARRIAGE DEPARTURE FROM LINCOLN CENTRAL
CROSSES HIGH ST, SADLY THE BLOG RETURNED ON A PACER UNIT!