On Saturday we will be welcoming United Counties Premier League side Lincoln United to Rookery Hill for the First Leg of the Isuzu FA Vase Semi-Final in what will be Boro’s biggest game since reforming in 1992.

Ahead of Saturday, here is some important information for supporters and a look at how the teams got to this stage.

Admission:

Although advance tickets were on sale at the last home game against Coggeshall Town, Saturday’s game is NOT all-ticket.

Two turnstiles will be in operation, one for spectators paying with either Cards or Cash, and one Cash only. Because a larger than usual crowd is expected, Cash is preferred as this will make entry to the ground quicker.

In addition, tickets will be sold in the lower bar from 1.30pm and anyone with a ticket will be able to enter the ground through the gate which can be accessed through the bar and patio/smoking area. This entrance will be open from 2.30pm for ticket holders only and the aim is to make entry to the ground as quick and as smooth as possible.

Admission prices – whether paying by Card or Cash - are:
Adults: £10
Concessions: £5
Under 16s: £2

Programmes will be on sale inside the ground and not at the turnstiles. The price is, as usual, £2.

Car Parking:

Due to the anticipated crowd size, the area behind the goal at the Rookery Hill end of the ground will be opened to provide additional parking spaces.

Route to the Semi-Finals:

For those who need reminding, Boro – having been exempt until the Second Round Proper this season – have progressed to this stage of the competition as follows:

2nd Round – Crawley Green (H) 2-0 – Attendance 103
3rd Round – Mildenhall Town (H) 3-0 – Attendance 88
4th Round – Stanway Pegasus (H) 2-1 – Attendance 159
5th Round – Hilltop (A) 3-1 - Attendance 220
6th Round – North Greenford United (A) 1-0 – Attendance 379

Remi Sutton rises to head Boro’s winning goal in the Quarter Final at North Greenford United

Lincoln United began their run to the Semi-Final in the 2nd Qualifying Round and have had to endure four penalty shoot-outs to get this far. Their results have been:

2Q – Newark Town (H) 1-1 (Won 7-6 on penalties) – Attendance 167
1st Round – Bugbrooke St Michaels (H) 4-1 – Attendance 142
2nd Round – Heanor Town (H) 6-0 – Attendance 146
3rd Round – Congleton Town (H) 2-0 – Attendance 216
4th Round – South Liverpool (A) 1-1 Won 5-3 on penalties – Attendance 352
5th Round – Hallam (A) 2-2 Won 6-5 on penalties – Attendance 1,287
6th Round – Deal Town (H) 1-1 Won 4-3 on penalties – Attendance 922

This is Lincoln United’s first season competing in the FA Vase since 1994-95. In that season they were champions of the Northern Counties East League and were promoted to the Northern Premier League where they remained until the end of last season when they were relegated to Step 5. Between 1995 and 2023 they competed in the FA Trophy.

The furthest that Lincoln United have previously reached in the FA Vase came in 1974-75 – the competition’s first season – when they beat Norton Woodseats, Brigg Town, Ashby Institute (in a replay), Moulton, and Wallsend Town - all without conceding a goal - before losing 1-0 to Friar Lane Old Boys in the last eight.

The second part of our FA Vase Semi-Final preview on Friday will look at the history of our opponents and their form this season.