Tomorrow we will welcome 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.

Lincoln United – Brief History

Formed in 1938 as Lincoln Amateurs, war prevented the club from entering a league until 1945 when they joined the Lincolnshire League but transferred to the Lincoln League a year later. The signing of a paid player in 1954 prompted a change of name to Lincoln United. In 1960 they rejoined the Lincolnshire League and won the league title in 1963–64.

In 1967 Lincoln United joined the Yorkshire League and won the Second Division title at the first attempt. They won the First Division in 1973-74 but were relegated in 1979 but bounced back two seasons later. In 1982 the club were founder members of the Northern Counties East League, winning Division One South in the first season. In 1986 they joined the Central Midlands League but after winning the league title in 1992, they returned to the Northern Counties East League winning the Division One title immediately.

In 1994-95 Lincoln United, who are known as The Whites, won the Northern Counties East League Premier Division and were promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One where they spent nine seasons before winning promotion to the Premier Division. They were relegated after four seasons and narrowly missed out on promotion in 2016 when they lost to Shaw Lane Aquaforce in the Play-Off Semi-Final. At the end of last season, Lincoln United finished 18th in the Northern Premier League - East Division and had to play Avro FC of the North West Counties League in an Inter-Step Play-Off game. They were beaten 2-1 and thus relegated to the United Counties Premier League.

Lincoln United play their home games at the 2,714 capacity Ashby Avenue ground, which has 400 seats. More on The Whites’ home ground next week ahead of the Second Leg. The club are managed by Chris Funnell, who is also Head of Football Operations at the Lincolnshire Football Association.

Despite being known as The Whites, Lincoln United will be wearing an all green kit tomorrow.

This Season:

Lincoln United’s run in the FA Vase has coincided with a concerted attempt to win promotion back to the Northern Premier League at the first attempt and The Whites are currently second in the table with 70 points from 32 games and assured of a Play-Off spot at least. They trail league leaders Sherwood Colliery by eight points.

In 17 home league games, Lincoln United have won 12, lost 4 and drawn 1. Their recent form has been mixed however, with 2 wins and a draw in their last 6 league games. Last Saturday they beat Deeping Rangers 1-0 but on Tuesday and with a much changed line up they were beaten 3-0 at home by Melton Town.

Prior to that United had played at Boston Town in the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy and won 8-7 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in normal time. The win at Boston means that they have been involved in seven penalty shoot-outs this season, and have won all of them.

Aside from their run in the FA Vase this season, Lincoln United reached the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Having beaten Lutterworth Town, Bottesford Town, and Kidsgrove Athletic, they went out of the competition 3-0 at home to Worksop Town.

Scoring goals has not been a problem for Lincoln this season. Jack Mcmenemy has 23 from 48 appearances while Matthew Cotton has scored 21 in just 22 games. Three other players have 10 or more goals to their name.

Other Boro games this weekend:

Romford Reserves face Redbridge Reserves in the Essex Senior League South at Fords Sports Ground in Newbury Park tomorrow with a 2pm kick-off. Romford FC Women, who were disappointingly beaten 3-0 by Hutton last Sunday, are without a game this weekend.

Essex Senior League games this weekend:

Friday 29th April:
Woodford Town v Stanway Rovers

Saturday 30th April:
Barking v Frenford
Coggeshall Town v Buckhurst Hill
Hullbridge Sports v White Ensign
Little Oakley v FC Clacton
Saffron Walden Town v Sporting Bengal United
Takeley v Halstead Town
Tilbury v West Essex

Also in action tomorrow of course are Great Wakering Rovers who travel to Worcester City for the First Leg of their own FA Vase Semi-Final.