FOOTBALL: Horncastle Town Development Team do the double

Horncastle Town FC Development Team have completed their first double, becoming the Sills and Betteridge Solicitors Division Three league winners and also triumphing in the Jock Mitchell Memorial Trophy.
Horncastle Town Development Team take a well deserved break.Horncastle Town Development Team take a well deserved break.
Horncastle Town Development Team take a well deserved break.

Town’s Development Team fought off stiff competition from Bardney FC in both the League and Trophy campaigns to claim both crowns.

In the league, Town lost their first three matches of the season but finally found their game with a 5-2 victory over Lincoln High Street FC.

December and January saw them unbeaten in the league, and they lost one, won one and drew one in February. In March, Town were unbeaten again, and in April the Development Team only dropped two points in five matches, which sealed them the Division Three championship.

Development Team manager Mark Simmons and his assistant Alan Wilkinson.Development Team manager Mark Simmons and his assistant Alan Wilkinson.
Development Team manager Mark Simmons and his assistant Alan Wilkinson.

Town’s Jock Mitchell Memorial Trophy campaign kicked off on in October with them beating Woodhall Spa FC 3-1 at home in the first round. The Development Team also found themselves at home in the second round against Shakespeare BBH FC and progressed with a 6-3 win.

In the third round, Town were on their travels and against Sleaford Seahawks FC who proved tough opposition and took Horncastle to a penalty shoot-out after drawing 3-3 in normal and extra time. Town came out the victors, winning 5-3 on penalties.

The semi-final was at home to Wragby FC and Town won 3-1 to take them to the prestigious final, held at Sincil Bank, home of Lincoln City Football Club.

The final was against season-long rivals Bardney FC with Town lifting the Memorial Trophy in a 2-0 win with a goal in each half.

Development Team manager Mark Simmons and his assistant Alan Wilkinson.Development Team manager Mark Simmons and his assistant Alan Wilkinson.
Development Team manager Mark Simmons and his assistant Alan Wilkinson.

A massive congratulations goes out to the players involved in the Horncastle Town Development Team and also to manager Mark Simmons and his assistant Alan Wilkinson.

This season’s players were Liam Smith (GK), William Burton, Callum Hotchin, Harry Simmons, Joe Wilkinson, George Swift, Nadir Boulaid, Ben Fidling, Andrew Bullivant (C), Ashley Bullivant, Luke Blondel, Callum Low, Tom Johnson, Tom Sewell, Dave Maplethorpe, Daniel Nixon and Eddie Wright (GK).