'Jock' McGovern scores for Lincoln United as The Whites and The Moors build up to the big game next Saturday

Yesterday both Lincoln United and Spennymoor Town were in action ahead of their clash in the FA Cup at Ashby Avenue Lincoln next Saturday. Both teams play in the Evostik League with The Moors in the Premier Division and The Whites in the First Division South. Teams in United’s division enter the FA Trophy in the Preliminary Round and hence Lincoln United were required to play in the Trophy yesterday. Evostik Premier teams are exempt beyond the Preliminary Round and thus Spennymoor United were fulfilling a league fixture.

Lincoln United played host to Romulus FC from Sutton Coldfield in the FA Trophy at their trim home ground. They led 2-1 with the game heading into stoppage time but Romulus equalised with what seems to have been virtually the last kick of the game. The Whites goals were scored by Gary King and Jack McGovern. When I saw young Jack’s surname I thought aye aye … that laddie must have Scots roots. Unfortunately I have drawn a blank again. I have been in touch with Jack via twitter and he tells me is aware of a Celtic Connection but it is not Scotland. Jack has Irish roots and although he concedes that somewhere down the line he may be from Scottish stock he is only aware of his Irish lineage. For a midfielder, Jack is something of a goal machine scoring 22 goals for the Whites last season. He has already made the onion bag bulge on a number of occasions this season – including a vital winning goal against Nuneaton in an earlier round of the FA Cup.

Jack McGovern celebrates after scoring for the Whites in the FA Cup earlier this season

Spennymoor Town were in league action and made the long journey south to take on Coalville Town from Leicestershire. The Moors won with the only goal of the match. The prolific hitman Glen Taylor stitched up Coalville with a smartly taken half-volley just before the half time whistle.

Both teams are in fine fettle ahead of the big one. The Moors are in 7^th position in the Evostik Premier Division and have games in hand on all the teams that sit above them. Lincoln United are in mid table in the Evostik Division One South but also have games in hand on all the teams above them.

Both teams would have been hoping for a short hiatus ahead of such an important match next weekend. No such luck. After that late equaliser, The Whites now have to head for Sutton Coldfield on Tuesday night for an FA Trophy replay. On the same night Spennymoor Town will be in Lancashire to visit my old friends Skelmersdale United in an Evostik League encounter.

While the gladiators from Lincoln and County Durham were battling away yesterday I headed for Hampden yesterday with my wife Anne to see Bella Caledonia take on the might of Lithuania. An overnight stay was in order so that much alcohol could be consumed. Watching Scotland these day requires a strong anaesthetic. 

Two hours to kick off at Hampden yesterday: No more room for beer - so it's on to red wine

Regular readers will know of my obsession with match-day pies and I have to report that the Hampden steak pie was a disgrace. I was so mouth-burning hot that I was tempted to call on the services of Red Adair. Also, the base was stuck to the aluminium casing. The price of £2.80 was far too steep. The SFA should send a working party / feasibility study group to Dunston for some advice on this matter. This morning the streets of central Glasgow were adorned with half eaten take-aways from the night before. I was not sure whether this was an indication that the Scotland performance put the late night revellers off their food or whether this was just a typical aftermath of a Saturday night in Glasgow.

Kebab uneaten - but good to see this Saturday night reveller finished his fags

I am hoping for better catering to be available at Ashby Avenue next Saturday. It is shaping up to be a great match. I note from the Spennymoor Town twitter feed that they are now taking bookings for a fourth supporters bus. A big crowd is guaranteed. I will be meeting up with some old friends from Lincolnshire at the match. Also I have heard via facebook that Lincoln United devotee Stuart McCallum Minto from Dumfries will be at the match. I am looking forward to meeting up with Stuart for a pint as he appears to be one of a very few links between The Whites and Bonnie Scotland.

Ewe Beauty: Scots Lincoln United fan Stuart McCallum Minto engages in some traditional Scottish recreation!

Another person I am looking forward to meeting is Liam Molloy. Liam, like Peter Tissington of Sheffield, is also on the ‘Road to Wembley’ and we now have three roadies whose routes have collided. I guess us three that will be not only at the match next Saturday but also every subsequent match up to and including the final at Wembley next May. The FA Cup 4^th Qualifying Round tie at Ashby Avenue next weekend is the next stop for me on the Road to Wembley from Scotland. Only six days to go now – cannae wait. Come back here on Wednesday to find out how The Whites and the Moors fared on Tuesday night as the build up to the big game continues.