Football News and Fixtures -

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Middle Rasen FC end of season report from Ian Dawson

The 2008/09 season for Middle Rasen FC ended as a mixed bag for the young side. Middle were runners up at Sincil Bank ( Lincoln City 's ground) in the Challenge Cup final unfortunately losing 2-0 to Wildlife Athletic. Although disappointed to lose, the team are keen to go one better next season and secure a trophy to bring back to the village.

The Team at Sincil Bank

Middle's league form faired rather better finishing 3rd in the league and an excellent mid season in which they beat the league's eventual winners, one of their only losses this season. The side had their presentation night on Saturday the 9th of May. The awards were shared around with Ben Cartwright winning the award for Most Improved Player, Joe Osbourne collected the Manager's Player award, Ian Dawson took home Top Goalscorer with 39 goals and Player's Player (also winning the League's top scorer award and player of the season). The club would like to thank Ben Brown for managing the side this year, Maz Johnson for her excellent work as secretary and all those who have supported the club through the season. Thank you and we hope to see you again next year.

Focus on Middle Rasen Football Club

There has been a men's football team in Middle Rasen for many years and the oldest surviving player (though no longer in the squad) is thought to be Les Brumpton of Manor Drive who is 87 and was a member of the Champion League Winners in 1946/47. Today the average age is 19 with several 16 and 17 year olds playing for the club, which is officially known as the Middle Rasen Cricket and Association Football Club. For some it's their first season in adult football and although inexperience shows at times, they are still getting stuck in. They train on Thursday evenings on the De Aston Astro Pitch and have two teams in the six-a-side Astro League. There is no manager at present but at 23 Ben Brown is respected as the senior player with Ian Dawson being the coach having qualified as an FA coach. Every player is expected to do more than just play and goalkeeper Tom Bradford also doubles as the groundsman looking after the pitch. In recent years village football has been on the decline due to lack of volunteers to help run the clubs, referee and even play as many young men go off to University and never come back. So we are fortunate to have a good thriving team here who need our support.

Back L/R – Alex Norburn, Jack Robinson, Shane Parrott, Tom Bradford, Chris Potter,

Ben Cartwright, Alex Borthwick

Front L/R – Ian Smith, Darren Salmon, Joe Osbourne, Ian Dawson, Ben Brown, Josh Colgan (Other members of the squad not pictured inc Dan Roberts & Tom Yates).

Although knocked out of the Brocklesby Victor Cup by Cherry Willingham in the first round, they recently thrashed them 4-0 in the West Lindsey league where they are currently 4 th . It was an action packed game with two goals in ten minutes during the second half. So far it has been a varied season in the league having won 3 lost 3 and drawn 1. However they are still involved in two of the four Cup competitions; the Challenge Cup, where they are in the semi's, and the group stage of the Bill Elkington Memorial Cup. They had made it to the semi final of the Autumn Cup but were beaten 7-3 by Wildlife Athletic. They last won the league back in 98/99 when Pete Dawson was the manager, so if you can get along to support the team at their home games it would be a great encouragement to them. Kick off during the winter November to March is 2pm and for the rest of the season is 2.30pm. Come on you Reds!

Fixtures for February -

7 th Market Rasen (Away) Elkington Cup

14 th Cherry Willingham (Away) Elkington Cup

21 st Claytons SSC (Home) League Game

28 th Library Bar FC (Home) League Game