03/02/2026
County Cup & Plate review!
Better late than never! What a fantastic day of football it was at the LNER Stadium, Lincoln, as the 2025/26 Lincolnshire FA County Disability Plate & Cup delivered drama, determination, and moments to remember on Sunday 25th January 2026.
🔹 The Plate Competition
The day kicked off with the Plate, and right away the intensity was clear. PAN DFC and the Greens found themselves drawn together in a hugely competitive group alongside Barton Inter Barton, Barton Hu, Lincoln Invictus Dakota, Boston United B, and Grimsby AC Grey — a real test from the first whistle.
The Greens put in some outstanding performances throughout the session. While the score lines (0–4, 0–3, 0–1, 0–2, 0–2, 0–2) didn’t quite reflect their effort, commitment, and improvement, every match showcased resilience and togetherness. Against such a strong group, this was a valiant and encouraging display that deserves huge credit.
PAN DFC, meanwhile, came so close to breaking into the top two. They started brightly with a hard-fought 1–1 draw against Grimsby and a disciplined 0–0 draw with Barton Hu. Momentum really built with a confident 2–0 win over Lincoln United Greens, followed by a massive 2–1 victory against Invictus Dakota. At that point, qualification was well within reach. Despite narrow defeats to Barton Inter Barton and Boston United B, PAN finished 5th, just four points off the top two — and in a group where only three points separated 1st to 4th, it couldn’t have been tighter.
Progressing from the Plate were Barton Inter Barton, Boston United B, Invictus Hawks, and Grimsby Red, and we wish them the very best as they move on to the semi-finals and finals.
🔹 The Cup Competition
Then it was time for the Cup — and with it, fresh opportunities and renewed excitement. The Whites and the Reds were once again drawn together, adding an extra edge to an already competitive group.
The Reds entered with high hopes but were missing key players, making the challenge even tougher. Results of 0–6, 0–6, 1–2, and 1–7 tell only part of the story. Their effort never dropped, and it’s worth remembering that this same team was competing in the Plate last season and came agonisingly close to progressing. Heads should be held high — this experience will only make them stronger.
The Whites, however, burst out of the blocks. With changes to personnel and everything riding on this competition, they delivered immediately. A commanding 7–1 win against the Reds set the tone, followed by a superb 2–2 draw with Invictus, a match they could very easily have won. Fine margins proved decisive, though — a 0–0 draw with Boston and a narrow 1–2 loss to Grimsby meant the Whites also missed out by just three points, echoing PAN’s near-miss earlier in the day.
Advancing from the Cup were Grimsby, Lincoln United LGBTQ, Invictus Vulcan, and Reapers, who now head into the semi-finals and finals with well-earned momentum.
🔹 Looking Ahead
Across both competitions, these were tough, high-quality matches against familiar rivals and new opponents alike. The performances, effort, and learning points taken from the day are invaluable. Every game added to the experience bank, and there’s plenty to be proud of.
All eyes now turn to the CJ Conversions Lincoln Ability Counts Spring League, kicking off later this month — and if this tournament is anything to go by, it’s shaping up to be another exciting chapter. 💪⚽
We can not wait to see you again soon!
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