23/08/2026
Match Report: Fishtoft 2–5 Market Rasen Town
A winning start to the league campaign! 💙⚽
Market Rasen Town opened their Lincolnshire League Division One season in emphatic fashion with a 5–2 victory away at newly promoted Fishtoft.
Having faced Fishtoft in the Lincs County Cup last season — narrowly coming out on top — and with the home side having started their campaign with an impressive 6–0 victory the previous week, Rasen knew they were in for a tough afternoon.
And so it proved in the early exchanges.
Fishtoft started brightly and carried much of the attacking threat, but it was Rasen who struck first. On their first real venture forward, Finn Drakes burst down the left and picked out Theo Williams, who finished crisply from 10 yards.
The lead was short-lived, however, as a lapse at the back left goalkeeper Alex Aistrop exposed in a one-on-one, with the Fishtoft striker making no mistake to level the scores.
Rasen continued to threaten, with Liam Korytnickyj winning a free kick midway through the half. Lucas Sparrow delivered a pinpoint ball which was met by Arthur Graves, only for his header to narrowly miss the target.
As half-time approached, Rasen regained the lead. After a frantic exchange of head tennis inside the Fishtoft penalty area, Theo Williams rose highest above the goalkeeper to head home his second of the afternoon.
Half-time: Fishtoft 1–2 Market Rasen Town
Rasen came out strongly after the break, with Drakes becoming an increasing problem for the home defence. Two dangerous crosses flashed across the Fishtoft box, just begging for a Rasen touch.
Then came the third.
Korytnickyj, who had been unusually quiet by his pre-season standards in the first half, fashioned an opening on the left corner of the box and was brought down, earning Rasen a penalty. Liam made no mistake from the spot, smashing the ball home to make it 3–1.
Fishtoft refused to give up and were desperately unlucky not to reduce the deficit when an attacking header came back off the crossbar.
Aistrop, making his league debut, was then called into action, making an excellent near-post save and safely parrying the effort for a corner.
Rasen thought they had added a fourth when a flowing move from right to left ended with Korytnickyj clipping a superb cross towards Williams, who powered a header into the net — only to be denied by the linesman’s flag.
Fishtoft continued to pose a threat and were rewarded when a momentary lapse allowed their striker to race onto a long ball and reduce the deficit to 3–2.
Rasen responded immediately. Another excellent free-kick routine from Jack Robinson and Korytnickyj found Williams, whose header narrowly cleared the bar and would have put the game beyond doubt.
With fresh legs introduced in the shape of James Sparrow, Lewis Davison, Manpal Mattu, Charlie Scales and Jude McKee, Rasen continued to press.
And the fourth finally arrived with 10 minutes remaining.
Theo Williams completed his hat-trick 🎩⚽⚽⚽ with a neat close-range overhead kick following confusion in the Fishtoft defence.
Rasen saved the best until last.
Drakes was involved once again, combining superbly with substitute Lewis Davison down the right. Davison’s overlapping run ended with a fine cross into the box, where Liam Korytnickyj was on hand to fire home from close range and seal a thoroughly deserved 5–2 victory.
🎙️ Paul Sellars
Acting Manager Paul Sellars was delighted with the performance:
“After a shaky start and some sloppy passing we settled down and showed our true colours and strengths, particularly in the second half. It’s difficult to pick the man of the match but if I had to it would be midfielder Lucas Sparrow, who along with his midfield colleagues, won their duels and set us up for some lovely attacking moves. But everyone contributed, from 1–16, to a perfect start to the season.”
🎙️ Tom Carter
Skipper Tom Carter was equally pleased:
“The boys were really at it, ratting around and showing how much we wanted the win. Everyone had a good game, showing belief and desire. We are all excited for a big season.”
🔵 Next Up
Rasen now have a short break before their next fixture, when they travel to Sleaford Town on Saturday 5th September, with a 3pm kick-off.
FT: Fishtoft 2–5 Market Rasen Town
⚽ Williams x3
⚽ Korytnickyj x2
Market Rasen Town: Aistrop, Carter, Baxter, Graves, Robinson, Hearn, Parry, L. Sparrow, Drakes, Korytnickyj, Williams, McKee, Scales, Mattu, Davison, J. Sparrow.
What a way to start the season! 👏💙
Photos, managers Man of the match Lucas Sparrow and Hat trick hero Theo Williams
