Lincoln United retained their Lincolnshire County Trophy with a convincing display over league rivals Bourne Town.
Elliot Dye and Jaime Ture both scored in the opening ten minutes to set The Whites well on their way to a second consecutive trophy win.
Scott Hellewell’s side came into the final with a barebones squad, being forced to name an injured Paul Grimes, academy player Aiden Wiseman, and Hellewell himself amongst the substitutes.
On their route to a second consecutive final, Lincoln needed penalties to beat Brigg Town in the semi-finals, after getting past Barton Town and Sleaford Town.
Meanwhile, Bourne put ten past Appleby Frodingham, and five past Pinchbeck United before beating Blackstones to book their place at Boston United’s Jakemans Community Stadium.
An early Lincoln United double:
After Aaron Eyett fired wide on the counter-attack for Bourne, Lincoln took an early lead. Harry Millard curled in a neat ball to the near post, which captain Dye flicked beyond the left hand of the diving Dan Swan.
Before the 10th minute, United doubled their advantage. Ture latched onto a long ball, nodding it down to slide past the ‘keeper.
Bourne were forced into an early chance, as an injury to Tom Siddons meant Will Bird was brought on.
Three before half-time:
Scott Matthews provided the inspiration for Lincoln’s third just before the half hour mark, as he curled in a perfect in-swinging corner onto the head of an unmarked Tom Hipwell. He took full advantage and nodded the ball past Swan to give United breathing space.
Town tried to rally, with top scorer Zac Allen calling Jack Steggles into action, as the Lincoln shot-stopper palmed a stern free-kick over the bar.
Bird had a chance just before the half-time whistle, as Bourne missed multiple opportunities to cut the deficit.
It was an even half, with chances at both ends despite the fact that only Hellewell’s side had managed to convert them.
Preventing a Bourne Town fightback:
Lincoln had come into the game top of the UCL Premier Division North and unbeaten in 19 games, while Bourne had slipped up in their title push with a loss and a draw in their last two.
Tristan Drummond almost added a fourth ten minutes into the second-half. Owen Vincent led a dangerous counter attack, spreading the ball out wide to Drummond who smacked the bar thanks to a fingertip save from Swan.
Bourne went close through Allen just after the hour mark, as he saw his shot deflected wide off the back of his own teammate Brad Marshall.
They found their way back into the game with 20 minutes left on the clock. Zak Munton cannoned the ball into the top corner from 25-yards out to ignite Bourne’s hopes of a comeback.
The dangerous Allen and substitute James Hill-Seekings tested Steggles in the final few minutes, both stinging the Lincoln ‘keeper’s hands.
But, Lincoln stood firm and controlled the game after Town threatened to make it close, seeing out a deserved victory with Wiseman almost adding a cherry on top of the cake in added time.
A year on from their triumph over Boston Town in the same competition, Lincoln United are now two-time winners of the Lincolnshire County Trophy with manager Hellewell claiming his first silverware at Ashby Avenue.