13/09/2026
⚽🏆 CHALLENGE CUP | SPILSBY TOWN 1–3 MARKET RASEN TOWN
After two impressive away victories in Lincolnshire League Division One, Rasen were back on the road, this time facing Lincolnshire Premier League side Spilsby Town in the opening round of the Challenge Cup.
From the opening whistle, Rasen looked determined and set the tone with a strong early challenge from Charlie Scales, who stepped into central midfield in place of the unavailable Ben Hearn.
Rasen dominated the first half and created the better of the opportunities, with goalkeeper Alex Aistrop barely troubled.
The pressure finally told on 25 minutes. A slick move through midfield released Liam Korynickyj down the left, and his superb slide-rule cross to the far post was met by the onrushing Scales, who slid in to give Rasen a deserved lead. 1–0.
Ten minutes before half-time, Rasen doubled their advantage in style. Lucas Sparrow won the ball in the centre circle and drove straight at the Spilsby defence. With fantastic footwork and balance, he danced past three challenges, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly finished. A brilliant individual goal! 2–0.
Spilsby came out after the break determined to get back into the game and capitalised on a rare moment of hesitation in the Rasen defence. A free kick from the right was headed down into the path of the Spilsby striker, who finished to make it 2–1.
Rasen were then reduced to ten men temporarily when Theo Williams was sent to the sin bin for dissent. Liam Korynickyj was left to lead the line, while the energetic Finn Drakes dropped into midfield to help shore things up.
During this spell, Harvey Baxter and the rest of the Rasen back four were outstanding, putting their bodies on the line and blocking several Spilsby attacks.
With Theo Williams back on the pitch, Rasen regained their attacking threat, and the introduction of fresh legs and experience from Jack Robinson and Tom Carter helped turn the tide.
With 15 minutes remaining, the Liam Korynickyj late show arrived! Liam fashioned an opening just inside the penalty area and calmly finished to make it 1–3, effectively ending Spilsby’s hopes of a comeback. 👏⚽
🎙️ Manager Ian Williams, back on the touchline following his recent suspension, was delighted:
> “We were excellent in all departments. We played some terrific football at times, but the effort and desire from everyone stood out. We defended and played out from the back well, won the loose balls in midfield and really looked dangerous every time we got into their defensive third.
> “The lads have really set the standards in early season and long may it continue.
> “I could pick many Man of the Match candidates, but I’ll pick young **Harvey Baxter**, who has come back this season in great shape. He read the game well and won all his duels. Considering his age, he shows great maturity both with and without the ball.”
👏 Another excellent team performance and another away win for Rasen!
🏆 Challenge Cup: Spilsby Town 1–3 Market Rasen Town
🔵⚪ NEXT UP: The tough fixtures keep coming as Grimsby United visit Rase Park for Rasen’s first home league game of the season.
📅 Saturday
⏰ 3pm kick-off
🏟️ Rase Park
Come and get behind the lads! 💙⚽
Rasen: Aistrop, Davison, Baxter, Ford, Graves, Scales, Parry, Sparrow, Drakes, Korynickyj, Williams, Carter, Mattu, Chapman, McKee, Robinson.
Photos.
Harvey Baxter produced a man of the match performance in the Rasen defence
Charlie Scales back in the starting line produced the first Rasen goal
