A much-changed CFJFC Charity side, featuring just five regular faces, made the trip to Lincoln to face Lincoln Eagles in a well-contested charity fixture that raised funds for Andy’s Man Club.
The visitors started slowly. A combination of sloppy passing and a high defensive line gifted the hosts several early opportunities. Goalkeeper Paul Bond was called into action twice in the opening stages and produced two important saves to keep the score level.
After about ten minutes the visitors settled. Mark Gray, John Turner, Mattie Dixon and captain Fabio Gramaca steadied the defence. In midfield, Caythorpe began to control possession. Debutants Sam Tasker and Jack Knight, alongside Tom Jackson, moved the ball with purpose. Neat link-up play involving Tasker, Knight, Jazzie and Matt Sawdon eventually unlocked the Eagles defence, and Sawdon finished calmly past the goalkeeper to open the scoring.
With the temperature high, changes were frequent. Five minutes after the opener Luke Papworth broke through but fired wide. He was not to be denied a second time: a delicate chip doubled the lead. Josh Allen, enjoying more of the ball at his feet and freed from chasing lost causes, repeatedly troubled the Eagles full-back.
Lincoln continued to threaten and at times looked capable of getting back into the contest. Caythorpe thought they had made it three when Sawdon’s shot was superbly saved, only for Tasker to follow up; the danger was cleared. Allen’s pace then forced another excellent stop from the home goalkeeper, but Tasker was on hand once more to convert the rebound and make it 3-0 before the interval.
The second half saw further rotation. Rob Walters entered the midfield and Jonah Dixon came into defence. After an early indirect free-kick was cleared, the Charity side limited Lincoln’s opportunities and kept the ball extremely well. A slick move involving Jazzie, Papworth and Sawdon earned a corner; Papworth’s delivery found Tasker, who made it 4-0.
The game remained competitive and was played at a decent pace throughout. Caythorpe continued to create chances while Lincoln defended resolutely. The Eagles goalkeeper made further good saves from Knight, Allen and Papworth, while efforts from Turner and Jackson went just wide or over the bar.
A few minutes from the end another corner was kept alive at the far post. As the rest of the players stopped, Mattie Dixon did not, poking home to complete the scoring at 5-0.
Caythorpe can be pleased with a professional performance on a hot afternoon. More importantly, further funds were raised for Andy’s Man Club – the UK-wide men’s suicide prevention charity that runs free, weekly, peer-to-peer support groups every Monday from 7pm to 9pm (except bank holidays), offering a safe, non-judgemental space for men aged 18 and over to talk or simply listen.