The leagues second oldest cup competition the Annie Lawson Cup, which dates back to the early 1900s and is now a competition for all the teams below the Division One, started out this week with the first round games in Gainsborough. Elm Cottage and Ropery Inn who both played on the Levellings ground were drawn to play each other in a very  local tie. Ropery Inn who have changed their name from Jack and Jill this season have put together a more than useful team for the division they are in and were on the day far too strong for Elm Cottage. The seven goals to nil scoreline fully reflects their superiority, and on this form they will be serious challengers  for this competition and for league honours. Elm Cottage never gave up trying but were in the end just beaten by the better team.
Mattersey FC who were relegated from Division One last season have made an unbeaten start to life in the lower Division this season this season and visiting Marshalls Sports this week they progressed into the second round of the Annie Lawson Cup after a thoroughly professional four goals to win. Mattersey like Ropery Inn have the look of a team who could win honours this season are sure to be one of the teams to beat  at this level.
In Division One White Lion continued their 100 per cent start to the season with a hard fought but worthy two goals defeat at AFC Friendship. This win certainly showed that White lion will be serious challengers for the title and a resolute defence coupled with two good finishes gave the Retford team a deserved win. AFC Friendship have certainly not yet hit top form but that should take nothing away from a very decent performance by White Lion.
Rampton Hospital used all their Division One experience to defeat a gallant Morton Amateurs team who have not as yet come to terms with life in Division Two Rampton won three goals to one and when they have a full strength team on the field they are more than capable of giving anyone in the league a tough game. Morton Amateurs just need to win their first game to give them confidence to believe in their undoubted abilities.
The only game to be played in Division Two produced a somewhat surprising result as the previously unbeaten Epworth Town were soundly beaten by Bridon AFC. The final score of six goals to one fully reflects how well  Bridon played and on this showing they will be a force to be reckoned with in this division.
Epworth have been scoring goals for fun so far but they were completely outplayed by a Bridon AFC team playing their best football of the season.
This weekend sees the Gainsborough team begin their Lincolnshire County Junior Cup quest and  the league wishes AFC Friendship, Morton Amateurs and Smiffys FC every success something Marshalls Sports are certain of as their scheduled opponents have withdrawn from the competition.
There is only one Division One game this  week but a full Division Two programme of fixtures is taking place.
Results
Annie Lawson Cup: Marshall Sprts 0, Mattersey 4; Elm Cottage 0, Ropery Inn 7.
Division One White Lion 2, AFC Friendship 0.; Morton Amateurs 1, Rampton Hospital 3.
Division Two: Epworth Tn 1, Bridon AFC 6.