Lincoln City beat Fleetwood 2-1 in the first League One tie held in front of an unrestricted crowd in nearly 18 months at the LNER.
An Anthony Scully double was the difference during the game as the Imps were victorious. Both goals were superbly taken by the Lincoln forward, as City came back from a 1-0 deficit.
How the teams came into the game
The imps kicked off their season with a 1-1 draw against Gillingham. Tayo Edun opened the scoring four minutes into the game, before Gillingham fought back to equalise just ahead of half time. But neither team could break the deadlock, a blocked close-range volley from Anthony Scully was the closest either side came to a winner.
Fleetwood came into the tie hoping to bounce back from an opening day defeat to Portsmouth.
Slow Start
Both teams started slow out of the blocks. Neither wanting to make an unforced error. However Fleetwood began to grow into the game. A low driven shot from Shayden Morris that was tipped past the post by Grifftiths was the closest either side came to taking the lead.
The Imps made their presence felt 20 minutes in. An Anthony Scully through ball caught the Fleetwood defence off guard, releasing Hopper into a one on one. All the Imps striker could do was find the keeper’s arms with an unconvincing chip.
The visitors then struck first. An opening goal that was a magic of moment, as Danny Andrew converted a free kick from the edge of the box that sent the Fleetwood fans who had made the journey into a frenzy.
A deflated LNER tried to rally behind the players as the game winded down for half time.
Turn around in fortune for the Imps
Hakeeb Adelakun was brought on at half time for Bramall in what was a genius decision from Michael Appleton. The new signing brought a needed spark to the Imps’ play. His creativity and trickery kickstarted a period of prolonged pressure for Lincoln.
Pressure that Fleetwood couldn’t withstand. The pairing of Scully and Edun had been causing problems throughout the second half. 70 minutes in Edun found Scully on the overlap, leaving the forward unmarked in the box.
Scully fired off the crossbar into the back of the net with expert technique, sending the LNER into pandemonium.
The Winner
The Imps found more success down the left hand side. As Tayo Edun’s pace left the Fleetwood defence scrambling, as he was brought down in the box.
Lincoln’s talisman Scully stepped up. Without any hesitation he slotted a confident penalty into the top right hand corner.
A truly sensational winner that was everything Imps fans had waited 18 months to see.