Written by Edward Seaman
Lincoln City cruised into the first round proper of the FA Cup with a 3-0 win over Conference North Worcester at Sincil Bank on Tuesday night.
The Imps made two changes from the original tie on Saturday with Conner Robinson and Bohan Dixon coming in for Nick Wright and the suspended Jon Nolan.
The game sparked into life as early as the second minute when George Williams hacked down Conner Robinson, who was forced off by the tackle. Right back Williams was booked for the incident.
The tackle started an altercation which also saw Lincoln’s top scorer Ben Tomlinson booked for his over aggression.
The following free kick resulted in nothing but Robinson was forced off with the injury and was replaced by Nick Wright in the midfield.
Young midfielder Robinson, who recently returned from a loan spell at Gainsborough, was sent to hospital to have a scan on his ankle following the challenge from the Worcester right back.
The first chance of the game fell to Lincoln on 11 minutes when Bohan Dixon headed Alan Power’s set piece straight into the arms of Worcester keeper Jose Veiga.
With Lincoln then gaining momentum, Alan Power then came close with a dipping effort from 20 yards, tipped over superbly by the former Levante keeper Veiga.
The Imps then took the lead after half an hour when Ben Tomlinson headed in a cross from Todd Jordan after neat build up play down the right hand side between Jordan and full back Tom Miller.
Right back Miller then had a glorious chance to double the Imps lead when he blazed over following Veiga’s save from Ben Tomlinson’s blocked shot.
Worcester then had their first chance of any real note as Danny Glover hit over from long range following a scuffed goal kick from Farman.
Tomlinson then doubled his and Lincoln’s goal tally for the night just before half time nodding in at the back post from a Sean Newton cross.
Luke Foster replaced Nat Brown at the start of the second half as Lincoln came out looking for the goal that would put the tie beyond Worcester.
It didn’t take long for Lincoln to carve out a great chance for the third as Ben Tomlinson ran through one on one but was unable to reach the ball after knocking it round the on-rushing keeper. Tomlinson then laid it back to Dixon whose shot came to nothing.
Marlon Jackson, making his home debut, was replaced with just under half an hour to go by Jake Sheridan.
Lincoln then had a couple of chances in quick succession with Jordan forcing a save out of Veiga following a cross from Sheridan and then Andrew Boyce blasting over from the resulting corner.
Bohan Dixon finally secured Lincoln’s path into the 1st round with a neat turn and finish following another cross from Sean Newton, who impressed all night.
With 20 minutes to go, Worcester made a final throw of the dice with Reece Hales and Ethan Moore replacing Danny Glover and Sam Smith but Lincoln remained in control.
Tomlinson had a late half chance to complete his hat-trick but his header fell straight into the arms of Veiga.
With the game fizzling out, the substitute Hales forced a late save out of Paul Farman as Lincoln held on for the win and to progress into the first round proper of the FA Cup where they will face League Two side Plymouth.
Lincoln City are next action away to Welling.
Attendance: 1,344 (45 visitors)
Player Ratings
Paul Farman – 6. Did what he had to do well but a few scuffed kicks put Lincoln under pressure.
Tom Miller – 7. Defended well and offered and option going forward.
Andrew Boyce – 7. Didn’t give the opposition’s attack a look in.
Nat Brown – 7. Solid first half but was withdrawn at half time with Lincoln two goals to the good.
Sean Newton – 8. Defended well and provided the assists for the second and third goals with pinpoint crosses. (The Linc Sport man of the match)
Todd Jordon – 7. Provided a quality cross for Tomlinson to open the scoring.
Alan Power – 7. Controlled the midfield battle with class.
Bohan Dixon – 7. Good finish for the goal.
Conner Robinson – 5. Forced off early through injury.
Marlon Jackson – 5. Virtual bystander before being replaced by Sheridan.
Ben Tomlinson – 8. Two headed goals gave Lincoln a commanding half time lead. Booked.
Subs: Nick Wright (Robinson, 2mins) 6, Luke Foster (Nat Brown, 45 mins) 6, Jake Sheridan (Jackson, 61) 5