Written by Liam Ray.
A late penalty save from Imps goalkeeper Paul Farman helped Lincoln to a battling 2-2 draw at home to Woking.
The game was full of entertainment with both sides creating a number of golden opportunities. It will be Woking who travel home disappointed though after dominating the final ten minutes.
It was the away side who took the lead early on. Striker Kevin Betsy latched onto a through ball by John Nutter and his shot squirmed under Farman to the despair of the Sincil Bank faithful.
It was well deserved for Woking after they had hit the woodwork twice in the opening stages.
Lincoln needed a response and they got it. Full back Sean Newton’s teasing ball into the six-yard box was eventually poked home by Nat Brown.
The goal instilled some confidence in the Imps and they went on to dominate the rest of the first half.
Captain Alan Power was instrumental in keeping the confidence high within the side and he produced another great chance for the Imps with a curling effort just edging past the Woking goal.
Lincoln’s pressure eventually gave them the lead five minutes before half time, as top scorer Ben Tomlinson’s looping shot flew in past Woking keeper Mason Springthorpe.
The second half began slowly with Lincoln seeming content to rest on their lead. However, they still managed to create the better chances, especially through Tomlinson’s effort on the hour mark which was well saved by the keeper.
Woking began to get themselves back into the match with substitute Anthony McNamee causing serious problems for the Imps down the right.
Their equaliser had a stroke of fortune. McNamee’s scuffed shot took a deflection and managed to fall into the path of Giuseppe Sole who poked the ball past Paul Farman.
The momentum was with Woking who began to dominate the final 20 minutes. Kevin Betsy was a constant threat and Lincoln struggled to cope with his mazy runs.
It was Betsy who drew the controversial moment in the dying minutes. He was needlessly fouled by Nat Brown and the referee pointed to the spot.
Giuseppe Sole stepped up but his spot kick was well saved by Farman, as was the rebound to the delight of the home crowd.
2-2 was the final score line but the result does not help the Imps as they still languish perilously above the drop zone.
Post-match Reaction – by Max McLean
Gary Simpson described Lincoln’s 2-2 draw with Woking as “topsy turvy”.
Gary said, “it was a game we could have lost, could have won, could have lost again, and we ended up drawing.
“It was a game we could have lost early doors, and we needed that 2 goal cushion to put it to bed really.
“It was one of those days where there were going to be chances at both ends, and it was down to who was going to make the fewest mistakes. It was probably entertaining for the neutral.”
Although the conditions were poor after heavy rain, Gary Simpson mentioned “there were some good performances today.
“Tommo was a lot better today, and he’s got another goal again.”
Simpson also pointed to striker Delano Sam-Yorke, saying “he’s given us a bit of energy up there,” as well as young praising winger Conner Robinson, “I didn’t envisage leaving him on, but he was doing that well that we decided to. The way he’s going he can become a good player.”
“They’ve given their all, we may not be the best team in the world but at least they’ve had a go and they’ve given their all, and it could have gone either way.”
Lincoln City player ratings:
Paul Farman – 8 – fantastic penalty save, made other vital stops too.
Tom Miller – 6 – solid display, worked hard.
Nat Brown – 5 – got a goal but couldn’t handle Betsy. Stupidly gave away penalty.
Luke Foster – 6 – struggled at times but headed the ball away often.
Sean Newton – 7 – overlapping was good. Good assist for first goal.
Todd Jordan – 7 – controlled the midfield well, good range of passing.
Mamadou Fofana – 6 – solid as well, booked needlessly though.
Alan Power – 7 – strong display, some good chances on goal.
Ben Tomlinson – 7 – ran the channels well. Good goal and could have had more.
Conner Robinson – 7 – terrorised Woking’s RB, very direct performance.
Delano Sam-Yorke – 8 – bullied the Woking defence. Held the ball up exceptionally well.
Subs
Dan Gray – 6 – made little impact. (On for Fofana on 84 mins.)