Written by Lee Bierton
Lincoln clinched the victory at home after a solid 2-0 victory over Kidderminster Harriers.
Clinical finishing from Ben Tomlinson was the difference as Kidderminster struggled to create any clear chances on Lincoln’s goal.
Kidderminster started the game as the better side, but failed to turn their early control into any decent chances.
However, after losing key striker, Michael Gash after the first ten minutes, Lincoln soon came back into the game and nearly scored after a long throw from Tom Miller caused problems for the Kidderminster defence, but Tomlinson couldn’t scramble the ball in.
Soon after coming back into the game, Lincoln broke the deadlock after 19 minutes as Delano Sam-Yorke broke away down the right wing, before taking advantage of a poorly timed tackle from a Kidderminster defender to square across the box to the waiting Ben Tomlinson who turned the ball into the net to give Lincoln the lead.
Kidderminster’s biggest threat came from the right boot of Kyle Storer, who’s set pieces almost lead to an equaliser for the Harriers after a dangerous corner was headed onto the bar and bounced down onto the line before being smothered by Lincoln City debutant Nick Townsend in goal.
Despite this, Lincoln were able to remain on top, and Tomlinson almost scored again before seeing his shot blocked after Delano Sam-Yorke had crossed from the left wing.
The away side had another chance to equalise from a Storer free-kick, but Gowling was only able to loop his header just over the bar.
Kidderminster rallied at half-time and nearly scored soon after kick-off as another ball into the box was headed towards goal, but the Townsend pulled off a smart reaction save to keep the home side in front.
Once again the Harriers failed to capitalise on their early dominance, and both sides struggled to create any decent early chances.
The game then threatened to boil over just before the hour mark as Lee Vaughan was booked for Kidderminster after an altercation with Lincoln assistant manager Grant Brown following a tackle from Alan Power on the Harriers defender.
However, Lincoln were able to keep their composure and eventually extended their lead on 78 minutes after more excellent work from Delano Sam-Yorke. The striker escaped his man again on the left wing, before rolling the ball into Ben Tomlinson, who dummied a shot before slotting the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Tomlinson’s goal took the sting out of the game, and Lincoln completed a 2-0 victory that moves them into 14th place, 12 points clear of the relegation zone.
Post-match by Chris Gray
Gary Simpson spoke after the game saying: “We defended very well, we protected the keeper and we played some decent stuff.”
Talk turned to Sam-Yorke, who set up the two goals for Tomlinson and was a constant menace to the Kidderminster back line.
Simpson said: “He held the ball up well and that’s what we’ve needed.”
“He seems to thrive in the one up one off way we play.”
Tomlinson, who scored the two goals, was the next to receive praise from Simpson.
He said: “He’s a goalscorer and he’s brave.”
Lincoln play Chester at home next Saturday.
Lincoln City player ratings:
Nick Townsend – 6 – Produced one good save on a good debut.
Tom Miller – 7 Strong performance, keeping his man quiet all game.
Nat Brown – 6 – Rarely tested, but solid when required.
Thierry Audel – 6 – Impressive in the air, again rarely tested.
Sean Newton – 7 – Great effort all game, hardly put a foot wrong.
Todd Jordan- 7- Composed and solid in midfield.
Charlee Adams – 5- Quiet all game and struggled to have an impact.
Alan Power – 6 – High work rate, but struggled to create chances.
Jake Sheridan – 7 – Impressive play on the wing, crossing was disappointing.
Ben Tomlinson – 8 – Great positioning all game and got his reward with two goals.
Delano Sam-Yorke – 8 – Brilliant running down the channels all game and created both goals.