Written by James Price.
Lincoln, with a side including two debuts from on loan Birmingham midfielder Charlee Adams and centre back Thierry Audel, kicked off looking for their first victory in four games.
Halifax made the brighter start forcing consecutive corners within the first couple of minutes but it was the home side that made the breakthrough in just the fourth minute, thanks to Ben Tomlinson’s twelfth goal of the season from Tom Miller’s long throw.
The visitors had a couple of wild shots, in what was turning out to be scrappy encounter, before Lincoln then doubled their lead through Tomlinson again, as he lobbed Matt Glennon, the Halifax goalkeeper.
In a game of few chances, with both the pitch and the wind making playing conditions troublesome for both sides, Connor Robinson went close for the home side with a long range shot, just beating the far post.
Lincoln continued to press but Halifax Town had the best chance of the half with Craig Clay being denied well by Lincoln goalkeeper Paul Farman.
Just before the half hour mark former Lincoln player Adam Smith was booked for diving after going down acrobatically from the challenge of Nat Brown.
Just before the interval Lincoln had a chance to make it three as Tomlinson was denied by the woodwork after a brilliant break by Delano Sam-Yorke.
The opening exchanges of the second half were scrappy but it was Halifax Town that halved the deficit after a Ryan Crowther free kick found its way through into the bottom corner past a hapless Farman.
However, just three minutes later Lincoln extended their lead again, as Tomlinson was put through straight down the middle and completed his hat-trick with a very neat finish past the keeper.
The visitors responded well and put their counterparts under severe pressure and went perilously close through Gregory who struck the woodwork.
Halifax continued to press and create chances with their front man Lee Gregory at the heart of all their play, but the Lincoln defence were excellent, particularly Nat Brown and debutant Thierry Audel who stood firm.
Alan Power had a chance to wrap things up for the home side but he missed an easy chance after Tomlinson pulled the ball across the box and Power put it just past the post.
Despite late pressure for the visitors including an incredible goal mouth scramble in stoppage time, Lincoln ran out deserved 3-1 winners.
An excellent victory for Lincoln and keeps the side in 17th place in the Skrill Conference.
Post-match written by Chris Gray
Gary Simpson and hat-trick hero and Man of the Match Ben Tomlinson spoke to the press, with Tomlinson going first.
Tomlinson praised his teammate Sam-Yorke saying: “He’s done really well. He’s battled and battled and that’s what you need. A lot of praise goes to him.”
He then joked about his hat-trick by saying: “I can get another one at Hyde if you want me to. I’ll book it in”, laughing as he said it.
Gary Simpson then spoke and praised his side, saying: “We’ve battled our socks off, battled the conditions and deserved the three points.”
He continued, “We owed them one today and I’m pleased with the lads after what happened away to Halifax.”
Simpson then praised Tomlinson, “He’s got 14 goals. He can do a good shift and get you goals and he proved that today.”
All in all, a great day for Lincoln. They take on Nuneaton at home on Tuesday.
Ratings
Paul Farman – 7 – good early save but mostly untroubled
Tom Miller – 8 – played well and his early throw led to first goal
Nat Brown – 8 – another strong performance, excellent in the air
Thierry Audel – 7 – impressive debut, mostly untroubled
Sean Newton – 6 – made good early runs and defended comfortably.
Todd Jordan – 6 – quiet but effective performance
Charlee Adams – 6 – Quiet first game for Lincoln
Alan Power – 7 – came more and more into the game. Pa
Connor Robinson – 7 – set up the second goal – made some good runs
Ben Tomlinson – 10 – Brilliant performance, deserved hatrick, didn’t stop running all afternoon (linc Sport Man of the Match)
Delano Sam-Yorke – 6 – relatively quiet performance – one good chance.
Attendance – 2,077 (336 visitors)