A goal apiece from strikers Conner Robinson and Jack McGovern gave Lincoln United back-to-back wins with a 2-0 success over Market Drayton Town at Ashby Avenue.
On a bitterly cold day and on a pitch that cut up as the game wore on, United
were comfortable for the most part in recording their second straight victory.
Robinson’s bundle home from close range gave The Whites a half time lead, and
McGovern’s second half cracker secured the points.
The opening quarter of an hour saw few chances, though Lincoln had the first
sight of goal when the two strikers linked up well and Robinson headed a
bouncing ball wide.
And after the sides exchanged half chances, Robinson had an even clearer sight
of goal 20 minutes in. Kallum Smith did well to keep the ball in on the left
with a first time cross which Robinson chested down eight yards out, but he
could only prod his effort over the bar.
Then, Danny Brooks blasted a free kick wide as Lincoln began to gain the upper
hand.
And they were rewarded for that when they took the lead on 28 minutes. Brooks’
right wing corner was attacked by Michael Jacklin, who powered a header
goalbound. Jacklin’s effort was blocked on the line, and after a brief scramble
Robinson squeezed the ball under goalkeeper Ashley Rawlings and over the line.
Brooks’ set piece deliveries continued to cause problems for the visiting
defence, and just four minutes later it was Jacklin’s central defensive partner
Sean Wright who attacked the next corner, but he headed over.
It was first half stoppage time when Whites ‘keeper Jake Turner was first called
into action as he was comfortable in dealing with Craig Ryan’s deflected shot.
Similarly to the first half, chances were also few and far between in the
opening stages of the second, but United did double their lead on the hour
through McGovern’s fine 25 yard strike.
The same player then saw a free header fly straight at Rawlings as Lincoln
looked to put the result beyond doubt.
It was only in the last 15 minutes that Market Drayton started to have the
better of the game but Ryan blazed wildly over with their best sight of goal as
the visitors sought a route back into the contest.
Try as they might, Market Drayton couldn’t force their way through the Lincoln
backline led superbly by skipper Jacklin, who twice threw himself in front of
shots from Ryan and Will Wieldon.
Approaching stoppage time, Turner was forced into a diving save to push away
Glyn Coney’s swerving effort, and Daniel Beddows headed over from the resulting
corner.
But in truth, The Whites were comfortable in recording their first home win of
2017.