Torrential rain greeted the Black Cat at the LNER stadium for their EFL Trophy clash after their long journey down from Sunderland. Both Lincoln City and Sunderland were looking to improve on Saturday’s results as Lincoln narrowly secured a 2-2 draw at home Plymouth Argyle and Sunderland collapsed at Portsmouth, losing 4-0.
The two teams met each other in Group F, with this being Sunderland’s first game in the competition this season. Lincoln had played and won their first two games and sat confidently at the top of the group.
Photo credit – Zack Oaten
Kick Off
Lincoln kicked off the game with a lack of confidence as they lost the ball in just under 20 seconds, their injury ridden team was under the spotlight straight away.
Sunderland pushed forward with ease in the 2nd minute as Aiden O’Brien threaded an excellent ball to Daniel Neil. Neil took a touch before he fired a stunning shot into the top right corner to make it 1-0. Lincoln keeper Sam long stood hopelessly.
The man Lincoln clearly needed on the ball was Hakeeb Adelakun whose first strike forced Sunderland keeper Lee Burge into a save in the 15th minute. He caused trouble just 3 minutes later when his dangerous cross was whipped in but to his disapointment nobody was at the end of it.
Sunderland’s pressure was becoming too much for Lincoln once again as captain Reegan Poole had to make a desperate header to avoid Pritchard going through on goal. Moments later in the 30th minute Adelakun causing problems once again with a shot parried wide for a corner which was eventually cleared.
Controversy struck in the 40th minute as Chris Maguire was brought down in the box by a Sunderland defender but the referee says no penalty. Boos erupting from the home stands, feeling Lincoln deserved a penalty. Maguire was slow getting up from the challenge whilst Appleton was furious with the decision.
Half Time – Lincoln City 0-1 Sunderland
Lincoln started the second half with a substitute from Michael Appleton’s selection of 4 players on the bench as TJ Eyoma came on for Joe Walsh. The substitution seemed to have worked as just minutes later Jamie Robson fired a shot at goal which saw keeper Lee Burge tip it over.
In the 53rd minute a floated ball came to Sunderland academy player Will Harris who was one on one with Sam Long. The Lincoln keeper managed to block the shot to the delight of the home fans but the relentless attacks didn’t stop there. Long had to deal with another shot after Montsoma was shown a yellow card for a foul outside the box leading to the Sunderland attacker launching the ball just over the goal.
Adelakun was again proving himself to be Lincoln’s star man today as he made a dazzling turn in the box, but his cross was intercepted by a Sunderland defender in the 65th minute.
Lincoln’s wasted chances came back to bite them in the 72nd minute after a defensive mix up between Long and his defense saw Wearne tapping the ball in to make it 0-2.
It took Lincoln more than 10 minutes for the Imps to conjure up another dangerous attack again, as substitute Dan Nlundulu linked up with Anthony Scully for an outstanding counterattack. Scully shot wide, leading to another goal kick and another wasted chance for Lincoln.
The Imps dominated the last 5 minutes of the game and the 4 added minutes must have sparked some confidence into the side who have looked depleted most of the game. A scooped pass over the defense found Scully, but he wasn’t quick enough to get the crucial touch before Burge was onto him.
As Lincoln crowded around Sunderland’s penalty box, the home fans hope was all but diminished. Chants of “HWAY THE LADS” from the 659 away fans echoed around the stadium and overpowered what was left of the Lincoln support. However, to the surprise of everyone, a defensive mistake led to Montsma pulling one back with a low driven volley from outside the box making it 1-2.
Full time and the 3 points were on their way back to Sunderland, Lincoln still sit top of Group F but for how long?
Full Time – Lincoln City 1-2 Sunderland