A John Marquis double secured an impressive 3-1 win for Lincoln City against Sheffield Wednesday.
Michael Appleton made three changes ahead of the game. Morgan Whittaker, Lewis Fiorini and TJ Eyoma all came in for the Imps.
Lincoln desperately needed to pick up three points, after a disappointing 0-2 loss at home against Gillingham. With every passing game dragging them further into a relegation battle.
Sheffield Wednesday were sitting 5th in the table going into it. And were hoping to try and cement their strong position in the top six. Former premier league players Saido Berahino and Callum Paterson both started the game for Wednesday.
Kick off
Lincoln made a dream start. A nice turn from Lewis Fiorini created space for the Midfielder to drive into. Finding himself on the edge of the box, he fired a testing shot at Peacock Farrell in the Sheffield Wednesday goal. The keeper was forced to parry it wide.
A clever training group move from the resulting corner left Whittaker free in the middle of the box. His scuffled shot fell to John Marquis at the back post, who couldn’t really miss. His 5th goal of the season since joining in the January transfer window. Three minutes in, Lincoln City 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday.
Wednesday looked to bounce back. A spell of pressure followed, and some nervous Lincoln defending worried the crowd. With errors of previous games threatening to come to fore again.
At the other end of the pitch, Whittaker and Fiorini were creating problems, a spell out of the starting line up appeared to have rejuvenated the pair.
5/3/2022
A scuffle between McGrandles and Paterson earned both yellow cards. As the tense atmosphere off the pitch began to show on it.
Wednesday continued to threaten. A Paterson half chance kept Lincoln busy. The former Cardiff City man could only miskick the ball wide.
In a moment of magic, Wednesday got their equaliser. Marvin Johnson started just before the halfway line, knocked the ball through Regan Poole’s legs on a run covering most of the pitch. And delivered a floated ball right onto Saido Berahino’s right foot. Who gave Griffiths no chance in the Lincoln net. 33rd Minute, Lincoln City 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday.
It nearly went from bad to worse for the Imps. As Massimo Luongo picked the ball up midway into a Lincoln half. Like most of Wednesday’s attacks up to that point, the Australian national attacked with purpose and creativity. As he beat two Lincoln defenders with a body feint and then passed the ball agonisingly past the post. Josh Griffiths was rooted to the spot.
Half time:
Lincoln came out after the break looking settled. Taking their time on the ball and seeing long periods of possession in midfield.
On the 62nd minute Tom Hopper got free down the right-hand side. Waiting for support on the edge of box, he pulled it back to Brooke Norton Cuffy. The right back curled the ball in the bottom corner with class. Showing why his manager Michael Appleton believes he will play in the Premier League.
To try and get back into the game Wednesday made a double change. A like for like switch as both strikers were replaced in favour of Lee Gregory and Florian Kamberi.
However, Lincoln didn’t let the game slip away. With repeated chances as Fiorini went close with a speculative effort from thirty yards and Tom Hopper having his effort cleared off the line.
Lincoln City vs Sheffield Wednesday
5/3/2022
Photo Credit – Finley Cannon
The Imps did get a third goal. John Marquis capped off a stellar performance with another composed finish inside the box. 76 minutes, Lincoln 3-1 Sheffield Wednesday.
Full time
With the win keeping the Imps in 18th place on 36 points they moved a step closer to safety. Travelling to Ipswich on Tuesday will be the next chance they get to build on this impressive win.