Lincoln City put in a dominant first half display, putting three past visitors Cheltenham, including a brace from Swansea loanee Morgan Whittaker.
The Imps came into their second fixture of a bumper Easter weekend against Cheltenham Town knowing that a win would ensure mathematic safety. Cheltenham were safe in mid-table despite their team featuring Alfie May, who was sat third in the goalscoring chart.
Kick Off
Lincoln City kicked off the game and within five minutes they had the home crowd cheering, Morgan Whittaker calmly bringing down a cross field pass into the box from Fiorini and slotting the ball past the on-rushing Owen Evans in the Cheltenham goal. Lincoln City 1-0 Cheltenham Town
Ten minutes later, the Imps’ fans were almost celebrating again, Lewis Fiorini firing a curling shot towards goal just inside the penalty area, his effort coming off the far post, the score remained 1-0 to the Imps.
Ben House was looking positive on his first start for the Imps’, driving forward from midfield and testing the visiting defence. The home side continued to look dangerous, largely dominating the opening 20 minutes.
18/04/2022
The Imp’s soon made their dominance pay once more. Whittaker crossing the ball across the face of goal, Liam Cullen met the cross but his effort was saved well by Owens, again Cullen tried with the rebound but his second attempt was blocked on the line. Scully finally secured the second goal, firing the rebound home for his 15th goal of the season. Lincoln City 2-0 Cheltenham.
Moments after the game got back underway, the Lincoln City fans were celebrating once again. Morgan Whittaker cut in from the right and blasting a fantastic, dipping shot from range. The late dip on the ball helping it to beat Evans for Whittaker’s second of the game inside 20 minutes. Lincoln City 3-0 Cheltenham Town.
After a chaotic opening 20 minutes, the game began to settle down, Cheltenham getting hold of possession more regularly and calming the play down. Lincoln continued to look particularly dangerous in the wide areas, Whittaker and Scully getting on to the end of sweeping cross-field passes and through balls.
Lincoln took their almost totally unchallenged lead into half-time, nearly making it four to the good. Liam Cullen’s attempt at goal was a simple save for Owen Evans, after the visitors had lost possession just in front of their defence.
Half-Time: Lincoln City 3-0 Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham made a half-time substitution, looking to get back into the game. Aston Villa loanee Aaron Ramsey was taken off, having been booked inside ten minutes for diving.
Morgan Whittaker was eager to claim a hattrick, firing shots at goal from range, early in the second half. Neither of his efforts tested The Robbins’ keeper.
Kion Etete very nearly got one back for the visitors on 66 minutes. He did well to take the ball past Jordan Wright, but the shot that followed lacked any real vigour and came back comfortably off of the post to be cleared by the Imps’ defence.
Whittaker was unable to get his hattrick goal, he was substituted just before 80 minutes to a standing ovation from the home fans.
Frustrations began to show for Cheltenham. Alfie May with a late challenge on Robson followed by a brief coming together between the two. The Robbins’ forward was shown a yellow card.
The Imps were going for a fourth, House doing well out wide to maintain possession, before laying the ball off for Scully, who was after his second of the day. His effort was blocked with a few shouts for handball from the crowd that were to nothing.
The final moments off the game had little for either set of supporters to get excited about. Jordan Whittaker watching a couple of Cheltenham shots fly over his bar, with the Imps now certain of safety with the points in the bag.
Full Time: Lincoln City 3-0 Cheltenham Town
Michael Appleton will be hoping his side can take their dominant display into their final two games of the season in preparation for another season in Sky Bet League One.