Lincoln City and newly promoted Forest Green Rovers drew 1-1 in a tight game with missed chances to win it on both sides. A devasting Connor Wickham equaliser denied the Imps all three points.
Lincoln Head Coach, Mark Kennedy, made four changes heading into the game, as well as handing matchday debuts to summer signings Charles Vernam and Jordon Garrick.
Kick off
The game started tentatively, as both teams looked to string together a spell of possession. With four midfielders on the pitch in Sanders, Sorensen, Bishop, and Oakley-Boothe, Lincoln were the first to do so. Enjoying the majority of the ball in the first 15 minutes.
Ted Bishop, playing out of his preferred position on the left wing, picked up the first booking of the game after cynically bringing down Regan Hendry outside the box. Forest Green couldn’t make the set piece count, as the tame effort was easily gathered by Rushworth in the Imps net.
After his man-of-the-match performance in the 3-0 win against Doncaster in the Carabao cup, Bishop again provided a spark for the Imps in midfield. Calls for a penalty were waved away by Referee Declan Bourne, as Bishop went to ground in the box. Much to the dismay of Lincoln fans.
With temperatures in the thirties, the game paused for a drinks break. As an animated Mark Kennedy looked to advise his players.
After going down earlier in the half, Tashan Oakley-Boothe couldn’t continue. This paved the way for new signing Jordon Garrick to make his debut for the Imps. Allowing Anthony Scully to move to the left wing with Garrick on the right.
As a result of the change, Lincoln were entirely more threatening going forward. Eyoma and Garrick combined well on the right-hand side to give the Forest Green defence problems. Garrick had changed the game for the Imps with his introduction.
The Jamaican should’ve opened the scoring, stealing the ball deep into the Forest Green half, Garrick hit a low shot from within the box. It would have been 1-0 to Lincoln, if it wasn’t for a superb low save from Luke McGee in the Forest Green net.
Second half
The momentum from the first half carried over into the second 45 minutes for Lincoln. As the Imps had the first real chance through captain Tom Hopper. The striker latched onto a 50/50 ball on the edge of the box. However, he could only drag the ball past the post.
In a largely quiet game up to that point for the Forest Green frontline, a lofted ball into the box produced their best chance on goal. Josh March rose to head the ball just over the bar. A wake up call for the Imps.
But in a game that was constantly back and forth, Lincoln broke the deadlock. A Jamie Robson delivery from the left-hand side looked to be on target for Garrick at the back post. Before it got there, Baily Cargill, under pressure from Garrick, inadvertently bundled the ball into the net. 1-0 to Lincoln.
Again the pendulum swung, as former Premier League striker, Connor Wickham made his impact on the game. Less than 10 minutes after the opener, Forest Green equalised through Wickham. An enticing ball was brought down by Wickham in the box, before he turned to unleash a rocket into the top corner, leaving Rushworth no chance.
Thoroughly on top at this stage of the tie, David Davis nearly made it two goals in as many minutes for Forest Green, with only a low save from Rushworth stopping them from taking the lead.
A competitive debut for Charles Vernam and a run-out for Ben House were hoped to change the run of play for Lincoln. But a tightly contested game got the result it deserved, with it ending 1-1.
Full time
Lincoln will rue missed chances, but will be happy with the result. With only two out an out attacking players on the pitch from the start and new signing Jordon Garrick starring in a man-of-the-match performance. There is a lot for Mark Kennedy to be optimistic about.
The Imps will play Oxford United next in the league on Tuesday.