Lincoln United’s start of season woes continued after an Adam Nicholson goal in stoppage time prolonged their winless start to the new campaign. Losing 2-1 to league leaders Stockton Town, as the visitors themselves continued their own streak with that goal, keeping their 100% start to the season taking maximum points available so far.
The contest started evenly with both sides creating half chances, but neither goalkeeper was called into action in the opening stages. Captain Matthew Cotton went close for United with his shot being blocked from six yards out after some nice play down the left wing. Stockton’s closest opportunity within the opening quarter of an hour came through Hayes. His swerving shot from 25 yards drifted wide of the post.
The scoring started with the visitors taking the lead through a Tyrone O’Neill penalty. Following pressure down the right hand side for the visitors, a cross was judged to have hit the arm of Adelekan and referee Alex Sawden pointed to the spot. O’Neill stroked the ball home into the bottom left corner, despite a finger tip touch from United keeper Liburd-Hines.
The Whites goalkeeper was called into action multiple times too throughout the first half, parrying shots from O’Neill and Thompson, as the visitors looked to double their lead. Lincoln managed to survive the storm and avoid going two goals down, to then trying to find an equaliser themselves. Cotton had a free kick sail wide, whilst Liversidge’s half volley travelled just the wrong side of the post for manager Chris Funnell’s liking. Stockton had the advantage going into the half-time break.
Once the teams re-emerged from the dressing room, the visitors showed why they had a 100% record in the division. Stephen Thompson had a low driven shot saved in the box, Roberts and Hayes looked lively in the Stockton attack, and Nicholson had a header loop over the bar. His time would come later.
Following a slight delay in play after treatment had been applied to O’Neill, United got themselves back on level terms. A free-kick crossed into the box fell kindly for Jake Park who reacted first to scuff his shot into the ground and the back of the net. A deserved equaliser for The Whites with just under half an hour to play.
Neither side could gain full control of the ball or the game following Park’s goal, and the game became scrappy as both sides looked to push on to find a winner. For the crowd of just over 200, not many clear goal scoring opportunities came around. A few shots were rushed and snapped at, but neither keeper was forced into any diving action.
That was until stoppage time at the end of the 90 minutes where Stockton clinched all three points. A corner from the left looped over the goalkeeper and saw many bodies challenge for the ball. It was eventually bundled in by captain Nicholson who celebrated with the rest of the visiting side.
Referee Sawden blew his whistle to conclude the game and leave a taste that United have had too much experience with so far this season. Defeat.
FULL TIME: Lincoln United 1-2 Stockton Town.