Lincoln City managed to maintain their unbeaten home record, defeating Bristol Rovers 1-0 on a feisty afternoon. The Imps hung on to their slender lead, playing better against eleven-men than they did against ten.
Lincoln’s first-half dominance didn’t carry into the second-half despite their man advantage, but the home side managed to escape with all three points.
Mark Kennedy named an unchanged line-up from the side that beat Accrington Stanley 3-0 a week ago, with Ben House, Jack Diamond and Olamide Shodipo leading the line.
Bristol Rovers made a couple of changes from their defeat to relegation-threatened MK Dons, seeing Antony Evans, Luke McCormick and Ryan Loft replace Scott Sinclair, Sam Finlay and Paul Coutts. Former Imps striker John Marquis made the bench.
Lincoln’s indifferent form has remained, with last week’s win coming after three draws and one loss in league action. On the other side of the pitch, Joey Barton’s side have hit a rough patch of form, losing their last four games in all competitions.
Lincoln were hoping for a fourth consecutive clean sheet in this game, something they haven’t managed since October 2020.
First-Half:
Lincoln City dominated proceedings in the first-half, taking the lead after 14 minutes and limiting the Gas to one shot on target. Things got even worse for the visitors just before the break, as Ryan Loft was shown a straight red card for an elbow to goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.
After a period of intense Imps pressure, captain Regan Poole netted his second Lincoln goal of the season, heading home a Jack Diamond cross at the back post. Before the deadlock was broken, the Imps had numerous shots on goal, with Diamond, Ben House and Lewis Montsma all forcing work from Ellery Balcombe between the sticks.
The goal came as no shock considering Lincoln’s dominance, but Poole’s strike didn’t stem the flow of Imps pressure. Balcombe was forced into a double save by Ted Bishop and Regan Poole.
Jack Diamond and the goalscorer, Poole, were the brightest sparks for Lincoln in the first half, causing havoc for the Pirates’ backline down the right hand side.
Joey Barton’s men focused on long balls, but their only real chance came after a Poole mistake left talisman Aaron Collins one-on-one with Carl Rushworth. The Imps goalkeeper produced a fine save and ensured Lincoln remained in the lead.
Then, the biggest drama of the first half. Ryan Loft was dismissed, after he was adjudged to have elbowed Rushworth when they both went up for a high ball into the box. Referee Tom Reeves deliberated with his linesman while the players engaged in a scuffle. He brandished his red card and sent Loft down the tunnel.
Lincoln ended the half a goal and a man to the good, boding well for the second half against a toothless Rovers.
Second-Half:
Lincoln City made what should’ve been a comfortable game a nervy one. Joey Barton made a double change at half-time, brining on Scott Sinclair and Harry Anderson for Lewis McCormick and Josh Coburn.
The second-half started slow, with Bristol Rovers remaining second best. The Imps took their foot of the gas, but Jack Diamond managed to inject the first-half’s energy into proceedings, catching Jarell Quansah napping and getting in behind. The chance was well blocked.
Lincoln’s build-up play remained strong, but at times they played themselves into trouble, allowing Aaron Collins to get a shot away in goal.
January loan-singing Luke Plange came on after 70 minutes, charging straight into the action with an effort off target and a chance made for Ted Bishop.
Bristol Rovers came into the game more with 15 minutes left, substitution John Marquis forcing Carl Rushworth into a save low to his right. The game descended into chaos as the final whistle neared. Jarell Quanash could’ve been shown the Gas’ second red card of the game when he wrestled otherwise-through-on-goal Luke Plange to the ground on the half-way line.
Rovers had reason to feel aggrieved themselves, as Aaron Collins was clumsily knocked down in the box. However, the referee saw no issue with Adam Jackson’s defending and waved away Bristol protests.
Lincoln City managed to hang on, much to the delight of the over 8,000 in the LNER Stadium. The home side impressed more in the first-half, though the Gas couldn’t force an equaliser after the break.
After the game there was pushing and shoving on the pitch, providing a fitting end to a fiesty game. Joey Barton also had a few choice words for Man of the Match Ethan Erhahon during the latter’s post-match interview live on BBC Radio Lincolnshire.
Full-Time: Lincoln City 1-0 Bristol Rovers
Lincoln City earned back-to-back wins, lifting them to 13th in the table and leapfrogging today’s opponents in the process. Mark Kennedy said after the game that he was proud of his team’s fourth consecutive clean sheet.
The Imps manager was also happy with the performance of his new signings, saying: “All the players we have brought in, I feel, have upgraded the position they’ve come in”
This clash might not have provided the goals of the 6-3 reverse fixture, but it still provided plenty of excitement in a 1-0 victory for Lincoln City which was packed with incident and controversy.