Lincoln City managed to stretch their unbeaten run to nine games, holding on to defeat managerless Oxford United 1-0 courtesy of a first half Danny Mandroiu penalty.
After a midweek draw at home to MK Dons, Mark Kennedy freshened up his side with four changes. Jack Diamond, Luke Plange, T.J. Eyoma and Harry Boyes made way for Ben House, Mide Shopido, Lewis Montsma and Lasse Sorensen.
The U’s caretaker boss Craig Short made a couple of changes to the team that lost 3-0 to Bristol Rovers, in what proved to be Karl Robinson’s last game in charge. Sam Baldock and Yanic Wildschut were replaced by James Henry and Tyler Goodrham. The visitors were desperate for a win, after a dismal run of eight games without a victory, leaving them only five points clear of relegation at the start of play.
The Imps have floated into a safe mid-table position, following an undefeated February that has added to the team’s eight games without defeat. Although, Lincoln have drawn six times in that run, something that has been a feature of their season, as no other team in the English professional game has drawn more than them. In his programme notes, Mark Kennedy spoke of his team’s recent results, saying they could be “proud of that run and being so hard to beat”.
First-Half:
After an even start, Danny Mandroiu scored his second goal in as many games and gave Lincoln City the lead. With 22 minutes on the clock, Sam Long tripped Mandroiu in the box and the referee duly awarded the penalty. Mandroiu picked himself back up and hammered the ball straight down the middle as Simon Eastwood dived to his left.
The penalty was Lincoln’s only golden opportunity of a half where they looked dangerous in their build-up play, but couldn’t find a decisive touch.
The Imps enjoyed a period of dominance before and after their goal, but Oxford United came back into it at the half hour mark. The lively Marcus Browne danced his way into the box and cut the ball back for Tyler Goodrham, whose shot was valiantly cleared off the line.
Marcus Browne was the Yellow’s brightest spark in the first half, having a couple of efforts from distance either side of the Lincoln goal. However, his side struggled to break down the Imps backline enough to produce a big chance.
Lincoln’s Lasse Sorensen looked impressive down the right flank, finding Ben House and Danny Mandroiu throughout the half with some teasing crosses and clever balls.
House had a volley blocked towards the end of the half, but the Imps couldn’t create the chance that would double their lead. He had action at the other end too, clearing a Sam Long shot off the line with 40 minutes gone.
Overall, the first half was an even contest, though the U’s defence looked vulnerable at points. Lincoln could be happy they were in front at the break, but their lead was by no means secure.
Second-Half:
The second half was a completely different story, with Oxford United dominating from start to finish. The Imps failed to muster a single shot on target after the interval, but managed to hold on to claim only their fourth home win of the season.
The half started with great pressure from the Yellows, firing in cross after cross to the Lincoln box. Oxford had a whole host of chances in the second half, making sure the Imps fought hard for their victory.
10 minutes into the half, the U’s had a trio of chances from a corner, but Lincoln remained in front with some last-ditch defending.
After the hour mark, the Oxford pressure didn’t relent, as Tyler Goodrham volleyed from outside the box into the hands of Carl Rushworth.
Rushworth gifted a chance to substitute Gatlin O’Donkor after the Imps goalkeeper mishandled a cross and left O’Donkor with a gaping net, but he couldn’t convert. Lincoln managed only one attempt in a second half that showed a weakness going forward.
With only 10 minutes of normal time remaining, both sides made a double change, but fortunes didn’t change as Oxford kept making chances and failing to put them away.
The moment of the half came just after the 80th minute, as Carl Rushworth was forced to produce an incredible save to prevent Gatlin O’Donkor’s header from finding the back of the Lincoln net.
As time ticked on, there was pinball in the Imps’ penalty area and Rushworth became the star of the show. The Oxford goalkeeper made his way into the box in injury time for one of ten second half corners, but Lincoln clung on to their clean sheet.
Lincoln’s remarkable unbeaten record at the LNER Stadium remains, as the Imps recorded a win to follow four successive draws.
Full-Time: Lincoln City 1-0 Oxford United
Despite a sea of second half pressure, Lincoln City managed to maintain their impressive unbeaten run. Oxford United’s disappointing form continued, as they notched up their ninth game without a win. That being said, they could count themselves unlucky in an afternoon where they enjoyed most of the attacking threat.
Mark Kennedy was pleased that his side picked up all three points even after making four changes from their last game. He said: “The squad should take all the credit for it, and not just the eleven that come out on the pitch.”
The Lincoln City fans will go home with smiles on their faces after victory continued their unbeaten home record. It wasn’t their best performance of the season, but a very positive result.
Utter dross from the Imps. A stumbling win against a poor Oxford side that appeared to be managed by committee .