Two first half goals from wing-back Lasse Sorensen were enough for Mark Kennedy’s side to record their first win in 4 league games, against struggling Cheltenham Town.
Lincoln City welcomed bottom side Cheltenham Town to the LNER Stadium on Saturday, looking to build on a positive mid-week display against West Ham. It was a vast difference in opponent, with Cheltenham yet to register a league goal all season.
Head coach, Mark Kennedy, made three changes to the game on Wednesday night, with defenders Adam Jackson and Jaden Brown replacing Jack Burroughs and Alex Mitchell; the latter not making the bench. In attack, Teddy Bishop returned to the starting eleven, replacing Alistair Smith. Flashy Danny Mandroiu made it only to the bench, following his return from injury.
First-Half:
It was a bright start to the contest with Cheltenham creating the first chance of the game via Jovan Malcolm. His lung-busting run on the counter-attack, was followed by a lovely step-over to get past Ethan Hamilton, which gave him the opportunity to shoot. Unfortunately for the visitors, his shot sailed over the bar.
Malcolm would live to regret that miss, as less than a minute later, City opened the scoring down the other end. Lasse Sorensen picked up his second goal of the season, after being found on the right side of the penalty area by Teddy Bishop before releasing a low, driven shot into the bottom left corner.
It was the Lasse Sorensen show in the first half, as he picked up his and City’s second of the game, just over 15 minutes later. In the 21st minute, he was found in a very similar position, this time by Reeco Hackett, before applying the same devastating effect. Mark Kennedy’s side were cruising, and never looked like they got out of second gear. Hamilton and Erhahon looked to find plenty of space in midfield, and the forward press resulted in Cheltenham remaining in their own half for much of the opening 45 minutes.
Adam Jackson and Teddy Bishop had their name taken by referee Ben Atkinson, for a strong challenge, and dissent in separate incidents; the only grey cloud over a perfect opening 45 minutes of league football for City.
Second-Half:
The story of the second half was very different to the one of the first. An Elliot Bonds shot that flew very wide of the mark, was the only noteworthy event up until the hour mark.
Influential winger Danny Mandroiu returned to action following a short-term injury, along with Smith who replaced Bishop and Hackett.
Adam Jackson saw a looping header bounce just wide of the post following a deep Lasse Sorensen cross, after a free kick.
Kennedy’s side thought they had killed the game off when Hakeeb Adelakun tapped home a cross Ethan Hamilton, following a lovely one-two with substitute Mandroiu. Unfortunately, the linesman’s flag was raised for an offside during the build-up.
A flurry of yellow cards was dished out by referee Atkinson with 10 minutes remaining, as Erhahon, Hamilton, and head coach Mark Kennedy were all booked for protests to decisions.
Robins substitute Oli Hammond came closest to forcing Lukas Jensen to work, after a tame curled effort was eventually gathered by the Imps number one. It is now 10 games since Cheltenham Town scored in league football, yet to record their first of the season.
Lincoln City 2-0 Cheltenham Town
It was a smooth sailing afternoon for the Imps, as all the work required was done in the first half. Two away trips to Leyton Orient and Peterborough United are next, with Wolves U21s next to visit the LNER Stadium on the 10th of October.