Lincoln United fell at the hands of Newark Town, losing 1-2 in the United Counties Premier Division North, with Blues striker Ryan Smith netting twice.
The Whites came into their first home game of the 2024/25 season on a positive note, after beating Wisbech Town 1-0 on the opening day thanks to a free kick from Leo Priestley.
Scott Hellewell made one change to his side, with Jaime Ture replacing Paul Grimes for his first competitive start in his second stint for The Whites. It marked the new management team’s first competitive home game, as they faced a Newark side that boasted former Lincoln man Mitch Griffiths.
First-Half:
The link up between Ted Gibbons and Tris Drummond was apparent from the start, while Newark played very compact in the centre. That meant The Whites had to rely on their wing backs to make runs in behind the opposition backline.
Gibbons also linked up well with striker Jack McMenemy. Lincoln used McMenemy’s pace to their advantage, with Gibbons playing lofted balls in between the Newark defence and goalkeeper Josh Wilson. However, the Blues did very well to identify this danger and clear any ball away.
Ture did well to stop Newark of what would have been a certain goal. A whipped ball into Ryan Smith let the striker through on goal, and his shot was blocked superbly by a stretched-out Ture.
There was very little to split the two sides in the first-half, however, with Lincoln having more possession, they created very little in the final third.
Second-Half:
Newark started the second half on the offensive. Jack Wright came on in an enforced substitution for the Blues, but he showed just how important he is to the side. He turned past two United defenders, before planting an early cross into the corridor of uncertainty.
Smith couldn’t do enough to get onto it, giving United a lifeline.
Drummond continued to show his fine form in the second half. The wing back played a good ball early into the path of a lunging Ted Gibbons, but the attacker couldn’t get his effort on target.
The Whites bagged the opener just after the hour mark. Scott Matthews whipped a corner into the box, and the leaping head of Elliott Dye glanced the ball into the back of the net.
From here, Lincoln were tested defensively. Newark started to throw everything they could at the hosts, attacking through all different routes. They eventually found their equaliser when Wright travelled down the right wing, putting a ball directly across goal. Smith was there to meet it, as he tapped it in from close range.
Newark got their second just five minutes before the full-time whistle. A fantastic free-kick left a lot for the Lincoln United defence to do, as Smith won the header, and placed the ball under Jack Steggles and into the back of the net.
From there, Lincoln tried all they could to get an equaliser, but Newark resolutely kept the Whites at bay.
Full Time: Lincoln United 1-2 Newark Town
It was a close affair between two very good sides, but Newark did well to come from behind and seal a hard-earned three points.
Next up for Scott Hellewell’s men is a home tie to Goole in the FA Cup preliminary rounds, where United will be looking to get their first home win of the season in the books.
Feature Image Credit: Ed Mayes Photography