Lincoln City suffered defeat in their first home game of the league season, losing to Barnsley
In front of over 9,700 at the LNER Stadium, the Imps conceded early in the first-half and even earlier in the second. Ben House gave Lincoln hope, but Darrell Clarke’s side held on to claim the three points.
A rotated Imps line-up crashed out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, after completing a topsy-turvy win over Burton Albion in their season opener. Michael Skubala reverted back to the eleven that beat the Brewers, with Conor McGrandles returning from injury onto the bench.
An Early Barnsley Lead:
Reds captain Luca Connell got the game underway, shooting towards the 1,845 away fans. Neither side could muster a chance in the early goings, until Sam Cosgrove was given time and space just inside the Imps box. The ball found him after a cross from the left, and he made no mistake in placing his effort into the bottom corner of George Wickens’ goal.
Barnsley followed an eye-catching pre-season schedule, which included a behind-closed-doors clash against Italian giants Roma, with defeat to promoted Mansfield Town on the opening night.
They rebounded in midweek with a penalty shootout victory over Wigan Athletic, in the Carabao Cup. New boss Darrell Clarke kept three players from their cup win, including handing Gabriel Slonina his first-ever League One start and Donovan Pines his first since March.
Lincoln City did not test American ‘keeper Slonina until the 35th minute, when summer signing Tendayi Darikwa surged forward on the counter attack. He played a perfectly weighted pass across to Jovon Makama, who forced the 20-year-old into a fantastic save with an out-stretched right hand.
Another summer recruit, JJ McKeirnan, went close a few minutes later, as he whistled a shot just wide of the far post.
An Even Earlier Goal After the Restart:
The restart brought an even earlier goal for the visitors than kick-off did. Barry Cotter, who was the third Barnsley player brought into the team from their Carabao Cup win, provided a floated cross to Marc Roberts. The defencemen rose highest to head the ball back across goal and into the back of Wickens’ net.
At the other end, Darikwa and Makama both had efforts easily saved, as Lincoln City got on the frontfoot following the Tykes’ second goal.
Before the Imps managed to get one goal back, the home side could have had a penalty. Darikwa was taken down by a strong challenge just inside the box, but referee Martin Coy quickly waved away the appeals.
Lincoln City Lifeline:
Lincoln City got themselves back into the game with 20 minutes left on the clock. Dylan Duffy overhit a corner, but fellow Irishman Paudie O’Connor kept it alive at the back post. The Imps captain added an assist to his unlikely brace from opening day, heading back into the centre of the box for Ben House. The striker opened his account for the season, scoring superbly on the turn.
House looked to add his, and Lincoln’s second, with ten minutes to go. He had a shot saved at the end of pinball in the Barnsley box.
Both managers made a string of changes. Michael Skubala’s substitutes couldn’t push his side to victory though, as Darrell Clarke’s men held on to clinch their first win of the league season. In doing so, the Tykes beat Lincoln City for the first time since 2009.
The Imps will look to rebound next week, at home to Mansfield Town.
Feature Image Credit: Chris Vaughan/Lincoln City FC