Lincoln United continued their rich run of form on Tuesday night, beating Shirebrook Town 3-2.
Goals from Scott Matthews, Jack McMenemy and Henry Moore were enough to secure The Whites all three points.
Scott Hellewell was forced into making one change from the side that beat Hucknall Town on Saturday, with newly-signed Nathan Popple coming in to replace the injured Jack Steggles. Popple was announced by The Whites earlier on Tuesday, as United looked to replace their ever-present between the sticks with a short-term deal.
First-Half:
The Whites dominated the first-half, with good link-up play on the ball and being structured when off the ball.
Tris Drummond had the first clear-cut chance of the game just six minutes in. After an effort was well save by Luke Chadwick, Drummond had an open goal to shoot at. As he hit his effort, he was unlucky to see a Shirebrook defender got in front of it, ready to clear.
Lincoln dominated from the first whistle, with wing play providing excellent opportunities for Owen Vincent and Jack McMenemy in attack.
Suitably, the Whites opened the scoring 24 minutes into the first half. Adam Barthram ran past the Shirebrook defence, and was taken down in the box unlawfully, giving the referee no option but to point to the spot. Scott Matthews was the man chosen to take the spot kick, converting coolly from 12-yards out sending Chadwick the wrong way.
Club captain Elliott Dye came close five minutes later, as he was sent through on goal with only Chadwick to beat. The goalkeeper did really well to reach out with his foot to deny The Whites a second in quick succession.
Ten minutes after their first, the hosts doubled their lead. Barthram sent Jack McMenemy through on goal, and he slotted his effort neatly past the goalkeeper to cushion United’s lead.
Second-Half:
The second-half kicked off with a very different approach to the first, with Shirebrook having a much more attacking approach.
The visitors got one back five minutes into the second-half. A free-kick was set through the Lincoln United defence, and multiple blocks left the ball to Conner Eyes, who managed to get a shot away, beating the defenders and goalkeepers as the ball nestled into the net.
From here, the half turned end-to-end. United continued to create golden opportunities that they struggled to convert, before quickly having to reset and defend counter-attacks and long ball chances that were created by Shirebrook.
Lincoln got their third 20 minutes before the end of the game, with a corner meeting Henry Moore, whose bullet header nestled into the back of the net to restore Lincoln’s two-goal lead.
Shirebrook got another 12 minutes before the full-time whistle. Chris O’Grady ran through on goal, shrugging off the defender in the process and burying his effort in the back of the net. The late goal for Shirebrook caused total chaos, with Lincoln defending with all their power to cancel out anything that was thrown at them.
Full Time: Lincoln United 3-2 Shirebrook Town.
A fifth consecutive win for Lincoln United sees them continue their impressive form at the start of the season, pushing forward at the top of the United Counties Northern Premier Division.
Next up for The Whites is a home tie against Boston Town in league action on Saturday, August 31.
Feature Image Credit: Ed Mayes Photography