Lincoln United picked up their first home win of the season against Sutton Coldfield Town in a thrilling 3-2 win at the Sun-Hat Villas & Resorts Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was a game that really could’ve gone either way, the decisive match winner coming in added time. It’s back to back wins in the league now for 8th place Lincoln, bringing them their third win of the season. Two of those wins have come under now permanent manager Chris Funnell, who oversaw their 5-1 win over local rivals Lincoln City in their last league game.
An Electric Start:
The opener was scored by hosts 11 minutes in, and was somewhat against the run of play. It was a debut goal for Elise Keyworth, who pounced on a Maddie Elbro mistake as she couldn’t keep hold of Amy Copley’s powerful cross.
The Royals nearly instantly replied with a chance of their own from kick off, but a tidy Rosie Davidson save at the near post denied an equaliser. Sutton responded well to going behind as they began creating chances, particularly through the pacy Liv Woolston on the right hand side, who was frequently producing dangerous crosses.
The away side rattled the post midway through the first half through Sutton, as they kept pushing until they got their reward.
The equaliser finally came three minutes before halftime via midfielder Chloe Finn, after the ball was won back in a very dangerous area. The goal-scorer drove forwards unchallenged, and fizzed it into the bottom left hand side of the net to cancel out United’s opener.
The Whites’ Late Late Show:
The wait for a goal in the second half was certainly longer than in the first after, with both teams searching for the pivotal next goal.
It arrived for the away side with a mere 15 minutes left on the clock, after another threatening Woolston run saw a deflected cross arrive at the feet of Hornsby. She forced a solid save out of Davidson. Unfortunately for the home side, she couldn’t keep hold of it and the substitute Kingston had a tap-in to make it 1-2.
Just as it looked like Kingston’s goal may be the decisive blow, The Whites fought back, and equalised with five minutes to go. Copley converted well under pressure but it was all about the great run and assist by Alice Hayes who
broke through the defence and made the goal happen.
Both teams had huge chances in the dying embers of the game and to the delight of those watching at Ashby Avenue, a stoppage time winner would come through substitute Hayes. Once again it was all about the assist as Copley returned the favour, displaying immense strength to win the ball and play a cool pass along to Hayes who converted the tap in.
The win puts the Whites on 10 points for the season, and although they stay in eighth place in the league. The win puts The Whites on a healthy 6 points separating them and the relegation zone.