Lincoln United continued their table-topping form as they beat Kimberley Miners Welfare 5-1.
The Whites were hoping to follow on from a win away at AFC Mansfield, which saw them climb to the top of the table.
Scott Hellewell kept the same backline that won that day, but handed Louis Boyd and Richie Burdett their home debuts at Ashby Avenue. Jack McMenemy returned to the starting eleven, while top scorer Owen Vincent remained out following a dislocated shoulder earlier in the month.
Kimberley Miners Welfare travelled to Lincoln following seven consecutive defeats, sitting in the relegation zone and two points from safety.
Lincoln United Start Strongly:
On a bright but brisk October day it was The Whites who started strongly, home debutant Richie Burdett had the first effort of the afternoon as he spun and struck well wide from distance.
Kimberley were not allowing it to be a one way affair though. Breaking away down the right wing on 13 minutes they flashed a well struck effort just wide of the far post, a warning sign for The Whites defence.
Despite a resilient start from the visitors, it was United who struck first after 21 minutes. The ball dropped to full-back Top Hipwell on the edge of the area. He curled a brilliant right footed effort over the goalkeeper and into the top corner to give his side the lead.
The goal seemed to kick The Whites into gear, and they quickly looked to build on it as the first-half wore on. Henry Moore had a headed chance well saved as half-time approached and a well drilled Kimberley were ensuring they stayed in the game.
The Whites Run Away With It:
It was Kimberley who came flying out the blocks to begin the second half, a series of corners caused real trouble for Jack Steggles in the Lincoln net, but the shot-stopper did just enough to maintain his team’s lead.
Similar to the first 45, it took The Whites some time to settle into any kind of rhythm. Midfield duo Elliot Dye and Leo Priestley were unable to dictate the tempo in the way they would have liked.
Although, just as in the first-half, it was a moment of true quality which found the second goal for United. Richie Burdett beat his man just inside the area with a nice piece of skill before smashing an unstoppable strike into the roof of the net. It was the second goal they needed to just give themselves breathing room in a game which had been tight.
It was becoming a day for new goal scorers as the forward became the second man to open his account for the club in the game.
On 65 minutes, The Whites then put the game out of sight when a Matthews corner was nodded home by Henry Moore from close range. The young defender celebrated his fourth goal of his first season at Ashby Avenue.
Shortly afterwards the floodgates opened and United made it four. A slick passing move put Elliot Dye through on goal and the captain calmly slotted into the bottom corner to extend their advantage.
It then became clear the Kimberley heads had dropped and within minutes Tristian Drummond added his name to the scoresheet. The defender found himself unmarked in the area and after being picked out, almost passed it into the corner to make it 5-0.
However, Kimberley were not just going to lie down though and with five minutes to play grabbed a consolation goal. A long range strike was well kept out by Steggles, but smashed in from five yards to deny the goalkeeper a clean sheet.
Lincoln United 5-1 Kimberley Miners Welfare:
While the score line may look comfortable in was far from it for large periods of for Lincoln United. Kimberly came with a gameplan to make themselves difficult to beat and hit The Whites on the counter when they could.
Despite an impressive showing from the relegation threatened side it was Scott Hellewell’s team who prevailed over the course of 90 minutes. Moments of quality rather than sustained domination were the difference in the end.
Lincoln United remain top of the table in the Premier Division North and will hope to make it three wins in a row when they travel to Sleaford Town in the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy on Wednesday.
Feature Image Credit: Ed Mayes Photography