Lincoln United edge Harrowby United 2-1 after both teams were forced to play with ten men following a double sending off in the opening five minutes.
The Whites sat in second place, with a game in hand on league leaders Eastwood CFC. Their opponents came into the game on significantly better form then the home side despite sitting 9th place in the table.
The away side went into the game with four wins and a draw in their last five, while Lincoln had just one win in their last four. Scott Hellewell made four changes to the starting line-up from their last league game, a 2-1 loss on the road to Hucknall Town.
Harry Olivant, former Harrowby striker, made his debut today having been announced as a loan signing the night before the game.
Two Early Red Cards:
An early chance fell for visitors when goalkeeper Jack Steggles had a poor clearance intercepted by Jack Gurney, he saw the ‘keeper off his line and struck the ball first time- his effort flew just over.
Just under five minutes in saw chaos as Lincoln won a corner after forcing a great save from Alex Smith at the far post. From which a commotion in the box began between Lincoln’s Sean Wright and Harrowby’s captain Kemal Yenibertiz. Both players were sent off after a lengthy pause from referee Robert Pealing and the game continued as 10 against 10.
A spell of dominance began for Lincoln with them winning a flurry of freekicks, Jaime Ture won the first from right wing in a good area, Cameron Johnson fired it too close to the keeper who comfortably caught it. Johnson won the second free-kick, which Leo Priestley sent into the box. Lincoln captain Henry Moore met it at the far post but couldn’t direct his header into the corner as it flew just wide.
The opener came in the 19th minute for the home side, Paul Grimes bravely challenged a loose ball after Harry Olivant’s powerful effort forced a great save from Smith. He arrived second to it, but the Harrowby defender smashed it against him – this deflection was enough to divert the ball into the bottom left corner and give Lincoln the lead.
The visitors finished the half brightly, a good move in midfield made a Harrowby attack, Ture attempted to prevent the danger with a mistimed slide tackle on the left hand side which resulted in a booking and a freekick in a dangerous position.
An equaliser would came just before the break, as Harry Allcock smashed an effort at Steggles. However, the power was too much for the ‘keeper, who could only smother it into Jack Gurney. He tapped it home from very close range for the equaliser in additional time of the first half- a suckerpunch for Lincoln who were a minute away from going in ahead at the break.
Securing a Late Winner:
The first efforts of the second-half fell to the visitors as Scott Floyd let fly from around 20 yards out, forcing an uncomfortable save from Steggles. Just seconds later another chance came for Harrowby as the Lincoln defence failed to clear their lines, Allcock’s shot lacked the power or accuracy to put his team ahead.
Just short of the hour mark saw great chances for both teams, Lord Marfo out wide for Harrowby sent a great curling effort goal bound before Moore headed it off the line spectacularly. From the counter, Olivant had a great chance to put his team in front on his debut when found himself through on goal from the left but Smith denied him with a solid stop at the near post.
Another big chance came for Lincoln with just over 20 mins to go as the ball was swept across goal, no-one was in the middle to meet the cross and the ball was cleared before it could cross the line.
Just under ten minutes to go and Lincoln found the winner, making it 2-1.
They took the lead following a wonderful Grimes corner which found Ture at the back post. He met the delivery and headed it into the net unchallenged from point blank range, a big goal in Lincoln United’s bid for promotion in what’s been a tight game.
The win today for The Whites keeps them in second place, with their points tally now up to 40 for the season. Next up for Hellewell’s men is a long trip in the FA Vase.