Lincoln Christ Hospital School
Saturday 14th December 2013
11:10 k.o
Lincoln City U18’s continue their superb run of form with a 4-2 victory over Rotherham United U18’s, coming from their 5-0 victory over Wigan Athletic in the FA Youth Alliance cup, the players were brimming with confidence with a great ending to 2013.
Lincoln won the reverse fixture at Rotherham in August, the first game of their 2013/14 season, winning thanks to a Rob Smith goal while keeping a clean sheet, a perfect start to their season; today’s fixture would see them end their games until 2014.
The game started with neither team able to dominate possession until the Imps got a shot on goal, 10 minutes in, from a clever link up by Kieran Walker. This seemed to give Rotherham the push they needed and from some neat play in midfield, the ball found the back of the Lincoln net for Rotherham to take the early lead.
Lincoln, trailing for a matter of seconds, were immediately at the other end of the pitch in a counter attack that saw Jordan Harper net the equaliser; 1-1 and game on.
Just two minutes later Lincoln were awarded a corner, from a last ditch attempt to clear the ball from danger, taken short and crossed just outside of the box, midfielder Kegan Everington caught the ball with a screamer into the bottom right hand corner for 2-1 Lincoln.
Rotherham were not going to go down without a fight and in the 22nd minute came close with a shot on goal, denied by some excellent goalkeeping.
Kieran Walker came close in the 30th minute with a superb shot on goal, both keepers battling to keep their team in the game.
Despite the Rotherham keeper’s best efforts, he was no match to prevent Nick Green’s in swinging shot, just 10 minutes before half time.
Half time came with Lincoln leading the game 3-1, the crowd in high spirits with the first half performance.
The second half started with Rotherham the better the team, dominating play in the Lincoln half and getting balls into the box. The ball found the Lincoln net once again just 5 minutes after the second half began, with some doubts over whether the striker was onside or not; 3-2 Lincoln.
Regardless of the earlier drama, Lincoln replied immediately with Josh Barr-Rostron playing some very neat football up the left byline before playing a through ball into the path of Kieran Helsdown, who netted the forth, all but securing the victory for the Imps.
Rotherham had chances to get back into the game; in the 70th minute a clumsy challenge from outside the box gave Rotherham a free kick; however the cross cleared for a corner which was wasted from a breakdown in communication; the players looking deflated by the earlier goal that gave Lincoln a two goal advantage.
The game ended 4-2 to Lincoln, the victory coming after Lincoln’s manager Gary Simpson ruled out the possibility of featuring any of the under 18 players in the Skrill Premier League.
After a run of inconsistent form, the three points is a great way to see out 2013; their next fixture will played on Saturday 11th January 2014, away to Doncaster Rovers U18.