By Elliot Spurgeon
Lincoln United fought hard to keep the game alive against league leaders Mickleover Sports, who only needed one point to win the title, however it just wasn’t to be.
Lincoln were in front after just 10 minutes from a header by Scott Ruthven. But after two goals in less than three minutes from Mickleover’s Andy Dales and Gary Ricketts, it put them on the back foot going into the second half.
An equalizer from Brendan McDaid in his last ever home game at Lincoln brought the sides to 2 – 2, but a shot for Jacob Hazel just inched Mickleover to the win.
After a delayed kick-off, Lincoln started very bright and were definitely the more dangerous side. They controlled the possession and managed to score after only 10 minutes, an unsuccessful corner led to another cross, which Scott Ruthuen was unmarked and managed to get a free header beating a helpless Ross Atkins.
It looked like a possible 2 – nil after Mathew Cotton was brought down just outside the area in the 19th minute, however the chance never came to anything.
Tensions rose half an hour in which led to an incident with Gary Ricketts confronting a Lincoln United fan, the players and the referee managed to calm the situation and eventually Daniel Brooks and Ricketts were booked.
This incident seemed to boost Mickleover and they looked a lot more dangerous, they received a penalty when McDaid brought down Andy Dales in the 39th minute. Dales took the pen and slotted it past the keeper to equalise.
Less than three minutes after, a scrap in Lincoln’s box led to Ricketts getting the last touch hitting it home for the lead.
Lincoln had a corner five minutes into the second half, but it never found a Lincoln head and was well cleared by Kyle Bryant.
In the 56th minute, Captain Brendan McDaid got the equaliser in his last ever home game for Lincoln United, having played more than 600 games for the club. He deflected a shot and managed to glide it into the back of the net, beating the wrong footed Atkins.
Less than 10 minutes later, Mickleover’s Jacob Hazel took the lead again with a brilliant strike from outside the box, which lobbed Musslewhite.
A brilliant pass put Gary Ricketts one on one with the keeper but he just couldn’t finish and his shot hit the post.
The Whites couldn’t make an upset today and Mickleover got the better of them in the last home game of the season, winning the Evo Stik First Division South League.
Final score: Lincoln United 2-3 Mickleover Sports