We suffered our first defeat of pre-season at the hands of Lincoln City this afternoon as the League One side staged a second half comeback to run out 3-1 winners at the club’s Elite Performance Centre.
Midfielder Dean Cornelius opened the scoring for Town on 10 minutes However, an early second half double from Ted Bishop and a late tap in for Reeco Hackett sealed the victory for Lincoln.
Boyed by his MOTM performance in Saturday’s victory over Darlington, Abraham Odoh started the match in the number 10 role.
From here, the summer recruit found joy in the opening exchanges as he played the ball into the path of Sam Folarin on six minutes but the number 12’s effort was blocked for a corner.
With Simon Weaver’s side dominating, the side eventually got the opening goal of the contest on 10 minutes. A free kick from Matty Foulds was headed back across goal into the path of Dean Cornelius who volleyed the ball home.
Four minutes later, it was almost two, another in-swinging delivery from Matty Foulds found Anthony O’Connor at the front post but his glancing header was narrowly over the bar.
Town again looked to cause problems from wider areas, a deflected corner kick fell at the feet of Matty Foulds inside the box but his looping effort was over the bar.
The teams emerged for the second half unchanged with the starting 11 given the opportunity to increase their playing time ahead of the new season.
However, it would be the home side who would start the second 45 on the front foot. A penalty, won by Ahui was converted by Ted Bishop as the former Ipswich man sent Thomas the wrong way in goal.
Moments later, a clever corner routine from The Imps was rewarded with the third goal of the game as Ted Bishop reacted quickest to edge his side into the lead.
As Town looked to find a leveller, Jack Muldoon went close on 70 minutes but his near post header whistled just over the bar.
With the rain providing a slick playing surface, a driven shot from Odoh bounced just in front of the Lincoln ‘keeper but the effort was scrambled to safety.
Quick feet from Sam Folarin then had the Lincoln defence retreating towards goal but the winger’s shot from 25 yards was dragged narrowly wide.
Despite Town’s best efforts, it would be the League One side who grabbed the fourth and final goal of the contest. A drive down the Lincoln left forced a strong save from Thomas down to his left hand side but he could only parry the ball as far as Reeco Hackett who converted from close range.
Town: Thomas, Falkingham, Burrell, Cornelius, Odoh, J.Daly, Folarin, O'Connor, Muldoon, Ramsay, Foulds
Town (from 70 minutes): Thomas, Mattock, Smith, M.Daly, Sutton, Foulds, Horbury, Armstrong, Gibson, Williams, Wilson
Image courtesy of Lincoln City