IMPressive

Twelve months ago, Lincoln City decided at the last minute to send what was virtually a first team to Collingham. Last night the Imps academy side took on the Blues and most who saw the two matches would agree that their performance put last year’s firmly in the shade. The visitors should have taken the lead in the first five minutes, Danny Purves conceding a penalty, but Chris Riley did well to block the spot kick and George Paling hooked away the loose ball. Lincoln’s sharp passing and refusal to allow Town any time on the ball were impressive and after several close shaves, a three goal burst in the middle of the first half virtually decided the game. On 20 minutes, Jordan Harper arrowed his shot past Riley’s left hand and four minutes later Alex Simmons made it two with a carbon copy goal. Simmons scored his second on 27 minutes and it was not until ten minutes before half time that Newark threatened the Imps’ goal, Daryl Price’s shot from Ben Porter’s ball being pushed out by the keeper, and Reece Self also going close. It seemed that the storm had been weathered, but a minute from the break a loose ball from Luke Parsons went straight to Simmons, who couldn’t resist the opportunity to complete a well taken hat trick.
The Blues started the second period on the attack, Calum Fraser hitting the post in the opening stages, and Parsons exerting pressure on the keeper as Purves’ free kick threatened. Newark pulled a goal back on 56 minutes, Rick Brewer converting a Dom Swingler corner with a powerful header. Porter was inces away from finishing off an incisive ball from George Pearce, and after a goalmouth scramble which looked certain to cross the line the ball was cleared to Sam Gregory, who clipped the bar with a fierce drive. Lincoln added a fifth through Matt Cotton late on to round off a display which kept the crowd of 147 thoroughly entertained.