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Lincoln 2
Torquay 0
12th February 2006
Yesterday, Lincoln City avenged their ill-disciplined
horror show, which took place earlier in the season at
Torquay, via this fine 2-0 victory.
Imps' boss Keith Alexander made two changes to his side
that defeated Stockport last weekend. Both alterations
saw youth given its opportunity, as Lee Frecklington
replaced the ill Steve Robinson, while Ollie Ryan
replaced the dropped Franny Green.
The opening ten minutes were dominated by fouls, which
included a 9th minute foul by Morike Sako on Simon Yeo to
earn City a threatening free-kick. Scott Kerr's free-kick
was flicked on by Martin Gritton towards to Gareth
McAuley, who saw his header go over the crossbar.
Next, good build-up play saw Gritton find Frecklington,
who showed lovely skill to gain the space and time to
pass to Kerr. Taken first time, Kerr's shot deflected past Torquay
goalkeeper Andy Marriott for 1-0 to Lincoln.
Frecklington then continued to further professional
experience two minutes later, when he almost experienced
the hero to villain scenario. His foul on Darren Garner
earnt Torquay a dangerous free-kick but Sako fired wide.
Lincoln were never in any real danger of losing this
football match; however, but the football was in danger
of being lost!
Torquay did have one good opportunity to score when they
won a 22nd minute corner. Garner delivered the ball into
the area, where Jamie Sharp headed over the crossbar.
Eight minutes later, a long ball forward released Sako
but fortunately, Alan Marriott was able to parry the ball
away to safety. In-between those two Torquay chances, Nat
Brown had blasted a long range shot over the crossbar for
Lincoln.
A few other long range shots were fired well wide before
the half-time whistle sounded. At the start of the second
half, Ryan was sacrificed for defender Jude Stirling, as
City switched to a 5-3-2 formation.
It would have been 2-0 to Lincoln in the 52nd minute but
for a poor miss. Gritton had the initial shot, which was
well saved by Andy Marriott, but Jeff Hughes sent the
loose ball wide of the goal.
Simon Yeo's speculative 58th minute effort was caught by
Andy Marriott. This prompted Torquay to replace Paul
Robinson with Alan Connell. He was straight into the
action, as two minutes later, he was involved in a
Torquay corner. Matthew Villis was the player who made
contact with the corner delivery but Alan Marriott caught
the ball.
The game's first caution was given to Sako for a 63rd
minute foul on Jamie McCombe. Other than another
speculative shot from Yeo that failed to trouble Andy
Marriott, there was little else in way of goal related
chances. To remedy the situation, Gary Birch was brought
on for Gritton in the 70th minute.
Two long range efforts in quick succession from Brown
(Lincoln) and Sharp (Torquay) both sailed wide. However,
there was a real scare when Alex Lawless caught out Alan
Marriott but luckily Lawless' header landed on the roof
of the net.
At 1-0, the game remained unsafe for Lincoln, so
Frecklington was brought off for defender Lee Beevers.
Sensing a late comeback, Torquay replaced Villis with
Matthew Hewlett. Both substitutions took place around the
80th minute mark.
However, Beevers' substitution was the more effective, as
he almost scored with practically his first touch of the
ball. Yeo had deceived goalkeeper Andy Marriott before
crossing to Beevers. Alas, somehow, Andy Marriott managed
to race back to block Beevers' shot.
As the nerves of Lincoln City's supporters began to
jangle yet again, Kerr was cautioned for a 85th minute
foul on Anthony Lloyd.
Thankfully, their nerves were settled in the 88th minute,
as was this match, when Hughes scored. Hughes, who won
two Northern Ireland Under-21 caps this week, continued
his unbelievable week by scoring his first ever goal for
Lincoln.
The ball was flicked on to Hughes, who then beat Andy
Marriott. Even though the goalkeeper was bypassed, he had
to beat the remaining Torquay defenders, which Hughes did to score an excellent
goal.
Additional time saw Connell's 25-yard shot parried by
Alan Marriott. In the final minute, Beevers was cautioned
for handball.
Overall, a comfortable victory for Lincoln City, as The
Imps continued their unbeaten start to 2006.
Lincoln
City: A
Marriott, C Cryan, G McAuley, J McCombe, J Hughes, S
Kerr, L Frecklington (80 L Beevers), N Brown, O Ryan (46
J Stirling), M Gritton (70 G Birch), S Yeo
Unused subs: F Green, M Robinson
Torquay: A Marriott, A Lawless, M
Villis (82 M Hewlett) , J Sharp, A Lloyd, S Woods, D
Garner, M Sako, J Kuffour, K Hill, P Robinson (60 A
Connell)
Unused subs: R Hancox, L Coleman, L Afful
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