Stanley: That's Another Fine Mess!
Lincoln City 3 Accrington Stanley 1

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2nd September 2006

Lincoln City's Head Coach John Schofield was forced to make two changes to his preferred starting eleven, as midfielders Ryan Amoo and Jeff Hughes were both absent. Their places were taken by Nicky Eaden and Martin Gritton as City lined up in a 4-3-3 formation.

It took just five minutes for that to prove the correct decision, as Gritton converted Jamie Forrester's flick-on for 1-0 to Lincoln City. It was almost 2-0 a minute later when Eaden tried a shot that flew into the side-netting.

A 15th minute throw-in to Lincoln reached Forrester who forced Accrington goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin into a decent save. Two minutes later, Accrington's Peter Cavanagh received the game's first caution when he fouled Lee Frecklington.

Accrington had a reasonable chance to even the score in the 25th minute but Gary Roberts sent his shot over the crossbar. This was Accrington's best spell of the first half, as seven minutes later, Ian Craney fired inches wide. A 35th minute handball by Paul Mayo gave Roberts the sight of goal from the subsequent free-kick. However, Roberts' sights were slightly awry and the ball went wide of the post.

A 38th minute foul by Lee Beevers on Roberts gave the Accrington player another chance from the free-kick. This time, the outcome was worse for Stanley, as City cleared the free-kick to Forrester. He in turn took on the Accrington defence before passing to Mark Stallard who was in a great position. Stallard's initial shot was blocked by Dunbavin but Stallard followed up to send a right-foot shot into the back of the net for 2-0 to Lincoln.

Imps' goalkeeper Alan Marriott made his first save of the match in the 41st minute when he caught a free-kick that had been taken by Roberts.

Accrington's manager John Coleman elected to make a substitution at the start of the second half as Andrew Mangan replaced James Harris.

Michael Welch fell foul of the referee to earn himself a yellow card in the 50th minute. A minute later, Gritton became the third player to receive a yellow card during the game, when he was cautioned for a foul on Liam Richardson. A series of corners for both sides followed but neither could make one count. The best of the corners belonged to Accrington in the 63rd minute when Andrew Proctor headed Craney's delivery just wide from 6-yards out.

A 67th minute foul on Marriott once again allowed Lincoln to turn defence into attack. The free-kick was played forward to Forrester, who in turn crossed to Stallard, who sent a right-foot past the onrushing Dunbavin for 3-0 to Lincoln City.

The match then turned slightly ugly as Welch received his second booking in the 70th minute, which meant a red card for the Accrington defender. Four minutes later, Mangan was cautioned for a foul on Moses.

On this showing, Accrington will need to improve of they are avoid a relegation battle. However, they did pull a goal back after winning successive corners in the 80th minute. The second was partially cleared but the ball fell to Roberts, whose driven shot ended in the back of the net thereby taking Marriott by surprise.

Accrington's seasonal cause was not helped by Cavanagh's tackle on Stallard, which ended Stallard's involvement in the game. While Ollie Ryan came on to replace the injured Stallard, Accrington were being reduced to nine men as Cavanagh received a second yellow card.

The five minutes of injury time saw no further goals although Lincoln did win a couple of corners.