Lincoln City earn a valuable three points as Morgan Whittaker shines on debut for the Imps

Lincoln City got back to winning ways with an impressive 2-0 win over Oxford United at Sincil Bank.

The Imps impressed throughout the 90 minutes with a host of solid performances, none more so than new arrival from Swansea City, Morgan Whittaker.

The Derby-born forward had experienced a frustrating time at the Liberty Stadium, with appearances restricted, having joined from Derby County in February 2021.

The loan move to Lincoln has provided the opportunity for him to get first-team football and kickstart his career, having stalled over the past season.

With the Imps struggling in front of goal, leaving them perilously close to the League One relegation zone, Whittaker did not disappoint with a superb performance on his debut.

As Dan Nlundulu returned to Southampton after a disappointing loan period, there would have been a degree of pressure on the Swansea loanee to hit the ground running. From the very early stages, he showed exactly what Lincoln have been missing since losing the likes of Brennan Johnson and Morgan Rogers.

Whittaker immediately had the measure of Oxford full-back Steve Seddon and gave him a torrid time from the off.

Happy to show his opponent either down the line or cutting infield, the 21-year-old had twice beaten his man in the opening half-hour with positive running, but his balls into the box were just short of finding a man to register an effort on goal.

With Anthony Scully returning to full fitness to compliment Chris Maguire upfront, Lincoln looked a different side to that which has stuttered at home all season. The latter was a whisker away from scoring a superb opener as his 25-yard shot rattled against the upright with goalkeeper Simon Eastwood well beaten.

Lewis Montsma came close from Maguire’s corner moments later but could not get enough direction on his header as the ball drifted past the far post with Oxford’s defence floundering.

Whittaker’s technical ability to receive the ball in tight areas was a key feature of Lincoln’s game, allowing them to play at a higher tempo which encouraged greater movement from his teammates in the knowledge that the ball would retain possession.

Manchester City loanee Lewis Fiorini was a particular beneficiary, and there is no doubt that his creativity has been stifled with the likes of Anthony Scully also missing through injury. The two loanees, Whittaker and Fiorini, contributed with some excellent play to put the Imps ahead in the 40th minute.

Showing an excellent touch to control on halfway, Whittaker used his tidy footwork to navigate a couple of challenges before starting a Lincoln attack. As the ball found its way out to Fiorini on the right-hand touchline, the midfielder showed superb vision to switch the play with a glorious 30-yard pass.

With Scully drifting in from the left flank to find space, he cut inside onto his right foot before deliciously curling the ball past Eastwood from long range to the roar of the home faithful. The goal had been coming, but with Lincoln struggling to score when on top on many occasions this season, the goal instantaneously settled the nerves.

Playing with far more confidence and on the front foot, Lincoln’s plan to play out from the back was not without risks. Despite creating a host of first half chances, the Imps were caught twice on the break, which should have seen Oxford go into the break with at least one goal.

Both chances fell to Matty Taylor but he could not apply the finishing touch when facing up against Imps goalkeeper Josh Griffiths.

In the second period, Oxford manager Karl Robinson tried to implement a higher press from his team, but happy to soak up the pressure and attack on the counter, Lincoln went up the gears as an attacking unit.

Once more, Whittaker was at the heart of everything good about the home side with some classy play after the restart. Receiving the ball under pressure on the right touchline, the forward’s drag back got him away from two challenges before he drilled a 45-yard cross-field pass over to full-back Cohen Bramall. 

Combining with Scully, Lincoln’s number 15 drove into the box, and as he drilled the ball across the face of the six-yard box, Oxford were able to clear the danger.

Despite their encouraging play, the Imps almost found themselves hauled back level following some casual play from Maguire. Claiming that he had been fouled midway inside his half, the forward intentionally handled the ball to claim a free-kick, which was subsequently awarded against him.

As Herbie Kane whipped the set-piece in, Taylor reacted to a knockdown across goal to find the empty net but was adjudged to be offside at the far post.

Despite the close call, Lincoln grabbed their crucial second to put Oxford at arm’s length. Fiorini’s pass across the face of goal found Maguire as he poked the ball to Whittaker who calmly stroked a left-foot finish past Eastwood and into the bottom corner.

Enjoying himself, the ex-Derby County man again showed his ability to nonchalantly skip out of trouble before raking another 40-yard pass to get Scully moving once more.

With confidence being at an all-time high for the 20-year-old, he attempted to catch Eastwood off his line with a long-range effort that cannoned off the crossbar.

Whittaker’s clever disguised pass almost brought Lincoln a third, but as Maguire latched onto the ball inside the penalty area, he could not find a teammate as his driven cross flashed across the face of the goal.

Things went from bad to worse for Oxford as Kane saw red for a dangerous challenge on Fiorini in the 77th minute and the U’s went down to 10 men.

Lincoln did not score with the extra man advantage but the 2-0 win has seen the Imps climb away from the relegation places and left manager Appleton pleased with the attitude from his side.

“The way the lads have trained over the last two weeks has been really good, they’ve been at it.

“There’s been a focus to what we do and how we do it. Morgan [Whittaker] coming into the building has given everyone a lift. Seeing [Anthony] Scully come back from injury has given people a lift.”

Man of the Match Whittaker spoke about how watching the progression of Brennan Johnson, Morgan Rogers, and Jorge Grant were influential in his decision to move to Lincoln and was pleased with his opening display.

“The main thing was getting the three points and getting the goal was the cherry on top of the cake. I’m just so happy to have scored in the team winning.

“Obviously, you don’t want to be where we are in the league but with the players we’ve got, we can get out of the situation regardless.”

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