Brennan Johnson inspires as Lincoln run riot at Sixfields

Lincoln City moved back into the League One automatic promotion places after an impressive 4-0 win away at Northampton Town. Goals from Anthony Scully, Tom Hopper and a brace from Brennan Johnson secured the victory.

It was a performance which was inspired by the scorer of the third and fourth goals in Brennan Johnson. The 19-year-old, on-loan from Nottingham Forest, played on the left-wing for Lincoln and posed a serious threat whenever he was on the ball. On top of that he always appeared to have timed his runs to perfection on the occasions he had been released and had created multiple chances for his side.

Johnson helped the Imps to the perfect start after just 80 seconds. He played a ball over the top of the Cobblers defence which fell into the path of Scully. He had a bit of work to do first, bringing the ball down on the byline, but he eventually found the net, giving Lincoln the lead and Johnson an assist.

Johnson, who made his debut for Wales last month, was then on the end of a long ball made by goalkeeper Alex Palmer nine minutes later. He got in behind Northampton captain Cian Bolger and flicked it on Tayo Edun, he played it to Remy Howarth, who hit it just over.

Michael Appleton’s men then won a corner midway through the half. Benny Ashley-Seal, who was marking and battling with Johnson on the near post and attempted to head it way. However it ricocheted to Lincoln full-back Lewis Montsma, who had his shot cleared off the line.

But the visitors got their second goal just before the interval. They won a a free-kick following a foul on Timothy Eyoma, Jorge Grant whipped it in and found Hopper, who met the delivery with a low header past Steve Arnold.

It could have been three moments after. Howarth played it to Johnson, who tried an audacious chip over Arnold, however it caught by the Cobblers keeper.

Three minutes after the break, Johnson was played in following a neat little flick from Grant. The winger skipped past Ricky Korboa, who had been brought on at half-time and went for goal. However the foot of Arnold prevented the ball creeping in the bottom corner.

But with seven minutes to go a ball from Imps Captain James Jones cut open the Northampton defence and put Johnson one-on-one with Arnold. The youngster dinked it over the sliding keeper and put the game beyond the reach of Keith Curle’s side.

The Cobblers fans had grown frustrated by their team’s performance throughout the match and Johnson added insult to injury with what was virtually the last kick off the game. Lincoln broke through Robbie Gotts, who slid in Johnson after he had made a bursting run to meet the on-loan Leeds man. He struck the ball with the side of his left-foot and placed it into the bottom corner to make it 4-0.

Johnson had doubled his total for the afternoon and had doubled his total of the campaign. They were two finishes in which Brennan’s dad David, who was also a striker for Forest, would have been impressed with.

Rumours have circulated in recent weeks that Johnson could be recalled by his parent side in January as they look to fight off a potential relegation from the Championship, but in a interview with the Nottingham Post he stated he wants to stay at Sincil Bank for the rest of the season.

“Obviously, it’s out of my hands but I’m enjoying my time here and I couldn’t be more grateful to the staff who have given me this chance. I’m loving it so far.”

“Coming here, I knew I was quite a versatile player, in the 23s (at Forest) I was playing in different positions. Coming here, doing it in the first team, shows I can play in different positions. Hopefully it expands my game.”

Lincoln moved up to second with the victory and continue their push for promotion with a home match with rock-bottom Burton Albion on Boxing Day.

For Northampton meanwhile, their fourth-straight defeat keeps them 20th in League One, however they have now played two games more than Shrewsbury who are a place below them. They face a difficult trip to Portman Road and fellow promotion challengers Ipswich Town at the weekend.

 

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