Lincoln City still in search of their first home win of the season after disappointing late draw

Lincoln City Head Coach Mark Kennedy was given more food for thought as his young side surrendered an early two-goal lead to concede an injury-time equaliser to a determined Fleetwood Town side.

Tashan Oakley-Boothe, on loan from Stoke City, started the game in classy style, demonstrating his ability to retrieve possession and get the Imps on the front foot. Some excellent work from him in the sixth minute led to Lincoln’s opener as Fleetwood were caught out on the break.

Following some indecisiveness defending from the hosts on the edge of their own box, it was Oakley-Boothe who calmed proceedings with a neat first touch to allow the Imps space to move forwards. Not done with that touch, the 22-year-old set off on a run and having broken through along Fleetwood’s right side, with his cross evading Tom Hopper but Teddy Bishop was on hand to sweep the ball home from close range.

The high press was being well implicated and with Fleetwood pinned back, Lincoln doubled their lead just eight minutes later. Left-back Sean Roughan delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, which Bishop once more did superbly well to follow up and again dispatch by Jay Lynch in goal.

Oakley-Boothe was almost architect again, with another carbon copy run through the lines but on that occasion, his volleyed cross deceived Bishop at the far post to set up a chance for him to claim a 20-minute hattrick.

With Lincoln well on top, it was then frustrating for the home fans that they let the visitors back into the game by failing to continue with their good pressure and movement that gotten them into a match-winning position in the opening quarter of an hour. Subsequently, Fleetwood began to get their game going and edged their way back into the contest.

Left-back Danny Andrew managed to wriggle his way into the Lincoln penalty box but with nobody in a blue shirt to find in the box, he fired a vicious left-footed effort that came off the head of Rushworth in goal who had stood his ground well.

Despite the calls for offside, Paddy Lane was threaded through on goal and with just Carl Rushworth to beat in the Lincoln goal, he calmly tucked the ball through the keeper’s legs to offer the visitors an unlikely lifeline at that point in the game.

Fleetwood were a whisker away from getting themselves level right on half time as Cian Hayes narrowly missed the bottom corner from 12 yards as the hosts failed to clear their lines from a corner.

Lincoln started the second half in brighter fashion and it was Bishop once more that was creating the danger. His right-footed cross deceived Anthony Scully at the far post before bringing Lynch into action to parry his well-hit drive from the edge of the box.

Despite that flurry, it was Fleetwood who took control of the half with the home support riled by some bizarre refereeing decisions from Ollie Yates. Paddy Lane should have done better from 18 yards when the ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the box but he could only blaze his effort over the bar.

The introduction of substitutes, Mendes Gomes, Omochere and Garner all proved to be pivotal moves from Scott Brown as the visitors went in search of an equaliser. Rushworth made a superb double save to deny Gomes and Omochere on the rebound before twice denying Omochere with some brave goalkeeping as he beat the striker to a 50/50 after initially parrying his shot.

Just as it looked to be Rushworth’s day, nine minutes of injury time were signalled and as Danny Andrew’s trusty left foot was called upon as Lincoln gave away a cheap free kick just outside of the area, the fullback’s super delivery was headed home by sub-Ged Garner in front of the delighted 128 travelling fans.

Despite conceding late, Imps Head Coach Mark Kennedy was not too downhearted considering the number of young players he has in the squad as they take his ideas on board.

“Our start was outstanding, in terms of how we played. Our possession, patterns, movements and style was excellent. And then we just went away from it and stopped doing the things that had got us into a 2-0 lead and that was particularly disappointing.

“You have to have bravery on the ball. You have to recognise what you’re good at and what got you there. You have to have courage and that only comes with experience. So the only way to give them experience is to play football and the only way you learn is by making mistakes.”

Lincoln travel to Cambridge United next weekend as they continue to build on there solid start to the season.

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