The U18s progressed through to the Youth Alliance Cup Northern Section Semi-Finals thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over Rochdale on Wednesday afternoon.
With the quarter-final tie, played at Lincoln United's Ashby Avenue ground, locked at 3-3 full-time, the young Imps emerged victories from the resultant shoot-out with Matt Bowles, Kegan Everington, Jordan Harper and Alex Simmons successful in the 4-2 outcome.
Keeper Henry Smith saved two of Rochdale's penalties whilst City's scorers during normal time were Cenk Akar, Matt Cotton and Bowles.
The U18s progressed through to the Youth Alliance Cup Northern Section Semi-Finals thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over Rochdale on Wednesday afternoon.
With the quarter-final tie, played at Lincoln United's Ashby Avenue ground, locked at 3-3 full-time, the young Imps emerged victories from the resultant shoot-out with Matt Bowles, Kegan Everington, Jordan Harper and Alex Simmons successful in the 4-2 outcome.
Keeper Henry Smith saved two of Rochdale's penalties whilst City's scorers during normal time were Cenk Akar, Matt Cotton and Bowles.
Match report:-
It was a mouth watering encounter in this Youth Alliance North Quarter Final tie as the young Imps took on high flying Rochdale - who had scored 10 in their last two league games - from the North West Alliance on Wednesday afternoon at Ashby Avenue, home of Lincoln United. The Imps won the toss and Rochdale got the game underway.
The Imps who broke the deadlock after just four minutes when Matt Cotton tricked his way into the box and his cut back was finished off neatly by Cenk Akar. But Rochdale replied almost immediately when sloppy play and a lapse in concentration allowed the Dale's lone striker to break free and he rounded Henry Smith and put the ball into the empty net.
After a frantic few minutes the game settled down, and after Lincoln had more of the opening minutes the visitors were growing into the game.
It was going to take a moment of class to put either team into the lead and it was Rochdale's striker who provided this with an audacious 40 yard volley that left Smith with no chance. But the Imps didn't become disheartened and kept going looking for an equaliser and on the half hour mark Smith did well to break up an attack for Rochdale and started Lincoln's move for their second goal.
Rob Smith played a perfectly weighted ball over the top and under pressure from Alex Simmons Dale’s goalkeeper only half-cleared to Matt Cotton who lifted the ball into the empty net from 20 yards.
But despite Lincoln replying well, it was Rochdale who went into the break 3-2 up when moments after the equaliser Dale’s striker threaded a ball through that was finished with aplomb by the right winger.
After a rallying half time team talk which reiterated that the Imps weren't out of the tie, Lincoln came out on the front foot and were on a mission to get back into the game.
They dominated the opening minutes of the second half and more importantly, scored when they were on top. It was the move of the game with great interplay between Cotton, Smith and Simmons who found Matt Bowles and he calmly found the bottom corner to bring the scores level again.
The Imps were now firmly in the driving seat with Simmons and Cotton proving a constant threat to Rochdale's back line. The industrious Kegan Everington alongside Bowles in midfield worked tirelessly to quash Rochdale’s excellent midfield and it was the Imps who went pushing for the winner but Rochdale's keeper had other ideas making three outstanding saves to keep it level.
Meanwhile Lincoln's defensive unit was called upon as Rochdale rallied late in the game but Marlon Grundy, who was excellent at right back, Mason Love, Nick Green and Callum Ward all stood firm and kept a clean sheet in the second half. The final whistle blew and it ended 3-3.
A draw in this competition means straight to the dreaded penalty shoot out. The Imps embraced this however and elected to go second after winning the toss again.
Shot stopper Henry Smith was on fire as he saved two Rochdale penalties, while the Imps youngsters didn’t miss and it was Simmons' job to secure victory after Bowles, Everington and Jordan Harper had all converted.
This was another great result for Lincoln against a very good Rochdale team that we wish all the best for the rest of the season.
