Early goals enough to secure victory...
Lincoln City’s youth team welcomed York City to Ashby Avenue looking to build on Saturday’s win at Rotherham. Kieran Helsdown and Josh Barr-Rostron returned to the starting line-up and the Imps started very brightly, pressing high and preventing York from settling into the game.
Just three minutes had gone when Jenk Acar skipped passed his marker and found Sam Fewkes' running from midfield and he neatly found the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
The Imps continued to keep the pressure on with great pressing from hard working forwards Helsdown and Lewis Millington. The second goal followed shortly with the best move of the game, some neat one touch passing through midfield and some fine link-up play between Barr-Rostron and Liam Harris who broke into the box and calmly found the continued run of Barr-Rostron and he finished well from close range.
The hosts continued to deal with any chance of an attack and the back four looked very solid with Jordon Cooke and Connor Griffin defending well, which also allowed full backs Leon Loftus and Calum Stewart to join in Lincoln’s attacks.
The third goal was again great pressing from the front three and midfield, and it was Jenk Acar who raced onto a loose ball and he nipped around York’s goalkeeper to put the Imps three up. Jack McMenemy replaced the injured Barr-Rostron and the half ended with Lincoln in control of the game.
As the second half began it was obvious to see York were highly motivated and they began to enjoy more possession, however Lincoln still looked very strong defensively and threatening on the counter attack.
Just before the hour mark, York pulled a goal back as the Imps failed to play out from the back effectively which lead to a good finish from outside the box. Matthew Clarke then replaced Helsdown, and great kicking from Richard Walton meant pressure was eased on Lincoln’s back four.
Clarke fired over the bar and although chances were limited later in the game, the young Imps continued to work tirelessly to earn a great three points and climb to third in the league. Moreover, another U16 Luke Andersen made an appearance as he replaced the solid Griffin in the closing minutes.
Team: Walton, Loftus, Stewart, Harris, Cooke, Griffin (Andersen), Acar, Fewkes, Helsdown (Clarke), Barr-Rostron (McMenemy), Millington. Subs: Moyses, Thompson.
