Match report...
The recalled Callum Howe replaced the suspended Sean Raggett, Elliott Whitehouse came in for Alan Power and Terry Hawkridge was in for the injured Harry Anderson as the Imps looked to build on the weekend win over leaders Forest Green Rovers with a positive result against York City at Bootham Crescent.With pre-match rain having subsided, City kicked off on a greasy surface and they were the first to press with good pressure from Whitehouse forcing the first corner of the game in the third minute but ex-Imp Sean Newton was well positioned to head Nathan Arnold's inswinging delivery clear.
The Imps enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges with a number of offside decisions against the Minstermen frustrating the locals as the 10 minute mark came and went.
In the 14th minute Hawkridge, Alex Woodyard and Bradley Wood combined to force another corner but this was hacked clear by the home defence but a pretty scrappy opening quarter was bereft of clear-cut chances.
This all changed in the 24th minute though following a City corner won after Luke Waterfall had picked out Hawkridge with a superb cross-field pass from defence. Nathan Arnold took the flag-kick and there to meet it at the near post was ELLOTT WHITEHOUSE to bag his first City goal on his first start.
Four minutes later a lunge on Hawkridge earned Yan Klukowski a yellow card and City certainly made him pay from the resulant free-kick as NATHAN ARNOLD drlled in a bullet which gave Scott Flinders no chance as he doubled the Imps' advantage.
City continued to push forward with Habergham spotting Robinson down the left in the 33rd minute but his attempted lob over Flinders landed in the York keeper's gloves whilst three minutes later great work from Wood saw him somehow get in a cross before Robinson's deflected effort was claimed at full stretch by Flinders.
Just before two additional minutes was indicated, there was a harsh booking for Waterfall following a challenge on ex-Imp Robbie McDaid. The ball appeared to hit McDaid in the face following Waterfall's tackle but referee Tom Bramall deemed the challenge to be worthy of a yellow card.
The half ended shortly after Whitehouse won a free-kick midway inside the York half.
HT: YORK 0 IMPS 2
Whilst the Imps emerged unchanged, Alex Whittle replaced Matt Fry for York prior to the start of the second half.
After a scrappy opening to the second period it wasn't long before the hosts made another change with Daniel Nti coming on for Aidan Connolly in the 52nd minute. A minute later Rhead won a corner in front of the travelling fans before York skipper Simon Heslop was booked for an earlier foul on Whitehouse.
The aforementioned flag-kick, taken by Habergham, was met by Rhead but his header was superbly kept out by Flinders at his near post. Shortly afterwards Hawkridge volleyed over from 25 yards before a third and final York substitution saw Callum Rzonca replace Charlie Cooper.
Robinson then had a shot saved by Flinders following good work by Arnold whilst at the other end a rare York attack ended with the onrushing Newton hitting the City crossbar.
The former City man was left to rue his miss as, within a minute and shortly after the hour mark, a Habergham free-kick met was by LUKE WATERFALL before the skipper slotted the loose ball home from close range after Flinders kept his initial effort out.
In the 63rd minute Jack Muldoon replaced Nathan Arnold on the right for the Imps and five minutes later the hosts reduced the arrears when a free-kick into the City box was bundled home by Klukowsi after Farman kept out his initial effort.
Alan Power for Matt Rhead was the Imps' second switch a couple of minutes later with Whitehouse moving into a more advanced midfield role as a result and with York suddenly coming to life it took a timely interception from Waterfall to deny Newton.
Once again City's response was immediate as BRADLEY WOOD gained possession and shrugged off a number of challenges before slotting past Flinders for a superb solo effort; a fine 50th league and cup goal of the season for the Imps.
Adam Marriott for Theo Robinson was City's final change and the former was quickly in the action, squaring for Muldoon who drove inches over the bar as the travelling 1,068 City fans hoped for a fifth goal.
With six minutes on the clock Muldoon had an effort claimed by Flinders following some neat interchange play on the City left whilst at the other end more well-drilled City defensive work brought about another offside decision against the home side.
In the first of four additional minutes Hawkridge was booked for handball and in the closing stages an over the top tackle from Nti on Power saw the York subsitute dismissed; an easy decision for Mr Bramall to make.
Power eventually got back to his feet following treatment but was off the pitch having more attention as play came to a close with another terrific performance on the road by City seeing them keep up the pressure at the top of the table.
FT: YORK 1 IMPS 4
LINCOLN CITY
1 Paul FARMAN
2 Bradley WOOD
3 Sam HABERGHAM
4 Elliott WHITEHOUSE
5 Luke WATERFALL
6 Callum HOWE
9 Matt RHEAD
11 Terry HAWKRIDGE
28 Nathan ARNOLD
30 Alex WOODYARD
31 Theo ROBINSON
subs
7 Jack MULDOON (for ARNOLD 63)
8 Alan POWER (for RHEAD 70)
10 Adam MARRIOTT (for ROBINSON 76)
27 Jamie McCOMBE
21 Richard WALTON
GOALS: WHITEHOUSE (24), ARNOLD (29), WATERFALL (61), WOOD (74)
BOOKINGS: WATERFALL (45), HAWKRIDGE (90+1)
YORK CITY
1 Scott FLINDERS
2 Shaun ROONEY
6 Matt FRY
8 Simon HESLOP
10 Yan LUKOWSKI
12 Aidan CONNOLLY
19 Simon LAPPIN
31 Charlie COOPER
32 Robbie McDAID
33 Sean NEWTON
35 Danny HOLMES
subs
3 Alex WHITTLE (for FRY h/t)
7 Daniel NTI (for CONNOLLY 52)
21 Scott FENWICK
23 Matty DIXON
25 Callum RZONCA (for COOPER 56)
GOAL: KLUKOWSKI (68)
BOOKINGS: KLUKOWSKI (28), HESLOP (53)
SENDING OFF: NTI (90+4)
MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE: Tom Bramall
ASSISTANTS: Paul Brown & Rebecca Welch
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Chris Ellis
ATTENDANCE: 2,889 (1,068 City supporters)
