The Imps picked up another fantastic three points on the road this afternoon and extended their lead at the summit as they defeated AFC Wimbledon 2-1 with the goals coming from Tayo Edun and Tom Hopper.
City made just one change to the side this afternoon with Liam Bridcutt returning from injury to captain the side in place of Remy Howarth who dropped to the bench. Harry Anderson did not make the match day squad due to illness and is now self-isolating as a precaution.
Both sides started the match quickly, and it was AFC Wimbledon who fashioned the first chance of the match. A long ball over the top was held up by former Imp Ollie Palmer, who laid the ball off neatly to Jack Rudoni, but his shot was blocked excellently by Walsh and City cleared their lines.
City were looking comfortable in possession and were quick to counter in the early stages as both sides tried to get a foothold in the match.
Neat intricate play between James Jones and Brennan Johnson led to an opening for TJ Eyoma, but his cross was blocked behind for a corner. The early pressure paid off as the Imps took the lead in the 8th minute. Jorge Grant whipped in the resulting corner and the ball fell on the edge of the box to Tayo Edun, who struck a sweet first-time effort with his weaker right foot into the bottom corner to make it 1-0 to City.
Jorge Grant’s excellent set piece deliveries were causing the home side problems as another corner was met by Lewis Montsma, but the Dutchman could only head over the bar.
AFC Wimbledon’s first real chance of the half arrived in the 23rd minute as a deep cross was met by Joe Pigott who rose highest in the penalty area, but he headed wide of the post. Alex Palmer was then called into action for the first time shortly afterwards as Pigott capitalised on a lapse in the City defence. The Dons attacker curled a shot at goal which was parried to safety by the Imps’ number one as City cleared.
The Dons continued to threaten before equalising in the 31st minute through Ollie Palmer. McLoughlin dug out a deep cross and Palmer was on hand at the back post to nod in from close range making it 1-1.
City almost instantly responded as Anthony Scully whipped in a cross towards Jorge Grant, who set Brennan Johnson up for the shot, but it fell inches wide of Trueman’s right post. The chances were still arriving for the Imps as Anthony Scully and Tom Hopper both had chances but two last ditch tackles prevented the away side from taking the lead.
The home side were picking up plenty of free kicks in dangerous wide areas but City held firm as the sides went in all square at half time.
Half Time - AFC Wimbledon 1-1 Lincoln City
The Imps started the second half strongly but couldn't find the early breakthrough that their play deserved. Tayo Edun was linking up well with the City forwards as he played a precise pass to Tom Hopper who calmly laid the ball off to Jorge Grant. The midfielder whipped in a terrific ball with the outside of his boot, but his pass evaded everybody and the home side cleared.
Brennan Johnson had the beating of his man all evening and the Welsh international fired in numerous excellent crosses into the six yard box but no Imps player was on hand to convert the opportunities.
AFC Wimbedon did threaten and almost took the lead in the 59th minute as Jack Rudoni got in behind the City backline, but he dragged his left footed effort wide of Alex Palmer's post.
Anthony Scully was a constant threat down the right hand side as he timed his runs to perfection on the shoulder of the last man, but stern defending from the Dons defence prevented him from finding the net on two occasions.
Jorge Grant almost produced a moment of magic with a delightful backheel following a cut back from Anthony Scully but Trueman was on hand to keep the score level.
As we entered the final ten minutes of the match, City were still on top and having plenty of joy in wide areas. Anthony Scully and Brennan Johnson continued to expose the AFC Wimbledon backline but City failed to convert their chances.
The chances were arriving for City and the second goal for the away side finally arrived in 83rd minute. A poor clearance inside the 18 yard box presented Jorge Grant with the ball who calmly passed the ball to Tom Hopper who made no mistake with his left footed drive into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.
Tom Hopper's sixth goal of the season ended up being the winner as Lincoln City secured another vital three points to extend their lead at the top of the Sky Bet League One table.
Full Time - AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Lincoln City
AFC Wimbledon
1. Connal Trueman
3. Daniel Csoka
4. Alex Woodyard
6. Terell Thomas
7. Cheye Alexander
9. Ollie Palmer
12. Jack Rudoni
16. Jaakko Oksanen
19. Shane McLoughlin
30. Paul Kalambayi
39. Joe Pigott (Chislett 68')
Subs
13. Nik Tsanev
10. Adam Roscrow
11. Ethan Chislett
14. Zach Robinson
25. Archie Procter
26. Jack Currie
32. Huseyin Biler
Goals - Palmer 31'
Booked - Woodyard 38'
Lincoln City FC
1. Alex Palmer
4. Lewis Montsma
7. Tayo Edun (Melbourne 90')
8. James Jones
9. Tom Hopper
10. Jorge Grant
11. Anthony Scully
16. Joe Walsh
20. Brennan Johnson (Howarth 90')
22. TJ Eyoma
23. Liam Bridcutt
Subs
31. Sam Long
3. Max Melbourne
5. Adam Jackson
14. Theo Archibald
17. Remy Howarth
24. Robbie Gotts
25. Zack Elbouzedi
Goals - Edun 8', Hopper 83'
Booked - Johnson 28', Grant 68'
