Evo-Stik NPL League Division One South
Ashby Avenue, Lincoln
Saturday, 19th November 2016, 3.00pm
Gresley Fall Short Again!
As good as Gresley were last weekend they were as poor this weekend. They were beaten by a physical side, overly so at times, who played to their strengths.
Anyone who witnessed the defeat three weeks ago, in the FA Trophy saw a very similar game as Gresley were comfortably and comprehensively beaten.
Although the stats show both sides had similar shots on target, Lincoln converted four of their five while Gresley converted just one of their four and that was the big difference between the teams.
Lincoln took the lead on 6 minutes when a cross from Luke Hornsey found the then smallest player on the pitch, who rose between Ryan Walker and Jamie Barrett at the far post to head past Rob Peet.
Leandro Browne had a shot which went straight at home keeper Jake Turner before Lincoln doubled their lead in controversial circumstances. A free kick from Danny Brooks looped to the far post where Tendai Chitiza looked to have his header ready to clear the danger. However, Gary King appeared to shove Chitiza with both hands making him head the ball into his own goal. It was perplexing that the referee Paul Buck or his assistants were the only people in the stadium not to have seen such a blatant foul.
Gresley hit back with Lucas Harrison smashing a low shot that Turner manager to push away for a corner.
Lincoln had a chance to extend their lead on 26 minutes when a scramble in the visitors' penalty area ended with Michael Jacklin hitting his shot wildly over the bar from close in.
Within seconds Pearson Mwanyongo was racing through the middle but again the final shot was straight at the keeper.
On 34 minutes the impressive Jordan Hempenstall collected the ball in his own half and made a run also through the middle and with no tackles coming in he was able to get to the edge of Gresley's area and seeing Peet off his line lobbed the keeper superbly for goal number three.
A very slight glimmer for the visitors came just before the break when Courtney Meade slid a pass for Mwanyongo to hit and with a slight deflection the well struck shot beat Turner.
Lincoln started the second half well with Rob Norris ending a good move firing his shot over the bar from a very good position.
Lincoln's final goal was a disappointing one to concede. Hempenstall made a run forward and with Peet once more well off his line was able to lob the keeper for his second goal of the game.
Despite Gresley making changes they could not get the better of some resolute defending and the game ended in a dismal trip to Lincolnshire again for the Moatmen and their supporters.
