Imps 2 Torquay 0
Callum Howe and Liam Hearn both returned to the starting line-up for this Vanarama National League game against Torquay United at Sincil Bank Stadium as the injured Matt Sparrow and father-to-be Alan Power missed out. Howe's return at centre-back saw Bradley Wood push forward into midfield with Chris Bush switching to left-back and Lee Beevers to the right.
It was a glorious sunny day as referee Wayne Barratt led the two teams out of the tunnel and once the pre-match formalities were done and dusted play got underway with Torquay kicking off.
City were the first to press with Matt Rhead flicking on a Beevers ball but it bounced away from Hearn as he prepared to pull the trigger whilst a minute later, with four played, a long Exodus Geohaghon throw caused problems for the City defence before Tyrone Marsh headed over. Bush needed treatment before play resumed after appearing to land awkwardly.
It took until the 14th minute for the next half-chance to come along with Gulls 'keeper Fabian Speiss holding a Rhead header but the flag was up and play restarted with a United free-kick.
At the other end the overlapping Durrell Berry fired an effort well wide of the City goal and after another scrappy period of play Rhead picked out Hearn shortly after the half-hour mark but he was denied by Speiss who smothered at his feet.
Shortly afterwards Jack Muldoon forced the game's first corner but Luke Waterfall was unable to direct Terry Hawkridge's flag-kick goalwards and the visitors were able to clear.
The Imps remained on the offensive and in the 35th minute took the lead; Hawkridge playing the ball forward and after he got the better of Geohaghon, LIAM HEARN drew keeper Speiss and slotted neatly past the advancing stopper.
Four minutes later the lead was doubled; Beevers crossing from the right and there was MATT RHEAD who beats Geohaghon in the air before seeing his superb header loop over Speiss and straight into the top corner.
Seconds after the restart a swift City attack ended with a Beevers cross flying inches away from Hearn six yards out whilst Torquay's response saw Dan Butler send a free-kick straight out of play.
The only action during two additional minutes' play saw Geohaghon go straight into the back of Rhead who was left holding the back of his head. No free-kick was given though and Rhead was allowed treatment after Bush played the ball out for a throw-in.
HT: IMPS 2 TORQUAY 0
Whilst the Imps emerged unchanged for the start of the second half Torquay made a switch with Alex Fisher replacing Exodus Geohaghon.
The Gulls had the first attempt following the restart with Hurst firing a 25-yard effort well wide whilst a fine double save by Farman saw him keep out Louis Briscoe and substitute Fisher before City attacked and won a corner which came to nothing.
In the 54th minute a superb save by Speiss saw him tip a Hearn effort behind following good work by Muldoon down the right. At the other end Howe deflected a Briscoe shot behind for a corner and when this led to another on the opposite side, Rhead was back to head clear.
A Hawkridge cross was blocked as Rhead loitered in the box and as play switched to the Bridge McFarland Stand end a Torquay corner ended up with Angus MacDonald firing an overhead kick well wide.
After the hour mark Rhead headed a Stanley cross wide and Howe nodded a Hawkridge corner over. Another City corner with 20 minutes on the clock forced the Gulls' defence on to the back foot.
In the 74th minute a shot on the turn from Hearn was palmed away by Speiss and two minutes later the striker was replaced by Alex Simmons. Shepherd Murombedzi came on for Tyrone Marsh for Torquy at the same time.
A block challenge on Muldoon earned MacDonald a 78th minute yellow card and four minutes later Waterfall was left grounded after crashing into Murombedzi. He was able to resume duties after treatment.
Simmons and Muldoon both tested Speiss with low drives whilst in the closing stages Elliot Hodge replaces Matt Rhead who received a standing ovation as he left the field. Ashley Yeoman for Fergus Bell was Torquay's final switch.
Midway through four additional minutes Farman was well positioned to hold a Murombedzi drive whilst for the closing stages Kegan Everington was given a run out in place of Craig Stanley.
FT: IMPS 2 TORQUAY 0
LINCOLN CITY
1 Paul FARMAN
2 Bradley WOOD
4 Craig STANLEY
5 Luke WATERFALL
6 Chris BUSH
7 Jack MULDOON
9 Matt RHEAD
10 Liam HEARN
12 Terry HAWKRIDGE
18 Lee BEEVERS
26 Callum HOWE
subs
3 Greg TEMPEST
15 Kegan EVERINGTON (for STANLEY 90+4)
16 Alex SIMMONS (for HEARN 76)
17 Elliot HODGE (for RHEAD 88)
13 Aidan GRANT
GOALS: HEARN (35), RHEAD (39)
TORQUAY UNITED
1 Fabian SPEISS
2 James HURST
3 Dan BUTLER
5 Angus MACDONALD
6 Exodus GEOHAGHON
7 Louis BRISCOE
10 Tyrone MARSH
18 Nathan SMITH
27 Fergus BELL
28 Harry HICKFORD
29 Durrell BERRY
subs
11 Shepherd MUROMBEDZI (for MARSH 76)
14 Ashley YEOMAN (for BELL 88)
17 Alex FISHER (for GEOHAGHON h/t)
19 Sam CHANEY
21 Daniel LAVERCOMBE
BOOKING: MACDONALD (78)
MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE: Wayne Barratt
ASSISTANTS: Stuart Richardson & Oliver Bickle
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Sean Richardson
ATTENDANCE: 2,467 (129 visiting supporters)
