Extra time win as Imps edge Pilgrims in FA Youth Cup.
After the formalities the referee, Brian O'Sullivan got this FA Youth Cup 2nd Round Qualifying under way with Boston taking the kick, with City attacking the York Street end of the ground, a breeze blowing behind their backs.
United were putting the City back four under early pressure with several long balls but the defence of Jack Fixter, Jack Weatherell, Luke Andersen and Leon Loftus heading clear, two free kicks in quick succession for the Imps resulted in a corner, which after being cleared to the edge of the box, Liam Harris had his shot blocked, minutes later Leon Loftus took a long range strike but his effort sailed over, hitting the stand roof before finally coming to rest on York Street.
The first real chance of the game fell to City's Jenk Acar, Jack McMenemy picked up the ball out wide and his cross into the six yard box saw Acar head over, Referee O'Sullivan had to have a word with United's Ross after giving away another free kick within the opening 10 minutes, from the resulting free kick, Acar's cross couldn't be reached by McMenemy.
United continued with the long ball but Richard Walton in the Imps goal easily collected as it ran through to him, his early distribution found Lewis Millington on City's right but Boston covered well and cleared the imminent danger.
United's first corner of the game on the quarter hour mark came to nothing, City's Acar then won a corner which was quickly taken short with the Pilgrims not quite set up ready, a cross from Loftus found Acar again but his second headed chance of the game went over again.
The first goal of the game went to the home side after keeper Walton had misplaced a pass to the central defenders, United's captain Dykes latched onto the loose ball and found Limb and his shot went past the outstretched arm of Walton into the bottom corner.
With free kicks being given to either side it was becoming a bit of a battle to take the upperhand, then some good work down Boston's left by McMenemy and Harris, Loftus burst forward to collect a delicate touch into his path as he strode into the box and his placed shot past the keeper drew the Imps level on 24 minutes which finished off a fine move.
Boston were to be denied taking the lead again, only by the woodwork on two occasions, first Yenibertiz cross looped off the defender and onto the top of the bar, within 2 minutes, Dykes shot from 18 yards also rattled the bar, the Imps were living dangerously, with 10 minutes left of the half a quick release upfield by Walton created a 2v2 but Acar couldn't quite collect and the ball ran through to the keeper.
A corner by Archie Moyses on the stroke of half time created some uncertainty in the Boston defence at the near post, United cleared and the Referee ended the half at 1-1, both teams having chances.
No changes at the break for either side, both sides had early sights of goal but both finding their way over the bar, but the Imps wouldn't be denied for long, on 54 minutes, Acar plays in the overlapping Loftus his run getting to the byeline, his cross picked out Harris just inside the penalty area, centrally and his controlled shot found the back of the net to give the Imps the lead.
Before the restart, United made a change with the ex Lincoln City Academy player Chavundura being replaced by Drummond, on the hour mark it was McMenemy who had to have a talking too by the referee for what seemed like persistent fouling, Walton collected the United keeper Payne's clearance, his ball forward towards McMenemy, the whistle being blown, however it was a free kick in favour of McMenemy this time, the referee then made his first booking of the night, Dykes for a late challenge on Harris.
United's Ross soon joining Dykes in the book after he and McMenemy fought for a ball, Ross being out muscled and dropping to the ground then reaching out for the ball to stop McMenemy making further progress up the pitch. Moyses took the free kick playing in Millington but his shot was blocked and went out for a corner, Moyses deep corner kick found Millington but he just couldn't rise high enough to get over the ball and direct his header goalwards.
McMenemy then had a shot on the turn from outside the box, United's keeper Payne saving high to his right, the Imps were starting to take control but following a long clearance by Payne the Pilgrims made it 2-2, Weatherell didn't make a header and the ball fell to Limb who beat Walton for his second of the tie, game on.
Fixter made a well timed tackle to win the ball off Limb in the Imps box, then Moyses blocks with his body on the edge of the box after the ball had broken to Vince, Walton was then called into action saving well down to his left hand post from a Yenibertiz shot, Moyses then had his name taken after a foul on Forth to the cheers of the home fans, a few minutes later he was replaced by Reece Robinson-Jones.
With just 10 minutes remaining could someone produce a winner, Harris turned the ball onto Millington, he found McMenemy out wide but his cross was blocked, the corner found Fixter but his header went wide. Loftus and Millington combined down the right, releasing Loftus to cross but Thompson's header didn't trouble the keeper, United pushed forward looking for the winner and it nearly came, a deflected shot from Drummond came back off the post with Walton beaten but the drama continued after the ball was poked through from the edge of the box by Robinson-Jones, McMenemy shrugged off the defender and put the ball under the keeper into the net but the referee ruled it out for an infringement much to the delight of the home fans, not quite sure what he saw though! This concluded the 90 minutes.
Into extra time, Imps had the first opportunity, a corner from the left was headed clear on the near post, another followed but then Payne collected, a Millington through ball for Acar to chase but Payne rushed to the edge of his box to deny, Hobbins replaced Dykes in the Boston midfield, a corner for the home side, fell to Drummond but his shot was blocked by a combination of Imps defenders but Fixter came away with the ball and a fantastic surging run forward from box to box with Acar in support, Fixter was composed enough to play in Acar who calmly slotted the ball past the keeper to give the Imps a 3-2 lead.
The pace of the second half if anything intensified, Boston trying to get back on terms but the Imps were happy to try and slow the game down when they could but at times this was too much for the referee and he made Millington and Acar see yellow for time wasting, the home fans getting boisterous with the Imps tactics to see out the game, United failed to create any clear cut chance, McMenemy keeping possession upfield frustrating the Pilgrims, with very little added time the referee ended the tie, the Imps overcoming their neighbours to progress to the next round when they visit Oadby Town who beat Gresley FC in extra time 6-2, tie to be played week commencing 19th October
Boston United: Payne, McCallum, Ross, Moulds, Forth, Vince, Yeniberitiz, Dykes, Limb, Dear, Chavundura. Subs: Drummond, Gordon, Hobbins, Allen, Portas.
Goalscorers: Limb (2)
Lincoln City: Walton, Loftus, Andersen, Moyses, Fixter, Weatherell, Millington, Harris, McMenemy, Acar, Thompson. Subs: Robinson-Jones, Stewart, Horton , White, Start.
Goalscorers: Loftus, Harris & Acar
Officials: Brian O'Sullivan, Martin Reed & Piotr Juszczyk.
Attendance: 199
