A youthful Reserve team fought back from a goal down to win by two goals to one at Sincil Bank this evening
Conor Hiley opened the scoring for Rotherham on 32 minutes after James Reid had missed the opportunity to give the Imps the lead from the penalty spot.
Nathan Adams levelled for the Imps before half time with a deflected effort and Sam Clucas sealed the win with a 35 yard effort that nestled in the back of the net 18 minutes from time.
Match Report from Sincil Bank
The Reserves took on Rotherham Reserves this evening on a beautiful Spring evening at Sincil Bank with both sides having a very youthful look about them.
A frantic opening period saw both sides struggle to get hold of the ball and City nearly took the lead in the ninth minute after a misunderstanding between the Millers keeper and Jacob Webster. With the ball heading towards the goal line, Jamie Annerson was able to hook it clear for a corner to the Imps which saw Kern Millers header go over the bar.
Rotherham had a few half chances but failed to trouble the experienced Musselwhite in the Imps goal.
A swinging James Reid free kick from the right was flicked on by Rob Brewer on 22 minutes and a deflection off Millers right back, Jordan Hatton, brought a full stretch save from Jamie Annerson to keep the effort away from the goal line, before it was hacked clear.
The Imps had a great opportunity to take the lead in the 26th minute after James Wilson latched onto a long ball from Paul Musselwhite. With Adams up in support, the assistant linesman adjudged that Adams was brought down in the penalty area by the Millers defender resulting in a penalty kick. The spot kick was struck well by James Reid but Jamie Annerson dived full stretch and pushed the ball away to keep the score goalless.
A great one-two in the Imps penalty area saw Grant Darley have the opportunity to open the scoring just after the half hour mark but Musselwhite produced a fine save to keep the scores level, but not for long as the resulting corner was headed home by Conor Hiley. The centre forward was left unmarked 8 yards out to head past the advancing Imps keeper to give the Millers the lead in the 32nd minute.
The Imps looked a little shakey after the goal as Rotherham pushed for a second. Being caught out with a short corner, Craig Gladwin sent his drive narrowly over the bar in the 38th minute.
However the Imps fought back after a short period of pressure and drew level in the 42nd minute. A Nathan Adams deflected effort from the edge of the area left Annerson rooted to the spot as the ball went into the corner of the net. Adams again went close moments later with a well struck drive from 25 yards.
Following two minutes of stoppage time the referee brought the first half to end with the game evenly poised at 1-1.
HT: Imps Reserves 1 Rotherham Reserves 1
The experienced Paul Warne began to influence the game in the second half a bit more as Rotherham started the brighter of the two sides.
The first shot on target of the second half didn't come until the 69th minute. James Reid drove inside from the left back position and let fly from 25 yards but his shot was comfortably saved by the Millers keeper.
At the other end Kern Miller was looking reliable at the back and halting a number of Rotherham attacks.
City took the lead in the 72nd minute after a drive from Sam Clucas 35 yards out found the corner of the net with questions asked of the Millers goalkeeper who probably should have done better. The midfielder looked surprised to see the back of the net ripple but took the praise for giving the Imps a 2-1 lead.
Rob Brewer was forced off injured after 77 minutes following a heavy challenge which resulted in the introduction of Jack Davies.
As the clock approached the 90 minute mark City's James Reid had a free kick on the edge of the 18 yard box and his whipped free kick just evaded Kern Miller in the middle and Sam Clucas at the far post.
With two minutes of injury time added on by the referee City safely saw it out to hold on for the win.
FT: Imps Reserves 2 Rotherham Reserves 1
Imps: Paul Musselwhite, Kieran Heap, James Reid, Josh Barker, Kern Miller, Greg Enstone, Rob Brewer (Jack Davies 77), Sam Clucas, Nathan Adams, James Wilson, Karl Cunningham
Subs Not Used: Connor Fitzpatrick, Kerry Nicholas,
Goal: Nathan Adams (42), Sam Clucas (72)
Millers: Jamie Annerson, Jordan Hatton, Steven Hesketh, Jacob Webster, David Haggerty, Emmot Parr-Gallagher, Craig Gladwin, Grant Darley, Paul Warne, Conor Hiley (Alec Denton 72), Mitchell Auston
Subs Not Used: Ben Snee, Ashley Brooke, Danny Hancock
Goal : Hiley (32)
