Lincoln City U18s crashed to a 3-2 home defeat to Rotherham United on Saturday morning. The young Imps let slip a two goal lead and passed up a host of chances to put the game beyond the visitors.
Nathan Adams' early brace was eventually overhauled by a dubious penalty midway through the first half and a long range strike on the hour mark. A late free-kick gave the Millers the spoils.
Match report by Daniel Mooney:
In an eventful match Lincoln had made the ideal start, taking the lead after just five minutes. Sam Turner's purposeful break from midfield released Ryan Limb, who then found Nathan Adams in space. The prolific striker faced a tight angle, but expertly shot across the goalkeeper into the bottom right hand corner.
As the Imps took the upper hand, Andy Hutchinson volleyed a Bennett pass wide on nine minutes and four minutes later the same player pick-pocketed the Rotherham right back, raced to the by-line and fired over a cross which strike partner Adams sent over the bar from close range.
With 20 minutes on the clock Adams doubled Lincoln's advantage. Turner again had a hand in the goal, his slaloming run down the right wing freeing Adams on the edge of the penalty area, from where he found the top corner of the net.
It was a superb goal, almost casually curled beyond the keeper's reach. But with the Imps seemingly on easy street, they were dealt a hammer blow on 25 minutes. The referee pointed to the spot when Rotherham winger Austin ran into the box then went sprawling. Although Lee Bennett and Jack Davies were in close attendance, it seemed the attacker had already lost possession by the time he hit the ground.
Oliver Banks then stepped up to the spot and coolly halved the deficit, despite Lincoln's protests.
Just two minutes later Adams nearly produced a carbon copy of his second goal, but saw his effort fly just over. Then Bennett headed Limb's corner against the crossbar as the Imps threatened to run riot.
Luca Coleman-Carr firmly won the ball on 33 minutes then sent Adams scampering down the inside left channel. But the forward's first time shot was easily gathered by the Rotherham keeper. Five minutes later James Wilson hit one just over the bar as Lincoln looked the better team going into the interval.
And the second half began in much the same fashion. On 56 minutes Sam Turner was flattened on the edge of the Rotherham penalty area, getting up to see Adams pull the resultant free kick wide.
On the hour Hutchinson had the Rotherham defence in real trouble as he wriggled goal-side of his marker. The busy striker appeared to be hauled down but the referee waved away protests. Then Rotherham left back Luke Bleasdale rubbed salt in the wound by promptly blasting an equaliser into the top corner from long range.
Undeterred, the Imps continued to press and on 68 minutes Bennett poked an effort just the wrong side of the post. Five minutes later Turner sent another shot over the bar.
On 74 minutes Adams unselfishly fired across goal and substitute Jake Gibson thumped the ball against the post. Then the tireless Bennett ran into the box but slotted his attempt narrowly wide of the post. With 78 minutes gone Gibson found his range and scored, only to be denied by the linesman's flag.
After almost incessant Lincoln pressure there was a sense of inevitability about what was to follow. Rotherham won a free kick 20 yards out and skipper Emmot Parr-Gallagher unleashed a thunderbolt which crashed in off the post.
Confirmation that it was not Lincoln's day duly arrived in injury time, when a corner fell to the trusty left boot of Coleman-Carr. As the spectators held their breath his shot span agonisingly over the crossbar.
Despite the loss it bodes well for the young Imps that they carved out more than enough opportunities to win. Coach Grant Brown said: "I'm really pleased with the performance and the chances we created. It was just the finishing. We hit the post a couple of times and had a lot of chances."
"Even at the death we had a golden opportunity in the six yard box and put it over the bar. So we created enough chances but I was disappointed with the goals we let in.
"The penalty I thought was a soft one, I didn't see a great deal wrong with it. The second goal was a good finish from 25 yards but we could have closed that down quicker. And the third one a free kick, which, fair play to the lad, it was good technique on the free kick.
"But overall we had some good performances. Lee Bennett was excellent again in midfield, he just needed a goal.
"Nathan Adams got his two goals and could have had a few more as well.
"So, disappointed with the result but not too displeased with the performance."
Lincoln City U18s (4-4-2): Nick Draper; Kieran Heap, Graham Hutchison, Jack Davies, Luca Coleman-Carr; Sam Turner, Ryan Limb, Lee Bennett, James Wilson; Nathan Adams, Andy Hutchinson.
