Action-packed game as under-18s draw at Chesterfield...
On a wet morning in Chesterfield the young Imps were full of confidence following their well earned point at Doncaster.
Lincoln started brightly in the opening stages of the game with early strikes from Alex Simmons and Matthew Cotton both working the Chesterfield goalkeeper. The best chance came midway through the first half when Simmons low drive struck a post and Cotton, on hand for the rebound, saw his left foot volley creep wide.
Rob Smith and Josh Barr-Rostron were making fantastic runs from midfield and on the half hour mark came a real opportunity for Lincoln to take the lead. Good link up play down the left hand between Barr-Rostron and Kieran Walker found the Imps full back in the box and as he skipped past the defender Walker was tripped. Simmons took the spot kick but unfortunately he clipped a post and the scores stayed level.
The Imps continued to press, Simmons' free kick was saved by the impressive home goalkeeper, then a key moment in the game when Connor Griffin brought down the home side’s striker in the box for the second penalty of the game. But in another twist to this game the spot kick was saved brilliantly by Imps keeper Henry Smith as he spread himself to his right and palmed the ball away.
So with an action packed first half, with many chances created by Lincoln and two penalties missed, it was unbelievable that the game was scoreless at half-time.
Just four minutes into the second half the Imps were in front. A wide free kick was cut back by Simmons to Cotton whose first time strike was deflected to Matt Bowles who turned brilliantly to get away from a defender and kept his cool to slide the ball into the net.
The game calmed down with fewer chances but while Chesterfield were enjoying slightly more possession Lincoln continued to look dangerous on the break with Andy Wright and Kegan Everington working hard in midfield. Nick Green had another outstanding game at right back and then later when moved to centre half to continue his excellent run of form.
The next big chance fell again to the young Imps as great pressure from Rob Smith saw him win the ball and slide through Simmons who rounded the keeper but his fierce strike was blocked bravely on the line.
With the clock ticking down Chesterfield won a throw-in deep into the Lincoln half which the home side took quickly and despite Marlon Grundy going out to close the striker down it was struck sweetly from 20 yards to give Henry Smith no chance.
There was still time for late drama as Henry Smith made a sharp reflex save and although the Imps were disappointed not to claim all three points against a resilient and hard-working Chesterfield side they can still be pleased with a good performance and a continued unbeaten run.
Team: H Smith, Green, Walker, Everington, Cooke, Griffin (Grundy 65), Simmons, Bowles, Barr-Rostron (Wright 46), Cotton, R Smith. Subs not used: Harris, Harper.
