Wright brace helps youths secure league double over Mariners...
The Youth Team started their 2015 exploits with a trip to local rivals Grimsby Town on Saturday hoping to emulate the first team's achievement of completing a double over the Mariners.
During a typically frantic opening period the Imps took the lead through a deflected Sam Fewkes strike which wrong footed the Mariners keeper after good work from Jenk Acar. The game didn’t really settle down and Grimsby equalised following a knock down on the edge of the box and a good finish from Max Wright.
The young Imps then took control of the game and enjoyed most of the possession, winning several corners and looking a constant threat for the remainder of the first half.
A very strong shout for a penalty was waved away following a Marlon Grundy cross which appeared to strike a Grimsby defender's outstretched arm and Jordan Cooke then came close to increasing the lead however his effort from a Mason Love corner cannoned back off the crossbar. But moments before half-time, Andy Wright calmly fired home from just inside the box after a good cross from Love.
Lincoln continued their dominance in the second period and Andy Wright made it 3-1 with a fine strike from outside the box leaving the Grimsby keeper rooted to the spot.
The young Imps created more chances; Liam Harris broke into the box but his point blank effort was saved, and Lewis Millington came close on two occasions forcing a good save from the keeper and narrowly missing with a glancing header.
Grimsby briefly rallied and reduced the deficit with a long range strike from Reece York. This then led to some pressure from the Mariners which saw Connor Griffin make a superb tackle in the box before Richard Walton made a good save.
Jordan Harper and Matt Clarke replaced Jack McMenemy and Fewkes and Lincoln remained a threat on the counter attack. And it was Harper who secured the points when he broke into the box and cut inside into his left foot before firing into the top corner.
An excellent performance from the squad and a great way to kick start their 2015. The Imps travel to Chesterfield next before facing North West League leaders Wigan Athletic in the Youth Alliance Cup.
Team: Walton, Grundy, Love, Wright, Cooke, Griffin, Acar, Harris, McMenemy (Harper), Fewkes (Clarke), Millington, Subs: Loftus, Andersen.
