Cowley’s cure for a hangover
ORDER has been restored to the world of Lincoln City and that of their talented manager Danny Cowley.
The National League outfit captured the imagination of the football world as they marched to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup – taking the scalps of Ipswich, Brighton and Premier League Burnley on the way.
Then came Arsenal at the Emirates and a 5-0 hammering and it was back to reality. And reality was cruel as the aftermath of that defeat was as predictable as it was unwelcome.
“There was always going to be a reaction,” said Cowley, as he reflected on defeat by York in the FA Trophy and to Boreham Wood in the league. The hunters had become the hunted.
But they responded in a match that was both vital and high profile. Forest Green Rovers came to Sincil Bank in pole position. Three points clear.
Cowley said: “It was important to win, to get back winning again. And we did it. And we did it with resilience and character. But I have good people in that dressing room. Good people.”
Not that the start was that good. Cowley and his right-hand man, brother Nick, needed to keep cool at half-time as another setback beckoned courtesy of a Christian Doidge strike.
The Imps found another gear and Matt Rhead was the epitome of their recovery. Rhead – “a monster” according to Cowley – left the field battered and bruised.
But so, to be fair, did any Forest Green defender who crossed his path.
The comeback started when Lee Angol muscled his way to an opening and drove his shot past Sam Russell.
An unfortunate own goal from Forest Green’s most effective player Marcus Kelly gave Lincoln the lead and victory was sealed courtesy of a Sam Habergham free-kick.
The leadership was back in the hands of Lincoln, but the FA Cup run came at a price. There is a backlog of fixtures with 10 matches still to play.
But any suggestion of fatigue better not be in Cowley’s earshot.
“Tiredness? No. Tiredness is for wimps. There are people in jobs who have more right to be tired than players who are paid and train to play,” he said.