LINCOLN AND OXFORD REVEL IN THE ROLE OF GIANTKILLERS
Towell gets off the mark for Brighton but Imps make it into fifth round for the first time in 130 YEARS
THE last time Lincoln City reached the fifth round of the FA Cup was so long ago there were still Scottish teams in the competition.
They were beaten by Glasgow Rangers on that occasion.
Last night, after fighting back from behind to beat Brighton, they partied once again like it was 1887.
Much has changed since those days, of course, but the FA Cup refuses to lose its unique ability to shock those with ideas above their stations.
Beating Ipswich had been like ‘climbing a mountain’, according to Lincoln boss Danny Cowley and victory against Brighton would be like ‘reaching the moon’ for his National League team.
When they trailed at half-time to a fine strike by former Dundalk midfielder Richie Towell, he changed the language and told his players they would have to chart a path for ‘Pluto’.
Lincoln, it is fair to say, were out of this world in the second half and supporters at Sincil Bank will be talking of this adventure for many years to come.
‘We’ve caught the imagination of the community and brought Lincoln City into the forefront of their minds,’ said Cowley. ‘Hopefully after this we’ve captured their hearts as well.’
The non-Leaguers bridged a gap of 73 places in football’s pyramid and toppled a club with their sights fixed on promotion to the Premier League this year after falling behind.
Theo Robinson had a goal ruled out for offside in the first half but Brighton, who made nine changes to the side who had beaten Cardiff on their previous outing in the Championship, were worth their lead at the halfway stage. Glenn Murray missed a couple of good chances – the first when the game was barely a minute old – and Solly March rattled the bar from 25 yards. The momentum swung on the penalty decision, soon after the interval. It was ‘soft’ according to Brighton boss Chris Hughton, who saw his keeper Niki Maenpaa climb above Robinson and collect the ball before crashing to the turf.
But referee Andy Madley had spotted a foul, a pull by Murray on Robinson as he competed for the ball. Robinson was in no doubt. ‘Definite pull,’ said the striker.
Murray was booked and to make matters worse for the visitors, Maenpaa was hurt as he landed awkwardly and trudged off with a suspected dislocated shoulder and his left arm in a makeshift sling.
Suddenly the air-raid siren which sounds around Sincil Bank when the home team win a corner, meant to be a nod to the club’s close ties to nearby RAF bases, made a lot more sense. With first-choice goalkeeper David Stockdale given the day off, on came 37-year-old Casper Ankgergren to be beaten before he had touched the ball, sent the wrong way from the spot by Alan Power.
‘The football gods were with us,’ said Cowley. ‘You need them with you against a team of the quality of Brighton.
‘To me, it looked a penalty but it was an unnecessary challenge. You don’t always get them but we were pleased we got the decision. It gave us real momentum.’
Moments later Nathan Arnold’s teasing cross from the right flank was inexplicably turned into his own goal by Fikayo Tomori, on loan from Chelsea and making his debut.
The home crowd launched into the Dambusters and songs about the RAF from Lincoln. Cowley’s team had gone aerial and Brighton were struggling to cope with it.
Lincoln detected blood. They were first to the ball in midfield and looking for a third which came when Arnold found Robinson in space, with Brighton taking risks in search of an equaliser. Robinson, outstanding after the break, is playing on a short-term contract basis, and he applied a cool finish.
There was a collective intake of breath around the ground when the fourth official showed eight minutes of stoppage-time but Lincoln survived without too many alarms.
By the end, supporters who have suffered since their team slipped out of the Football League in 2011, after a 3-0 home defeat by Aldershot, were overwhelmed.
They deserved this moment of celebration, a glamorous draw in the next round and the riches which will come. This victory was worth £90,000 in prize-money. A game live on TV in the next round will be worth nearly £250,000.
Cowley reminded everyone they have to have their minds back on the promotion trail with a trip to Solihull Moors looming. But Lincoln deserve to enjoy their moment as Brighton travelled south nursing their wounds. ‘It does hurt more when it’s a giant-killing,’ said a dignified Hughton, whose priority now is to reach the Premier League.
‘We’ve all been there and you do know that it goes on. We were below our levels. And conceded three very poor goals. If you concede goals like that it’s very difficult to win any games, against any opposition. But you have to give Lincoln credit. They’ve won. They capitalised on our mistakes. Credit to them and I sincerely hope they get a good draw.’