Reds open with
SKY BET LEAGUE ONE LINCOLN CITY................. 2 STANLEY........................... 0
ACCRINGTON Stanley came up short in their opening match of the new season as they were beaten by League One newcomers Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.
Michael O’Connor scored the opener on 35 minutes, before substitute John Akinde added the second from the penalty spot late on to inflict defeat onto the Reds.
There were several Stanley debuts in the starting line-up, as summer signings Joe Pritchard, Joe Maguire and striker Colby Bishop all featured.
Lincoln were the better team in the opening stages, and had a chance through midfielder Jack Payne on seven minutes, as he fired wide from 20 yards out, while Cian Bolger was the next to go close when he shot over from a corner.
Stanley improved as the half went on, as Jordan Clark headed over from a Maguire cross, before Sam Finley had a volley blocked.
Sean McConville then threatened when he was brought down on the edge of the box. He took the resulting free kick but sent it over the crossbar.
It was Lincoln who made the breakthrough just after the half hour mark when O’Connor netted on 35 minutes. Jorge Grant’s corner found the head of O’Connor and he guided the ball past Dimitar Evtimov to make it 1-0 to the home side.
Lincoln pressed for a second with winger Harry Anderson missing a golden opportunity when he shot over from 10 yards out following a goalmouth scramble, before Payne volleyed an attempt off target.
Stanley had the final
opportunity just before the break, as McConville sent the ball wide, with the players going in at half- time with Lincoln still ahead.
It was a lively start to the second half with McConville once again proving to be dangerous for the visitors, while at the other end Tyler Walker forced Evtimov into a superb diving save.
The Accrington goalkeeper was involved again moments, pulling off another fantastic save to deny Michael Bostwick from adding to Lincoln’s lead.
Reds boss John Coleman turned to his substitutes bench as he tried to get his team back in the game, handing another debut to a member of his side as Wilson Carvalho came on for Pritchard on 70 minutes.
McConville fired into the side netting after linking up with Bishop, before he was then denied by Lincoln goalkeeper Josh Vickers.
Evtimov had to be alert again to deny Walker, but there was nothing the Accrington goalkeeper could do when the home side added their second.
Bruno Andrade was judged to have been fouled in the box, and Akinde sent Evtimov the wrong way with the resulting penalty to make it 2-0 to Lincoln.
There was a late chance for Stanley when Bishop had a good attempt kept out by Vickers, with Lincoln holding on to earn themselves the victory and condemn Coleman’s side to defeat.
Imps boss Danny Cowley said: “It was important for us to get off to a good start at home and I am really pleased with the win.
“It was the first time I’ve managed the club at home on the opening day and we are really pleased to have got three points and a clean sheet.
“We had a tough preseason which was challenging and we’ve picked up a few knocks in midfielder but today we needed to try and get control.
“We played better in the second half and we had a spell where we were a real threat but their goalkeeper made some brilliant saves.”