HOPPER’S IN TO HIT LATICS
Appleton hails big Imps win
MICHAEL Appleton lauded a massive three points for Lincoln City as the leaders came from behind to see off struggling Wigan Athletic.
The Latics will feel aggrieved they didn’t come away with at least a point after their best performance for a number of weeks.
They even took the lead through a stunning effort from Callum Lang, who found the top corner of the Lincoln net with an absolute beauty from fully 30 yards.
But a mistake at the back allowed Anthony Scully to level from close range barely a minute later.
And Tom Hopper secured a vital victory with 17 minutes remaining, after getting the better of Curtis Tllt and drilling past Jamie Jones.
“It was a difficult game for us,” admitted Appleton. “The conditions didn’t suit how we want to go about our business.
“The pitch was a poor one, and I thought we dealt with that and the swirling wind really well.
“To come back from going a goal behind to an incredible strike from Callum Lang in the way we did, was very positive.
“You could see the players wanted to get the ball back to the middle as quickly as possible to do something about it.
“We were very positive right from the kick-off, and once we got into their half of the field, we got the ball into their box and caused a bit of havoc.
“The one thing you know you’re getting with Scully is every time there’s a ball into the box, he’s there on the front foot. He’s hoping there’s a mistake, he’s hoping the keeper is going to spill the ball, and he’s done that a few times.”
The home side were good value for their 33rd-minute lead, with Lang powering through the Lincoln half, before rifling into the top corner from long range.
However, with those lucky few in the stadium still catching their breath, Wigan pressed the self-destruct button at the other end.
Goalkeeper Jones was unable to deal with a routine ball into the box barely a minute later, and Scully slotted home from close range.
After that it was real end-to-end stuff, with Wigan giving as much if not more than they were getting from their high-flying opponents.
But the winning goal, when it came after 73 minutes, with Hopper getting the better of Curtis Tilt to fire home.
Even then Wigan had chances to rescue a point, but Jamie Proctor, Lang and Will Keane all narrowly failing to hit the mark from great positions as City’s goal led a charmed life.
“We rode our luck a little bit at the end, and the reality is sometimes you have to,” added Appleton.
“We knew we’d have to defend some crosses, and there’s some heavy legs in there at the end. But we had some big performances down the spine of the team and, with the bravery that was on display, you almost earn every bit of luck that comes your way.”
For Wigan interim manager Leam Richardson, it was another bitter pill to swallow during a car-crash campaign on and off the field.
But it was also a massive step step forward after the 5-0 home reversal in the week against Hull City. He said: “The result’s obviously disappointing, because we’re in an elite performance business, and the results are everything.
“But after what happened in midweek, what you’re chasing is a reaction and a response, and I felt like we got that.
“If we’d have drawn the game we would have been slightly disappointed.
“To end up losing, it’s just another of those punches we’re having to take, and we have to stay together as much as we can.
“I don’t want to take anything away from Lincoln, they’re an excellent footballing side and they’ve a lot of young lads playing with expression and creativity.
“But I felt we imposed ourselves on the game, and even at the end we were coming on really strong, and had three or four really good chances.”