Super Imps run riot to the delight of Appleton
LINCOLN manager Michael Appleton reflected on an excellent all-round performance to put back-to-back league losses behind them.
After successive defeats by Plymouth and Fleetwood, the Imps were too strong at the LNER
Stadium, with Morgan Rogers, Conor McGrandles and Brennan Johnson getting the goals.
“The performance overall was good. It wasn’t just a victory and finding a way of getting that victory,” said Appleton.
“Some of goals were fantastic and some of the chances we created with the build-up were good.
“Out of possession, we looked strong, resolute and hard to beat.
“A clean sheet against a side which can be dangerous is pleasing.”
It had been a month since Lincoln scored the first goal in a game, but that changed them Rogers stroked home from the edge of the box.
“As a group, if we do get that first goal, we are dangerous,” added Appleton.
City took the lead after 21 minutes when a good move ended with Johnson setting up Rogers on the edge of the box and his shot beat Dave Richards.
Lincoln began the second half as they ended the first – on the front foot and the Imps doubled their lead after 52 minutes. Following a counter, James Jones found McGrandles, who steadied himself, before bending a superb effort from the edge of the box.
Crewe almost levelled on the hour mark when Charlie Kirk blasted the ball against a post. The rebound fell to substitute Daniel Powell, who was denied by a stunning save from Alex Palmer.
City added the third ten minutes from time when substitute Tom Hopper showed tremendous vision to pick out Johnson, he cut inside, before rifling the ball into the roof of the net.
Crewe boss Dave Artell slammed his side’s display.
“The first thing to say is well done to Lincoln, they were very, very good, take nothing away from them,” he said.
“However, our performance was abject. If you’ve got eight, nine abject performances, you’re going to lose and you’re probably going to lose it quite heavily.
“We’ve got to be better than what we showed. You can’t get beaten like we did. It was abject at times. Yes, we tried to play football, but didn’t. We played without thinking.”