TOP OF THE WORLD! Imps fire title warning with comeback win over Rovers
Lincoln show their class
LINCOLN CITY proved they’ve got title staying power and answered any questions over the state of their championship challenge, coming from behind to secure a critical victory in a table-topping clash against Forest Green Rovers.
The Imps demonstrated their stomach for the fight after recent setbacks as second-half goals from Lee Angol, a Marcus Kelly own-goal and a free-kick from Sam Habergham sealed a vital 3-1 win to move them back on top on goal difference.
Tranmere and Dagenham both kept up the pressure; Rovers edged past Braintree 1-0, while the Daggers knew they had to beat York City or they would be out of the race, and they did – just – as Frankie Raymond struck late.
Meanwhile, Aldershot have finally broken into the top five as they won 2-0 at Macclesfield and Gateshead only drew with Eastleigh. Chasing Dover and Barrow both scored four away from home to keep the heat on.
LINCOLN CITY came from behind at halftime to edge ahead in the title race on goal difference, much to the delight of their boss Danny Cowley.
Christian Doidge’s 23rd goal of the season put the visitors ahead at the interval, but loanee Lee Angol’s strike, a Marcus Kelly own goal and a Sam Habergham free-kick ensured the Imps returned to the summit after a four-day absence.
It was a story not too dissimilar to the reverse fixture at the New Lawn in November – albeit in less dramatic circumstances – where Cowley’s men also turned the game on its head, scoring three secondhalf goals.
“We were really determined today,” enthused Cowley. “We stuck to our methods and the values that we believe in as a group.
“Forest Green normally play about 20 passes to get out of their own half, but we limited them to three or four with our high pressing.
“You don’t get any more than three points from a game, but it’s a great win for us. It’s always about the performance for us, so we’re really pleased with the response we’ve made after receiving a bit of criticism in the week, which is probably the first time we’ve had any as a group.
“Players win you football matches, but people win you leagues and we have really good people here.
“We targeted that 15 minutes after half-time, so to score, and then go and score again so soon afterwards shows what great character we have.
“We’re up to 75 points, but we still need another 20 or so, which means continuing at a rate of two points per game until the end of the season.”
It was the visitors who went ahead on ten minutes in what turned out to be their only real opening of the first half.
A mistake on the edge of his own area by Alan Power allowed Liam Noble to capitalise and find Doidge in between the two Lincoln backs. Rovers’ top scorer then coolly clipped the ball over Paul Farman to find the scoresheet for the seventh consecutive game.
Lincoln’s best chance, meanwhile, came six minutes later but the unmarked Luke Waterfall could only direct Terry Hawkridge’s floated free-kick straight at Sam Russell.
Whatever Cowley said to his players at half-time certainly did the trick as Lincoln were soon on level terms. Ten minutes after the restart, Angol did well to control a clearance downfield before outmuscling Mark Ellis and firing low to Russell’s left.
Five minutes later a brilliant Lincoln move that spread from right to left culminated in Habergham’s cross being turned into his own net by the unfortunate Kelly. Chants of “we are top of the league” soon moved from the away end to the jubilant home supporters.
Habergham then finished the game off 14 minutes from time, firing a precise, low free-kick into the bottom corner from 30 yards, after Ellis had brought down the tireless Angol.
“His groin’s hanging off and he’ll need an operation in the summer, but to show
that much energy on the overlap for our second goal was fantastic,” said Cowley of Habergham afterwards.
Matt Rhead should have added a fourth deep into injury-time, but side-footed Nathan Arnold’s cross wide with the goal at his mercy.
Rovers boss Mark Cooper was critical of the manner in which his side allowed Lincoln to draw level.
“I thought we were quite comfortable in the first half and dealt with Lincoln’s threat really well,” he said.
“After getting our noses in front we have to see it through, but we stopped heading the ball and allowed them to equalise from their first attack.
“If you’re a centre-half playing against Lincoln you know you’re going to have to get a headache from heading the ball – in the second half we didn’t do that.
“We should have frustrated Lincoln for the first 15 minutes of the second half. That first goal was a killer.”
“Players win you football matches, but people win you leagues and we have really good people here” Danny Cowley Lincoln manager “After getting our noses in front we have to see it through. That first goal was a killer” Mark Cooper Forest Green manager
STAR MAN: Lee Angol (Lincoln City) ATT: 6,798 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Antony Coggins 6/10