Lincoln too good for Argyle as they win at Sincil Bank
PLYMOUTH Argyle suffered their second League One defeat of the season as they lost 2-0 to Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.
After a very even, goalless first half, Lincoln started strongly after the interval and took control of the match.
Jorge Grant put the ahead from the penalty spot in the 50th minute before impressive Nottingham Forest loan signing Brennan Johnson made it 2-0.
The 19-year-old, who was an attacking threat throughout the game, scored with a close range header, and there was no way back for the Pilgrims.
Striker Timmy Abraham made his full debut for Argyle as one of three changes to the team from the 2-1 win against Northampton Town at Home Park on Saturday.
The Pilgrims’ other loan signing from Fulham, defender Jerome Opoku, was also in the starting lineup
Midfielder Panutche Camara returned to the side after missing three matches due to an injury.
Welsh Under-21 international striker Luke Jephcott dropped down to the substitutes’ bench while Niall Canavan and Conor Grant were both absent from the squad.
Grant had picked up a leg injury during the 2-1 win against Northampton Town at Home Park on Saturday.
Also on the bench was striker Ryan Hardie after his short spell out of the side because of a positive COVID-19 test, but Scott Wootton was another absentee.
Wootton had been an unused substitute in the victory over Northampton.
Argyle ‘keeper Mike Cooper was called upon to make an excellent early save after Johnson surged forward at speed.
Johnson got to the edge of the penalty area but unleashing a low shot which Cooper did extremely well to push away.
The loose ball reached Jorge Grant who tried to cut the ball back to a Lincoln team-mate but failed to find one and the Pilgrims could clear their lines.
Lincoln had former Argyle loan signing Alex Palmer, who helped them to promotion last season, between the posts for them.
Palmer comfortably saved an 18-yard drive from Danny Mayor, the visitors’ captain for the night, before Grant went close to opening the scoring.
Grant broke away on the left for the Red Imps before checking inside and his shot was deflected narrowly wide of the far post.
Argyle striker Frank Nouble was booked for a challenge on Lincoln centre-back Lewis Montsma in the 19th minute.
Moments later, Nouble was on the receiving end of a scything tackle from City’s Joe Walsh, who was also yellow carded.
Argyle started to see more and more of the ball as the first half went on and Nouble had a decent chance in the 39th minute.
Abraham controlled the ball on his chest on the edge of the Lincoln penalty area and Nouble took over from there.
The striker took the ball in his stride and got in a low shot but it was straight at Palmer, who saved easily.
Grant gave Argyle another warning of his threat shortly before halftime with some trickery inside the penalty area.
He played the ball between the legs of Pilgrims’ defender Will Aimson before shooting across the face of goal from a tight angle.
There had been little to choose between the sides as the first half ended goalless.
Lincoln began the second period strongly, with Johnson forcing a good save out of Cooper at his near post.
Johnson was nudged from behind by Opoku and could have fallen over but stayed on his feet and referee Christopher Pollard ignored subsequent appeals for a penalty.
However, moments after Conor McGrandles crashed a shot against Cooper’s left post, Lincoln were awarded a spot kick.
Pollard gave the penalty for a foul on Johnson by Camara and Grant gave Lincoln the lead with a shot into the bottom right corner of Cooper’s net.
City continued to press forward after that goal and midfielder James Jones tested Cooper with a fierce rising shot which the Argyle ‘keeper parried up into the air before grabbing the ball.
Jones had another attempt on. goal deflected wide for a corner as Argyle struggled to contain the home side.
The pace and directness of Johnson was causing the Pilgrims a lot of trouble on their left, finding plenty of space between Argyle wing-back George Cooper and Opoku.
Ryan Lowe made a double substitution in the 67th minute as Abraham and Nouble were replaced by Hardie and Jephccott.
Abraham and Nouble had not seen much of the ball in the second half as Lincoln had dominated.
There was some encouragement for Argyle when right wing-back Byron Moore had a shot charged down inside the City penalty area after an attack instigated by Hardie.
However, Lincoln doubled their lead in the 73rd minute with a welltaken goal from Johnson.
Striker Tom Hopper provided the cross from the right and although the ball bounced in front of Johnson he was still able to score with a header low to Cooper’s left.
Camara was replaced by substitute Ben Reeves soon afterwards as Lowe made his final change.
Cooper then produced a good save to keep out a powerful strike from Lincoln substitute Anthony Scully in the closing stages.
Jephcott then fired wide from a good position in the 90th minute as Argyle drew a blank on their visit to Sincil Bank.