The Imps’ youngsters ended a busy week on a high as they defeated Notts County 2-0 at Riseholme to make it three wins from three in the last seven days. Goals from Tobias Liversage and Ben Sault earned City the win and the bragging rights in the academy derby tie.
Notts County started the game strongly with a very early chance in the 2nd minute of the game for Tyreace Palmer, who struck the ball just over the bar. The visitors continued putting pressure on the Imps defence, as James Swedden fired a shot went just wide of the left post.
Despite Notts’ chances, the Imps were running the play through the wide areas of the pitch, as Ben Sault let Nathan Odokonyero through with a tidy pass, but his shot flew just wide of the post.
The young Imps continued their attacking threat midway through the first half, as Gianluca Bucci and Lewis Inglis linked up to create a chance for Odokonyero who put the ball over the bar. However, Notts County quickly returned fire via a rapid counterattack through the middle, leading to a free kick just outside the box, but it was placed over the bar.
Eventually though the City youngsters constant pressure deservingly opened up the score line in the 24th minute, courtesy of a tidy finish in the bottom corner from Tobias Liversidge after some wonderful link up between Ziyad Al Oyouni and Sault.
The Imps U18 side continued to dominate the wide areas and create more chances, however the County defence stood strong.
The first corner of the game went the way of Notts in the 28th minute after another counter, but the ball was headed away well by City who continued their surge for a second goal up the right-hand side of the pitch. They were finally rewarded with a chance in the 35th minute with Al Oyouni and Sault displaying their undeniable chemistry and setting up Cameo Scott, whose shot was blocked by a County defender.
The home side were looking very comfortable in possession and were winning most of the aerial duels,
Bucci had the last chance of the half, as he drove into the box from the left but his shot flew straight at the County keeper.
Half-time: Lincoln City 1-0 Notts County
Notts County made all of their allotted three changes at half time, setting up what was a fiery start to the second half, as both sides came out of the changing rooms strong.
The first real chance came for City’s goal scorer Liversidge, who latched on to a great free kick from Sean Roughan, however the midfielder couldn’t turn it home.
Both sides were thundering into tackles, aiming to gain the territorial advantage and it was no surprise when there was a vociferous exchange of words following a tough challenge from Sault. But it just added that extra spice to what was already a very competitive and heated encounter.
However, Sault showed his delicate and measured touch just after the hour mark when he doubled City’s lead. The Imps taking advantage of another set piece opportunity, this time Sault collected the ball from a Liversidge cross, on the edge of the box before curling a fantastic shot which cannoned off the inside of the post, giving the keeper no chance but to watch the ball find its way into the net.
Sault almost doubled his tally for the game in as the game neared the final ten minutes when he found space to fire another shot on goal, but it was well saved. Despite the disappointment of not stretching the advantage further, it wasn’t to matter though as the home side held off the visitors to claim all three points.
Full Time: Lincoln City 2 – Notts County 0