Match reports

210530 Play Off Final Report

30th May

Lincoln City's terrific campaign came to an end this afternoon as Blackpool secured a 2-1 win at Wembley Stadium. The Imps went ahead after one minute through a Turton own goal, before a Kenny Dougall brace ensured the victory.

Michael Appleton named two changes to the side from the trip to the Stadium of Light last weekend. Conor McGrandles and Joe Walsh stepped in to replace Anthony Scully and Lewis Montsma.

It was a glorious sunny afternoon at the home of football as these two sides matched up with a place in the Championship at stake for the winner.

City got off to a blistering start as they opened the scoring within 52 seconds to send the Imps' faithful into delirium. Brennan Johnson burst down the right wing before whipping a dangerous ball into the box, and the ball bounced off Ollie Turton before heading in to the net.

Lincoln City were playing some lovely football in the opening periods. Brennan Johnson linked up with Conor McGrandles and Regan Poole, with some neat triangles before winning a corner, which was dealt with by Blackpool.

The young city forward was causing the Tangerines all sorted of problems as he beat his full back with ease before Luke Garbutt brought him down. The former Everton left back was booked for his troubles.

The men in orange were trying to find their way back into this match and put on some pressure on numerous occasions, but Tom Hopper rose highest on two occasions to clear the danger inside his own box.

Luke Garbutt had the first real attempt on goal for Blackpool in the 20th minute as his free kick from 25 yards was well stopped by Alex Palmer in the City goal.

Despite Blackpool having a good spell in the game, it was Lincoln who came closest next. Morgan Rogers showed great urgency to drive forward, before playing a neat pass inside to Jorge Grant. The City top scorer took aim, and fired a curling effort towards goal which bounced off the cross bar.

Alex Palmer had to be alert as he made a smart save to deny Blackpool from equalising. Jerry Yates capitalised on a ricochet before passing across goal to Dimetri Mitchell, but Palmer was in the right place at the right time, to parry away the fierce attempt.

Blackpool equalised in the 32nd minute of the match. Elliott Embleton passed the ball inside to Kenny Dougall, and he hit a low left footed strike into the bottom corner from 20 yards to make it 1-1.

City responded to the set back as Brennan Johnson won his side a free kick. Jorge Grant's delivery fell to Tayo Edun on the edge of the box, but his left footed shot flew over the bar.

The Imps' number one had to be alert again in the 41st minute as a Luke Garbutt cross was met by Dimetri Mitchell, but Alex Palmer got down well to his right to make the stop.

Half Time - Blackpool 1-1 Lincoln City

Morgan Rogers showed terrific pace straight after the interval to beat two men before before being hauled to the floor. Daniel Ballard was booked for the challenge as City searched for the next goal.

Blackpool threatened again as Elliot Embleton linked up well with Dimetri Mitchell before winning a corner. Tom Hopper rose highest in the box again to clear for Lincoln City.

The Tangerines took the lead in the 53rd minute through Kenny Dougall. A ball into the City box fell for Jerry Yates, who set the ball off to the Blackpool midfielder, and he struck a low shot into the bottom corner.

Brennan Johnson was driving his side forward as he picked the ball up from deep and burst forward. The mazy run forced the Blackpool side into conceding a corner.

Liam Bridcutt found Brennan Johnson again in the penalty area who twisted and turned before his pull back into the six yard box was cleared by Blackpool.

Callum Morton entered the field in the 63rd minute in place of Tom Hopper as Appleton's men searched for a way back into this game.

Lincoln were finding themselves in good positions this half but on two occasions, the referee failed to award the Imps a free kick, much to the frustration of the City players.

Jerry Yates linked up well with Kenny Dougall before the Blackpool number nine found himself in space before dinking the ball over Alex Palmer, but Regan Poole was there to clear.

The Imps were throwing men forward as Morgan Rogers turned his man before crossing into the area, but James Husband headed behind under pressure from Callum Morton. The resulting corner was cleared by the Seasiders but City were piling on the pressure.

Anthony Scully was called from the bench in the 80th minute to repace Jorge Grant.

Callum Morton had a half chance for Lincoln as he met Brennan Johnson's cross, but the ball flew over the crossbar under pressure from the defenders.

In the 86th minute, it was pin ball in the Blackpool box. Anthony Scully's cross was met by Morton, but the ball bounced around the area, before being cleared by James Husband. The ball just wasn't falling for Lincoln City this afternoon.

The attacks were still arriving for Lincoln City though as Morgan Rogers was allowed to run at the Blackpool defence unchallenged, before the 18 year old curled wide of Chris Maxwell's left hand post.

Lewis Montsma was brought on for Joe Walsh in the final few minutes of the match, before the Dutch centre half took up a position high up the field as City looked to get the ball forward quickly.

The fourth official added on four minutes at the end of the half. The final chance of the game fell to Regan Poole, following a Lewis Montsma flick on, but unfortunately for City, the ball flew over the bar.

Blackpool held on for the 2-1 victory to secure their place in the Sky Bet Championship. The Imps should hold their heads up high after a terrific season.

Full Time - Blackpool 2-1 Lincoln City

Blackpool XI

1. Chris Maxwell

3. James Husband

8. Keshi Anderson (Ward 79')

9. Jerry Yates (Thorniley 90')

12. Kenny Dougall

15. Demetri Mitchell (Madine 69')

20. Ollie Turton

26. Daniel Ballard

29. Luke Garbutt

32. Elliott Embleton (Hamilton 79')