“Disappointed by another defeat? Yes. Disheartened? Far from it.”

Views from Scotimp following yesterday’s 4-3 defeat away at Accrington Stanley in League One: “Catching up after a real drenching and a somewhat frightening drive home.

Plenty of positives today despite another defeat; as Jules said as we were leaving, we would have won that game had that appalling weather been behind us in the second half instead of Accrington. What must it have been like to try to defend into the face of that? It was bad enough for us under the stand.

Scully looks dangerous and full of energy; Edun has some real class for a 21-year-old just out of academy football and is surely a left-sided midfielder rather than a defender; Hopper had his best game so far after a quiet start; Lewis impressed me yet again, this time in a different position – perhaps we have found a new right winger/midfielder; Lewis and Scully have their first goals in the EFL, and they will both score lots more; we could (and should) have scored more than three goals today; and Riiik forecast both Vickers’ penalty save and our third goal – we have found a new Mystic Meg for the site too.

Disappointed by another defeat? Yes. Disheartened? Far from it.”

Did you go to the match yesterday? Don’t forget to Rate The Players, Vote For Your Man of The Match, Rate The Ref and share your views on our Match Thread!

More views from the Match Thread:

Huntsward: “An entertaining game in awful conditions that despite us going ahead three times felt like I’d take a point at any given moment.

We started with our usual away display of appearing fearful of the opposition until about 25 minutes in where we looked confident and took the game to them. That resulted in our first goal. Unfortunately, it didn’t last.

Three goals away from home is a clear positive but the result showed we don’t seem capable of defending. For a time after MApps arrival, our defensive game improved no end but it feels like we’ve gone backwards. I don’t like to single out players but Shackell’s composure and ability to organise the defence seems to have dried up. I was happy to see his reaction when he scored but perhaps now is the time to try Bozzy and Bolger as the centre back pairing.

Hopper showed increasing glimpses of the conduit at the front which we’ve been expecting. Scully again showed he’s keen as mustard and looks to power into dangerous areas and create chances. Lewis demonstrated skill and vision that deserves further game time opportunity.

Grant was again pretty instrumental in our forward play. For me, he’s shown the most steady improvement over the season and I was surprised he was substituted.

It feels like we’ve assumed a position amongst the teams between relegation and mid-table, who all appear much of a muchness. Whilst that will suffice for me, it would be nice if we can find some cohesion and turn in some results to drive upward momentum for next season.”

Riiiiik: “Just got back so not read all the posts.

An even game that, as Warrington Imp above says, it wasn’t too bad in the first half but unfortunately the weather favoured Stanley in the second.

The great penalty save by Josh and the passing out from the back was good considering the conditions.

At 3-3 it had a feeling of inevitability that the next goal would be the winner and so it was.

Both teams deserve a medal for putting on such a goal fest with the state of the weather in the second half.”

sedgleyimp: “Back home after a very wet day and ultimately frustrating end to the game. I will catch up on this in a bit but before seeing what others have put my drive home has allowed me to think over that seven-goal game. One where credit should be given to both teams for having a go in that second half when the weather was probably as bad as I can recall seeing a game played in but one where we’ve contrived to lose a game we probably should have won.

Accrington ended up being quite fortunate in that the gale certainly helped them late second half whereas before that it had been largely swirling in all directions. You have to say though that they decided to use that wind to good purpose whilst we struggled to clear our lines. The winner needed a proper tackle or block though and the defences failure to prevent their player running through them is very disappointing.

Some pluses though for me. Scully will cause opponents plenty of problems and I thought Hesketh put in a really good shift. Lewis on the right side of midfield is a good option as Harry is going through his traditional post-Christmas slump in form. Also, think Hopper can lead the line on his own based on today but I suspect he won’t get a terrific amount of goals as a lone striker.

So ultimately a frustrating end to the game which was entertaining in a strange weather affected way.”

Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!

"Disappointed by another defeat? Yes. Disheartened? Far from it.":https://t.co/c5ikALC1QK#ASFC #ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) February 16, 2020

https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2725905224112372

Accrington Stanley				Lincoln City
Shackell 36' (OG), Pritchard 70', Conneely 78', Finley 90+5'				Scully 30', Lewis 53', Shackell 76'
Bursik				Vickers
Johnson				Eardley
Sykes				Bolger
Hughes				Shackell
Maguire				Edun
Conneely				Anderson			50'
Diallo			60'	Bridcutt
Clark				Grant			78'
Grant				Scully
Charles			68'	Hesketh
Ashley-Seal			77'	Hopper			89'
Substitutes
Finley			60'	Payne
Zanzala				Chapman			78'
Pritchard			68'	Bostwick			89'
Barclay				Coventry
Bishop			77'	Lewis			50'
Alese				Elbouzedi
Savin				Andrew

Game Statistics
14	Goal attempts	10
7	On Target	6
3	Corners	6
15	Fouls	16
5	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
48	%	52