Report: Lincoln City 0-0 Crawley Town

There were a number of changes to the starting eleven compared to the Checkatrade Trophy game Vs Everton on Tuesday as Josh Vickers reclaimed the number one spot, Sean Raggett returned to partner Rob Dickie in the centre of defence and Neal Eardley replaced Sean Long at right back. Nathan Arnold came in for Billy Knott and Matt Rhead also returned for Elliott Whitehouse with Matty Green coming in for Ollie Palmer.

Following a very moving tribute to the Fallen Heroes, Lincoln City got the game underway, kicking towards the Stacey West end, indicating that Crawley had won the toss. City were quickly on the offensive with a couple of half chances with a Green volley going just wide following good work from Sam Habergham and Rhead. Soon after, an angled delivery from Dickie almost put Arnold through, but he couldn’t reach the ball and it fizzed out for a goal kick. Rhead was winning most headers and was constantly being fouled by his markers but, as ever this season, he got no help from referee Darren Handley, and it was the same player who created the next opportunity for the Imps as he got the ball through to Arnold whose shot was deflected and Crawley ‘keeper Morris was well happy to see the ball go just wide. Vickers was then called upon to save at the feet of onrushing Camara whose shot was swallowed up by the home ‘keeper and, as the wind began to swirl around, he was again called into action to block another stinging effort this time from Yorwerth as the ball curled viciously.

Sam Habergham in action against Crawley Town.

In the 38th minute, City looked to have gained a stone-cold penalty as Rhead was hauled to the ground only for Mr Handley to ignore the strong appeals in then rub salt into the wounds by awarding Crawley a free kick instead! As half-time approached, Michael Bostwick had an effort from just outside the box which went wide, perfectly summing up the game so far.

Half-time: Lincoln City 0 Crawley Town 0

City again started the half brightly and an excellent run by Eardley saw him reach the by-line before whipping in an inch-perfect cross to Rhead whose very strong header looked at first to have broken the deadlock but, sadly, it came back off the bar with no-one able to poke the rebound home. That was the best chance so far in a scrappy game dominated by the windy conditions. Crawley then began to come more into the game and had two efforts on goal, the first put out for a corner by Raggett and the second went sailing into the Stacey West stand. Those were reminders that Crawley could steal all three points, and some poor defending by Raggett almost gave the visitors those points as a dreadful back pass was intercepted by Camara but his shot went over the bar then Raggett almost repeated the error only for Vickers to spare his blushes with a good interception. Danny Cowley did not look a happy man!

A second strong shout for a home penalty then came as Green was clearly pulled back in the box as he homed in on goal but, yet again, Mr Handley was having none of it and he waved play on. One almost knew that Crawley were going to get a chance to win this very scrappy game and, sure enough, that moment came with about nine minutes to go; Jimmy Smith latched on to a cross from the right and smacked the ball goalwards only for Vickers to spring cat-like into the air and tip the ball over the bar bringing much relief and huge applause from the home faithful and the 137 away fans too.

Neal Eardley in action against Crawley Town.

Five minutes of added time ensued before Mr Handley brought proceedings to a timely end. I wonder when we last had successive 0-0 home draws? Indeed, that is now three at home this season and one away but, taking the positive aspect, that means our defence is proving very tight, it’s just the forwards who need to get the scoring going again; only Coventry, with eight goals conceded, have let in less than the Imps.

All in all, this was probably the poorest performance of the season to date from an Imps side, but we aren’t losing either. A nice little winning run will soon have us up there.

Keep the faith.

Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City FC for the photographs.