We took on Cheltenham Town yesterday on a warm bank holiday afternoon looking to secure League One football for the fourth consecutive season.
Michael Appleton made two changes to the side that narrowly lost to Pompey on Friday. Ben House came in after his impressive cameo against Pompey. While, Morgan Whittaker returned into the starting XI after his suspension. There was some former imps returning to Sincil Bank too. Ellis Chapman and Sean Long both started for Cheltenham.
We started the game extremely strongly. Conor McGrandles switched the play to Robson, who let Fiorini take over. The latter switched the ball through the defence to Morgan Whittaker, who finished into the bottom left corner. Fiorini nearly had a goal of his own too. House nicked the ball back in midfield and played it to Fiorini but his shot hit the right post of the goal.
Ben House was really impressing the crowd on his first start for the club. He looked really good with the ball at his feet and looked to drive forward from that midfield position. He won a free-kick a few minutes after the first goal but the keeper saved a tame effort from Cullen.
Whittaker was causing all sorts of problems for the Cheltenham defence. Fiorini once again played a defence splitting ball to Whittaker. His cross to Cullen was inch-perfect but Cullen couldn’t convert the initial effort or the rebound, but top scorer Scully was on hand to tuck it away at the third attempt. Although Cullen couldn’t convert, I thought he had a really good game and if I’m honest I think we look better with him as our number nine at the moment. He links play really well and would rather play a part in a team goal than score himself.
The third goal soon came with some individual brilliance from Morgan Whittaker, but the build up as well was incredible to watch. McGrandles, House, Cullen and Bishop were all involved in the goal, with Whittaker curling an effort from edge of the area into the bottom left corner.
The rest of the game was somewhat flat, however I thought we did a professional job and saw it through to the end and got a cleansheet too. We looked really impressive, now whether that is Cheltenham already being on their holidays or us picking up our game. I defiantly think it is a bit of both but it does highlight our inconsistencies and how injuries have hurt us.
House looked really good like I’ve already said. Firorini looks destined for the Championship now next season. I also thought Jamie Robson looked on his game, he looked slightly off it when he came on against Shrewsbury for the injured Cohen Bramall, but since then he has really grown into the role and the fight for the left-back spot next year will be really good to watch.
I apologize for this article being a short one but it’s a busy few months for me now with exams etc. I hope to remain consistent with content throughout them but articles may be shorter and later after the game. Thanks for all the support and finally up the imps!
The AllLincoln MOTM is Lewis Fiorini (Yet Again).