Report

The Stan made the long journey to Lincoln for their 1st away match of the season. Unbeaten in their 1st two league matches, the Stan were very unlucky to return North empty handed after putting in a good performance for most of the match. There was one change from Tuesday’s draw with Guisborough with Evans replacing Milburn. 

After a relatively quiet start from both teams, the Stan attacked in the 9th minute but it was blocked. 4 minutes later & a cross to Pearson who had advanced into the home box saw him brought down but nothing was given. In 27 minutes, a Lincoln attack was cleared out to the edge of the Stan box, but Moran advanced forward again unmarked & slotted the ball past Lister. In 34 minutes, the Stan were surprisingly 2-0 down when a Lincoln attack ended with Armond putting the ball in the Stan net. 2 minutes later & Lister had to save a Lincoln free kick. It was then back to Stan pressure & it paid off in the 40th minute. A Lincoln goal kick saw the ball go to the Stan & Djalo sent a great ball to the advancing Gascoigne out on the left who blasted the ball from 30 yards into the home net. It was a fantastic goal & his 3rd in 3 games. Both teams ended the half trying to attack but Lincoln were in front thanks to their 2 early unexpected goals.

The 2nd half started more quietly but with mainly Stan possession & pressure. In 60 minutes, Shepherd headed over the Lincoln bar from a free kick. In 74 minutes, a speculative Giraud long range effort went just over the home bar. 3 minutes later & sub Hopper came close when he put the ball over the Lincoln bar from a sub Boothroyd long throw in. The Stan pressure continued into added time, but they couldn’t find the all important equalising goal & Lincoln held on for a narrow victory.

Apart from a 7-minute spell in the 1st half when Lincoln scored both their goals, the Stan dominated much of the match & should have got at least a draw. Manager Dean Nicholson was upbeat though post-match when he stated that ‘We take it on the chin, but we bounce into Tuesday with all of the positives.’ The Stan are on the road again in 3 days when they travel on Tuesday night to Silsden in West Yorkshire.

Stan Team: Lister; Evans (Boothroyd 75); Chrisp (Y); Kanda; Fil; Shepherd; Gascoigne (Errington 75); Walker (Morris 86); Pearson (Hopper 74); Giraud; Djalo. Sub not used: Milburn. Attendance: 190. Man of the Match: Cyril Giraud.

Kevin Mochrie

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