Archived News from December 2003
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SPORT FIRST REPORT
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Sport First match report:
By Mark Renton (Thanks to Carole for the transcription) Gain's tonic for the boss. ASSISTANT manager Gary Simpson dedicated Lincoln's victory at Mansfield to boss Keith Alexander. Alexander, who returned home this week after recovering from last month's emergency brain operation, will be delighted by a battling win at a club where he was a player and assistant manager. A third-minute thunderbolt from Richard Butcher put Lincoln ahead before Liam Lawrence's sixth penalty of the season pegged them back after 34 minutes. But Peter Gain netted the winner five minutes into the second half. Simpson said “I spoke to the gaffer this morning and he said he would be listening on the radio – so that one was for him. It was a superb result and I'm very proud of them. “We had to be a bit brave as we knew Mansfield are a good attacking side. I decided to go with three up front to put them under pressure. “What a goal from Richard Butcher. He's scored some good ones this year but if there'd been no net there, it would have gone straight through the stand.” Mansfield were caught cold by Butcher's blast but Dave Artell wasted their first good chance while Lincoln goalkeeper Alan Marriott saved efforts from Junior Mendes and Tom Curtis. Ben Futcher conceded a penalty on 34 minutes when he brought down Iyseden Christie. Lawrence stepped up to net his 11th goal of the season and the sides were level at half-time. However, Lincoln were ahead again on 50 minutes when Gain shot just inside the right-hand post through a crowded box. Mansfield came close to an equaliser on several occasions with Christie having a shot deflected narrowly wide and also spurning a free header from six yards as Lincoln hung on for their first away win in two months. Mansfield manager Keith Curle said: “Lincoln came to spoil the game and did just that. They made it difficult. “They believe in the way they play as I do in the way we try to play. And I know we will win more than we lose with the way we try to play our football. “Their first goal was a magnificent strike though shots like that 49 times out of 50 usually have the fans ducking. I don't think any keeper in all four divisions would have stopped it. “Lincoln got a result – all credit to them.” Mansfield…………… Lincoln 43----Possession %---- 57 9-----Corners------------9 3-----Offsides-----------4 12----Fouls--------------18 3-----Yellow Cards-----3 0-----Red Cards---------0 10---Shots on Target---6 4----Shots off Target-- 4 0----Hit Woodwork----0 |
Latest | December 2003