I know it is no longer true, but for almost an hour on Saturday afternoon, Lincoln City led the way in League One after a superb victory over Luton Town, writes Kyle Kennealey.
Saturday lunchtime games were typically dull affairs last season, leading to quieter atmospheres and a tepid overall feeling. Not yesterday.
In one of the best Imps showing in recent years, and certainly under Michael Skubala’s reign, we put Luton Town to the sword. Sincil Bank was rocking.
There was perhaps one surprise in the Imps camp when the teams came out at the unusually early time of 11:15. With no Reece Hackett in the City lineup due to illness, Rob Street returned following his suspension last Saturday. Meanwhile, Frankie Okoronkwo had to make do with a place on the bench after benefitting from Street’s suspension, so in came Freddie Draper. Ben House kept his place after his tireless work last Saturday at Burton Albion. The back four also remained unchanged, even with Ryley Towler an option again following his own suspension.
I was of the opinion that only one of Draper or House could really start in our system, given James Collins would lead the line. How wrong I was.
If there was any surprise that Adam Reach kept his spot in the lineup, then that was put to rest only four minutes into the game. From a wide free kick on the right-hand side, Reach curled a wonderful effort over everyone in the middle, catching Josh Keeley by surprise. Though the effort cannoned off the bar, City continued their early pressure from a new corner kick routine, but Tom Bayliss curled over after playing it short to Adam Jackson.
For the tenth time in twelve games, City scored the opening goal. And what a beautiful goal it was, starting with Conor McGrandles feigning a pass to Bayliss. Instead, the Scottish midfielder drove into a few yards of space and found Draper, who slotted the ball between two Hatters defenders and into the run of House. His first touch was delightful and set up the chance to calmly dispatch and give us a twelfth-minute lead.
Sensing blood, we pushed forward for a second and caught Luton playing out. Jerry Yates dropped in to his own half to receive possession, but had three red and white shirts around him. After being dispossessed by Bayliss, James Collins played a cute ball to Draper when Mads Andersen charged out. City’s number 34 bore down on Luton’s goal and sent a rasping drive towards the top right corner, but Keeley met his effort with an equally good save.
With no Tom Hamer in the side, Jackson was on long throw duty, and he almost bagged himself an assist. The impressive Draper, under pressure and falling to the ground, met his throw with an overhead kick that had power but lacked direction, straight down the throat of Keeley.
After such a bright start, City’s pressure began to subside before the break, and they were given a reality check ten minutes prior to the interval. Millenic Alli, who looked wasted in his wide role, stood the ball up to the far post. The headed clearance fell only as far as Nahki Wells, who connected well but sent his volley the wrong side of the woodwork. Clark, the only Hatters man to have shots on target all afternoon, tried his luck from distance but George Wickens was able to make the save.
City were happy enough to hear the half time whistle go still in the lead. Despite the insistent pressure in the opening half an hour, Luton had them two moments before the break to just remind everyone inside Sincil Bank that there were two teams in this contest.
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