George Wickens was voted the Stacey West readers’ Man of the Match following Lincoln City’s 1-0 victory against Bolton Wanderers.
City collected their first Championship victory of the season after producing a resolute away performance at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Bolton applied plenty of pressure, particularly during the first half, but the Imps defended their penalty area superbly and took all three points with a clean sheet.
Wickens finished at the top of our player ratings with an outstanding average score of 8.69. Ryley Towler followed closely behind on 8.58, while Ben House, Deji Elerewe and Callum Elder completed the leading five.
Our keeper’s position at the top of the voting reflected both the importance and quality of his performance. Wickens made six saves during the contest, including an exceptional stop to deny Ryan Hardie, as City protected their narrow advantage during a demanding afternoon.
YOUR TOP FIVE
Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Lincoln City
George Wickens v Bolton in numbers
Wickens faced six shots on target, saving every one of them. Bolton’s efforts carried an expected goals on target figure of 0.83, but the City goalkeeper prevented the hosts from finding the net and secured his clean sheet.
His most memorable intervention came when Hardie appeared certain to score. The Bolton forward’s effort demanded an outstanding reaction from Wickens. That stop was one of three reflex saves he recorded: he also completed four exits from his goal, showing the confidence to leave his line and relieve pressure when Bolton delivered the ball into dangerous areas.
Distribution was inevitably difficult against a home side applying sustained pressure. Wickens completed 14 of his 22 attempted passes, giving him an overall accuracy rate of 64%. Eight of his 14 long passes reached a teammate, a success rate of 57%. The majority of his goal kicks were sent long as City looked to move the ball away from their defensive third. All 15 of his goal kicks were played over distance, reflecting the circumstances of the match and the need to avoid taking unnecessary risks close to goal.
Those distribution figures were secondary to his work as a shot-stopper. City required commitment throughout the side to withstand Bolton’s pressure, with Towler, Elerewe and Elder all featuring among the five highest-rated players, but Wickens provided the final barrier whenever the hosts found a route through.
It was a performance that delivered a clean sheet, three points and City’s first Championship victory of the campaign. With six saves and several decisive interventions, Wickens was a worthy winner of the Stacey West readers’ vote.
Comments Welcome!