Lincoln City slumped to the heaviest league defeat of the season against Sheffield United this afternoon after a soft second half.
Patrick Bamford’s strike just before half time was perhaps more than the home side deserved, but a one-sided second half saw them take all three points at a canter.
The Imps made two changes to the side that lost to Swansea three weeks ago. Andrei Coubis dropped out of the squad, having had an intense time with Romania, with Dom Jefferies coming in. Another international, Chio Ogbene, sat out, with Rob Street recalled to the starting XI for his first start since the 1-0 win at Preston. Tom Hamer returned to the squad after his injury, while reeco Hackett missed out with a knock.
City registered the first effort of the afternoon inside two minutes, with Dom Jefferies laying the ball back for Conor McGrandles. The midfielder’s effort lacked the power to seriously trouble Michael Cooper, but it was on target and gave the Imps an early sight of goal.
Freddie Draper was next to try his luck after six minutes. A deep City free kick was only partially cleared and the ball dropped for the striker, although his follow-up effort was blocked before it could properly test Cooper.
Lincoln continued to make the brighter start, with Rob Street getting into a promising position three minutes later. A loose Sheffield United pass presented City with possession and Street drove into the area, only to see his shot blocked behind for a corner. There were already the first signs of frustration among the home support, with the Blades struggling to build anything meaningful going forward.
Their first threatening delivery arrived after 12 minutes when Tahith Chong worked the ball into a crossing position and looked for Sam McCallum, but the delivery sailed high and wide. City were still looking the more purposeful side and continued to threaten whenever possession turned over.
McCallum became the first player booked after 15 minutes when Street collected the ball and tried to burst away near the edge of the area. The Sheffield United defender brought him down, with City perhaps entitled to wonder why there had not also been a caution moments earlier for a foul on Ben House. Adam Reach took responsibility for the resulting free kick, but his effort was comfortably held by Cooper.
The best chance of the half arrived for Lincoln after 21 minutes. A lofted ball was played towards Street, who did well to nod it across goal and into the path of Draper. The striker rose to meet it but could not quite get over the header, sending it over the bar when City might have expected to take the lead.
There was an unusual moment shortly afterwards when Ryan Oné began warming up near the away support and was greeted by a rendition of his song from the travelling Lincoln fans. It is not often an opposition player is serenaded by the visiting end, but the former Imp received a warm response.
McGrandles went into the book after 26 minutes for pulling Chong back, before Sheffield United finally registered their first shot a minute later. Joe Rothwell tried his luck from range and sent an effort narrowly wide, with George Wickens appearing beaten as the ball flashed past the post.
The home side began to grow into the contest as the half wore on. Ben Brereton Díaz controlled the ball around 25 yards from goal after 36 minutes and struck towards Wickens, who spilt the first effort before recovering quickly to gather at the second attempt.
City still carried a threat on the break, and three minutes later a strong Draper tackle helped launch another attack. Street looked to drive beyond Liam Kitching, only to be brought down by the defender, who was shown a yellow card for stopping the break.
Despite Lincoln having enjoyed the better of much of the first half, Sheffield United struck in the 43rd minute. The hosts worked the ball neatly down the left before McCallum delivered low into the six-yard box, where the finish was swept home from close range to give the Blades a 1-0 lead shortly before the interval.
Comments Welcome!