Lincoln City were beaten 3-1 at home this afternoon, a scoreline that flattered the visitors.
The game was overshadowed by a controversial first-half performance by referee Lewis Smith, but there was no doubting the visitors’ quality when presented with chances.
City made a single change to the team that beat Burnley, with Conor McGrandles dropping out, replaced by Ivan Varfolomeev.
Birmingham had the first effort of the afternoon after four minutes, with Alex Cochrane firing wide after a free kick had been cleared to the edge of the area. City responded with a glorious opportunity three minutes later, as Ben House and Andrei Coubiș combined to create a chance for Mikkel Ladefoged, whose effort struck the inside of the post and bounced away to safety.
The Imps were creating opportunities in the opening exchanges, with Ladefoged involved again on 11 minutes. His initial chance was recycled, and a wonderful ball from Yunus Konak eventually found Coubiș, although the defender couldn’t quite get a shot away. Both sides then won corners, but neither came to anything, with the referee awarding free kicks against the attacking team on both occasions.
Birmingham offered a warning on 14 minutes, as Jhon Solis and Liam Millar combined to create an opening for Jay Stansfield, who hooked his effort wide. A minute later, the visitors were ahead, with August Priske finding space and firing past George Wickens to give Chris Davies’ side the lead.
The goal changed the momentum of the contest, with Birmingham suddenly enjoying the better of the play. Varfolomeev surrendered possession shortly afterwards, allowing Priske to break forward before Sonny Bradley intervened to concede a corner. Another mistake on 21 minutes presented Stansfield with an opportunity on the edge of the area, but Deji Elerewe was there to block his shot.
City felt they should have had a penalty two minutes later when Coubiș got away from his marker and appeared to be brought down, but referee Lewis Smith waved away the appeals. The Imps weren’t even awarded a corner, adding to the frustration around Sincil Bank. Moments later, Varfolomeev was caught after playing the ball in midfield, but again there was no decision in City’s favour.
Ladefoged was the first player cautioned on 25 minutes after colliding with Christoph Klarer as he chased the ball, with the Birmingham captain having moved across his path. Liam Millar followed him into the book two minutes later after kicking a ball onto the pitch to prevent City from taking a long throw. From the resulting throw, goalkeeper James Beadle went down following a collision with Ladefoged, as the game became increasingly fragmented.
The tension continued to rise, with Coubiș and Priske exchanging words following a Birmingham foul, before another decision went against the Imps on 31 minutes. Klarer appeared to have a handful of Ladefoged’s shirt, but when the striker shrugged him off, the referee awarded Birmingham a free kick.
The most controversial incident of the half arrived a minute later. House was caught in the face by a high boot from Ethan Laird, with the Birmingham defender appearing to be the last man, albeit with the incident occurring in a wide position. Smith produced only a yellow card, prompting furious protests from the City bench, with head coach Tom Shaw also cautioned.
Play finally resumed on 36 minutes, and City immediately threatened from another long Coubiș throw. Ladefoged’s header was deflected wide, and from the subsequent passage of play, the striker directed another header towards goal, forcing Beadle into a save.
Birmingham remained dangerous on the counterattack, with Millar breaking forward on 38 minutes and delivering a cross that Tomoki Iwata smashed well over the bar. House then had another penalty appeal waved away after getting in behind the Birmingham defence, although he continued battling for possession before eventually losing out.
The officiating remained a source of frustration for the home side, particularly on 42 minutes when Dom Jefferies appeared to be fouled in the area as he broke forward, only to receive a yellow card for simulation.
City finished the half strongly, creating two excellent opportunities deep into stoppage time. Coubiș initially flicked a header on before getting another opportunity to deliver the ball to Jefferies, whose tame shot was comfortably saved by Beadle.
There was still time for an even better chance, as a Coubiș cross caused problems inside the Birmingham penalty area. The ball eventually fell to Elerewe, who looked certain to score from close range, only for Beadle to produce an outstanding save. Ladefoged then headed over from the resulting corner, leaving the Imps trailing by a single goal at the interval despite creating several good opportunities.
Only players who registered this stat are listed — somebody on nought tackles is not part of a tackle ranking, and padding the table with them buries the players who did something. Bars are scaled to the best figure shown; this is a within-match ranking, not a league-wide one. This match is still in progress — figures as they stood at 14:32.
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