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Ipswich Town 2-2 Lincoln City - Match Report
Saturday, 7th Jan 2017 17:22

Tom Lawrence saved Town’s blushes with an 86th minute equaliser, his second goal of the game, as Vanarama National League leaders Lincoln City came within four minutes of a famous third round FA Cup upset at Portman Road but had to be content with a 2-2 draw. The Imps went ahead through Theo Robinson in the seventh minute, Lawrence levelled four minutes later before the Lincoln striker netted his second on 65 and the Imps looked destined to win it until Lawrence’s late goal rescued Town.

Boss Mick McCarthy made five changes with Dean Gerken, Jonas Knudsen, Andre Dozzell, Freddie Sears and Grant Ward all starting.

Skipper Luke Chambers and Cole Skuse dropped out of the squad having been doubts with knee problems, while Myles Kenlock also missed the game having suffered a calf injury at QPR.

Also not in the 18 was striker David McGoldrick, who is understood to have suffered a groin injury in training on Friday, while another frontman Leon Best was ill.

The Blues bench included 17-year-old left-back Pat Webber, who signed from Worthing at the end of last season, 19-year-old central defender or right-back George Fowler, who is from Ashfield near Debenham, Irish U19 international midfielder Adam McDonnell, 19, who made his league debut at Derby on the final day of last season, and strikers Shane McLoughlin, 19, an Irish U18 international, and England U18 international Ben Morris, 17.

Christophe Berra skippered in Chambers’s absence, while Lincoln named an unchanged team.

Town started brightly and won two early corners, but the 4,838 travelling Imps in the Cobbold Stand quickly had something to celebrate with their side taking the lead with their first chance of the game in the seventh minute.

Nathan Arnold sent over a teasing low cross from the right and former Derby striker Robinson got in between Adam Webster and Emmanuel to divert the ball past Gerken from close range.

But the Imps lead wasn’t to last for long. On 12 Lawrence picked up the ball just inside the Town half and brought it forward to the edge of the area unchallenged before hitting a low shot which went under Lincoln keeper Paul Farman and into the net to level the scores and settle more than a few nerves around Portman Road.

While it was a great run from Lawrence, who has now scored four goals during his loan spell from Leicester, Lincoln will be disappointed not to have got in at least one challenge and Farman will feel he should have done much better.

Neither side threatened again until 25th minute when Pitman hit an effort from distance, which flew well over.

Lincoln had been having more of the ball but without creating an opportunity, while the Blues had been very wasteful in possession with Dozzell having been unable to get into the game.

Imps midfielder Arnold hit a low effort from the left of the area which Gerken saved comfortably on the half hour, then moments later, following a freekick, the Blues keeper grabbed a dangerous bouncing ball in the area ahead of Robinson. The former Ram claimed he had been fouled as he went after the ball but referee Lee Probert showed little interest.

On 33 Berra made an important interception from a Bradley Wood cross from the right after a quickly taken freekick not far inside the Town half.


The visitors continued to have most of the ball, however without Gerken being forced into further action, and on 35 an Alan Power shot from the edge of the box deflected over.

Town began to have more of the ball as half-time approached and in the 43rd minute Dozzell hit a low shot which deflected just wide from the edge of the box after good work on the right from Emmanuel.

The resultant corner on the left led to another flag-kick on the right from which Pitman tried to replicate his overhead kick against Bristol City but failed to get any power on it and Farman claimed.

Neither side created a further opportunity before the whistle was greeted by cheers from the visiting fans and a few boos from the home support.

Town had started brightly and then quickly got themselves back on terms after the potentially serious blow of the early Lincoln goal but subsequently struggled to impose their superiority on the Imps.

Lincoln had subsequently been on top but without being able to create a chance from which they might have regained their lead.

The Blues had started to press more towards the break with Dozzell getting more involved but overall the non-league side will have been much the happier going off at the break and Town needed a much better second half to avoid a replay or worse still a giantkilling.

Soon after the restart Knudsen slipped on the Blues left gifting the ball to Robinson but the Danish international quickly got back to block the Lincoln striker’s cross.

The visitors threatened again in the 50th minute after a Knudsen cross from the left was cleared, Berra eventually cutting out Arnold’s cross. Soon after, Gerken grabbed a curling Robinson shot from the edge of the box.

The Town keeper was forced into a more serious save in the 56th minute when Terry Hawkridge fed the breaking Arnold after the Blues had lost possession on halfway but Gerken was out quickly to block and Berra cleared the danger.

Powerful Lincoln number nine Matt Rhead headed into the arms of Gerken on the hour, then soon after Dozzell played the ball into Sears’s feet inside the area and the ex-Colchester man hit a shot on the turn which flew only just wide.

On 62 Gerken put Bru under unnecessary pressure with a quick throw from which Lincoln quickly regained possession but the keeper comfortably claimed Sam Habergham’s shot from the right.

The visitors had looked the more threatening side throughout the second half and in the 65th minute they went back in front. Berra, under pressure from Rhead, headed Imps skipper Luke Waterfall’s long ball behind him and into the path of Robinson, who gleefully smashed home his second goal of the game to send the visiting fans wild.

With sections of the Town support singing ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ in the direction of manager Mick McCarthy Lincoln continued to take the game to the Blues with growing confidence, while the Championship side were unable to keep hold of the ball or put the Imps goal under any pressure.

Lawrence hit a 30-yard freekick over from distance in the 74th minute as the Lincoln support taunted the Town fans with chants of ‘Championship, you’re having a laugh’.

Town finally began to put the visitors under some pressure as the game reached the 80-minute mark. Ward brought the ball into the area on the right and fed Pitman, who turned his shot well over.

With nine minutes remaining Jack Muldoon replaced two-goal striker Robinson, whose last visit to Portman Road saw him score as Derby beat the Blues 2-1 in October 2012, a game which led to former Town manager Paul Jewell’s departure the following day.

On 83 Lawrence crossed from the left and Farman did well to get down to his left to keep out Dozzell’s flicked header.

Aside from that Town hadn’t looked like getting back on terms until another brilliant Lawrence strike saved the Blues’ blushes. The on-loan Leicester man picked the ball up midway inside the Imps half and smashed a low shot which flew past Farman to his left.

Having got back on terms, Town now went after a winner, Lawrence and Sears exchanging passes on the left of the area before winning the first of two corners.

But there was another big scare for the Blues in the final minute when Lincoln broke quickly and, with a blatant trip on Berra having been missed by the officials, Alex Woodyard broke into the area from Arnold’s pass, however, Emmanuel did superbly to get back and use his strength to dispossess the Imps midfielder.

Seconds before the whistle Berra won a header from a Knudsen long throw on the right but Sears’s looped effort towards goal was straight into Farman’s arms.

Loud boos greeted the final whistle from home sections of Portman Road, while the Lincoln supporters celebrated the draw which might well have been an even more famous win but for Lawrence’s equaliser. Manager McCarthy was also booed as he made his way to the tunnel.

Having failed to impose themselves in the first half, the Blues were little better at the start of the season and worse once yet another defensive error had led to Lincoln’s second goal.

The Blues gradually started to make some headway but it took a piece of individual magic from Lawrence, quickly emerging as Town’s player of the year, to save what would have been considerable embarrassment and a first FA Cup defeat to non-league opposition since the January 1960 loss to Peterborough United at the same stage.

From there the Blues might even have won it with the Imps finally put under some pressure but were unable to claim a winner which would have been very harsh on the visitors, who might even have grabbed a third goal on the break but for Emmanuel’s interception.

The teams, who both go into the fourth round draw at 7.10pm on Monday ahead of Cambridge United’s tie with Leeds United, will meet again at Sincil Bank a week on Tuesday when the Blues will have to be much better if they are to avoid an embarrassing replay exit.

Town: Gerken, Emmanuel, Webster, Berra (c), Knudsen, Bru, Ward, Dozzell, Lawrence, Sears, Pitman. Unused: Bialkowski, Fowler, Webber, McDonnell, Douglas, McLoughlin, Morris.

Lincoln: Farman, Wood, Habergham, Waterfall (c), Power, Rhead (Long 90), Hawkridge, Raggett, Arnold, Woodyard, Robinson (Muldoon 81). Unused: Walker, Marriott, Miles, Fixter, McCombe. Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire). Att: 16,027 (Lincoln 4,838).


Photo: TWTD



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warktheline added 18:00 - Jan 7
I won't waste my breath on my club!
I will say this in relation to Lincoln , they are a club without doubt on the up, led by a young, eager, energetic manager , who goes by the name of Cowley, if you haven't heard of him you sure have now! Go ask the folks at Braintree Town about their loss when he moved on to manager Lincoln. Last season Mr Cowley combined managing a football club with being a PE teacher and with his brother took turns at driving the team bus to and from games!
Impressive hey, YES Lincoln have been through the mill these last few years, but with the right people and attitude anything can be turned around! AGAIN I state, losing Marcus Evans and McCarthy may ,or may not ,initially be detrimental to Ipswich Town , but long term it can only be a positive. What's the alternative, a disinterested owner and a manager who turns up to pick up his wages until told otherwise!!!!!
32

ArnieM added 18:00 - Jan 7
With the exception of Webster, Lawrence, Emmanuel the rest of the Town players should hang their heads in shame. I also excuse Dozzell, , because he's just a kid. But the rest of the them were a disgrace.

WTF was wrong with the usually poor Knudsen??? He looked like he couldn't give a flying one all afternoon. He ws just walking around the pitch!! His body language looked like he was pissed off aabout something before a ball was even kicked. Berra kept having a go at him, ( and was
constantly having to cover for him too.

Town clearly lacked any form of leadership out there today, ( the main importance of Chambers contribution to the Club demonstrated today).

Bru doesn't cut it when the chips are down, and without Lawrence in the side, God knows where we would be this season. He's the only player that actually takes the opposition on. The rest of them just pitta, patta the ball about , usually ending in lost possession and rarely any product like a decent cross into the box that Pitman or Sears could have got on the end of.

All in all a typical McCarthy type of performance. Lacking attacking nonce, energy, confidence on the ball, ability to defend or ability to create from the midfield.

Time McCarthy Please!!




.)
27

norfstanda added 18:01 - Jan 7
An excellent result against a very impressive lincoln side.....
4

Cloddyseedbed added 18:02 - Jan 7
2 years running and we have been outplayed by lower league teams. Who would bet against Lincoln going through to next round. If management can get Lincoln's players to play like that how about trying to get their management team in at Portman Road. Apparently they are 2 hard working brothers who want to progress in football. Ipswich how about taking a chance on them? MM cuts a lonely figure now in his interviews, he's not the arrogant man that he was I think he can't see a way forward for himself. Neither can I. He's lost the plot now. Berra's given 2 goals away in the last 2 games, but who can replace him? Team is a shambles.
17

dirtydingusmagee added 18:02 - Jan 7
dangerous30 sorry you still cant see the fate of this club under present regime. We all want a cup run but we also want this nightmare regime gone.We have lived to fight another day thanks to a loan player we are almost certainly going to lose.Lincoln were FAR the better team and deserve to be in next round .They will have a packed house for replay ,we will be losing more support .ENOUGH IS ENOUGH .
10

bedsitfc added 18:03 - Jan 7
Stay away protest is needed
10

Suffolk_n_Good added 18:03 - Jan 7
Agree with 95% of the above comments, there's always some wearing blue tinted glasses, but to honest I think most of them are either armchair supporters, club employees or family & friends of the players, so rather than repeat what's been said, I'll just go with MCCARTHY OUT, thank you & good night âš½
25

Pip50 added 18:04 - Jan 7
You lot make me laugh. Blame Mick yep he doesn't have much idea but who else would get more out of our journeymen crocks and over inflated youths.
You ask for Douglas Chambers Skuse to be dropped. Didn't see them on the sheet. You ask for Freddie to play up front, where did he play. You say Smith is useless and don't sell Webster and we concede consistently thro the middle. Play the youngsters Dozzell et al where was he today. Where's is Bishop, McGoldrick well tripping on the carpet at training.
I hate Mick's management but it's not his fault. The idjits running and owning the club are to blame. Hope we all get it. Lol.
-8

Bluetone added 18:04 - Jan 7
McCarthy won't go he has no shame just a wallet he wants to fatten further and he doesn't care who or what suffers to do that.


7

TimmyH added 18:04 - Jan 7
@pragmatic - your sadly right there...McCarthy isn't going anywhere for the next 18 months and will serve his contract out, mainly due to what he's done for the owner in regards to selling players for net gain - it's sadly not down to the tripe on the pitch and the eye shutting entertainment.
11

Delilah77 added 18:06 - Jan 7
What an absolute Joke pls leave it's a absolute embarrassment
4

legoman85 added 18:07 - Jan 7
Anyone know how much dino is on a year?
0

Mick_Mills_Tache added 18:09 - Jan 7
Firstly, very well played to Lincoln and the near 5,000 that travelled today. Hope they continue their form and get back into the football leagues!

Secondly, is anybody genuinely shocked at the result today? It's not the first time since MM's arrival that we've been outplayed and outclassed by a lower league (non-league in this case) opposition m, is it?! I'm slightly impressed that we managed to get a replay from them! That team that McCarthy put out today should very easily have been able to beat Lincoln fairly comfortably (no disrespect to them.) The fact that they didn't/couldn't mainly points to one thing; the manager. Totally bereft of any ideas and seems to me that the players just aren't performing for him anymore. Gerkin is not Championship quality and I feel that Knudsen isn't either. Berra is now way past his best as the constant mistakes are proving.

Is it a sign that the last time Robinson scored at Portman Road, Jewell lost his job? And, if I remember correctly, it was around this time that Keane got dismissed. We can but hope, folks.

Oh, and Evans, get the chequebook out and pay whatever you have to for Lawrence. He is the only one who is a 'different class' compared to the majority of the squad to coin one of McCarthy's very own phrases. Which reminds me, where are all the 'early' signings that we were told about? Teams like Bristol City, Burton, etc are all adding to their squad and yet we've done the usual diddly-squat.

Sorry for the essay.
22

prebbs007 added 18:14 - Jan 7
Will you act now Marcus ???

We are a joke !!! They are NON League ffs !!!

Well done Lincoln you were fantastic. Great support a credit to your club !!

FARK OFF dinosaur !!!
24

Bluetone added 18:17 - Jan 7
A preview of McCarthy's post match comments.
1 Different class is Gerks
2. A good side are Lincoln we did well to hold them.
3 Different class is Gerks
4 Our Injuries were a big problem
5. Lack of funds means we can't compete with teams with the spending power of the likes of Lincoln
6 I'm not going anywhere I'm goig to stay and sort this out as I am without doubt the most experienced manager in the Championship and the best person to do this.
7 Different class is Gerks

18

corkblue added 18:21 - Jan 7
The Imp's score goals for fun at Sincil Bank. Their number is +29 as opposed to Town's paltry -4!
Only one outcome from our Lincoln visit - no doubt with many coach loads attending!
1

superbob added 18:22 - Jan 7
Mick, TC, Andy Liddell are inept. If the average Joe performed like that in their day job, they would be sacked!
3

Bildestoned added 18:27 - Jan 7
Is there an argument - and I'm setting aside here any further analysis of McCarthy individually - that Evan's ownership of ITFC has been underwhelming at best and a near disaster at worst? Once Magilton was sent packing what decision has really gone well? MM enjoyed a brief spell of success but arguably from a squad that wasn't his own, but since that one glimmer, what? For the first time in almost 60 years of support I really couldn't give a monkey's anymore.
14

marinersgod added 18:36 - Jan 7
Nearly 40 years of true support for my team and today, for the first time ever, I didn't celebrate us scoring!! I hate the current set up making me feel like that, please change it Evans, while we have something to save.
7

runaround added 18:40 - Jan 7
Embarrassing! I took my daughter to her second match today, the first was against Stevenage in August! It feels like I'm a administering a punishment to her! Lincoln should have won, only Lawrence, Emmanuel & to a certain extent Dozzell seemed interested & up for it. The rest were poor and unmotivated. This stems from the management & the whole club ethos at the moment. The fans have been lost, there is no way the current regime can turn it around. The longer it goes the more damage it will cause. Today was not only embarrassing but surely a wake up call thinking this is just a blip. We were not only outbattled but outfought out though & worrying out footballed by a non league side. I feel jealous of the Lincoln fans they have a team & club to be proud of who are on the up. I wish them well in their promotion bid & the replay as they deserve to go through
17

Dissboyitfc added 18:42 - Jan 7
pip50... they are the journey men crocks he has brought in. In mm's own words this the best squad he has squad in his time at town.

MM out now!
10

blueboy1981 added 18:42 - Jan 7
........... all we want is OUR real IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB back ........... asap.
15

Blueactually75 added 18:44 - Jan 7
Jan 7th 2011 Roy Keane leaves Ipswich. Jan 7th 2017 Mick Macarthy leaves Ipswich???! Here's hoping lightening really does strike twice. I went to the 2-2 v Pompey last year and vowed then not to go today and even tho i had the day off and was cheap i still go. This was mybown very small protest and like others on here like JAS099 I was also gutted when I saw we had equalised. Sad state of affairs when you want your team to lose but i was thinking of the greater good. Club is a shambles and it HAS to get sorted soon. COYB.
4

runaround added 18:44 - Jan 7
Also what was the point of the subs bench today as obviously knowing Mick he would only bring on a youngster unless forced too. Probably "not the right game for them "?! No game under Mick would be right for them!
McCarthy out now......please
Today has to be the tipping point
11

cranky_old_tractor added 18:48 - Jan 7
Well done Lincoln. Great performance. Had hoped you would win just to give our inept management a kick up the backside and our manager a kick out the door. If you could you take MM on your coach and drop him off in the middle of nowhere that would be appreciated by ALL ITFC fans. If you could leave your manager at Portman Road, I think that would be good too.

Vote with your feet and stop watching this cr*p until the message gets home
11


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