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Ipswich Town 0-1 Lincoln City - Match Report
Saturday, 15th Oct 2022 17:05

Ben House’s first-half goal saw Lincoln City win 1-0 at Portman Road for the first time since September 1954, the Blues’ first home league defeat of the season. House headed home from close range in the 24th minute with Town unable to find a way through the Imps’ determined backline, despite creating plenty of second-half chances, failing to score for the first time in League One this season.

Wes Burns, Luke Woolfenden, Freddie Ladapo and Marcus Harness all returned to the Town starting line-up having been subs for the 2-1 win at Morecambe last week.

Woolfenden replaced Richard Keogh at the centre of the defence with the former Derby man dropping to the bench.

Burns was wide on the right with Kyle Edwards also among the subs, while Harness took over as one of the number 10s from Tyreece John-Jules and Ladapo from lone central striker Kayden Jackson with the two players dropping out on the bench.

Aside from Janoi Donacien, who used to wear two but now dons the 44 shirt, Town were numbered one to 11.

Dominic Ball was also back in the squd as a sub having missed out last week due to a gash on his leg.

Lincoln, with ex-Town full-back Mark Kennedy in charge, were unchanged from last week’s 0-0 home draw with Charlton with former Blues midfielder Teddy Bishop absent due to a hamstring injury.

Following a minute’s applause in tribute to former Town boss John Duncan, who died aged 73 last week, the game got under way with the Blues, with Three Lion Berke Bakay watching from the directors’ box, dominating the ball but without breaking into the Lincoln final third.

As the match reached the five-minute mark, the North Stand sang in honour of Pablo Couñago, who has been back at this club this week and was at the game.

On seven, a neat exchange midway inside the Imps half involving Ladapo and Conor Chaplin sent Burns away on goal but the Welshman had strayed offside.

Town still hadn’t come even close to threatening by the 18th minute, too many passes around the area having gone astray, when Donacien suffered a knock in the middle of the Lincoln half having stolen the ball from one of the visitors. After treatment, the defender was able to continue.

The Imps won a corner on 23, then a minute later TJ Eyoma sent over a dangerous ball from the right which Donacien turned behind at the far post.

"George Edmundson put the first corner from the left high and into the stand, but from the second flag-kick the visitors took the lead.

Skipper Regan Poole stopped the under-hit corner from going straight behind, looping the ball into the air. Paudie O’Connor won the subsequent header and sent it to the far post where the unmarked House nodded into the net.

It was a poor goal to concede from a Town perspective with players perhaps also having thought it had gone out of play before Poole’s header.

The Blues started to get going from an attacking perspective as the game approached the half-hour mark, Leif Davis winning a corner on the left from which a Chaplin effort was deflected over. From the subsequent flag-kick, Lee Evans headed powerfully but wide.

Davis created a brilliant chance for Town to level in the 34th minute, the wing-back getting round the outside of his man from Woolfenden's excellent pass before cutting back to Chaplin, who uncharacteristically mis-kicked.


Captain Sam Morsy shot wide from 30 yards a minute later, then on 36 Evans struck a low effort which Imps keeper Carl Rushworth tipped behind for a corner from which Edmundson headed across goal and wide.

After their slow start, Town were beginning to get up a head of steam and were creating chances.

On 40, Davis shot over after a corner from the right had reached him deep on the left of the area.

Two minutes later, Harness was fouled five yards outside the area and Evans hit a free-kick which beat the wall but was snaffled with ease by Rushworth.

In the final scheduled minute of the half, the Welshman was booked for a foul on House just inside the Town half.

A disappointing period from the Blues who saw virtually all of the ball in the early stages without breaking into the final third with too many passes going astray.

Then, for the second week running, they conceded a poor set-piece goal, again the opposition’s first opportunity of the match.

Town subsequently started to look a little more their usual selves and created a number of chances, Chaplin’s the standout opportunity, but while still not overly convincing against a Lincoln side who were making it difficult for them to make attacking headway.

Two minutes after the restart, Evans clipped a cross from the right towards Ladapo but Rushworth claimed just ahead of the Town striker.

A minute later, a mix-up in the Town defence led to Woolfenden having to make an important challenge to concede a corner from which the Imps hit the woodwork. Max Sanders’s corner looped over Christian Walton and House headed against the far post, the ball bouncing kindly for the Blues before being cleared.

Town were continuing to toil, regularly running into challenges or having passes cut out as they sought to break into the final third. On 52, Jack Diamond hit a low shot which Walton saved down to his right.

A minute later, Harness made a strong run to the edge of the box where he appeared to be fouled. The loose ball ran to Chaplin, whose shot was blocked.

Town began to up the pressure with Lincoln unable to get the ball out of their box from a corner with another Chaplin effort saved by Rushworth and a low Evans cross cut out, while there were also penalty shouts for handball and a foul on the ex-Portsmouth forward which came to nothing.

Lincoln claimed a penalty of their own on 57 when Daniel Mandriou went to ground inside the box following a break but looked very clearly to have dived.

Harness shot well over from the edge of the box as the game approached the hour mark, then two minutes later, Burns was found on the right of the area but shot well over on the turn.

Town were continuing to play most of the game in and around the Lincoln area. Edmundson saw a shot blocked and again the Imps had trouble clearing their lines following a corner.

On 66, the Blues carved out an excellent chance to get back on terms. Morsy lifted a ball over a defender to Chaplin on the left, who cut back to Harness, who again shot over.

Town made their first changes as Lincoln prepared to take the goal-kick with John-Jules and Edwards replacing Ladapo and Chaplin. Having made the changes, the Blues found themselves waiting for the Imps, who had made their way to the sidelines for an impromptu drinks break, much to the annoyance of the home support.

Edwards immediately made an impact, bursting down the left and cutting back to Harness, who took too long over the chance and was crowded out. The loose ball fell to Morsy, but his shot struck the offside Burns and John-Jules in any case sent it well over.

On 72, a well-worked move involving Harness and Burns led to Morsy hitting a shot from the edge of the area through to Rushworth.

Three minutes later, after some solid challenges in the middle of the Lincoln half, the ball broke to Edwards, who skipped his way into the area past a couple of defenders before Poole blocked his strike. In the 76th minute, the Imps swapped Mandroiu for Lasse Sorensen.

Three minutes later, the visitors claimed a penalty when House went to ground as he battled with Woolfenden but looked merely to have been outmuscled by the Town defender.

The Blues switched Donacien and Burns for Kane Vincent-Young and Jackson as the game moved into its final 10 minutes.

Evans almost levelled for Town with a fluke in the 81st minute, his free-kick from wide on the left looping over Rushworth and striking the woodwork.

Like Edwards, Jackson made an early impact, breaking down the right at pace but seeing his crosses cut out. On 85, Edmundson’s header bounced weakly to Rushworth from Edwards’s cross following a corner.

House subsequently took the the ground to the frustration of the Town fans, increasingly annoyed by Lincoln time-wasting, however, the goalscorer was substituted moments later with Jordon Garrick taking over, while Town swapped Edmundson for Ball.

Harness and Jackson both had shots blocked as the Blues continued to look for an equaliser, then John-Jules curled a shot well over.

On 89, Jackson crossed low to the far post but Eyoma was there to turn it behind ahead of Davis.

Just prior to the fourth official indicating seven additional minutes, John-Jules hit a shot which very obviously took a deflection before flying wide, however, referee Andy Davies and his assistant awarded a goal-kick.

A minute later, Morsy hit a low effort from the edge of the box which only narrowly beat Rushworth’s right post.

Town continued to press in the remaining minutes but without finding a way through and at the whistle it was the 653 Imps fans who were cheering their first Portman Road win in 68 years, along with manager Kennedy making a triumphant return to Portman Road.

The Blues, who played the second period almost entirely in the Lincoln half having threatened rarely in the first, will be left rueing failing to take their chances with their finishing poor throughout as only five shots on target out of 33 illustrates.

The defeat is Town's second of the season, their first at home in the league in 2022/23, although Colchester previously won in the Carabao Cup, and their second home loss in the league since Kieran McKenna took charge in December.

The result sees the Blues stay second but now only a point ahead of Sheffield Wednesday in third with Plymouth now four points ahead at the top.

Town are next in action at Cambridge United in the Papa Johns Trophy on Tuesday with Derby County at Portman Road in League One on Friday.

Town: Walton, Donacien (Vincent-Young 79), Woolfenden, Edmundson (Ball 85), Burns (Vincent-Young 79), Morsy (c), Evans, Davis, Chaplin (Edwards 66), Harness, Ladapo (John-Jules 67). Unused: Hladky, Keogh.

Lincoln: Rushworth, Poole (c), Jackson, Sanders, O'Connor, House (Garrick 85), Mandroiu (Sorensen 76), Eyoma, Roughan, Virtue, Diamond. Unused: Wright, Vernam, Oakley-Boothe, Robson, Draper. Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire). Att: 27,608 (Lincoln: 653).


Photo: Matchday Images



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IpswichT62OldBoy added 17:07 - Oct 15
We need a good response on Saturday.
3

IpswichT62OldBoy added 17:14 - Oct 15
Friday
8

Nomore4 added 17:14 - Oct 15
Total rubbish. Although had Lincoln win…it was coming
-6

Bury_St_Edmundson added 17:16 - Oct 15
Everything except the net rippling was great today if we're being honest
10

Ipswichbusiness added 17:16 - Oct 15
A terrible result, we must win our home games (look at Plymouth).

76% possession is no good unless you score some goals.

Phil; according to your match report Vincent-Young came on for two players!
0

grow_our_own added 17:16 - Oct 15
Poor finishing & lack of CB aggression for their goal were our downfall. But Ladapo needs to do more. Not sure he's suited to sole-striker role. JJ has skills to bring others into game better. Our number nine is a fulcrum role, doesn't need to score, as long as he's involved in goals & build-up.
2

DaGremloid added 17:16 - Oct 15
We're still second of course, but I'm concerned. We scraped a win against the bottom club last week and now today we lose at home in a game we really should be winning; in the meantime, Plymouth and Sheff. Wed. seem to be winning with ease. The poor first halves are beginning to mount up and I think these will create real problems overall as the season progresses if they continue. And I STILL think we need a proven, out and out striker rather than relying on goals from all over the pitch.

Disappointing.
19

martin587 added 17:17 - Oct 15
It's incredible to think we had so much domination and chances to score.Lincoln defended in numbers and made it hard for us to score.These are games we should be winning as most teams will do the same against us.Had we played badly I could understand loosing but this was three points lost.Having said that there is a long season ahead and two games in four days next week will hopefully give us the chance to get back on track.
8

Nomore4 added 17:18 - Oct 15
Let's not kid ourselves that was abysmal
-5

Bert added 17:19 - Oct 15
A bus, a park bench and a tank is what we should now anticipate with visiting teams. This is league one and don't we know it. We have no right to win games so let's throw the kitchen sink at Derby
and show Sky that Norwich are not the only club in East Anglia. COYB.
21

Reality_2021 added 17:24 - Oct 15
Would be interesting to see what our shots on target ratio is. We can forget conversion rate as it must be awful. Good to see we can create chances unlike previous seasons, but dear oh dear, either work a clear shot without a block or at least get it on target. Walton very questionable on goal - the ball should never ho that high in the six yard box and the goalkeeper not either punch clear or claim it.
1

iaintaylorx added 17:24 - Oct 15
Was not our day. Horrendous first half which ultimately cost us the game. Definitely a better second half but didn't go our way. They defended incredibly, so got to give them credit for that. They didn't ‘park the bus' like most teams do to be fair to them. Need Burns to show last season's form now. Good reaction is needed on Friday night! COYB!
12

joyousblue added 17:24 - Oct 15
My only moans were 30 shots on target, can't score from corners, but that's it , Lincoln stuck to a game plan , which we could not beat, but it happens we can't guarantee wins , comments here of rubbish , we strugling against bottom sides , for christs sake give the opposition some credit , one more loss and we'll have McKenna out brigade oh and where is our 400 goal striker brigade ,we lost but we won't lose many , but it happens
12

KernowBluey added 17:24 - Oct 15
Very, very frustrating game, but it was bound to happen, one game or another, and unfortunately it was today.

Quite a slow and sloppy start to the game today to lead to their only goal, one piece of sloppy defending for a corner and they we're 1-0 up, then the last 15 mims of the first we started to get into our groove. Second half was different gravy, we made quite a lot of chances but the ball would just not ripple in the net, some of finishing today was a bit poor today. The goals not on Row Z!

I could sit here and pick holes at every part of the team but overall it was a good performance, just missing a few goals. Lincoln keeper had a bit of a blinder today too

Onwards and Upwards, cup game Tuesday and Derby Friday.
3 points against Derby please!
UTTB!
10

blueboy1981 added 17:29 - Oct 15
NO COMMENT - it said it ALL.
Much to do …. !!!
-6

SickParrot added 17:35 - Oct 15
A poor first half again and a disappointing result but we had 76% possession and 33 attempts at goal to Lincoln's 3. If we replicate those statistics we would win 9 times out of 10!
3

rdibble added 17:36 - Oct 15
Don't panic long way to go some additions in January please
4

Lathers added 17:37 - Oct 15
We can't afford to play so badly in the first half of a home game if we seriously want to get in the top 2. No excuse for that today with 27,000 fans behind the team.
10

KMcBlue added 17:43 - Oct 15
With over 30 attempts on goal, the stats say we need better finishers......
9

tobymeadz91 added 17:44 - Oct 15
This emulates Cambridge last year, they had their two central defenders out injured today, on paper we should have smashed them..

I've watched footy for years and still wonder why we come out sluggish after every player says how good and intense our training is…

Ultimately if we want to go up we NEED one or two top strikers …

Funny old game however I believe we will be at the races for Derby on Friday …

Stats show we have turned a corner just need the points
3

Help added 17:46 - Oct 15
We lost that game in the first half. Slow. No cutting edge. Trying to walk it in again and again. Once the subs came on we had pace. Crosses on the floor instead of floaters. Burns was poor. Would rest Burns for Derby. How come we never play the through ball for fast paced players to chance and turn defenders. To many passed behind players instead of In front of them to chase onto. Morsy not himself today. Some subs should start a game and other starters need to sit down. Hope Kieran learns more from that performance that any other game
6

Saxonblue74 added 17:49 - Oct 15
Just a freak result, it happens. Not completely on our game but did more than enough to win
10

therein61 added 17:50 - Oct 15
Get it out of the system and take it to Derby C.O.Y.B
9

Billysherlockblue added 17:51 - Oct 15
Jj not an out and out no 9 as he is too timid. Minding himself. He could be anything with a stronger will to win. We def need a striker in January. We played well 2nd half too slow with the ball 1st half. Why is woolfie so lax with a bit of get up and go he could be premier material. He played welll but could have drove on even have a shot or 2. The lads played well 2nd half but switched off AGAIN for their goal. We look steadier with keogh in the side although that was against supposedly poorer opposition. January has to bring a goal poacher from somewhere and in my opinion a center half thats a little old school. Only my opinions. Whats do ye think??
2

chopra777 added 17:53 - Oct 15
I just hope the curse is not around the corner. We have Derby next week with Sky TV and we all know we don't like TV cameras. Our recent form has not been that good. We all know that KM is on all the vacant managers hit lists. When I saw the first half stats. Lincoln had one shot and one goal. What happened to the recovery spirit our team is supposed to have. Fair enough we had 33 shots in all, but something appears wrong. Are we too predict able with style of play. Time to play the same team against Cambridge to rebuild confidence. Definitely a big ask for KM to change our fortunes. We are still second, now go and prove the viewers wrong to show we are not sliding.
5


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