SKY BET LEAGUE 1
Saturday December 19th, 3.00pm
PTS Academy Stadium
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0
LINCOLN CITY 4
Anthony Scully 2
Tom Hopper 42
Brennan Johnson 82, 90
Attendance: 2,000
Cobblers: Steve Arnold, Michael Harriman (sub Ricky Holmes 84), Cian Bolger, Fraser Horsfall, Christopher Missilou (sub Harry Smith 73), Ryan Watson, Sam Hoskins, Nicky Adams, Mark Marshall (sub Ricky Korboa 46), Danny Rose, Benny Ashley-Seal
Subs not used: Jonathan Mitchell, Caleb Chukwuemeka, Max Dyche, Chris Lines
Lincoln: Alex Palmer, Lewis Montsma, Tayo Edun, James Jones, Tom Hopper, Jorge Grant, Anthony Scully (sub Robbie Gotts 84), Joe Walsh, Ramirez Howarth (sub Harry Anderson 69), Brennan Johnson (sub Zak Elbouzedi 90), Timothy Eyoma
Subs not used: Max Melbourne, Sean Roughton, Sam Long
Referee: Robert Lewis
Booked:
Cobblers: Cian Bolger (56, 6th of the season)
Lincoln: Lewis Montsma (36), Tom Hopper (73), Anthony Scully (76)
5 cautions on or before 19 games; 1 match suspension
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Lincoln: none
Sendings off: 2 cautions in one game; 1 match suspension but cautions do not count towards above totals. Other sendings off; 1 or 3 match suspension. Extra match ban for additional sendings off.
Cian Bolger was back from suspension to captain Northampton Town against his former club Lincoln City at the PTS Academy Stadium. Nicky Adams, Mark Marshall, Christopher Missilou and Benny Ashley-Seal also came into the side with Shaun McWilliams and Joe Martin still missing through suspension and Jack Sowerby joining Alan Sheehan, Joseph Mils and Scott Pollock on the injury list.
The 2,000 home supporters inside the stadium were making some good noise as the game got underway but it was Lincoln who took an early lead through Anthony Scully, who on the end of a long ball over the top, cut inside and fired home past Steve Arnold.
Jorge Grant volleyed over following a slick Imps move before the Cobblers pressed for an equaliser with Danny Rose almost in to turn home a Fraser Horsfall knockdown from a Nicky Adams corner. Horsfall then headed over from another Adams corner before Danny Rose made an important block to prevent Lincoln doubling their lead.
Despite some good pressure from the Cobblers, Tom Hopper headed home from a Jorge Grant free-kick on 42 minutes to put Lincoln 2-0 up going in at half-time.
Ricky Korboa came on for the second half in place of Marshall.
Brennan Johnson found the side netting via a touch from Arnold and the Cobblers keeper saved from Lewis Montsma as Lincoln looked to increase their lead. Adams then had a chance to pull a goal back but, well-placed inside the area, his shot went over the bar.
Harry Smith replaced Missilou in the Cobblers second change following a scrappy period of play and a lengthy stoppage as Montsma received treatment for a head wound.
Arnold made a good stop to deny Imps substitute Harry Anderson before Cian Bolger headed against the underside of the cross bar from close range as the Cobblers went agonisingly close to a goal.
Brennan Johnson made it 3-0 with a neat lob over Arnold and deep in stoppage time Johnson scored a second as Lincoln won 4-0.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (0) 2
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 6
CORNERS: (4) 7
FOULS: (6) 14
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0
LINCOLN MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (6) 13
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 5
CORNERS: (4) 9
FOULS: (3) 10
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 1