Lincoln 2-5 Hartlepool

Hartlepool United stormed into the third round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy with a 5-2 win at Lincoln City
Teams
Report
Danny Wilson made five changes to the team that lost against Nottingham Forest for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash against Lincoln City

Arran Lee-Barrett was given a chance to start in goal while Jamie McCunnie returned to the side. Ritchie Humphreys was replaced by Robbie Elliott and Ben Clark partnered Godwin Antwi in the centre of defence. Matty Robson started on the left wing.

The game kicked off in heavy rain but this didn`t stop Lincoln from getting an early lead. Owain Warlow made a run towards into box from the left and went down under a Gary Liddle challenge, the referee pointed straight to the spot and Mark Stallard slotted home the spot kick. An awful start for Pools, 1 down after just 4 minutes.

Pools fought back and Ian Moore had a cross which Antony Sweeney was unlucky not to get his head on. Moments later and Sweeney had another chance but his effort went just over the bar.

The first half was open and Pools drew level on the half hour mark. A great run by James Brown was followed by a pinpoint cross to Joel Porter who slotted home from yards out.

The away side pushed for another goal and Matty Robson forced Imps keeper Alan Marriott into another good save while James Brown had a shot skim the far post. The goal didn`t come and the sides went in level.

HT: Lincoln City 1-1 Hartlepool

It was more of the same for Pools after the restart. James Brown should have made it 2-1 when he missed from 6 yards out but it wasn`t long before the away side gained the lead. Antony Sweeney chipped the ball over the Lincoln defence and Joel Porter slotted past Marriott.

Arran Lee-Barrett had little to do until Ollie Ryan chased the ball from a poor back pass but the former Weymouth man cleared the danger without too much trouble.

Pools then grabbed 2 goals in 3 minutes to put the game out of reach. Joel Porter made a great run towards goal before unselfishly laying the ball to Michael Mackay, the former Consett man scored his second in 2 games with a neat header.

It became 4-1 on 71 minutes when Joel Porter played the ball in from the left towards Ian Moore who smashed the ball past Marriott and into the home goal.

The weather worsened but it didn`t stop Joel Porter from grabbing his first Pools hat-trick, Matty Robson played the ball into the middle where Porter beat a defender before sliding the ball past Marriott.

The home side had something to cheer about when Mark Stallard scored a great goal but it was too little, too late as Pools marched into round 3.

FT: Lincoln City 2-5 Hartlepool

Comment
Danny Wilson must start with Joel Porter on Saturday, there’s no way he can’t play him. It was a great performance tonight and i’d like to see him and Ben Clark back in the side permanently.

It sounds like ALB did well in goal tonight, he only had a few saves to make but it’s good to have the #1 shirt back up for grabs.

I was also really pleased for Michael Mackay who got another goal, he is looking like a great player and i’d like to see him given more game time.

Teams
Hartlepool: Lee-Barrett, Liddle (Gibb 60), Clark, Antwi, Elliott, Moore, McCunnie, Sweeney, Robson, Brown (Mackay 68), Barker (Porter 9)
Subs Not Used: Nelson, Foley

Lincoln City: Marriott, Amoo, Beevers, Bencherie, Green (Wright 74), Freckington, Kerr, Hand (N’Guessan 75), Warlow (Forrester 74), Stallard, Ryan
Subs Not Used: Moses, Brown