Lincoln City lost top spot in the National League on Tuesday night after they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Boreham Wood.
Boreham fully merited their victory on a night where the Imps still seemed to be reeling from Saturday’s FA Trophy semi-final defeat at the hands of York City. After a goalless first half the Imps found themselves a goal down mid-way through the second half after Boreham’s Ricky Shakes found himself in acres of space, slotting comfortably past Paul Farman in the Imps goal.
Manager Danny Cowley made a couple of changes but that did not swing the tide and Wood made sure of the points when Morgan Ferrier got the better of Sean Raggett before squaring for an unmarked Bruno Andrade to fire home.
LSJ News’ James Williams was at the match and said the Imps deserved little from the game –
“Once they conceded the first goal they never really looked like they would get back in the game.”
“I think if that game was played again, Lincoln still would not score.”
Scoring goals has been an issue for Lincoln since the turn of the year. The Imps have used six recognised strikers in the role but have yet to find a solid replacement for Theo Robinson who left in January. Of the group only Lee Angol has shown glimpses of being a natural replacement for Robinson.
“Of course, on his debut he scored a hat-trick but since then he has not really performed.”
“He struggled on Saturday and was virtually anonymous last night and did not look up for the fight.”
Lincoln now face a vital game at Sincil Bank on Saturday against the team that has knocked them of the top of the National League, Forest Green Rovers. It is a game that James Williams feels Lincoln have to win if the want to win promotion at the end of the season, he said: “It’s probably the biggest game of Lincoln’s season. Lincoln have three games in hand but this game is really big now.”
“Lincoln have to win it if Lincoln are going to get promoted.”
Lincoln are now without a win since a 4-0 win over Braintree Town a fortnight ago and Danny Cowley is facing the stiffest pressure he experienced so far in his reign as Lincoln manager.
“Its the first time hard and difficult questions have been asked of them,” James said.
“In his interview last night he did show signs of cracking when he was asked if it was time to panic because of Lincoln’s form, he did not like that.”
Lincoln have to arrest this poor run of form, and quickly. Defeat on Saturday to Forest Green would raise serious questions about Lincoln’s title credentials and more so, the Cowley brothers will want a response. They will want to see their players have the fight to see this through and get over the line.