This match report was featured on The Lincolnite (October 5, 2020).
Lincoln United lost to Stocksbridge Park Steels in a seven-goal thriller at Ashby Avenue.
In an action-packed second half, the Whites came from two goals behind to score in the 83rd minute and equalise at 3-3.
But United could not hold on for a point, conceding a minute later and losing their first game of the season.
The Whites’ squad was unchanged from their draw with Cleethorpes Town on Tuesday night.
Stocksbridge Park Steels had finished in the play-off spots last season, but had started their current campaign poorly in comparison to Lincoln United.
However, it was the visitors who scored first, taking the lead in the sixth minute, as Matt Raey headed in from a Josh Noddler free kick.
The Whites grew into the game as the half progressed and their hard work paid off in the 42nd minute when Rob Smith was fouled in the box and Matt Cotton converted from the penalty spot to equalise.
The first half excitement wasn’t over though, as in stoppage time it was a miracle United didn’t score again.
A goalmouth scramble saw a Jack McMenemy shot blocked on the line and the follow-up shot from the Whites fizzed past the post.
HALF TIME: Lincoln United 1-1 Stocksbridge Park Steels
After an exciting end to the first half, both sides came out from the break in the same fashion, with several chances at either end.
Stocksbridge took the lead for a second time in the game in the 59th minute after Callum Foster mistimed an aerial clearance.
The Steels attacker Joe Lumsden ran in behind, fooled Charlie Ward with a couple of changes of direction, before coolly putting the ball past Michael Antkowiak.
Despite Whites manager Sam Wilkinson’s attempt to turn the game around with a substitution, his side conceded again in the 66th minute when Lumsden secured his brace after picking up a loose ball from a free-kick.
But United weren’t going down without a fight.
A quick counter-attack in the 70th minute saw Cotton meet a cross with his head to half the deficit.
Like their first, the goal seemed to inspire the Whites.
With seven minutes left a long ball from inside United’s own half found its way behind the Stocksbridge back-line. Smith ran onto the ball and slotted the ball underneath Hall.
An old football cliché rang true though- you’re always at your most vulnerable after scoring.
A long-range effort by the Steels’ second half substitute Lewis Whitham took a heavy deflection and the Whites were behind again.
In a tense finale to an exciting match, United couldn’t pull off another comeback. Corner after corner was hit into the box, but an equaliser couldn’t be found.
Lincoln United 3-4 Stocksbridge Park Steels
Attendance: 156
Aaron Mayhew - Journalist 
A good report Aaron demonstrating good knowledge of typical match report style but I think you could have done much more to liven up the intro and move the story on in terms of what the result meant to Lincoln – its league place, record etc. Maybe even focus on something interesting from the game.
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