Altrincham and Lincoln share spoils in six goal thriller

ALTRINCHAM played out a fiercely competitive 3-3 draw with play-off chasing Lincoln City at Moss Lane on Saturday afternoon to stretch their unbeaten run to four games.

Lee Sinnott’s side got off to a dream start inside three minutes through on-loan striker Jonathon Margetts, only for Lincoln to level three minutes later through Matt Rhead.

The frenetic opening exchanges intensified further when Alty restored their lead following an impressive back-post volley by youngster Josh Ginnelly.

Rhead found himself at the centre of the first half controversy as Lincoln were awarded two penalties and despite missing the first, the powerhouse striker made no mistake second time round to make it 2-2.

Jack Muldoon appeared to have wrapped the points up for Lincoln early in the second half with a fine finish only for Damien Reeves to add his name to the goal scorers list to ensure relegation threatened Alty earned a share of the spoils.

The hosts went into the game after a hard fought home draw against Gary Mills’ Wrexham side.

They demonstrated that determination and resilience from kick-off with wingers Ginnelly and Ryan Crowther seeing plenty of the ball.

Their high-pressing start to proceedings was rewarded on three minutes when Crowther’s speculative 30-yard strike was only parried by Lincoln stopper Paul Farman, allowing Margetts to easily tap home at the far post.

That goal woke up the Imps and they were level almost immediately after Bradley Wood’s cross from right-back was perfectly placed for Rhead to imperiously glance home his 21st goal of the season.

Two goals after six minutes showcased that both sides were set to struggle defensively as the game wore on.

Four minutes after Lincoln’s equaliser, Alty fired themselves back in front as Ginnelly grabbed his second in a week after Crowther’s deep cross from the right allowed him to volley home impressively at the far post.

The young winger enjoyed a fiercely competitive duel with Lincoln City right-back Bradley Wood all afternoon but the Lincoln man will be questioned for his marking on the goal.

Lincoln continued to push for that equalising goal and were given a golden opportunity when Jordan Sinnott felled a Lincoln man inside the area, leaving the referee no choice but to award a spot-kick.

It was Rhead who stepped up to take the penalty, only for him to fire his effort wide of Tim Deasy in the Altrincham net – much to the satisfaction of the Alty fans.

The game levelled out thereafter but there was a feeling of déjà vu on 32 minutes as Lincoln were awarded their second penalty of the game for a deliberate handball.

Rhead once again assumed responsibilities and despite Deasy diving the right way, the potent striker made no mistake in levelling the game at 2-2.

The game was stretched from the off but was most apparent to both managers and fans in the period between the HT whistle and Rhead’s second penalty.

Both sides were searching for the elusive goal to take the lead before the break but, alas, they cancelled each other out.

At half-time everyone involved had chance to catch their breath and it was important to add that referee Richard Wigglesworth was subjected to plenty of jeers from home fans as he went down the tunnel.

The second half was much less frantic than the first as both managers had clearly attempted to plug the many holes in each team’s defence.

Lincoln, who had not been in front all afternoon, did, however, breach Alty’s back line moments before the hour mark as Rhead’s strong hold-up play brought strike partner Muldoon into the game, making no mistake on the edge of the box with a sweetly struck effort into the top corner.

Lincoln had won their last two games before heading to Moss Lane and there was concern that after Muldoon’s strike, the hosts would find it hard to regain a foothold.

Yet, the drama was far from over.

On 67 minutes there came a moment that Lincoln goalkeeper Paul Farman will not want to see again as his attempted clearance cannoned off Altrincham forward Damien Reeves into the net.

At 3-3 the game was there to be won but in the end the game petered out with both managers cleverly using their substitutions on what was a heavy pitch in freezing conditions.

Altrincham have two more home games to come with Chester on Tuesday and Guiseley on Saturday as they bid to stretch their unbeaten run further.

Altrincham: Deasy (GK), Griffin, Holness. Leather, Sinnott; Crowther (Mottley-Henry ’67), Moult, Richman, Ginnelly; Reeves (Lawrie ’67), Margetts.
Subs not used: O’Keefe, Heathcote, Williams

Lincoln City: Farman (GK); Beevers, Bush, McCombe, Wood; Caton, Tempest, Power (c), Hawkridge (Maris ’73); Rhead, Muldoon (McDaid ’90).
Subs not used: Grant, Waterfall, Sparrow.
Booked: Bush, Muldoon.

Attendance: 1293
Referee: Mr Richard Wigglesworth