YOUTH TEAM MISS OUT ON FINAL
Lincoln City 2 Chesterfield 1
Dave Bentley's U18's conceded goals on 80 and 90 minutes to crash out of the Midlands Youth Cup at the semi-final stage.
Josh Lowe shot the Spireites ahead on 62 before Imps subs Roberts and Adams scored for Lincoln on a blustery night at Sincil Bank.
Jake Williams had a first half 'goal' ruled out for offside.
On a blustery night, Lincoln came out of the traps the fastest, winning three quick corners, Williams almost volleyed one of them into his own goal and it took until the 25th minute for The Spireites to mount a worthwhile attack, Ben Algar, playing at left back, delivered for Adam Smith but his powerfulo shot was blocked.
Dan Whatsize made a sharp save to deny KIng from a 20 yard free kick before, on 41, Williams was put through by Dan Gray and beat keeper Cherry. A very late and almost certainly wrong flag was waved to wipe out the effort for offside.
Chesterfield's long throws were causing problems and it was from a throw that Dave Bentley's lads took the lead, JOSH LOWE getting on the end of the ball in to shoot high into the net.
City had two close calls immediately after the goal before Williams hit the side netting with an angled drive. Algar hacked one off the line as City turned up the wick and they equalised with 10 minutes to go. Algar had the opportunity to clear the lines but was robbed and a hopeful cross hit the boot of sub JACK ROBERTS to loop over Whatsize. It was either the best lob seen in a long while or a fluke. The latter is favourite.
Adams had a header saved by the Chesterfield keeper and Whatsie and his defence somehow kept out Lincoln in a three-shot rapid fire attack on 85.
Williams just couldn't quite get free from his marker on 89 and his shot was easy for the keeper who then punted the ball, wind assisted, miles up the park for another sub NATHAN ADAMS to score a last gasp winner and put The Red Imps into the final.
Bentley rued; "I thought we defended very, very poorly for the last goal, that was the most disappointing thing about it. For the first goal, Ben only had to put it into a good area of the left flank for us to get out of the situation, he lost it, the ball gets into the box and the lad loops it over Dan in goal. It's disappointing to have got this far and then throw it away like that."
On the disallowed goal he added; "We were a bit unfortunate when Jake got through, he didn't look offside from where I was and I spoke to their coach Grant Brown and he said the same thing."
Lincoln: Cherry, McCormack, Hewitt, Miller, Fitzpatrick, McGovern, Garrick (Adams 56), Pembleton, Hutchinson (Bull 77), King, Cooper (Richards 71). Subs (not used): Bond, Bredice
Chesterfield: Whatsize, Bearder, Holmes, Burns, Algar, Smith, Gray, Clay, Lowe, Bowery (Winfield 77), Williams. Subs (not used): Davies, Adcock, Clare, Malak
Booked: Bearder - 90
Dan Whatsize
Michael Bearder
Ben Algar
Adam Smith
Richie Holmes
Ross Burns
Craig Clay
Dan Gray
Jake Williams
Jordan Bowery
Josh Lowe
