Cowley praises Lincoln after victory over Oldham

Posted Wednesday, March 13, 2019 by PA

Lincoln manager Danny Cowley was delighted with his side’s dominance in their 2-0 victory over 10-man Oldham which put the Imps five points clear at the top of Sky Bet League Two.

Goals in either half from Harry Toffolo and substitute Danny Rowe ensured a 14th league game without defeat for the Imps, while Jose Baxter’s 43rd-minute dismissal made it hard for the visitors.

“We were disappointed with how we started in the first 15 minutes, we rushed things a little and they didn’t get the ‘welcome to Sincil Bank’, but from then onwards we got better and better as the first half went on,” said Cowley.

“We were pretty dominant after that first quarter of an hour and I don’t think they had a box entry after that and only two touches in our box all first half.

“We did well to score when we did as we had just missed a clearcut chance. It was a great goal and good play from Toffs and really good link-up play with Mark O’Hara, who covered every blade of grass tonight.

“The boys showed a lot of mettle to recover from that start and build their performance. We got better control and the left side got going and caused them a lot of problems. It is important you try and move the opposition around and we did it so well that we took the fight out of them.

“We could have won by more and if we are being critical then we could have been a little more ruthless. It is important we don’t let the result and the euphoria of a good win stop our learning.”

Latics boss Paul Scholes was happy with the performance of his players, especially after Baxter’s dismissal, meaning they had to play the whole of the second half a man down.

“I was proud of their efforts and was really happy with them,” said Scholes.

“We started really well in the first 15 minutes and their keeper made a couple of saves. After Jose’s sending off, I thought the effort was sensational.

“But we couldn’t get up the pitch and it was always going to be difficult. I brought two strikers on as I wanted to get a goal and make them a little bit nervous.”

On Baxter’s sending off, Scholes added: “It looked like a red card at the time, but it was caused by the referee.

“There was so much going on off the ball after the ball had gone, that he wasn’t pulling off. I lost my temper at that time and I totally understand what Jose has done, but I am not condoning it.”