Appleton salutes Lincoln’s ‘courage’ after dramatic win

Posted Monday, December 30, 2019 by PA

Michael Appleton hailed his players’ courage after Lincoln’s thrilling 5-3 victory over Ipswich.

The Imps deservedly defeated one of League One’s frontrunners in a thrilling clash in front of a crowd of more than 10,000 at the LNER Stadium.

Ipswich levelled at 1-1 and 2-2 and pulled back to 4-3 late on, but Jake Hesketh’s goal clinched a dramatic win.

“There was a lot of quality on show, but the thing I’m most delighted about is the courage we showed,” said Appleton.

“The very last thing we spoke about in our meeting this morning with the players was about starting quickly.

“It was important that we started the game well in front of a big crowd. We wanted to get the fans off their seats and we certainly did that.

“We’ve been striving to get ahead in a game. They were brave enough to stay ahead in the game when they were put under a bit of pressure.

“The fifth goal typified it. A more experienced group would have probably run the ball into the corner, but I don’t mind that because they showed great composure. It was a fantastic reverse pass from Harry (Anderson) and a good weight of pass from Tyler (Walker) and a really composed finish.”

The Imps made a dream start, taking the lead after just seven minutes through Anderson.

The visitors equalised on 32 minutes when Luke Garbutt fired home a free-kick, but City retook the lead in added time through Walker.

The Tractor Boys equalised again just before the hour mark after an own goal from Harry Toffolo but Walker restored Lincoln’s lead on 72 minutes and Michael Bostwick added the fourth seven minutes later.

Substitute Will Keane pulled a goal back but Hesketh made it 5-3 in added time.

Appleton was particularly pleased with how his side coped after Keane cut the deficit.

“We had been the better side and had created more chances,” added the Imps boss.

“We saw the opposition pull it back to 4-3 with seven minutes, plus added time, to go.

“To be able to deal with that as they did – to keep playing and keeping being positive – that was 100 per cent the biggest thing I’ll take from the game.”

Ipswich boss Paul Lambert, who took more than an hour to emerge from the dressing room and face the media, said: “Of course there were a few harsh words and some home truths, but certainly no raised voices.

“There’s no point going in there in a crazed frenzy because you can end up frightening the younger players.

“The most disappointing thing is we have been solid all season, and to score three away from home and still lose is too much.”