Monday 8th August, at Ashby Avenue
Friendly
Worksop Town (1) 1
Callum Williams 16
Lincoln United (1) 3
Craig Leverett 5, Jordan Hempenstall 85, Scott Coupland 89
Admission £4, no programme or team sheet
The Worksop first team manager Martin McIntosh watched on from the stands, while their Under 19's boss Kev Staniland over saw what was happening on the pitch.
The visitors line up that was posted on the supporters message board after the game was - and still is - the source of some confusion and discussion on the forum:
Matthewson (Whittleston 82), Wood (c), Turner (Hutchinson 69), Barwick, Redei, Williams, Stoddard (Payne 76), Sweetnam, Davidson (Twell 53), Lowry, Lindley.
Either way, the Worksop team bore no resemblance to the one hinted at in a pre match announcement on the official website that said:
"Worksop Town v Lincoln United 8th August will feature 7/8 first team players, some of the players on the bench v Trinity and other first team squad players will feature"
It was only a friendly when all said and done, but given misleading information from the club prior to the games at Shirebrook last week and Ashby Avenue tonight, a few of the Worksop fans who had travelled over to Lincoln said that they wouldn't be bothering with pre season games next year.
Each to their own.
All teams often play understrength sides in friendlies and blood a few youngsters who are coming through the ranks, but they also tend to advertise the fact that they are sending an 'XI' out to play, rather than the first team squad, or in this case, a predominantly first team squad.
That said, a few of the 'ones for the future' gave their all for the cause tonight and couldn't be faulted for their effort and application.
Craig Leverett put the home side ahead inside five minutes, seizing on a mix up on the edge of the area between the Tigers young keeper and first team defender Chris Woods, to knock the ball home.
Woods was one of a handful of first team players in the visitors squad, which was supplemented with a smattering of trialists and Under 19's players.
United should have cleared their lines at the other end and were punished for some slack defending when Callum Williams got on the end of a short range cross from the right to equalise on 16 minutes.
The Worksop Town XI probed the Lincoln United back line, but found that the home side were stubborn and well organised in defence tonight ... half time came and went without either side adding to the score.
After the break, United played some good passing football and gained the upper hand for much of the second half, especially after Worksop's striker Danny Davidson was taken off after receiving treatment for a knock.
Up until that point, though not exactly wowing the sparse crowd with his foot work, he was making a nuisance of himself and bringing his team mates into the game.
Jack McGovern missed a sitter for Lincoln and the game looked to be heading for a draw.
But the home side struck two late goals to clinch the game.
Jordan Hempenstall burst through the defence on 85 minutes and lobbed Whittleston the Tigers substitute keeper, who had charged out to block the angle after his defence had gone AWOL.
In the final minute George Zuerner broke away on the edge of the area and set up a close range goal for Scott Coupland ... and the game was won (and lost) right at the death.
Worksop Town stuff:
Danny Lindley, had another a run out for Worksop, he's scored for Dinnington Town since his last appearance in Tigers colours and though he didn't get a sniff of a chance tonight, he put in a steady shift never the less and looks worth persevering with.
Under 19's attacking midfielder Josh Sweetnam has come on a lot since last season and will benefit from playing against Evo-Stik League opposition in games like this.
And first team squad player cum Under 19's captain Jack Hutchinson, has obviously been working on his fitness and looked the part when he came on tonight.
Pre season ... it's gets you out of the house doesn't it!
