Danny buoyed by Lincoln’s win at Exeter

Posted Sunday, September 02, 2018 by PA

Lincoln boss Danny Cowley felt his side produced their best away display in his time in charge at Sincil Bank as they went some way towards avenging last season’s play-off semi-final defeat at Exeter with a comprehensive 3-0 Sky Bet League Two win.

Two goals in two minutes just before half-time did the damage at St James Park as Lee Frecklington turned in a John Akinde cross from close range, before Akinde ran through the Exeter defence to slot the ball past Christy Pym.

Troy Brown turned a Harry Toffolo cross into his own net after the break to complete the scoring and it could have been more – but Akinde struck the foot of the post as Exeter ran out of ideas.

Cowley said: “It was a really professional, disciplined, organised away performance, so we are really pleased with ourselves today.

“Lee Frecklington was terrific, full of running, (made) good use of the ball and always carries a goal threat.

“John Akinde frightened the life out of them and our two centre-halves were really resolute – and Grant Smith did fantastically in goal. It is unfair to name individuals because it was a real team effort.

“That is a benchmark in terms of our away performance. It was probably the best we’ve had since I’ve been here. We showed real control and measure.

“This is not an easy place to come as we found out twice last year. We had better balance this time around. We are really chuffed with ourselves.

“The pleasing thing for us is that we set ourselves a benchmark. As you know I am a greedy manager and when I know a group is capable of I want it game in, game out. That is going to be how we are judged now.

“It is pleasing to win, but it is always about the process. I went to bed last night thinking about how I wanted my team away from home and they pretty much delivered that.

“There will be some tired bodies on the way home, but it will feel a much easier journey than last year.”

Exeter manager Matt Taylor was disappointed with what he saw from his side as they were well beaten.

He said: “I am bitterly disappointed. Any time you get beaten 3-0 at home, it is always disappointing.

“We have a group of hurt players in that dressing room, they didn’t really do themselves justice today and didn’t give themselves a chance, and we just couldn’t deal with their physicality at the top end of the pitch.

“It isn’t a worry for me, but it is something we are going to have to address. There was a weakness in the centre of our park, in terms of our backline today – but it is what it is.

“Akinde is certainly a handful, he really is, but it affected the rest of the group and we got caught up in a scruffy game, which is what we didn’t want.

“We wanted to get the ball down and play and make the most of our possession, but we didn’t do that either.

“Full credit to Lincoln, they are top of the league for a reason and they really did mess us around today.

“I don’t want to talk too much about the referee, but I am not too sure how several of my players have got booked when the game was like that.

“It felt like the first foul we made, or the first challenge, the first tackle, we got punished and punished harshly – and then we have three or four players on a booking that can’t impose themselves physically on the game.

“I have to be careful with what I say in terms of the referees to be honest with you, but first and foremost, I will look at myself and my group of players and not blame the referee.”