27 January 2010
UNITED WIN SIX POINTER
By Thomas O'Brien

SEAN CANN netted a hat-rick, and Ben Garrick scored against his former club as Lincoln United romped to a 4-0 victory over local rivals Spalding United on Saturday in the UniBond League Division One (South) at Ashby Avenue.
Garrick opened the scoring on 25 minutes with a poachers finish, as Cann doubled the White’s advantage five minutes later from the penalty spot after being brought down in the area. He got his second and United’s third on 66 minutes from an acute angle and completed the hat-rick a minute later from near enough the same position.
“It was a very important win, I’d have taken any kind of win, but it was good to win 4-0.” Began Manager John Wilkinson, whose side languish in a gloomy position of the table despite good performances throughout the campaign.
“Going ahead made a big difference because I can’t remember the last time we took the lead in a game.
“I thought Brendan McDaid and Steve Melton were outstanding as was Ryan Porter.
“Too often this year, mistakes at the back and casualness in the midfield have cost us.”
After a bright start, Garrick, who signed for the Whites from Spalding only a month ago, found the goal at his mercy after former team-mate Michael Emery could only parry Kallum Smith’s shot to the feet of the lurking predator, who never looked like missing.
Five minutes later, Cann got the first of his three, after being brought down by Billy Oliver in the box. Cann picked himself up to slot the ball into the bottom right corner and double his side’s advantage.
It could have been more before the half time mark, but Smith’s effort flashed just the wrong side of the post.
“The scene was set right from the first whistle when the two central midfielders, Brendan McDaid and Steve Melton, both made crunching tackles and set the tone. I thought they were the platform for the win.” continued Wilkinson.
“I felt first half the Kallum Smith really was the star man for us, I thought he was the outlet.
“Ben was nervous before the game and I think that showed in the early stages.
“I think his touch was a bit heavy and he was trying a bit too hard, but he’s a busy player.
“Ben and Sean are very similar and sometimes it’s a bit frustrating that they don’t come to feet and show because they’re looking to get in behind the defence.
“But the pair of them are good players and lively enough to give defenders problems, as we’ve seen here.
“But we felt the period just after half time was the most important one because we didn’t play well, but we didn’t concede, and Cann gets goal number three and its game over.
Cann grabbed his second on 66 minutes after skinning Spalding right back Oliver, and beating keeper, Emery, at his near post.
Spalding were caught in possession in the middle of the midfield a minute later, as Cann robbed them of the ball and sped down the left wing to again beat Emery at his near post.
Another bonus for the Whites was the tireless performance of Terry Fleming, who rolled back the years and dominated everything on the White’s right hand flank.
“He’s just so clever, and when we had the scrappy period he just sat in a position where he wasn’t going to get hurt and contributed to a great team performance.” Concluded a delighted Wilkinson.

WHITES: Ziccardi, Fleming, Porter, McDaid, Wilkins, Machin, Garrick, Melton, Wilkinson, Cann, Smith. Subs: George, Hawley, Malinkovic, O’Halloran, Zuerner.