08 February 2010
FOUR ONCE MORE FOR THE WHITES
By Tom O'Brien

LINCOLN UNITED netted four for the second successive home game, as they tormented a lowly looking Quorn team to grab all three UniBond League Division One (South) points at Ashby Avenue on Saturday.
United started brightly against 20th place Quorn and took the lead in the fourth minute through Striker Ben Garrick.
Garrick doubled the advantage six minutes before the half time whistle and completed his hat-rick a minute after the restart.
Sam Wilkinson completed the rout with a neat flick past Quorn keeper, Matthew Nurse, ten minutes before time.
“It was very good; I think that’s probably the best we’ve played.” Began manager John Wilkinson
“Every player did a job today, and I thought we were strong in every position.
“There were definitely some good moment’s football wise but I think it was the work ethic that paved the way for us to go and win the game.
The Whites burst out of the blocks, with Sean Cann hitting the post in the first minute of the game, but his miss was all but forgotten when Garrick grabbed the opener. A superb through ball found Garrick in behind the Quorn backline and even the on-rushing Nurse couldn’t put off the former Spalding striker.
Lincoln had chances to increase their lead, but it wasn’t until the 39th minute that they actually took one of their chances. Cann’s run down the left wing led him to the by-line and his cross found Garrick un-marked in the middle of the area, as he tucked the ball neatly into the back of the net.
It looked like he would get the hat-rick before half time, but he couldn’t find the angle to slot past Nurse in a one on one situation.
However he didn’t have to wait long, as he smashed home from close range in the 46th minute to cap off a fine individual display.
“Ben was superb again; he linked up well with the rest of the team and got his rewards.” Continued Wilkinson
“As a group it was a great performance but I think it was Ben’s best performance for us so far.
“It similar to the Spalding game when Cann got a hat-rick, My Man of the Match was Steve Melton because I thought he gave us the platform to play from but Ben’s got a hat-rick and he’ll get the headlines.”
Sam Wilkinson scored ten minutes from time with a death touch in front of goal, leaving Nurse with no chance to save.
“Sam’s been getting frustrated. He’s been playing well enough but not getting the goals.
“He’s got in good areas and passes haven’t quite reached him, but again, I think his work rate today was excellent.
“He deserved his goal, a lovely little back heel, but its only one result and we’ve got to back it up on Tuesday.”
A sour taste in the mouth for United is that Sean Cann limped off with a hamstring injury and is likely to miss Tuesday’s clash with Brigg Town at Ashby Avenue. However his departure signalled the introduction of United’s reserve team’s top scorer, Chris Funnell, for his debut.
“I don’t think Canny’s got any chance of playing on Tuesday.
“His hamstrings tightened up, but I don’t think anyone else has got any knocks so hopefully we can kick on against Brigg and get another result.” Concluded Wilkinson.

WHTIES: ZICCARDI, FLEMING, PORTER, McDAID, WILKINS, GEORGE, GARRICK, MELTON, WILKINSON, CANN, SMITH. SUBS: FUNNELL, HAWLEY, MALINKOVIC, O’HALLORAN, ZUERNER.