FLOODLIGHTS PUT OUT SCINTILLATING FIRST HALF PERFORMANCE

After a good performance away at Winterton Rangers which saw United come away with a 2-0 win, 'The Whites' welcomed 'Step 5' side, Staveley Miners Welfare. Staveley who were positioned at the top end of the table prior the 19-20 season was declared null and void.

Wilkinson favoured two strikers with Park and Mcmenemy partnering each other for the second time in pre-season. Millard came back into the side as did Callum Foster; Nick Bates started at right back and Ross Woolley replaced Antkowiak in between the sticks.

The match got off to a relatively even start, 'The Whites' with the first chance and it was the two strike partners combining. Mcmenemy helped the ball round the corner with quality and Park found himself bearing down on goal at a tight-angle, the stiker went for power but the Staveley keeper was equal to it and he beat the ball away at his near post.

The away side started to put some pressure on United's backline and it soon paid off. United didn't clear a corner which allowed a Staveley attacker to glide in and pinch the ball, in doing so, Cotton brought down the attacker, giving Staveley an opportunity to take the lead from the spot. Staveley's #10 took the penalty and smashed the ball into the net off the underside of the bar.

#TheWhites 0 - 1 Staveley Miners Welfare

Apart from a shot from 20-yards which Woolley held well, it then became one-way traffic. The first chance fell to Matt Cotton, a well worked move saw the ball fall to United's vice-captain but his shot was dragged wide. Moments later and it was Kallum Smith who had the chance to draw 'The Whites' level - a mazy run from left to right saw the left-back centre of the goal, 18-yards out but the shot with his weaker right foot was dragged wide of the near post.

Millard then whipped in a fantastic cross that nobody could get on the end of. United were now rampant in creating chances and it was Robbie Smith who had a chance to level the score. A through ball found the attacking right-sided player through on goal but the Staveley left-back recovered well to put pressure on Smith, his placed shot going past the keeper and looked destined for the net but just crept past the far post.

Park and Mcmenemy were next in-line to try and draw United level. Mcmenemy took the ball well on his chest, opening up his body and volleying towards the far bottom corner; the Staveley stopper made a great save to push the ball away, Park was on hand to finish the rebound but the Staveley, centre-back, slid to clear the ball and keep their clean sheet in tact.

Right on the stroke of the half-time, 'The Whites' did get their just rewards; Mcmenemy flicked the ball round the corner for the run of Cotton who managed calmly slide the ball between the keepers legs.

#TheWhites 1 - 1 Staveley Miners Welfare

There was no time to kick-off as the official blew for half-time as Staveley restarted the game. The result was somewhat kind on Staveley after their good opening 10 minutes.

Lincoln United 1 - 1 Staveley Miners Welfare (HT)

As the match was about to restart, disaster struck with the floodlights tripping and refusing to come back on; leaving the referee no choice but to abandon the match.

*MATCH ABANDONED*

'The Whites' next match is Saturday, 29th August against Skegness Town at Ashby Avenue, 13:00 KO.