Teddy Hall close in on Worcester

St. Edmund Hall 2 – 1 Lincoln Teddy Hall laboured to victory over Lincoln on Wednesday in a match that belied the polar League positions of the two teams. If Hall were hoping for a routine win over a team with a solitary point to their name this season before a string of tricky fixtures in the coming weeks, they were certainly shaken by a determined performance from their opponents. In an attempt to stir Hall to improve on recent performances – a scrappy league win at Jesus and Cuppers shoot out victory against Queen’s – captain John Waldron asked his team to ‘enjoy themselves’ during the game. It was Lincoln, however, that started brightest in a high-tempo, if scrappy, opening. They were unfortunate not to make the most of a defensive mix-up early on, while they did not make the most of a series of reasonable openings carved by the clever running of their strikers, with number 9 dragging a shot wide of Ielpo’s left post. While Lincoln continued to create anxious moments for their defence, Hall’s confidence in attack grew as the half wore on; Tom Theodore and Ed Morse began to dictate the midfield, and Lincoln were gradually forced back towards their goal. Lincoln showed impressive resolve, however, with a stubborn pressing game that frustrated Hall’s attacking players who were allowed little time on the ball. Persistence paid off though for Hall, though, as chances eventually came. After great work by Morse and Wilfred Frost, Talbot-Smith’s goalbound effort was hacked away, Will Herbert nodded just wide, while Frost was disappointed not to finish when the ball fell kindly at his feet a few yards out. Nutton, the Lincoln ‘keeper, was having an assured game and the Hall strikers could hardly believe it when his stunning double save kept them out when the opening goal looked certain. When a push on Charlie Talbot- Smith in the Lincoln box was waved away by the referee, it seemed that Hall were in for a frustrating afternoon, but within minutes a long balled was flicked on to Frost who nodded calmly over the stranded ‘keeper to Hall’s considerable relief. Hall came out strongly in the second half, with Talbot-Smith, Morse and Theodore going close. Then when a powerful Waldron header flew out of defence, Talbot-Smith collected and managed to break free and continue his good form in front of goal to finish in the roof of the net for his side’s second. Hall, though, knew that any slip up could easily knock them out of the title race, and their nerves, even when two in front, contrasted with the attitude of their opponents; comments such as ‘let’s double our points tally boys!’ suggested that were playing like a team under no pressure and were enjoying playing on such a fine and sunny winter afternoon. Lincoln, galvanized by Symons in midfield, began to play simple yet dangerously effective football, threatening their increasingly distracted- looking opposition. Their wide players proved a particularly potent outlet, providing the strikers with several clear-cut opportunities to deservedly get back in the game. The pressure soon told, a free kick half-heartedly cleared by Hall and eventually bouncing to a Lincoln striker to volley home. But ultimately this was not enough as Hall’s title hopes were saved from embarrassment by the referee’s full-time whistle. Unnerved by this terrier-like and spirited performance from Lincoln, Hall were left despondent at their performance and their inability to make ground on Worcester’s superior goal difference. Minutes later, though, they were celebrating at having closed the gap to a single point after their rival’s unexpected draw at Brasenose. The title race this year may yet prove far closer than originally expected.by Ed Halliday