Coventry City moved back into the play off places with a well fought 1-0 victory over Lincoln City.
The Sky Blues only goal of the game was scored by Zain Westbrooke, who capped an impressive return to the team with a volley from the edge of the area just after the half hour mark.
The Sky Blues enjoyed a series of chances in the first half, before defending impressively to keep the clean sheet in the second against much improved Lincoln City side.
Jordan Shipley has been in fantastic goalscoring form in recent weeks, and was the first to have a shot on goal with just four minutes on the clock. He found himself with acres of space and sent a shot just over the bar from 30 yards out.
Coventry enjoyed most of the possession in the first ten minutes, and had another opportunity when Michael Rose broke through the Lincoln midfield and laid the ball to Liam Kelly outside the area. The captain’s effort was watched past the post by Lincoln keeper Josh Vickers.
It was Kelly again who forced the first save of the game. Another long range drive was beaten to safety by the Lincoln keeper with 18 minutes gone.
A deep lying Lincoln defence were allowing City’s midfielders room on the edge of the area, and Liam Walsh was the next to try his luck from range. His effort was enough to beat Vickers in goal, but also beat the crossbar.
The Sky Blues finally were rewarded for their hard work with 32 minutes gone. Liam Kelly dispossessed a Lincoln defender on the edge of the box, and he drove into the box and unleashed a shot at goal. The shot could only be parried, and the ball was met on the volley by Zain Westbrooke, who finished coolly with a low drive form 18 yards.
The Sky Blues continued to assert their dominance on the game, without testing the keeper too much. They managed to break through the Imps defence on three occasions between the goal and half time without getting a shot away. A flurry of corners were not taken advantage of either, as Lincoln defended with their lives to keep the score down.
It was Jordan Shipley who was the next person to get an attempt away. A low drive was stopped in the box by Matty Godden, and he was able to lay the ball back to Shipley. The shot was the wrong side of the post and rolled behind for a goal kick.
Half Time: Coventry City 1-0 Lincoln City
It was Lincoln who started the second half the stronger side. They had a huge chance for an equaliser just 5 minutes after the restart, when a goalmouth scramble was deflected behind for a corner. The Imps players and fns were convinced there was a handball in there, but the referee was having none of it.
Shots and corners rained in, but the Sky Blues held firm. Interventions from Jordan Shipley and Kyle McFadzean were enough to keep City’s lead intact.
It was a lot more even in this second half, and Coventry were the next side to test the opposition resolve. Matty Godden was played through, but Vickers was alert to the danger and was able to palm the ball away for a Coventry corner.
City had a difficult start to the half but began to play some fantastic football as the half wore on. A neat passage of play between Liam Walsh and Zain Westbrooke saw the former unleash a powerful shot, but he couldn’t find the target.
With 15 minutes left, the Sky Blues were still pushing for a second. Matt Godden, Zain Westbrooke and Jordan Shipley created an opening for the City striker, an his effort was pushed around the post smartly by Josh Vickers.
Lincoln City substitute Jack Payne livened up the visitors with his introduction. The Imps looked dangerous with him on the ball, and a testing free kick won by the 25-year-old was headed behind well by Liam Walsh.
Matty Godden was making his first start since injury, and almost capped it with a goal. A smart ball over the top from Jordan Shipley found the lone striker, and his effort fell just wide of the near post.
The Sky Blues held firm, and picked up a fantastic three points to complete an impressive 2019 at their temporary home.
Full Time: Coventry City 1-0 Lincoln City
Goals: Westbrooke (32’)
Yellows: N/A
Reds: N/A
Attendance: 6,863 (1102 away)
Sky Blues XI: Marko Marosi (GK), Fankaty Dabo, Michael Rose, Kyle McFadzean, Dom Hyam, Sam McCallum, Liam Kelly (C), Zain Westbrooke, Jordan Shipley (Maxime Biamou, 87), Liam Walsh, Matty Godden
Unused Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Brandon Mason, Jamie Allen, Callum O’Hare, Jodi Jones, Jordy Hiwula
Lincoln City XI: Josh Vickers (GK), Neal Eardley, Cian Bolger, Michael Bostwick, Harry Toffolo, Ellis Chapman, Michael O’Connor (John Akinde, 64), Harry Anderson (Jack Payne, 73), Jorge Grant, Jake Hesketh, Tyler Walker
Unused Subs: Grant Smith (GK), Tom Pett, Joe Morrell, Callum Connelly, Max Melbourne