Kenyan defender Harper unable to help Exeter prevent defeat to Lincoln

STARS ABROAD Kenyan defender Harper unable to help Exeter prevent defeat to Lincoln

Mark Kinyanjui 09:31 - 18.02.2024

The Harambee Stars left back put a shift in but could not help Exeter avoid defeat to Lincoln.

Harambee Stars defender Vincent Harper came on as a substitute but could not do much to help prevent Exeter from losing 1-0 to Lincoln City in an EFL League One clash on Saturday evening.

Harper came on in the 64th minute and put a shift in, winning  five of his eight attempted ground duels, and also successfully dribbled two out of three times, but ultimately could not turn  around the match.

Joe Taylor clipped in the winner for Lincoln, his  first for the club, calmly finishing the ball over Viljami Sinisalo midway through the second half.

Exeter's Jack Aitchison came closest to breaking the deadlock, striking the crossbar with the Grecians' sole clear-cut opportunity. 

The home side, led by Dylan Duffy, had the first chance with a free-kick narrowly missing the target, and Duffy followed up with a wide volley as the Imps asserted control.

In the second half, the visitors created an opening as Yanic Wildschut tested Lincoln's goalkeeper Lukas Jensen at the near post. 

Dion Rankine made a decisive run down the wing, delivering a pinpoint pass to Aitchison inside the Lincoln area.

 Aitchison's side-footed effort was expertly saved by the vigilant Jensen, who tipped the ball onto the bar.

Lincoln responded with a nearly identical opportunity, as Ben House found himself unmarked on the penalty spot.

 However, Sinisalo denied House twice, keeping the game alive. The match reached its climax when substitute Ted Bishop set up Taylor, who delivered a stylish finish to secure the winning goal.

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