Superb Olejnik wins Cup for the reserves

By Nathan Jackson
April 24 2007

Lincoln City Reserves are celebrating winning the Pontins League Cup after being Hartlepool United 7-6 on penalties. The winning penalty came from arguably the best player for the Imps. Goalkeeper Olejnik had kept the Imps in the game with several brilliant saves before smashing home the winner.

Hartlepool were the first to score when Michael Mackay scored following a mishit shot from Joel Porter. It was a terrible defensive mix-up from the Imps who left Mackay unmarked just a few yards out. Gary King quickly equalised though as he pounced to score in an open goal after Provett had parried a City player's shot.

Hartlepool should have taken the lead several times during the second half but Olejnik produced a fine performance in the Imps goal, making several close-range saves. The game ended 1-1 and went to penalties.

After Andy Toyne missed his first penalty, saves from Olejnik meant that Nat Brown had the final penalty. He blasted it over the bar to take it to sudden death. Several penalties later and Hartlepool missed, Olejnik stepped up and blasted his penalty past Provett to give City the Pontins League Cup.

Hartlepool collected their medals to polite applause from the Sincil Bank crowd, before Shane Clarke went and lifted the trophy for the Imps.