Lincoln City’s Mark Kennedy on draw with Carlisle United
Lincoln City boss Mark Kennedy admitted he was “worried” about the crucial first-half incident against Carlisle United.
The Imps manager insisted he “didn’t know” whether Paudie O’Connor’s challenge on Sean Maguire should have been a penalty.
But Kennedy said his first reaction was to fear that ref Tom Nield was going to point to the spot.
Blues boss Paul Simpson has slammed the officials while Kennedy, speaking about the 44th-minute flashpoint, said: “I don’t know. We were a long way away.
The Imps manager insisted he “didn’t know” whether Paudie O’Connor’s challenge on Sean Maguire should have been a penalty.
But Kennedy said his first reaction was to fear that ref Tom Nield was going to point to the spot.
Blues boss Paul Simpson has slammed the officials while Kennedy, speaking about the 44th-minute flashpoint, said: “I don’t know. We were a long way away.
He said that, at the break, he challenged his players to front up in their performance.
“We’ve got an incredible group of players. They’re hard-working, honest, brave, humble, grounded, together,” said Kennedy in a club interview.
“There’s one thing I can’t handle in life – I can’t handle no heart. I can’t handle a lack of bravery.
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“I can handle mistakes. There are two really bad mistakes for the goal. I can handle bad performance.
“I can’t handle people hiding.
Ethan Hamilton’s goal earned Lincoln a point (Image: Barbara Abbott)
“I just thought today for the first time ever, because there’s a little bit of expectation and there was an amazing crowd here, and because it’s Carlisle – not us [thinking that], but [other] people might– the pressure showed a little bit.
“I said, ‘It can’t happen – please show me some bravery, heart, a willingness to make mistakes by being brave on the ball’.
“For once I want to go back and watch the game. I was scratching a little but, not so much what was going on but why.”
Kennedy, though, praised Ethan Hamilton for the strike that brought the hosts level after ex-Lincoln loanee Luke Plange had put the Blues in front.
“We talked before the game that we have multiple things in and out of possession – we talked about having a positive outcome,” said Kennedy.
“It’s getting a round of applause, even if you boot it over the bar, because you get something back from the crowd.
“It was nice to see that go in. He [Hamilton] is a very coachable guy and he’s got goals in him.”
