FG caught up with Kyle Clinton to talk about making his senior debut at 16, Lincoln’s season so far and more.
Kyle made his debut in early December, coming on as a second-half substitute in Lincoln’s 6-1 win over Europa Point. The youngster reflected on this achievement, “Making my senior debut at 16 is a very proud moment for me personally and it is testament to my hard work this season.”
Lincoln currently find themselves in third place after eight games, Clinton reflected on their league campaign so far – “At the moment, we are sitting in 3rd place and 1st place is still in reach. There is plenty of work still to be done and we need to keep working hard.”
Being able to work alongside players like Roy Chipolina, Lee Casciaro and Scott Wiseman is a dream for any 16-year old and one which Kyle Clinton gets to do nearly every day. We asked Kyle how being surrounded by those players has helped him, “Being around players with that much experience really helps me as a player. They offer so much, for example, guidance on the pitch particularly from Scott who is very encouraging and it gives me a confidence boost.”
Lastly, we asked Kyle what he hopes to achieve this season – “Individually, I am hoping to improve and mature as a player. As a team, I am hoping to win the league, qualify for the Champions League and restore Lincoln’s former glory.”
Second-half goals from Scott Wiseman and Mustapha Yahaya earned Lincoln Red Imps a 2-0 win against a well-disciplined Manchester 62 last night.
McElwee made two changes from the side which lost to Lynx with Kian Ronan and Mustapha Yahaya replacing Alex Moreno and Jamie Coombes while David Wilson called up 16-year old duo Jyron Zammit and Sachin Gupta to his matchday squad.
The Imps opened the scoring in the 60th minute when Scott Wiseman headed the ball in from Diego Gamiz’s cross – the Gibraltar international’s first goal of the season.
Yahaya then made it 2-0 in the 93rd minute when his shot from outside the box took a deflection and rolled into the bottom corner with the last kick of the game.
David Wilson can be proud of the way his team played, showed great discipline to frustrate Lincoln for large parts of the game and the inclusion of both 16 years olds Jyron Zammit and Sachin Gupta shows the future is bright for the club.
It’s back to winning ways for Lincoln with Glacis and St Joseph’s left to play while Manchester 62 sit 9th.
Lineups
Lincoln – Goldwin; Ronan, Wiseman, Lopes, Torrilla, K.Casciaro (Valarino 82), De Barr (Clinton 60), Toscano, Gamiz, Yahaya, Kike
Kike scored twice as 9-man Lions were soundly beaten 3-0 by Lincoln Red Imps.
Mick McElwee made two changes from the side which beat Europa Point in midweek with Jesus Toscano and Scott Wiseman replacing Graeme Torrilla and Diego Gamiz.
Albert Ferri would also make changes after their defeat to Europa last week with Kaylan Rumbo and Ivan Ruiz Pecino replacing Antonio Cintas and Craig Bossano-Anes.
Lincoln’s fast start was credited with a goal as Kyle Casciaro’s shot took a deflection and beat Borja Valades. A few minutes after losing defender Thomas Hastings to injury, Lions would concede their second goal through Kike’s rebound.
Valades was the busiest of the two keepers with the Spanish goalkeeper making a number of good saves to keep the score at 2-0. Kike got his second and Lincoln’s third from the penalty spot in the 77th minute.
With the final whistle fast approaching, Lions would end up finishing with 9 men after Guillermo Jimenez and captain Alberto Caravaca saw red.
This win sees the Imps keep up the pressure on Europa and St Joseph’s while Lions remain seventh.
Lineups
Lincoln Red Imps – Goldwin; Ronan, Wiseman, Lopes, K.Casciaro (Gamiz 68), De Barr, Toscano, Moreno (Valarino 66), Yahaya (Azopardi 80), Kike (Clinton 80), Coombes (Torrilla 66)
Lincoln’s set-pieces proved key in their 6-1 win over Europa Point last night, with three goals being assisted by corners or free-kicks from Diego Gamiz.
The second of the re-arranged Matchday 4 fixtures saw Lincoln rotate ahead of the weekend’s clash with Lions – Kyle Goldwin returned in goal, while Kyle Casciaro captained the side. For Europa Point, Jamie McCarthy started in an otherwise largely familiar side.
It took Lincoln 22 minutes to break the deadlock, as a corner from Diego Gamiz was headed in by Bernardo Lopes, past Daniel Tudela in the Europa Point goal. 12 minutes later, they would go 2-0 up – a kind rebound off a defender allowed Kian Ronan to square to Kike for an easy tap-in and his ninth goal of the season.
There would be two more goals before the break, with the third being a carbon copy of the first as Gamiz corner found Lopes head again to get his second of the night, and the defender’s fifth of the season. Just before the break, Gamiz got a hat-trick of assists, this time as his free kick found the head of Mustapha Yahaha who made it 4-0 going into the break.
Europa Point may have feared a landslide at this point, but it took Lincoln until 10 minutes from time to get back on the scoresheet, and it would be one of three teenage debutants off the bench who would make an impact. Alongside Kyle Clinton and Ryan Azopardi, 16-year-old Finlay Cawthorn came off the bench for his debut, and less than 30 seconds after stepping on the pitch, he was in the right position to head in his first-ever senior goal, after Tudela had only parried away a shot from Alex Moreno.
Goalscorer turned provider just two minutes later – after some nice play, Cawthorn laid the ball off to Moreno to set him up for a goal from just outside the box to make it six. Europa Point did manage to get a late consolation goal, and it was from a set piece of their own, where after Antony Moulds saw his header cleared off the line, John Stewart was on hand to put the ball past Goldwin and at least give his side something to cheer in the final seconds.
The win puts Lincoln top for the time being, albeit have played a game more than St Joseph’s, Europa and Lynx who are all a point behind the Red Imps, while Europa Point remain 11th in the table after their first six games.
Lineups:
Europa Point: Tudela; Dixon (Webber, 84), Chrayeh, Bado, Adams (Serralvo, 49), Moulds, El Yettefti, Arjona (Webber, 54), Stewart, McCarthy, Hockin
Lincoln Red Imps returned to winning ways after last week’s shock draw with a commanding 2-0 victory over Mons Calpe.
Mick McElwee made three changes to the side which drew to Boca with Lolo Soler, Graeme Torrilla and Jamie Coombes replaced Kyle Goldwin, Julian Valarino and Alex Moreno.
Lincoln started strong and looked to control the game early on with the vocal Scott Wiseman barking orders from the start. Cesar Vega’s men made it difficult for Imps to create any chances but when they eventually broke down the defence, Kike shot over from close.
Mons nearly took the lead in the 37th minute but great reactions by Lolo Soler prevented Bernardo Lopes from scoring an own goal. Three minutes later and Lincoln took the lead through Mustapha Yahaya’s header.
Disaster struck just after the hour mark when Tjay De Barr and Ethan Santos clashed which left the Mons defender on the floor. Shouts for the Lincoln physio to assist confirmed the injury was serious and he was soon followed by the ambulance.
It is believed the defender sustained broken ribs and was replaced by Ayman Boulaich. A total of fifteen minutes was added on for injury time in which Lincoln made it 2-0 through an unfortunate own goal by Emanuel Ojeda.
This win sees Lincoln rise into third while Mons drop in seveneth.
Lineups
Mons Calpe – Fraiz; Dos Santos, Santos (Boulaich 79), Rodriguez, El Hmidi, Caballero, Muscat (M.El Andaloussi 90), Ojeda, Diaz, Sendin (Mallemaci 62), Ronco (N.El Andaloussi 68)
Unused subs: Perez, Pinero, Bernardes
Lincoln – Soler; Ronan, Wiseman, Lopes, Torrilla, De Barr, Toscano, Yahaya, Kike (Hernandez 70), Coombes, Gamiz (K.Casciaro 70)
Lincoln Red Imps were frustrated by a disciplined Boca defence and an excellent goalkeeping display by Kieren Proctor as the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Imps were in control for most of the half but were limited to few chances from great defensive work by Guillermo Perez Sanchez and Leonard Armstrong.
Their first real chance can near the end of the half as Kike’s shot was saved by Kieren Proctor, who replaced the suspended Jack Atkinson. The referee blew for half-time with the score at 0-0.
After soaking up attack after attack from Lincoln, it was Boca who nearly took the lead. An error by Kyle Goldwin gifted the ball to Nathan Santos in the box but the Boca winger’s shot was saved.
In what will probably be Proctor’s best performance in between the sticks, the 22-year old was unbeatable. Save after save, including a goal-line clearance from Lee Coombes – Boca were able to thwart the Lincoln attack and see out for a well-deserved point.
Big questions will be asked of Mick McElwee’s men as they remain two points behind St Joseph’s and Europa while Boca sit seveneth.
In a game where about 30 people watched sitting on the wall, Europa had the better of the early exchanges – Anthony Hernandez injury did not help Lincoln either. With both Liam Walker and Tjay De Barr booked, this was a scrappy game.
Just before half-time, Europa went ahead as Alejandro Carrascal cntrol Walker’s long ball and scored past Lolo Soler. Things got more dramatic, as with the last kick before half-time, Ethan Britto’s free kick was deflected in by his teammate Kike Gomez to equalise for Lincoln.
In the second half, Lincoln took the upper hand as Kike scored from the penalty spot against his former club to put Lincoln 2-1 up, and potentially see them towards three big points.
However, Walker and Europa had other ideas – in injury time, his cross found Rosa who headed past Soler and rescued a point for Europa in the first of Gib’s ‘El Clasico’ – a result which will also be well received by St Joseph’s who drew with Lions yesterday.
Kike scored his sixth goal in two games as his brace led Lincoln to a 3-0 win over Brunos Magpies last night.
Lincoln’s fast start saw them awarded a penalty in the opening sixty seconds, Kike stepped up and sent the ball way over the crossbar. The Imps would continue to attack with Diego Gamiz having a shot go wide.
Both teams would go into the break 0-0 in what was a very cagey affair. Mick McElwee would introduce Anthony Hernandez into the second half, a move which would have a massive impact.
Bernardo Lopes broke the deadlock with his third goal of the season with 55 minutes played. Five minutes later and Kike made it 2-0 after a mix-up in the Magpies defence.
Kike got his second of the night and Lincoln’s third just eight minutes later with the Spanish striker getting on the end of Gamiz’s free-kick to nod the ball past Alan Martin.
Lincoln would hold on to the lead and walk away with three important points heading into this Saturday’s clash with Europa.
Part Two of our Gibraltar National League preview sees us take a look at FCB Magpies, Glacis United, Lincoln Red Imps and Lions Gibraltar.
Name: FC Brunos Magpies
Next game: Europa (18/10/2020)
2019/20 League finish: 5th
Brunos have been very busy this summer bringing in a number of signing and a new head coach by the name of Johnny Parrado, who managed Europa in 2017.
Key renewals such as Jaron Vinet and JC Garcia, alongside new signings like Jeremy Lopez, Alan Parker and Jaydan Catania will give Parrado plenty of options when following the new 5 HGP rule.
The return of Rubo will bring plenty of excitement after spells at Mons Calpe and Europa – if the Spanish striker can work well with Morgan then goals will flowing at Magpies.
Two important renewals also were Francisco Zuniga who enters his fourth year in Gibraltar and Dan Bent who proved so vital for Magpies last season. An early prediction would say Magpies finishing fourth.
Name: Glacis United
Next game: Mons Calpe (16/10/2020)
2019/20 League finish: 11th
Looking at how the club has gone after finishing 4th in 2017/18, shows how the local game has changed over the years.
It’s been a quiet summer for Glacis, but according to transfermarkt, it has been a busy one. It is unclear if Bennie or Michele will manage the team this season but the ex-Mons Calpe striker’s son joined the club but would later leave two months later to Marbella U19s.
Marcos Zappacosta will be known to many after his stint at Mons Calpe, and they also completed the signings of FC Twente duo Wessel Witbreuk and Job Derksen which had been reported about from the Dutch media.
Name: Lincoln Red Imps
Next game: College 1975 (19/10/2020)
2019/20 League finish: 3rd
Third place would have been a deeply disappointing finish for Lincoln, who expect to be challenging for the title every season.
They had appointed former Mons Calpe manager William Amaral in the summer, and he guided the team to the Europa League Second Qualifying Round, but the club recently parted ways with the manager and replaced him with former manager Mick McElwee.
Lincoln’s key advantage, given the increased HGP ruling, is that they are stacked with local players in pretty much every position – injuries to locals won’t hurt them as much as it will their title challengers.
The signings of Scott Wiseman and Tjay De Barr, as well as the return to action for Graeme Torrilla, should prove to be smart acquisitions as the club look to win the title.
Name: Lions Gibraltar
Next game: Manchester 62 (17/10/2020)
2019/20 League finish: 6th
Lions were something of a surprise package last season, capitalising on Mons Calpe’s poor start, and the departure of Gib United and Gib Phoenix, to take the final top half spot at the split. It may be tricker this time out to do the same, but they will be confident they can.
Albert Ferri’s side have made some smart signings – German Cortes is a proven goalscorer at this level, while Borja Valades was a good keeper in his spell at Glacis. Their HGP contingent is largely young, but the return of Shea Breakspear, who left the club for Magpies last season, adds a bit more experience to their core of Gibraltarians.
The challenge for them this season will be to ensure they beat the teams expected to be around them – namely Mons Calpe and Boca.
18-year old Julian Del Rio has signed a pre-contract with Spanish side Cordoba CF as FG understands a deal will be complete after the Gibraltar U19 international has undergone surgery for an existing injury.
After breaking onto the senior scene in April of 2019 with a goal in Lincoln’s 2-0 win over Gibraltar United, Julian has proved to be one of Gibraltar’s brightest young talents.
While slowly being given more minutes on the pitch as the seasons went on, Julian made 18 appearances last season and scored 7 goals. Most notably, the 18-year old scored a hat-trick in Gibraltar U19’s friendly win over Hong Kong.
Julian suffered a metatarsal injury which has kept him out for two months. FG received confirmation that a deal with Cordoba will be completed fully once the player undergoes surgery and begins rehabilitation.
He will be joined by former team-mate Jaylan Hankins who completed a move to Cordoba a few days ago but won’t be playing together as the goalkeeper was loaned to Extremadura UD.
