Lin made light work of SFG Grestad with a comprehensive 4-0 victory in the first round of the Norwegian Cup at Grestad Arena on Saturday. The away side's performance was clinical from start to finish, with goals spread across both halves showing no sign of easing off. SFG Grestad offered little resistance throughout the ninety minutes, and by then it was clear this tie would not be going anywhere near their favour.
The visitors took control early in the second half, opening the scoring through M. Johansen in the thirty-eighth minute. Just three minutes later D. Wilkins doubled the advantage, capitalising on a momentary lapse in the home defence. And here's the thing — two goals inside five minutes effectively ended any chance of a comeback before the break had even concluded.
A. Memedov made it three in the fifty-second minute, continuing the pattern of efficient attacking play. Lin then added a fourth through F. Sock in the eighty-second minute, closing out a performance that was thorough rather than flamboyant. The goal difference of four tells you all you need to know about how this match unfolded.
Lin arrived in good form, having won 5-1 against Odd just one week before. They had also secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Sogndal and followed that with a 1-1 draw against Strømsgodset. There was one defeat in the last five — a 3-4 loss to Stabæk — but overall the visitors were playing with confidence.
SFG Grestad's recent record told a different story entirely. They had lost 5-0 to Notodden in February, followed by a 1-5 defeat to KFUM Oslo in April. The only competitive result before this cup tie was a 0-4 loss to Redd in July 2021. The team was struggling to find consistency, and this result only deepened the concern.
The victory advances Lin into the next stage of the Norwegian Cup, while SFG Grestad's cup campaign comes to an end. Four goals conceded without reply is a result that will require honest reflection at the club. The visitors, meanwhile, move on with momentum and belief.