Lincoln City are almost certain to be playing in the second round of the EFL Trophy after a stroll in the park against Manchester United Under-21s.
Goals from captain Tom Hamer, Erik Ring and Reeco Hackett sealed the win for Michael Skubala’s side, who proved too clinical for the young visitors at the LNER Stadium, watched by the Real EFL’s Gary Hutchinson.
Lincoln Take Control After Break
Neither side created much in a slow, stuttering first half, with James Scanlon forcing Zach Jeacock into an early save. Lincoln, who made 11 changes from the side that thrashed Peterborough at the weekend, rarely looked troubled,
The Imps could have scored on 20 minutes. Debutant Dexter Lembikisa, watched by Jamaica boss Steve McClaren in the stands, linked up with Oscar Thorn down the right. His ball found Jutsin Obikwu in the box, but his effort was saved by Murdock
Ten minutes later, Erik Ring and Frankie Okoronkwo combined down the left, once again setting up Obikwu, who beats his man but has his effort saved by Murdock.
Second Half Control
Lincoln responded well after the interval with a quickfire opener. Ivan Varfolomeev’s corner was met deftly by Hamer, whose header looped over the keeper into the net to put the hosts in front.
Not long after came United’s best opportunity, when Jack Fletcher’s strike was dramatically cleared off the line by Lewis Montsma, denying Travis Binnion’s side a breakthrough. From that point, the Imps seized control of the tie.
Twenty minutes from time, Lembikisa’s delivery found Ring at the far post, and the Swedish midfielder smashed his effort in off the crossbar to double the lead. Substitute Hackett had a chance to make it three, firing wide when one-on-one, before he added the gloss, making no mistake in the closing minutes. His effort struck the post before nestling into the corner to complete the 3-0 scoreline.
Rob Street, on as a sub for the home side, also spurned a one-on-one after a great ball by Ring, with the game getting away from the academy wide. They kept pushing, with Fletcher and Lacey both threatening late on, but Jeacock stood firm to preserve the clean sheet.
It leaves the Imps top of the group, having played two and won two. Notts County beat Barnsley in the groups other game, but County have already lost 3-0 to the Imps, meaning anything at Barnsley in the last game secures promotion, if other results don’t do it before.
Writer’s View
This was another strong statement from Lincoln in the competition, with set-piece strength and attacking depth proving decisive. For United, the performance offered glimpses of promise, particularly from Lacey and Fletcher, but a lack of cutting edge told in the end.
Lincoln’s physicality and composure in key moments underlined the gap between League One experience and academy potential, leaving the Imps with momentum to build on in their EFL Trophy campaign.
